Words of the Week . . .

Local food journalist Michael Nagrant's tweet on the mayoral changing of the guard was retweeted more than 100 times Tuesday night:

"Rahm Emanuel just ousted Richard Daley as the mayor of city hall on @foursquare."

You cannot say that that ish wasn't funny as hell!

Are You Pissing Off Your Bartender?!

Photo via Nirvino.

We get it.

You educated yourself enough about elixirs and bitters and all things cocktail related that you can make a Manhattan with your eyes closed.

But when you're not a professional behind the bar and you spout off to the bartender just how knowledgeable you are . . .you just become annoying.

That's the sentiment behind the article by spirits writer Camper English, who colorfully describes the ultimate bar snob:

Say Hello To Perennial's New Exec Chef

Photo via Chicago Sun-Times.

Paul Virant has just been named Perennial's new executive chef and partner. The force behind Western Springs' Vie has also been on Iron Chef and won Food & Wine's Best New Chef.

He replaces Ryan Poli, who leaves his post March 7 to take over Tavernita.

Congrats, Paul!

UPDATE: The restaurant will now be called Perennial Virant.

ANOTHER UPDATE: 312DD finally snagged an interview with Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz—the very busy managing partners of the Boka Restaurant Group, which owns Perennial as well as Boka, Girl & The Goat, the forthcoming GT Fish & Oyster and Landmark.

Thank God For Facebook & Twitter!

The Bristol. (Photo: Neil Burger)

It's hard enough getting into Bucktown's offbeat eatery The Bristol, but now AT&T has made it even more difficult, according to a tweet from owner John Ross:

"Bristol phones are down, but we will be open all week! AT&T says the phones are out in North Bucktown&wont be fixed until Friday? Wow."

Yikes. Get it together, AT&T!

312DD Makes Top 5 Restaurant Week Picks . . .

May St. Cafe's housemade ceviche. (Photo: May St. Cafe)

Still in need of reservations for Chicago Restaurant Week?!

312DD made her Top 5 tasty picks on WCIU-TV's You & Me This Morning. Watch the video here.

Chicago Restaurant Week runs through Feb. 27.

Don't Forget To Vote!

It's a big day for some important Chicago people.

It's time to VOTE . . . for one of our local culinary stars.

This year, Food & Wine has launched a new contest—The People's Best New Chef 2011—and here's who is on the ballot:

Sola Stays Put; Plans For Relocation Scrapped

(Photo: sola)

Just got word that Carol Wallack, owner/chef of popular North Center's sola, has scrapped plans to relocate to downtown this spring.

Instead, she's going to stay in the original space, and plans will soon be underway for some remodeling. In addition, she'll make the menu of Hawaiian-inspired dishes more affordable and neighborhood friendly.

It will remain open during the changes.

The Biggest A-Hole In The World?!

A server at a popular Lakeview eatery Saturday didn't find the humor in the above photo of a customer's receipt.

Apparently, the brunch guest—who happened to be a financial analyst—thought it would be a good idea to leave his "two cents" in lieu of a tip because he felt the establishment "needed faster cooks." Oh, and to add insult to injury, he drew a picture of a smiley face emoticon.

She had some advice for him as well: