Spring fever brings out the charity in all of us . . .

Dust off those tuxes and get ready to slip into your slinkiest gowns because charity ball season arrives with spring.

Who's got the fever for some fun festivities?! Just peruse the list and pick your party:

Blackboard Affair. This is the annual event hosted by Working In The Schools' Junior Board—better known as WITS. Party includes an open bar, dinner buffet, deejay, silent auction and raffle prizes. All proceeds from the event will benefit the more than 2,000 CPS elementary students served by WITS' tutoring programs. $85 in advance; $95 at door. Thursday, April 17, 7-10pm at Carnivale (702 W. Fulton Market). Call 312-606-2030 for tickets.

CARNAVAL. For their fifth-annual event, the performing artists group Collaboration transforms a 120-year-old gothic cathedral into an artistic arena that includes gothic cathedral-inspired live rock music, theatrical interludes, interactive artistry, two floors of dancing, unlimited drinks and a Carnaval couture costume contest. The pew-less church will feature The Prairie Cartel - featuring Blake Smith of Caviar and Scott Lukas of Local H - performing as The Final Salvation; Dark Wave Disco DJs Mark Gertz and Trancid; DJ Jordan Z; DJ LA Jesus; and Collaboraction company member DJ Anacron. $20 for general admission; $75 for VIP that includes access to top floor, separate bar, catered food and special performances. Saturday, March 29 at 9pm at Epiphany Episcopal Church, 201 S. Ashland Ave. Call 312-226-9633 for tix.

GALApalooza. Taking place a day before the three-day Lollapalooza music festival, this second-annual event is in the heart of Grant Park. Last year it attracted more than 600 attendees and they're expecting more to raise funds for Parkways Foundation, the non-profit partner of the Chicago Park District. Guests enjoy cocktails and dinner in the ultra cool “Lounge Pods” for 10 instead of traditional tables. Also expect live entertainment and an appearance by Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell. Thursday, July 31. Tickets are $350 and can be had by calling 312-742-4804.

Have Mercy! Spring Gala. The Junior Board of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls hosts its annual cocktail party that includes an open bar, appetizers, karaoke, dancing and silent auction. The party occurs at The James (55 E. Ontario St.) on Saturday, April 26 8pm-midnight. Purchase tickets at mercyhome.org/havemercy for $85-$125.

Jazz for Youth. Jobs For Youth, which has placed more than 25,000 at-risk youths in jobs since 1979, will have its spring soiree at the Park West (322 W. Armitage Ave.). The party includes a lavish buffet supper, open bar, casino gaming, live and silent auctions, and live entertainment by Jimmy Damon—the only singer authorized by Frank Sinatra to sing his music during his lifetime. Party happens on Saturday, May 3 7pm-midnight. Get the $175 tickets at jfychicago.org.

Red or White Ball. The sixth-annual charity event hosted by the Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council takes place on Friday, May 30 at 8pm. Expect Chicago's movers and shakers to make an appearance at this party that includes an evening of cocktails, food, entertainment, a silent auction and raffle prizes. Event takes place at the Chicago Illuminating Company, 19 E. 21st St. A limited number of $500 VIP packages are also available: Each includes two event tickets, access for two to a private cocktail reception at 7pm with Steppenwolf ensemble members, enhanced goody bags and a one-year membership in the Auxiliary Council. Tickets, including the $135 general admission, are available by calling 312-654-5672.

Viva! This is the 11th-annual scholarship fundraiser benefiting Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. The party includes a premium open bar, gourmet Mexican buffet, live music by Angel Melendez Tropical Band, live/silent auction and $10,000 raffle. Starts at 5:30pm on Thursday, May 8. Chase North Promenade at Milennium Park, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Streets. The $100-$125 tickets can be purchased at 773-890-6817.

Deal(s) of the day . . .

It's Meet the Winemaker! night at WineStyles Belmont (1433 W. Belmont Ave., 773-549-2227). Tonight's event introduces Paul Chevalier, the national fine wine director for Shaw-Ross International Importers. He'll guide guests through a tasting of four spectacular wines from the Rhone region of France. This is your opportunity to get real with Rhone. $15 ($5 for wine club members). Space is limited, so RSVP before you go. 6-8pm.

It's also Fried Chicken Night at Paramount Room (415 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-829-6300), so Executive Chef Stephen Dunne is whipping up 1/2 Amish fried chicken that's buttermilk dipped and dredged in cornflakes and Panko breadcrumbs. It's $16.95, goes well with one of their craft beers and only offered on Wednesday.

