Esquire Writer Weighs in on Chicago Michelin Guide

The Mayor and Jean-Luc Naret, worldwide director of the Michelin guides, are all laughs with The Michelin Man at the announcement party at A New Leaf. (Photo: Rick Aguilar Studios)


Every local media outlet's been abuzz about the prestigious Michelin guide finally coming to Chicago, and there's been sooooo much speculation on how many stars certain restaurants will get.

Even Esquire's controversial go-to food guy, John Mariani, weighed in with his predictions on how many stars Alinea, Blackbird, L2O and Moto will get:

Summer Hours=The Three Martini Lunch

Don Draper of AMC's "Mad Men." (Photo: AMC)


Looks like our main man from "Mad Men" knew what he was doing when he took those long-ass lunches back in the day.

On the hit 1960s-era series, Don Draper appears to be at the top of his game after a few cocktails. The question is: Can you do the same?!

River North's District Bar wants to test your skills with The Don Draper Treatment, debuting Friday.

Reader Gives 312DD a Few Props!

Nubia Henderson (center, with blond streaks) with guests at The Southern. (Photo: Nubia Henderson)


My favorite part of 312DD is helping folks pick the perfect nightlife or dining destination for special occasions.

I get these requests on the regular, and it really gets my adrenaline flowing as I give them options to help make their events memorable.

It's always nice to get a thank you email, but reader Nubia Henderson recently took it a step further after I recommended The Southern as a destination for her recent farewell fete:

Only In Wicker Park . . .

"Miss Hopkins If You're Nasty" crowned "Miss Wicker Park" Monday at Double Door. (Photo: Marcus Riley)


. . . would the newly crowned Miss Wicker Park proclaim in her acceptance speech: "Holy f--- s--, we're getting f--- up tonight!" as she sprayed the crowd with PBR.

That was the case Monday at Double Door during the first-ever pageant to crown the neighborhood's hottest hipster chick.

Bon Appétit on Bastille Day!

We never need an excuse to indulge in a few glasses of bubbly, but since it's Bastille Day, we'll up the ante.

You'll find no shortage of places to celebrate today:

Sneak Peek of 'GCM Chefs BBQ' Cocktails!

Josh Pearson's "R&R Smash" (Photos: Kate Gross Photography)


Are you getting thirsty?!

If these photos of cocktails prepared by Chicago's hottest mixologists don't get your mouth watering, then something's not right.

Sunda Chef Is Sorta Moving On . . .

Sunda Executive Chef Rodelio Aglibot. (Photo: Sunda)


Rodelio Aglibot is so busy these days that he's leaving his full-time post as executive chef at popular Asian-fusion spot Sunda.

Aglibot tells 312DD that in two weeks, his role at Sunda will transition to "more of a consulting capacity" so he can work on various projects in Los Angeles and New York.

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

Legendary rocker Pat Benatar performs at Northerly Island Sunday.


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

Pat Benatar at Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island. Before there was Madonna, Lady Gaga and Rihanna, there was Pat Benatar—a true badass babe who needed no hype or props during performances. "Heartbreaker," "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "Life is a Battlefield" are only a few of her charttoppers we're looking forward to when she hits the stage this weekend. REO Speedwagon also headlines. 7pm Sunday. Get tickets here.