10 Years of BIN 36's Bubble Bath

The bubbles are back!

BIN 36's extravagant holiday party featuring more than 75 champagnes and sparkling wines happens 6-10pm Dec. 9.

Bubble Bath X is $50, with $5 from every ticket benefiting Horizons for Youth, plus proceeds from the silent auction and raffle sales also going to this worthy organization.

The guys over at BIN 36 are in such a generous mood that they've given 312DD a pair of tickets to give one of my lucky readers for FREEBIE FRIDAY! That person will get to enjoy all the bubbles they can handle, plus signature bites and desserts by executive chef John Caputo.

And if you sample something you especially love, you'll get a 20 percent discount on all sparkling wines and champagnes in the retail store (available the day of the event only).

So I hope you're following me here, 'cause that's the only way to win!

Bayless Has Best Tweet Ever . . .

Rick Bayless is chef/owner of Frontera Grill, Xoco and Topolobampo.


A pregnant woman in labor had to have her fix before heading to the hospital, and she paid none other than Rick Bayless a visit.

He Tweeted: "A woman on her way to deliver her baby @ Northwestn hospital decided she had time for chocolate&churros at Xoco first. In dining room now."

Now that's a craving I can get down with!

A New Attitude for Whiskey Bar & Grill

Whiskey Bar & Grill on Rush Street has re-concepted its image in order to bring back its original "cool" crowd. (Photo: Whiskey Bar & Grill)


We all love a good comeback story.

When Colleen Flaherty's diminutive martini lounge was displaced by the city to make way for a new Blue Line stop, we thought we'd never get to taste one of her amazing cocktails again. But she returned with a bigger and tighter mixology program when she relocated Tiny Lounge to the North Center neighborhood earlier this year.

Ousted Funky Buddha Lounge owner Joe Russo disappeared for a few years before he made his triumphant return in the spring with The Shrine, a South Loop nightclub that's successfully drawn the city's top ballers and shot callers.

So now it’s time for Rande Gerber—the guy behind more than 25 Whiskey Bar-branded bars around the world—to step up his game with the Rush Street spot that redefined Chicago nightlife on the Gold Coast.

He's secured a team of local nightlife vets (including former NV Penthouse Lounge GM John Mendez) to bring back the magic that once captured the city's glitterati. Gone is Mexx, a Mexican-themed component with Latin dishes and an expansive list of tequilas. They've returned to what they're known best for—whiskies—and amping that list up in a time when they're more popular than ever.

Plus, they've added a number of cushy leather booths and banquettes, flatscreens, reclaimed hardwood tables, and offbeat black-and-white portraits of legendary music stars Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, giving it a more lived-in setting.

For sure the most significant change will be a new deejay booth set up in a corner on weekends. Look for the city's most popular deejays to spin mashups, classic rock and contemporary hits.

The project's still a work in progress, but to get a taste of what they're up to, hit up Whiskey Bar & Grill tonight for a soft-opening party hosted by Chicago-Scene. There's a Stoli reception 8-10pm, and a deejay spins. No cover.

Also going down this weekend . . .

FRIDAY

It's been open for about a week in its third location on Chicago Avenue, but Lush Wine and Spirits hosts a grand-opening party tonight. Free booze and bites. 6-9pm.

SATURDAY

Today is St. Nikolaus Day, so bring the kids to celebrate at The Berghoff. They're doing a special holiday menu, face painting and an appearance by St. Nickolaus himself. Also, children (under 12) who find the traditional pickle ornament in Berghoff's holiday tree win free root beer floats! 11am-7pm.

Speaking of the Jolly Old Elf, he'll also be at Empty Bottle for the Rockin' Santa event. The party benefits School Street Arts, a non-profit dedicated to AIDS awareness among youth. There's a craft/bake sale and lots of booze. 2-5pm. $20 adults; $35 for couples; $5 children (accompanied by an adult).

