Local Chefs Go Crazy Over Wild Arctic Char

Arctic Char with Cilantro Pumpkin Seed Pesto. (Stock photo)


"The two-week summer fishery was an absolute delight that had the city's most talented chefs humbled to have such a majestic species in their kitchens," gushed Carl Galvan, one of the hardest-working fishmongers for Surpreme Lobster, about Cambridge Bay Wild Arctic Char.

Such a statement makes me seriously pay attention, and it turns out that by mid-August, these fish will return to their natural habitat under the ice caps of the Arctic Circle.

To celebrate their "final 2010 runs," Galvan's gathered what he says are some of the best chefs in the city to whip up signature dishes during two special events you don't want to miss.

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

Raphael Saadiq performs at "Lollapalooza" Friday.


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

Lollapalooza at Grant Park. An all-star lineup of musical acts are set to perform at this annual, three-day festival. Highlights on the main stages include Raphael Saadiq (2-3pm Friday), Lady Gaga (8-10pm Friday), Green Day (7:45-10pm Saturday), Erykah Badu (5-6pm Sunday) and Soundgarden (8-10pm Sunday). August 6-8. Get tickets here.

Chef 'Driven' Concepts at Atwood Cafe, Inovasi

Atwood Cafe Executive Chef Derek Simcik (Photo: Atwood Cafe)


Two Chicago-area chefs give new meaning to the buzzword "chef driven" with some exciting new promotions at their restaurants.

Over at Atwood Café, in the Loop, new Executive Chef Derek Simcik's doing a couple of cool promos to attract those diners who hate driving downtown.

Get Ready for the First-Ever Cupcake Cruise

(Photo: Flirty Cupcakes)


There's so much competition now with all these cupcake shops and cupcake trucks, so Flirty Cupcakes decided to step up its game by taking their treats to the shore.

That's right. They're doing the city's first-ever Cupcake Cruise, which should be quite a blast.

Here are the details:

He 'Runs This Town!'

Restaurateur and nightlife impresario Billy Dec (Rockit Ranch Productions)


Chicago's a lucky town to have so many vibrant and quirky personalities on the dining and nightlife scenes.

But no one stands out more than Billy Dec and Graham Elliot. That's why 312DD decided to conduct a fun poll just to see who the public embraced more.

Gilt Bar Owner On To Next BIG Project

(Photo: Natasha Hernandez)


An Ultimate Insider tells 312DD exclusively that Brendan Sodikoff is on to his next project and making moves in the Randolph Restaurant Row area.

The Gilt Bar owner/executive chef is rumored to be breaking ground Sunday right across the street from Girl & the Goat.

Our Very Own Prime-Time Celebrity Chef?!

(Photo: Graham Elliot)


He insists that Hollywood hasn’t gone to his head, but the Chicago chef formerly known as Graham Elliot Bowles is simply going by the slimmed-down moniker "Graham Elliot" now.

I kinda dug the three names, but bygones, it’s his decision.

Anyway, did you catch the first episode of FOX’s "MasterChef," featuring Elliot, Gordon Ramsay and Joe Bastianich?! Following the successful formats of “American Idol,” “So You Think You Can Dance?” and “America’s Got Talent,” the show plucks out regular, decent-cooking folks who aspire to be chefs.

Lula Cafe is Back, Baby!

(Photo: Lula Cafe)


After being shuttered for almost a week because of basement flooding, Logan Square's glorious hipster hangout Lula Cafe is back in business, beginning today.

From their Facebook page: