Monday, August 11, 2008

Soft Serve goes 'Sci-Fi'

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What are these people over at iCream doing to my ice cream?!

Urban Daddy reports on the new dessert joint opening in Wicker Park that feels like what would happen if someone let the chefs from Alinea or Moto loose in an ice-cream parlor.

It's slated to open Thursday.

Update on Bombon Bakery fire

Just got off the phone with Bombon Bakery owner Laura Perea, whose sweet shop suffered a horrible fire this morning in the Pilsen neighborhood.

The three-building fire sent several people, including one firefighter, to the hospital and left more than 30 residents homeless. Perea said the damage is really bad and she has "no clue" as to when BomBon Bakery will reopen.

"We're just glad that everyone's okay because that's what really matters," she said.

A second Bombon location is at 36 S. Ashland Ave., 312-733-8717.

Bottle Service Ruined the Biz . . .

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Ryan Golden (second from right), Plan B owner and co-founder of a new line of nightlife-focused tees. (Photo: Plan B Bar + Kitchen)


. . . yells out the slogan on one of my favorite tees from the new 86’d line by Plan B Bar + Kitchen owner Ryan Golden, who's debuting them in September with New York-based Emperor’s New Clothes.

The nightlife-focused tees, in fact, feature a number of insidery, sarcastic slogans playing up bar culture, including Bar Star, I Dress Down to Dress Up, Luxaholic and I’m That Model with the Bottle. These should be a hit when they hit the stores as a number of celebs have already worn tees by Emperor’s New Clothes, including the likes of Matt Damon, Jessica Alba, Chris Rock, Gwen Stefani, Naomi Campbell and Jon Stewart.

The term “86” in the hospitality industry means an item on the menu is no longer available or a guest is finished for the evening—usually from drinking.

These great deals get the Gold

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The U.S. Olympics Men's Swim Relay Team and Women's Fencing won Gold in Beijing, and these Monday-night deals are big winners too:

Boom Boom Room—the city's longest-running nightlife event—continues at Green Dolphin Street, with special guest deejays Roy Davis Jr., Jeff Craven and Andre Harris. There's complimentary BBQ if you get there by 9:30pm, but this party goes on till 4am. Residents Uncle Milty, Just Joey and Diz also spin. No cover.

La Madia's calling their daily special "perfect pairings" as they offer $5 wine and complimentary pizza throughout the summer. 4-6pm in the lounge only.

Harpoon Brewery President Dan Kenary hosts the Chicago debut of the brewery's beers at Sheffield's. Event includes three beers, appetizers and samples for $15. That starts at 7pm. Also, every Monday Sheffield's features BBQ ribs with coleslaw for $11.95, plus $4 you-call-it-well cocktails and $4 Allagash White.

And head to hip gourmet shop Taste Food & Wine in Rogers Park for its regular wine tasting occurring every Monday and Friday from 6-7:30pm. It's free, and you never know what they'll pull out.

Popular Latin bakery goes up in flames

Firefighters are on the scene over in Pilsen right now, checking out an overnight fire in three buildings, with one containing delicious Mexican dessert spot Bombon Bakery.

Thankfully no one was seriously injured, but several people were taken to the hospital, including one firefighter.