Today is also the 76th anniversary of Repeal Day! Custom House shows its support with $5 cocktails: “Bathtub” Gin Rickey (North Shore Distillery #11 Gin, fresh lime, soda and a candied lime wheel), Presbyterian (Death’s Door White Whiskey, house made ginger beer and a lemon twist) and Rock n’ Rye (Templeton “Prohibition Era” Rye Whiskey, house made vanilla syrup and Crème de Cerise). 11:30am-11pm.

Volo's annual neighborhood favorite returns. The champagne tasting includes more than 30 wines, and will take place inside and on the heated patio. 2:30-5pm. $25.

Legendary New Wave star Peter Hook of New Order plays a rare deejay set at Smart Bar. He'll also sign copies of his book (?!). Dark Wave Disco deejays also spin. 10pm-5am. $10 before midnight; $15 after.

SUNDAY

Gingerbread-infused pancakes. The Rudolph Bloody Mary. And the Winter Wonderland—made from bourbon and nutmeg. That's just part of the special pre-fixe holiday brunch on tap this weekend at C-House. We also love the fact that pastry chef Toni Roberts will be sending guests off with jars of holiday cookies, including her recipes so you can make them at home. 10:30am-3pm Saturday and Sunday. $25.

And those entertaining folks from out of town will dig the new Sunday Suppers happening at Blue 13. Make your reservation for 7pm to get hearty portions of Chris Curren's cooking. He'll serve everything family-style, and you'll get a main course, two to three sides, a salad and dessert for $20 each. Reservations only.

NoMI Chef Takes on New York!

Jealous I'm not in the Big Apple today because New Yorkers are getting a treat from some of our very own.

NoMI Executive Chef Christophe David, award-winning Master Sommelier Fernando Beteta and their amazing team are currently prepping for an amazing dinner tonight at the prestigious James Beard House—known best for the most coveted culinary awards in the United States.

Peep the menu. It's a good one:

Reception

Ponzu Marinated Yellowfin Tuna

Gruyère Cheese Gougere

Cured Salmon Bon Bon

Chausson with Bacon and Spinach

Truffled Chestnut Soup with Duck Confit

Champagne Philipponnat | Royale Réserve | Brut NV Mareuil sur Aÿ


Dinner

Watercress Soup

golden osetra caviar | crème fraîche

Sancerre | Domaine Eric Montintin | Loire Valley 2007

Rougié Foie Gras Crème Brûlée

brioche | hazelnut | petite herbs

Pinot Gris | Cuvée St. Catherine | Domaine Weinbach | Alsace 2007

Alba White Truffle Risotto

carnaroli rice | celery root | parmigiano reggiano

Mâcon-Chardonnay | Clos de la Crochette | Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon 2006

Brittany Turbot

artichoke barigoule | sauce bonne femme

Pinot Noir | Walter Hansel Winery | Russian River Valley 2007

Jamison Farms Rack of Lamb

lamb neck | black truffle | salsify | natural jus

Cheval des Andes | Château Cheval Blanc & Terrazas de los Andes | Mendoza 2005

Namelaka

sable | white chocolate crème | mango passion sorbet

Chardonnay Trockenbeerenauslese | Weingut Rosenfeld | Burgenland Austria 2004

Macarons, Chocolate and Nougat

A Decade of Decadent Dishes . . .

River North's Naha is one of several notable restaurants celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010. (Photo: Naha)


A milestone in meals. An era of exotic entrees. A decade of decadent dishes.

Any way you look at it, in these tough economic times when people's tastes change at the drop of a fork, a restaurant surviving 10 years is quite a feat.

So let's take a moment to give props to 10 Chicago restaurants celebrating 10 years in 2010:

437 Rush: Phil Stefani's old-school Italian gem offers classic dishes and live entertainment, attracting a mature, well-heeled crowd.

Adobo Grill: The moles. The margaritas. The music! The original location in Old Town still packs 'em in for lunch and dinner daily.

