More Gourmet Sammies Coming Downtown

We hope Clandestino Supper Club's gourmet sammies look as good as the ones at New York's Taco Mix. (Photo via Grubstreet)

Out of the blue Monday, Clandestino Supper Club's chef/owner Efrain Cuevas posted on Facebook that he's opening a gourmet sandwich shop soon in the Loop.

Cuevas, who cut his teeth in Frontera Grill's kitchen, had been doing offbeat, underground dinners under Clandestino during his off hours for a few years, but they did so well that he decided to make them a full-time gig. His parties have ranged from a Halloween-themed event featuring recipes from Vincent Price's cookbook to the highly popular Dinnerpalooza Summer Jams.

Right now, there are no details about the location, menu and opening date, but we'll get that to you soon . . .

Attack of the Mac . . . & Cheese

The Southern Mac & Cheese Store's signature dish. (Photo: Southern Mac & Cheese Store)

Relish in these next few days as we experience record highs outside, but since I'm not a weather-girl, I'm going to stick to what I really know.

March just happens to be National Noodle Month, and there's a whole lotta celebrating going on.

And The Doughnut Trend Continues . . .

West Town Tavern's sugar-dusted maple potato doughnuts. (Photo: West Town Tavern)

Doughnut Vault and Do-Rite Donuts have been slaying our sweet tooths with their goodies, and now West Town Tavern is getting in on the action with a new special on the menu.

They just introduced the sweet-and-savory sugar-dusted maple potato doughnuts that come with a bourbon-custard dipping sauce. And, according to them, these are from an old Amish recipe that uses left-over rice or mashed potatoes as a base.

These won't be on the menu for long, so you'd better get on it . . .

Looks Like We Were On To Something . . .

Paul McGee photo via This Is A Cocktail Blog

Remember back in early January when I wrote that it was high time for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises to look for new opportunities in Logan Square?!

According to Eater Chicago, the solid restaurant company's looking to the West Side for an upcoming venture, but just slightly east of the hip neighborhood:

Henri's Magnificent 'Mystery' Dinner . . .

Do you trust these guys enough to drink and eat "blindly" whatever they put in front of you?!

Henri/The Gage Executive Chef Dirk Flanigan teams up with his mixologist Clint Rogers and Wirtz Beverage's Eric Hay for what they're calling Le Mysterieux Festin (mystery dinner) in April.

For $100, guests get five courses paired with craft cocktails. The exciting part of the event is that these guys will have no idea what ingredients they'll have to use until it's time to for them to get to work.

Will Le Cirque's Pop-Up Sell Out?!

Le Cirque's signature creme brulee. (Photo: Le Cirque)

New York's iconic Le Cirque's been around since 1974, but this is still exciting news even if you've had a chance to dine there.

They've decided to do a pop-up, national tour of the French-focused resto, with a stop, of course, headed to Chicago. Apparently, organizers are transforming the Mid-America Club into a replica, featuring Le Cirque china, decor and signature dishes. The executive chef, unfortunately, won't be there.

Notes From: 'Mad Men Cocktail Class'

Femme du Coupe's Revae Schneider. (Photos: 312 Dining Diva)

• In late 2011, former Union Sushi bartender Revae Schneider set up shop upstairs at Fleur De Lis Florist as Femme du Coupe—a DIY bar-styling company.

• The company hosts regular themed events at Fleur De Lis Florist as well as off premises.

• Schneider designed a series of Mad Men-themed classes to coincide with the fifth season premiere on March 25. Participants learned how to make classic cocktails from that era, and each class represents cocktails that one of the characters would likely drink.

Storefront Co. Finally Opens in Wicker Park

Chef Bryan Moscatello's Monkfish and Short Rib Fried Rice dish with tamago, scallion, coriander and a pomegranate glaze. (Photo: Storefront Co.)

The wait's over and we couldn't be more excited.

Storefront Co. finally debuts at 4pm March 9 after months of waiting.

We're excited for a number of reasons, mainly because it's brought to us by the folks from Debonair Social Club. That means it'll have elements of a cool, nightlife vibe.

They've also partnered with Chef Bryan Moscatello, an East Coaster who's garnered high accolades from the likes of Food & Wine, Bon Appetit and Esquire.