Off to a Healthy Start!

After all that holiday indulgence, it's time to start the New Year off with a healthier outlook.

But who wants to drink wheatgerm or chow down on nothing but rice cakes for a month?!

The Loop's Protein Bar, located directly across from Willis Sears Tower, is making it fun for those who take on their New Year challenge.

For every 10 meals you order through Feb. 28 you'll get a free meal and a chance to win health- and fitness-related prizes like personal training sessions, spa certificates, mani-pedis or a happy hour for friends at Protein Bar.

In addition to signature smoothies like the whimsical Wrigley Peeled (chocolate protein, milk, all-natural peanut butter, banana), Protein Bar offers an extensive list of delicious diet-friendly dishes to whip you in shape.


Lynn House, award-winning mixologist of graham elliot (Photo: graham elliot)


If you crossed booze off your list for awhile, graham elliot's master mixologist Lynn House has got you covered with a few of her award-winning cocktails that have been converted to "mocktails."

We're especially craving the Pomegranate Fizz (egg white, lime juice, homemade grenadine or pomegranate molasses, club soda, diet Sprite) and sexy Ruby Slippers (lemon juice, blood orange juice, ginger syrup, Sprecher's ginger ale).

And sushi is one of the healthiest foods out there, as long as you're not piling it on with cream cheese, tempura shrimp or avocado.

To chow down in style, here's a refresher, plus you can always find the freshest bites at Wicker Park fave Mirai Sushi and the South Loop's original location for Oysy.

More sushi's on tap at Sushi Samba where chef Dan Tucker just launched the SAMBA FIT menu for lunch and dinner. For $20.10, guests get to choose healthy items from a three-course menu. These sound especially good: yuzu soy glazed green beans; grilled tofu marinated in Japanese herb sauce; and a selection of sushi rolls, including tuna, Yellowtail scallion and Yellowtail jalapeno.

Happy New Year!

TRU Burgers Take Over Famed Pastry Kitchen

Just got off the phone with an Ultimate Insider who told me more on that TRU burger concept I wrote about here earlier in December.

Turns out this will be a bigger deal than I originally anticipated. They're bringing back chef Tim Graham, who was recently sent over to Brasserie Jo, to oversee the new project. One of the most interesting aspects of this deal is that he'll take over the pastry kitchen where award-winning Executive Pastry Chef Gale Gand created her decadent delights. Also gone is the famed chef's table because Graham will need that space as well.

The burgers will be takeout only, with a window where customers can go pick them up. Not sure when this will all go down, but we expect to see changes soon . . .

Delicious New Dishes for a New Decade

Out with the old, in with the new . . . dishes?!

With a New Year and new decade comes a whole spate of new restos and favorite standbys updating their menus:

Branch 27: New chef John Manion has done a complete overhaul of the menu at this laid-back West Town neighborhood hang. A cassoulet of lamb meatballs, braised pork belly and duck confit should pair nicely with a beer from the impressive list that includes Three Floyds Alpha King and Goose Island Matilda.

HEARTY: Partners Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh—also known as The Hearty Boys—reignited their visibility in Lakeview by transforming their private events space into a full-fledged restaurant. They add a twist to standard comfort fare like a deconstructed tuna casserole with seared panko-crusted Ahi, egg noodles in a light saffron cream, sautéed wild mushrooms, sweet pea puree and crushed dried sweet peas.

HUB 51: There's a rotating menu during the new brunch service at the happening River North eatery. They've just introduced Eggs Benedict served over hash browns with a choice of Black Forest ham or thick-cut brown sugar bacon.

Longman & Eagle: Chef Jared Wentworth and owner Bruce Finkelman (The Empty Bottle) promise more comfort than anyone with this new bar/restaurant/inn hybrid. In addition to homey, savory dishes like the wild boar sloppy Joe (with crispy sage, onions and pickled jalapeño), the venue serves as a refuge for those who need to sleep off a hangover. It's set to open in late January.

The Purple Pig: Jimmy Bannos Jr.'s no newcomer to the dining scene with stints working for Mario Batali as well as he's son of Jimmy Bannos Sr. of Heaven on Seven fame. He's partnered with Scott Harris (Francesca) for this gastropub serving up the intriguing chicken thigh kebabs with fried smashed potatoes and tzatziki.

Food Fight! Check, Please! Slammed By Time Out

This is the time for year-end reviews, but Time Out went after five restaurants they felt Check, Please! "got wrong" this decade:

"1. Think (2235 N Western Ave, 773-394-0537), 2005. The biggest disservice to the city at the hands of a TV show. Almost overnight, the whole town went googly over any dish with a decorative sour-cream splatter.