Bob San: The Wicker Park sushi spot has managed to hold its own even though its a stone's throw from one of the city's best, Mirai Sushi (which celebrates its 10th year this month!).

Chicago Firehouse: The former South Loop firehouse serves up decent classic American fare. Nothing fancy here, but we love it for the firehouse novelty alone.

The Grill on the Alley: The Chicago offshoot of the upscale Beverly Hills steakhouse is located on the first level of the Westin Hotel.

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab: A tourist favorite in River North, this just may be the best seafood spot in the city.

Naha: The highly acclaimed executive chef/owner Carrie Nahabedian skillfully fuses her own rich Armenian heritage into New American cuisine, creating something very special.

N9NE Steakhouse: The tony West Loop steakhouse chose to celebrate its milestone for its ninth anniversary, but we suspect they'll still have something in the works for 2010. The contemporary steakhouse continues to draw the business traveler despite the decline of the corporate card.

NoMI: Only one of two restos with an amazing view of the Mag Mile, the award-winning Asian-French inspired NoMI still has one of the best terraces in the city.

Ringo Japanese Restaurant: When it comes to sushi, this Lincoln Park standby gets it right. So right that they've repeated their formula of success in Tsuki and Ai.

Local Winos Get Props on Top Chef

Bill Terlato (from left), Anthony Terlato and John Terlato of Terlato Wines International. (Photo: Terlato Wines)


It sucks Chicago didn't rep on Top Chef: Las Vegas this season, but some local guys appearing on the two-part series finale (airing 9pm CST Dec. 2 and 9th) should make up for it.

NBCChicago.com reports that Terlato Wines International owners Bill and Anthony Terlato will appear on both episodes. The owners will host a wine-tasting party for the finalists and serve as guest judge respectively.

But it doesn't end there. The Lake Bluff-based company has had a relationship with Top Chef for at least a few years, and even produced two new Napa Valley wines as a tribute to the show: Quickfire Napa Valley Chardonnay and Quickfire Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, named for the show’s exciting Quickfire Challenge where contestants compete in fast-paced culinary trials.

BOKA Chef's Dish a Favorite of Food Network

Giuseppe Tentori, partner/executive chef at BOKA. (Photo: BOKA)

Just watched the season two opener of Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, where celebrity chefs like Tyler Florence and Giada De Laurentiis reminisced over their favorite holiday dishes.

Art Smith of Table Fifty-Two headed over to Chicago's very own BOKA, where exec chef Giuseppe Tentori hooked him up with Bigoli Pasta, an ultra-rich dish made of duck eggs, duck ragout, fresh basil, parmesan, tomato sauce . . . and sprinkled with saffron.

It's on the menu now for $26, but after that Food Network hit, it's certain to sell out every night!

Christmas Cupcake Craze Gone Wrong?!

One of my wackiest 312DD fans, who goes by the handle of The Phantom Diner, sent me his Top 10 List—David Letterman style—of possibly the grossest holiday cupcake flavors EVER.

This guy knows his way around Chicago's restaurant scene, but he has a serious bone to pick when it comes to cupcakes. He HATES them, so for everyone else annoyed with the over-the-top cupcake trend of 2009, this list is for you:

10. Burnt Christmas tree topped with melted candy cane.

9. Roasted Partridge covered in truffled Pear Tree sap.

8. Leftover Thanksgiving turkey sprinkled with moldy cranberries and cracked road salt.

7. Eggnog-infused French Hen, bathed in chocolate and dusted with cinnamon.

6. Granny’s homemade gingerbread with a crust of frozen carrot, topped with a ribbon of snow and ice.

5. The "almost" white cupcake: yellow snow covered in gooey marshmallow.

4. Grilled reindeer tongue touched with a delicate wisp of the Ghost of Christmas past.

3. Cookie medley mash drizzled with spoiled milk reduction sauce.

2. Reindeer shit on a shingle.

And the number one holiday cupcake flavor . . .

1. Tender elf loins laced with crispy Santa belly-button lint!

Someone is twisted!