'Top Chef Chicago:' Take 1

Stephanie Izard still cookin' on "Top Chef Chicago."


Whew. Local culinary stars Valerie Bolon and Stephanie Izard aren't forced to "pack their knifes and go" during the first episode of "Top Chef Chicago," reports The Stew.

Deal(s) of the day . . .

Shecky’s Girl’s Night Out event returns to the Great Hall at Union Station (210 S. Canal St.) today and tomorrow 5-10pm, with free drinks, beauty treatments, and up to 75 percent off designer merchandise. It's only $10 to get in (or $30 for admission and a goody bag). Purchase a group of tickets with girlfriends to receive up to 20 percent off. Advance tickets are required; buy them at chicago.sheckys.com.

And "Top Chef Chicago" debuts tonight at 9pm on Bravo! Watch the action at spots like Cans (1640 N. Damen Ave., 773-227-2277) for the $1 sliders and half price on cocktails, plus Halsted's Bar + Grill (3441 N. Halsted St., 773-348-9696), Citizen Bar (364 W. Erie St., 312-640-1156) or Piece (1927 W. North Ave., 773-772-4422), which also has $3 well cocktails, to cheer on local chefs Valerie Bolon and Stephanie Izard. A gripe: Tonight's first challenge for "Top Chef" is pizza. Now how can they do this and not get a local chef or food writer as a guest judge?! I'm just sayin' . . .

Get ready for Jill Scott

Jill Scott fans, get ready:

I just received an invite in my inbox for a Baileys Get Together hosted by Grammy award winner Jill Scott on March 23.

No details were listed on where the party is taking place, but all you have to do is sign up with the password "get together." That's it. There will be complimentary Baileys cocktails and appetizers at the event.

Dinner is on People Lounge . . .

. . . if you can handle a little frostbite.

Hey, you know how unpredictable Chicago's weather is, especially at the beginning of what is supposed to be spring. So, in order to test your stamina, People Lounge (1560 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-227-9339) is willing to pay for your dinner if you can stand to dine on their sidewalk cafe on March 25.

This is People Lounge's first-ever Spring Celebration, so make your reservations now (required for the free dinner) at 773-793-0508. I'd bring a coat, scarf and gloves if I were you—just in case. (The offer is limited to dinner only; alcohol not included.)

Deal(s) of the day . . .

If you've always wanted to volunteer but couldn't decide on a charity in which you could throw your support behind, an event is taking place tonight that should help you out:

The Chicago Associates Board Presidents' Council hosts a cocktail party to recruit members for their various organizations, including AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Associate Board of Literacy Chicago, Chicago Architectural Society, Field Associates, Evening Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago, John G. Shedd Aquarium Auxiliary Board, Lincoln Park Zoo Auxiliary Board and Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council. The party takes place at East Bank Club (500 N. Kingsbury St.) tonight 6-8pm. $10 donation.

Also happening tonight—and only a few blocks away from East Bank—is Tizi Melloul's (531 N. Wells St., 312-670-4338) weekly special of cocktails, appetizers and a hookah session for $10.

At NoMI (800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030), it's Cellar Notes, as advanced sommelier Fernando Beteta leads his weekly wine-tasting event. Tonight is all about sake, and guests will have the opportunity to taste up to 10 varieties. 5:30-7:30pm. $30.

And it's 2nd Tuesday Tastings at Cru Cafe and Wine Bar (25 E. Delaware Pl., 312-337-4001). Tonight, they're featuring organic wines from around the world, plus organic hors d'oeuvres. 6-8pm. $40.

Deal of the day . . .

A sign of the times or is this just your lucky day?

Room21 (2110 S. Wabash Ave., 312-328-1198), Jerry Kleiner's South Loop sensation, is now offering a new "happy hour" bar menu that should make every wallet happy.

Get there between 5-6pm to take advantage of $2.10 select appetizers every Monday through Friday. Sample the spicy fried calamari, spinach and artichoke dip with housemade chips, traditional wedge salad or fried shrimp cocktail.

For those who come too late for the specials, Room21 has also unveiled a new bar menu that includes BBQ short rib sliders, a jumbo lump crab cake, grilled chicken salad and hand-formed burger.

They're finally here!

I've been blabbing on about a couple of spots for months, and now they're finally opening this week:

Rock Star Hot Dogs (801 N. Ashland Ave, 312-421-2364), nightlife impresario Dion Antic's nod to the likes of Justin Timberlake, Tommy Lee and Los Lobos, opens on Wednesday.

And Berry Chill (635 N. State St., 312-266-2445), the "couture," after-hours frozen yogurt shop from newcomer businessman Michael Farah, opens to the public on Friday.

Pete Wentz let the cat out the bag

Fall Out Boy star Pete Wentz slipped up and spilled the beans on his new lounge he's opening in conjunction with Empire Liquors' (1566 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-278-1600) Matt Eisler and Lakeview Broadcasting Company's (3542 N. Halsted St., 773-857-2444) Stephen Westman.

During an interview on ABC-7 News, he revealed that AK45 is the name of the bar they're opening in River North this spring.