And every Wednesday is also a chance to get the $10 Kobe burgers at Sweet and Savories (1534 W. Fullerton Ave., 773-281-6778), the sensational French-focused eatery in Lincoln Park. Pair one with a bottle of bubbly or a nice red wine.

Guess who applied for a liquor license today?!

Restaurateurs Paul Kahan (sitting) and Donnie Madia are part of a four-man team opening a West Loop, beer-focused venue this spring/summer. (Photo: Michael Stryder)


Right now the only name they're disclosing is still the address—at 845 W. Fulton St.—but there is some progress to report on the beer-focused venue coming our way sometime this season from Paul Kahan, Donnie Madia and Terry Alexander.

Just found out that the team finally applied for a liquor license today, but it would really, really be nice if we could get a name.

On another note, I'm not sure what's going on over on Grand Avenue with Connoisseur Wine Bar (1041 W. Grand Ave., 312-738-3055), but the last four times I've passed by it during its regular business hours the lights have been off. Phone is still working with voice mail, but no one's picking up. Hmmmmmm.

And finally, The Fifty/50 (2047 W. Division St., 773-489-5050), an upscale sports bar certain to rival The Boundary (1932 W. Division St., 773-278-1919) a block away, makes its debut on March 21 in the old Bravo tapas space.

Open call for new reality restaurant show

Found this on Craigslist, if you're interested in being on yet another "reality" restaurant show:

OPEN CALL FOR NEW NBC RESTAURANT COMPETITION SHOW

GRANADA AMERICA, the producers that brought you
Nanny 911, Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares
are seeking two-person teams, with pre-existing relationships, who have always dreamed of opening their own restaurant!

Have you and your spouse, friend, family member, business associate or colleague dreamed of opening your own restaurant? Is one of you a whiz in the kitchen while the other is a front of the house superstar? Do you have what it takes to open and run a successful restaurant? Has financing always been a problem?

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE YOUR DREAM COME TRUE!

Casting Directors want to meet your team at our open call!

Hard Rock Hotel Chicago- Hamer Room- 4th Floor
230 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601
Saturday- March 22nd, 2008
10am – 4pm

WE ARE SEEKING PEOPLE WHO ARE:
• Over 21 years of age; U.S. Citizens or Permanent U.S. Residents
• 2-person teams with pre-existing relationships: couples, friends, family, co-workers, chef teams, retired couples, college grads, weekend gourmets, old and young!
• Must be outgoing, creative, love the restaurant business and want to open and run your own restaurant!

APPLICANTS SHOULD COME TO THE OPEN CALL AS A TEAM WITH COMPLETED APPLICATIONS

For more information E-mail or Call us: NBCteamsChicago@yahoo.com or (323) 785-2325.
Please include your names, ages, the city you’re from, occupations, contact phone numbers, a recent photograph of yourselves and a brief summary as to why your team is perfect for the show!

Additional information posted on the Now Casting section at www.NBC.com

Deal(s) of the day . . .

Marigold's "Tuesday Tasting" menu includes entrees like the duck leg dum with spicy green beans. (Photo: Marigold)


You get two more chances (tonight included) to sample the special Holi menu that welcomes the arrival of spring at trendy Indian eatery Marigold (4832 N. Broadway, 773-293-4653). The Uptown neighborhood newcomer is celebrating the traditional Indian holiday during its regular Tasting Tuesday event with a special three-course menu for $25.

Also known as the “Festival of Colors,” Holi is a glorious spectacle and a riot of colors. On this day, people literally throw colored powder on each other or spray each other with colored water on the streets and in the town-square. While there won't be any colored powder, Marigold's special menu is a spirited effort that includes Boti Kabab, or a skewer of boneless lamb cubes marinated in tandoori spices; Dahi Wada, or savory black gram lentil wada dumplings drizzled with cooling yogurt and mint chutney; and Murgh Malai Tikka, quarter-chicken marinated in malai cream, coriander, nutmeg, red chili powder, and baked.

Also happening tonight is NoMI's tribute to women winemakers during its weekly Cellar Notes event. Guests will have an opportunity to sample up to 10 varieties from women winemakers from around the world. 5:30-7:30pm. $30. 800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030

And every Tuesday at Tallulah (4539 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-942-7585), guests can BYOW (bring your own wine). It's time to break out your favorites as you nosh on signature starters like the spicy Maine lobster Deviled eggs, crab and Andouille fritters or the butternut squash and Gorgonzola ravioli in a cranberry-orange bisque

Culinary stars take over Chi-Town

Primehouse Executive Chef Rick Gresh and Marcus Samuelsson of C-House, set to open in April. (Photo: 312DiningDiva.com)


It was a who's who in the dining world Monday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art for celebrity chef Art Smith's third-annual World Festival. Benefiting his pet charity, Common Threads, which encourages children to take control of their health through food and culture, the event was the hottest ticket in town with high-profile chefs and culinary stars everywhere you turned.

