It's Gonna Suck When 'Oprah' Is Over . . .

Movie star Drew Barrymore dined at Frontera Grill Thursday, then picked up pizzettes at Lakeview favorite Socca.


. . . because a lot of celebrities won't have a reason to come to Chicago when her show ends in 2011.

That could possibly include Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Kourtney Kardashian, who were spotted Thursday chowing down at Frontera Grill by owner/chef Rick Bayless, who excitedly tweeted the sighting:

Watch Out, Guys, It's Baaaaaack!

"SATC 2" doesn’t hit theaters until May 27, but the partying gets underway this weekend.

That's when women all over town shimmy into their slinkiest dresses, match those up with the hottest handbags and sashay all over town in skyscraper stilettos.

One of the events they'll be heading to is a gratis wine tasting party, "SATC"-style, at Randolph Wine Cellars. From 2-6pm Saturday, the wine will pour freely and apps will be passed.

The Girl, A Goat and The Diva

Some of these lucky "goat" buttons will gain folks entry into "friends and family" dinners for Girl & The Goat before it opens. (Photo: Girl & The Goat)


Girl & The Goat Executive Chef Stephanie Izard sent foodies into a frenzy Tuesday when she posted that she was giving away 1,000 Goat Buttons as a promotion for the opening of her new gastropub.

Not only will these little knickknacks be cool keepsakes once the resto gets going, but if you're lucky enough to snag one you could gain entry into one of the "friends and family" dinners happening right before it officially opens in June.

Thieves Strike . . . Again . . .

From an Ultimate Insider:

"Police report says window broken and $1,000 taken from Karyn's Fresh Corner on May 8."

Glad no one was hurt!

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

Oscar-winning star Mo'Nique performs a one-woman comedy show Saturday at Arie Crown Theatre.


Every Monday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before and after the show:

Improv Children of the Corn 4 - Soft Core Corn at Cornservatory. Just so we're clear, this improv show is not for the kids. 8pm Thursdays through June 3. Also, get ready for audience participation. Get tickets here.

Browntrout: They've got a liquor license in place at this seafood-oriented spot, but if you insist on bringing that fabulous bottle of vino, they'll charge you $20. Come on Thursdays, however, and the corkage fee is waived.

Locations Uncovered for NEXT, The Aviary?!

The interior of recently shuttered Follia, which is rumored to be the new home for Grant Achatz's NEXT. (Photo: Follia)


Apparently someone at Feast knows someone in high places because they're reporting a major scoop Monday on the forthcoming Grant Achatz projects:

"Although it’s been hush hush (and still is), a very reliable source has revealed that Grant Achatz’s highly-anticipated, hyped-up new project does, in fact, have a location. Even though we’re still mourning the loss of Fulton Market’s authentic Italian outpost, Follia, we hear that the space will allegedly house Achatz’s new, tickets-only restaurant, Next. An even juicier rumor is that his concurrent bar project, Aviary, will be taking over Fulton Lounge. With the advent of Achatz, Fulton Market might just become the culinary capital of downtown Chicago."

The Duffy Duck vs. Foss Hog

Mancow (from left), Phillip Foss and Curtis Duffy at Franks 'n' Dawgs. (Photo: Phillip Foss)


We're taking a break from our regularly scheduled Meatball Mondays to bring you something a little different today.

Apparently there's a vicious little battle going down over at Lincoln Park's Franks 'n' Dawgs, where two local celebrity chefs are competing to see who has the best signature hot dog.

Warm Oatmeal Cookies with Rum Soaked Raisins

. . . is what you'll find at The Cookie Bar, a new sweets shop set to open in Lincoln Park in about two weeks, according to Time Out.