2. Geja’s Café (340 W Armitage Ave, 773-281-9101), 2005. Yes, it really picked this skeezy fondue joint. But that’s what happens when you invite Steve Wilkos to recommend a restaurant.

3. RL (115 E Chicago Ave, 312-475-1100), 2004. The show said it was like eating in New York. A New York Ralph Lauren store, perhaps.

4. Tavern on Rush (1031 N Rush St, 312-664-9600), 2006. The panel actually acted as if this frat bar were a steakhouse.

5. Chaise Lounge (1840 W North Ave, 773-342-1840), 2009. To be fair, the guests conceded that this South Beach–style clusterfuck was sometimes better for the women than the food."

Pretty damn brutal there, but the last time I checked it was the guest reviewers deciding on what restaurants were featured on the show, not Check, Please!

Another Rosebud Blooming in VTK Space?!

The Rosebud on Rush location is only a few blocks away from Rosebud Eats, which is going into the VTK space in 2010. (Photo: Rosebud Restaurants, Inc.)


VTK lost its lease and will shutter after 10 years this week.

In early December, DISH reported that Lettuce Entertain You’s Rich Melman will possibly take the concept elsewhere.

Meanwhile, an Ultimate Insider tells 312DD a higher up at Rosebud Restaurants Inc. said to look out for Rosebud Eats to open at that location.

"They've already bought equipment (for the space)," said the source, who added that the restaurant plans to offer meals 23 hours a day when it debuts in March.

While You Were with the Fam . . .

Jane Lynch as Coach Sue Sylvester in "Glee." (Photo: FOX)


. . . one of FOX's biggest stars from the hit TV series "Glee" was dining with friends at Table Fifty-Two on Eve of Christmas Eve. We hear Jane Lynch was thankfully not wearing her famous track suit.

And on the same evening, Bebe Neuwirth ("Cheers," "Fraiser") was also in the house. She's currently starring in "The Addams' Family" at the Ford Center/Oriental Theatre through Jan. 10.

Locals on High Alert for Party Crashers on NYE

Tareq (far right) and Michaele Salahi are the "party crashers" of the century. (Photo: Appleton/White House)


RedEye talks to experts on how to spot scammers and party crashers on New Year's Eve:

"Social extremes
Look out for the guests who are either a little too friendly or totally antisocial, advised Sarah Vargo, founder of Chicago-based public relations and event planning company Maven. '[Crashers are] either trying too hard or not at all and just looking around and not really mingling or interacting with guests,' she said.

Curious fashion choices
A guest's outfit should match the occasion, Susan Cordogan, owner of Lincoln Park-based Big City Events and Big City Bride, said. 'Most parties will state a certain kind of attire that is expected,' she said, 'and since most crashers do it spur of the moment, they won't be prepared to look like everyone else.'

Early retreats
Many private parties assign seating or dole out nameplates for each guest at dinner, which is the party crasher's signal to jet. 'They know they don't belong, so they leave before the sit-down dinners,' said Audarshia Townsend, who blogs about Chicago's party scene at 312diningdiva.com.

Skipping the formalities
Crashers won't sign the guest book or bring a gift for a personal event, according to Cordogan. 'Most of the time, they'll just walk in and go straight to the bar or buffet without saying hello to anyone,' she said."

Catch of the Day Just Got Better . . .

Carl Galvan of Supreme Lobster (Photo: Carl Galvan)


You gotta love a guy who describes himself on his Twitter page as a hardcore fish monger.

But that's just the kind of man Carl Galvan is. The 13-year chef vet, who previously worked at a number of local spots including Marche, dives into every project with gusto.

As the golden "Chicago Fish Dude" for Supreme Lobster, Galvan hobnobs every day with his former colleagues, who he affectionately calls "the pirates." For three years he's supplied premium seafood to hot spots such as Blackbird, Lockwood, L2O and Perennial. "I love being part of each story each particular chef tells of each dish," he says.

On Monday, he's gathered an all-star crew of chefs to help him serve cocktails at the year's last Shift Drinks, happening at Pops for Champagne.

The popular weekly restaurant- and bar-industry party will highlight signature cocktails served up by guest bartenders Rodelio Aglibot (Sunda), James Gottwald (Rockit Bar & Grill) and Troy Graves (Eve).

Galvan's hooking up a drink he's calling La Muerta Del Rey, made with Death's Door gin, wild orange blossom/winter herbal syrup, Veev Acai, blood orange and Meyer lemon for $9. They'll also feature $3 PBR, $5 Jameson shots and a $9 signature Hum cocktail. 9pm-2am. No cover.