There was Padma Laskmi, the super model host of "Top Chef Chicago," who served as the honorary host of the event. This was only her second time to Chicago—beyond the "Top Chef" tapings—but she's been around the block to know a few things about our fair city.

"Blackbird and avec are my favorite Chicago restaurants," she gushed about the West Loop mainstays, "but Vermillion is the absolute best Indian restaurant in the country!"

There appeared to be a consensus about Blackbird (619 W. Randolph St., 312-715-0708) and avec (615 W. Randolph St., 312-377-2002), as chefs Rocco DiSpirito ("Rocco Gets Real" on A&E), Govind Armstrong (Table 8—coming to River North late this fall) and Marcus Samuelsson (C-House—coming to Streeterville in mid-April) also raved about their visits. But these guys weren't just about the usual suspects; they also made their way to more insidery joints like Mr. Beef (666 N. Orleans St., 312-266-8251), Goose Island Shrimp House (1011 W. Division St., 312-642-3640) and Mama Desta's Red Sea (3216 N. Clark St., 773-935-7561).

"Most people outside of Chicago think Chicago cuisine is just about German sausage, deep-dish pizza and Irish food," said Rocco DiSpirito. "But it's clear that this big city has a good restaurant scene with very diverse tastes."


R&B sensation John Legend performed at the VIP after-party at the James Hotel. (Photo: 312DiningDiva.com)


The highlight of the night was the VIP after-party at James Hotel (55 E. Ontario St., 312-337-1000), where Food Network star Paula Deen introduced soul sensation John Legend, who performed his now classic hits as well as his latest flavor, "Good Morning."

What's "Good Morning" all about? He told me: "It's all about waking up to that person you really want to be with and making the most of the morning, if you know what I mean."

Sounds good to me!

Deal(s) of the day . . .

OD’d on all that St. Pat’s Day partying over the weekend, but you’re still looking to hang tonight?

You’ll want to check out these events, which will certainly have no green on the scene:

Head to Martini Park (151 W. Erie St., 312-640-0577), as they launch their new nightly happy hour special. Monday through Saturday, between 5-8pm, you can get $3 and $5 menu items like Kobe beef sliders, Thai-style calamari, filet mignon sauté skewers and spinach artichoke dip.

Get ready for Masters At Work mega deejay/producer Louie Vega, who spins at Boom Boom Room at Green Dolphin Street (2200 N. Ashland Ave., 773-395-0066). One of my all-time favorite music men (remember Nuyorican Soul?!), Vega headlines the party with his mesmerizing blend of soul, funk, house and Latin mixes. Tonight’s lineup also includes resident deejays Diz, Michael Serafina, Just Joey and Uncle Milty. $3 Bud products; $5 Stoli cocktails. $10. 10pm-4am.

Tickets are still available for the third-annual World Festival, hosted by Common Threads. "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi is the honorary chair for the event, which includes high-profile local and national chefs. Look out for the likes of David Burke, Jimmy Bannos, Marcus Samuelsson, Gale Gand and Rocco DiSpirito to be serving their specialties. Cocktails, bubbly, live music and more included. 6-9pm at the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E. Chicago Ave.). John Legend performs at the VIP after-party. Call 312-752-2674 for tickets.

Chill out with friends or a sig other at Feast (1616 N. Damen Ave., 773-772-7100) in Bucktown with this deal: Buy an entrée and get half off on any bottle of wine—or BYOB with your favorite vino.

Rosscoe's off to shaky first flight

I've been seeing photos circulating over the weekend of food from the new Rosscoe's (House of Chicken & Waffles) in Bronzeville (3947 S. King Dr., 773-536-3300), and I have to say that I'm not too impressed.

Apparently, neither was The Stew, which filed this report. Also? I can see some drama happening soon with this name. Why didn't the owners just come up with their own brand instead of biting off the original in Los Angeles?!

On a similar note, I'm hearing some good buzz about the fried chicken & waffles at Kitsch'n On Roscoe (2005 W. Roscoe St., 773-248-7372). They've been serving it on the menu for several years—with Belgian-style waffles and ancho honey—on the dinner menu, and it's become so popular that it's now also on the daytime menu with a boneless breast.