Dine Out for Gulf Coast!

The Publican is one of four Chicago restaurants participating in "Dine Out for Gulf Coast." (Photo: Bob Briskey Photography)


It's really a horrible situation down on the Gulf Coast after the massive BP oil spill, and many families are suffering.

A number of high-profile chefs and restaurants across the country have joined forces for Dine Out for Gulf Coast, which will benefit the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.

Following are the Chicago restaurants participating June 10-12:

Let The (Festival) Games Begin!

Do Division Street Fest revelers at SmallBar. (Photo: REP3)


When it comes to the neighborhood street festival, no city beats Chicago. Each event offers its own distinct personality of the neighborhood's residents and businesses, particularly the restaurants and bars.

Take, for example, Do Division Street Fest, which goes down this weekend on 10 solid blocks in Wicker Park.

Anthony Martin Replaces Rick Tramonto at TRU

TRU Executive Chef/partner Anthony Martin (Photo: TRU)


THIS just dropped in the inbox:

"We are excited to announce that Chef Anthony Martin, who joined the Tru team in 2008 after working with Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas, is now the executive chef/partner of Tru Restaurant. Chef Rick Tramonto is moving on from Tru and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises to follow other culinary pursuits. Our other founding member, Executive Pastry Chef Gale Gand, will remain a partner at Tru.

Zapatista Outpost Set to Open in Lincoln Park

South Loop location for Zapatista. (Photo: Zapatista)


An Ultimate Insider exclusively tells 312DD that the stylish Mexican flair and fare of Zapatista is set to move into the space recently vacated by Emilios Tapas at Clark and Fullerton.

The Lincoln Park location marks the third (also in South Loop and Northbrook) and plans are underway to open by late summer.

'Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot' DELETED!

(Photo: Graham Elliot)


The Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot Facebook page that 312DD was the first to write about Friday has been deleted!

Big Jones Has Best Fried Chicken in Chicago?!

Yes, according to the June issue of Bon Appetit, which placed it high on its list for Top 10 Best Places for Fried Chicken in the country:

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

R&B siren Erykah Badu headlines two shows at the Chicago Theatre Wednesday and Thursday.


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

Erykah Badu at Chicago Theatre. Pleeeeease, Ms. Badu, try to keep your clothes on during the entire show! The tour's approps named Out My Mind, Just In Time, so expect her to perform songs from new album, New Amerykah Part Two, as well as Baduizm and Mama's Gun. N.E.R.D. and Janelle Monae open. 7:30pm Wednesday, Thursday. Get tickets here.

BIN 36: The new artisanal cheese flights are a delight, particularly the super-creamy Fat Cats, blue cheese-focused No Need To Sing The Blues or worldly We Love Italy collections. Prices range $12-$22 per flight. Proximity to show: Two blocks north; five-minute walk.

Disgruntled Diner Creates 'Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot' Facebook Page

(Photo: Graham Elliot)


A diner didn't like his experience at River North resto graham elliot, so he decided to send owner/chef Graham Elliot Bowles a copy of his "review" on Yelp.

Of course, that didn't go over well—he claims he got a prompt "F*ck You" from the "Top Chef Masters" star—so he decided on another approach.