Tuesday, June 23, 2009

From the 'We're in the wrong biz!' files

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312DD reported on Twitter Friday that Johnny Depp took some friends (including Public Enemies co-star Marion Cotillard) to Gibsons following the premiere of the John Dillinger biopic, but we didn't get this info that Sun-Times columnist Stella Foster uncovered:

"Depp and his entourage partied and relaxed at Gibsons till about 2:30 a.m. I understand that the bill came to $4,400 and that Mohammed A. Sekhani, aka Mo, who is known as 'the waiter to the stars' because they all love to sit in his section, received a tip from Depp to the tune of $4,000."

Foster goes on to say that the tip was split among Depp's tablemates, but whatever the case, this story is awesome and sets the bar pretty high when it comes to celebrity tipping. You know how cheap some of these guys have been rumored to be!

It's gonna be a scorcher . . .

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. . . and while we know you're not complaining about today's heatwave, you certainly want to be somewhere fabulous to cool off with some mighty fine drinks:

Maven's hosting Mischieve in the Garden of Agave, a sexy, offbeat party with an open bar and deejays spinning sounds you love to hear. Comped cocktails 8-10pm; RSVP to mischieve@directiontourmarketing.com for admittance. At District Bar 8pm-midnight.

According to Delilah's, the city's first-ever absinthe tasting happens there tonight. You'll get to sample 16 different spirits available in the United States—including North Shore Distillery's Sirene. The tasting's also part of Delilah's Vincent Van Gogh bday celebration, which includes Van Gogh-related films. Deejay Mike Miller spins. 6-9pm. $20.

Settle on Red Kiva's spacious outdoor patio and enjoy a number of "adult" SnoCones. Our faves?! Mojito (Bacardi Superior Rum with muddled mint and fresh squeezed lime juice), Tropicana (Absolut Peach and Absolut Razzberry with tropical fruit syrup) and Cappuccino (Absolut Vanil with Starbucks coffee and cream liquors). $8 each.

Beer enthusiasts should head up to Affinia hotel's glamorous scenic lounge, C-View, for an all-new menu of distinctive large format beers. You'll toast to the 750ml bottles of Lindeman’s Peche Lambic ($14), Unibroue La Fin Du Monde ($23) and Unibroue Don Di Dieu ($23).


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Rick Bayless, chef of Frontera Grill/Topolobampo, demos at Green City Market on Wednesday.


And Wednesday . . .

Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill/Topolobampo) is the chef du jour for the Green City Market. He'll slow-cooked Goat Birria at 10:30am, and you best believe if you want a seat you should arrive early. Market opens at 7:30am. Free. Also, catch him later on Bravo's Top Chef Masters at 9pm CST.

Several award-winning chefs duke it out in the Summer Market Mystery Soiree at Calphalon Culinary Center (1000 W. Washington Blvd.). Competing chefs include Michael Taus (Duchamp), Roger Herring (Socca), Chris Pandel (Bristol), Giuseppe Tentori (Boka), Bill Kim (Urban Belly) and Rick Gresh (David Burke’s Primehouse). $60 ticket includes summer-styled cocktails and samples of their signature dishes. 1-3pm.

Paul McGee (Whistler) and Charles Joly (The Drawing Room) go head to head in this week's Sweet 16 of Mixology at Perennial. Celebrity judge is Vie Executive Chef Paul Virant. Appetizers and sampling of competing cocktails. 6:30-8pm. No cover.

And the second-annual Chefs on the Grill happens at The Plaza at Park Grill with a number of high-profile, downtown chefs participating in a grilling competition. Chefs include Bernie Laskowski (Park Grill), Cliff Ostrowski (China Grill), Michael Fiorello (Mercat a la Planxa), Ben Walanka and Daniel Romero (Rhapsody), Michael Cisternino (Tavern at the Park) and Dirk Flanigan (The Gage). 6-8:30pm. $55 (a portion of the proceeds benefit the Grant Park Conservancy).