Dynamic Duo At 'Chicago Live!'

Nick Kokonas (left) and Grant Achatz of Alinea. (Photo: Alinea)

WGN Radio's Chicago Live has snagged a big one.

Later this month, Alinea head honchos Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas will appear on the weekly live stage show with host Rick Kogan.

This Deal Is A Mighty Fine Steal!

Erick Williams is the executive chef at MK. (Photo: MK)

This is FAN-freaking-tastic.

The guys over at MK know how much I crave their soups, fries and roast chicken thighs and now they want you to find out.

Through May 1, the contempo American resto in River North is offering Friends of 312DD 25 percent off their entire dinner—and this includes wine!

To get the discount, all you have to do is mention that you're a Friend of 312DD when making that reservation Sunday through Thursday only. Now, isn't that a sweet deal?!

Swine At Its Finest At Baconfest

(Photo via The Bacon Games)

Tickets to Baconfest don't go on sale until the end of the month, but they're teasing the hell out of us with the just-released list of participating chefs.

Oh, just the names on this list will have you salivating, as your imagination goes wild with what they'll have in store for us when the pork party goes down on April 9 at the UIC Forum (725 W. Roosevelt Rd.).

That GT Is Such A Tease . . .

(Photo: GT Fish & Oyster)

GT Fish & Oyster—named after chef/partner Giuseppe Tentori—isn't opening until March, but they just released this tasty-looking photo of miniature lobster and shrimp pot pies.

Wow!

The Buzz Is Hot On This One!

(Photo via Metromix)

"You are going to love Hubbard Inn if you have not checked it out," writes an Ultimate Insider who got a chance to attend a preview party at the upcoming River North venue Thursday night.

But this made me even more excited:

"They are having their own house bourbon made."

YES.

It's set to open Feb. 7.

Whoops! It Ain't Over Yet . . .

(Photo: Ole Hardwood)

The drama apparently isn't over for the South Loop space formerly known as Ole Hardwood.

Police are continuing to investigate the fire that burned down the "gastro-smokehouse" in December, according to Chicago Journal:

Freebies . . . on Friday . . .

Low on cash, but got an appetite for the good life?! Every Friday, 312DD features the best bargain bets around town:

Benny's Chop House: One of the best deals during the Super Bowl, the menu at this River North steakhouse will offer $2 prime beef sliders, truffle & mushroom flatbreads, and $3 craft beers from Green Bay and Pittsburgh. Also, bring the kids along for generous deals 3-7pm every Sunday. Each child (per paying adult) eats for free from a menu that includes Chef Jonathan's Chicken Noodle Soup, all-natural chicken fingers, petite filet with fries, classic cheeseburger, and an ice cream sundae with chocolate sauce.

'Hottest Chef' Contestant, Others Cook For Vital Bridges

Chef Ryan Poli of Perennial. (Photo: Boka Restaurant Group)

Perennial's Ryan Poli made it through the first round of Eater Chicago's first-ever Hottest Chef Poll, and now you can meet the baby blue-eyed culinary star at a benefit happening Feb. 8.