Tuesday, February 5, 2008

O-bama Rama!

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(Photo: Erik Kabik)


In the spirit of Barack Obama winning Illinois!

Oggi Trattoria (1378 W. Grand Ave., 312-733-0442). Chilled-out Italian joint serves up heaping portions of homemade pastas: fettuccine Alfredo, gnocchi and lasagna.

Old Town Brasserie (1209 N. Wells St., 312-943-3000). Serving fabulous French fare; don't miss the Salade Lyonnaise or roasted Australian rack of lamb and Kobe beef.

one sixtyblue (1400 W. Randolph St., 312-850-0303). They've got game too: the boneless Lamb "Wellington," prime Delmonico Steak or the beef tenderloin.

OTOM (951 W. Fulton Market, 312-491-5804). You don't want to miss this mac n' cheese at this fashionable Warehouse District eatery.

Oysy (50 E. Grand Ave., 312-670-6750). Settle into this stylish sushi spot after shopping at nearby Nordstrom. Recs: soft shell crab tempura spider roll or the crispy salmon skin maki.

This reads like a $%^*@# 'chick flick' . . .

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Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston star in "The Break-Up," the cult chick flick that will be shown at the "Love Stinks" party at Jbar on Valentine's Day.


. . . or a book of "chick lit," but that's OK because the singles need love too. So that's why Jbar (610 N. Rush, 312-660-7200) is throwing a Love Stinks party—which apparently went so well last year that they decided to do it again!

The bitter bash takes place on Valentine's Day, and as soon as guests arrive they get a freaking voodoo doll to take all those unresolved issues out on. And to kick things up a notch, DJ Jesse de la Pena spins as the ultimate things-gone-wrong flick, "The Break-Up," is shown all over the damn place on the plasma screens.

But all is not lost. Hopefully the party will attract a nice mix of boys and girls because they're awarding an overnight stay at The James (55 E. Ontario St., 312-337-1000) and dinner for two at David Burke's Primehouse (616 N. Rush St., 312-660-6000) to the "Best New Couple" of the night, which is voted on by those in attendance (Best New Couple are two people who meet for the first time at Jbar on Valentine’s Day during the Love Stinks party).

Hey, even if you don't hook up that night, you can take solace in one of these girlie guzzlers, specially designed just for the night:

Anti-Flirt: Champagne, Cointreau, Absolut vodka, pineapple juice served in a martini glass

Blushing Lady: PAMA Liqueur, Roth California vodka, grapefruit juice, splash of grenadine served in a martini glass and garnished with a sugar rim

French Kiss: Kilo Kai rum, Creme de Cassis, orange juice, cranberry juice, Ruinart Rose Champagne served in a martini glass and garnished with an orange slice

Hot & Steamy: Cranberry juice, lime juice, El Tesoro tequila, Grand Marnier served in a martini glass and garnished with a lemon twist

Pucker Up: Cranberry juice, Sambuca white liqueur served in a rocks glass and garnished with a lemon twist

Back in business

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Glenn's Diner is open again after a water main break.
(Photo: Yelp Chicago)


Comfort-food fave Glenn's Diner (1820 W. Montrose Ave., 773-506-1720) and other Ravenswood spots finally reopen, says Drive Thru, following that horrific water main break a few weeks ago.

Obama and Clinton ate here

In the spirit of Super Tuesday, Gridskipper takes a look at some favorite local haunts of the two democratic candidates.

Deal of the day . . .

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Just in case you don't want in on all the boisterous Fat Tuesday events going on tonight, here's something completely different and way more civilized.

The weekly Cellar Notes session—which occurs every Tuesday—this time spotlights pinot noir from around the world. NoMI advance sommelier Fernando Beteta will lead guests in discovering the wonders of the wine through blind tastings. The open-house style event takes place tonight 5:30-7:30pm at NoMI's Cellar on the seventh floor, 800 N. Michigan Ave. Call 312-239-4030. $30.