RSVP list closes today at 5pm . . .

. . .for the KRS-One event happening tomorrow evening at Blu 47 (4655 Martin Luther King Dr., 773-536-6000), the sleek, soul food-focused spot in Bronzeville.

I was going to write something about it tomorrow morning, but I just got word that they're shutting down the guest list because it's such a hot event.

The former frontman for seminal hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions, KRS-One is in town to host a dinner reception that will also serve as a wake-up call to our communities with a Stop the Violence message. It's from 7-10pm, with comp cocktails, dinner and music served up by DJ World.

RSVP@richmondgrouponline.com to get in.

Wind down with wine after tax time

More than ever this week you're probably trying to save some dough, especially after being in tax preparation hell. These budget-conscious wine events should put you in good spirits:

Every Monday in April La Pomme Rouge (108 W. Kinzie St., 312-245-9555) dedicates its Dinner and a Movie! night to fun 1980s Brat Pack films. Get there at 7pm for one of my all-time favorites, "The Breakfast Club," starring Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy. You'll also get half-priced bottles of wine when you order dinner.

This week marks the fourth-year anniversary for Green Zebra (1460 W. Chicago Ave., 312-243-7100), the hip vegetarian-focused spot in West Town. They're doing it up big with a special four-course prix-fixe menu and wine pairings for $4 a glass.

Tonight's the second session in the six-part Global Grapes Series at Just Grapes (560 W. Washington Blvd., 312-627-9463). Guests will get the chance to learn about Cabernet and taste four to six different wines. 6-7pm. $35.

And as always, cool, Euro-style Taste Food & Wine (1506 W. Jarvis Ave., 773-761-3663) in Jarvis Square hosts its weekly Monday night tasting event where shoppers get the opportunity to sample specially selected vino and/or spirits. 6-7:30pm. Free.

Nacional 27 chef resigns

(Photo: Laurie Proffitt Photography)


HUGE news for the local dining community: Randy Zweiban—who's been the executive chef at Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron St., 312-664-2727) since it opened in 1998—just announced his resignation from the highly acclaimed Nuevo Latin restaurant. He's moving on to work on opening his own downtown restaurant, according to one of my Ultimate Insiders.

Bon Appetit called Zweiban's modern Latin cooking "a bold combination of flavors," so look for him to continue his stride when it opens. We'll be following this one closely.

Zweiban is one of several high-profile chefs breaking off to do their own thing this year. Graham Elliot Bowles, the former chef for Avenues (108 E. Superior St., 312-573-6754) in Peninsula Chicago, is set to open a "bistronomic" eatery by May 13. "Top Chef" finalist Dale Levitski plans to open Town & Country at Canal and Monroe this summer. And "Food Network Challenge" contestant Jason Paskewitz is also working very hard to open his Jackson Park Bar & Grill (444 N. Wabash Ave., 312-644-7200) by late April.

Coming at ya . . .

. . . on May 15 is Salute (44 E. Superior St.), an Italian wine bar and eatery opening right near the Peninsula Chicago (108 E. Superior St., 312-337-2888). There's also going to be a 2,000-square-foot party space right next to the restaurant as well as two really nice outdoor patio spaces you'll want to check out when everything else gets crowded this summer. Developing . . .

Oops!

Turns out The Pony (1638 W. Belmont Ave., 773-828-5055), that multilevel sports lounge in Lakeview, is not opening tonight as expected. Looks like it's now set to open the weekend of April 25 due to some minor delays. Oh well. We'll still be looking forward to those chicken ‘n’ waffles and “stacks” of biscuits or Texas toast piled high with meats.

Shop, swing and swig

Your weekend starts right here:

THURSDAY

With the weather acting all crazy and stuff, it's going to be a rough one tonight for those who brave It's in the Bag, a hot shopping event taking place in Roscoe Village. Shoppers will get a goodie bag on their first purchase at participating stores, then with each additional purchase, they'll collect envelopes full of coupons to various area stores, bars and restaurants. One envelope will contain $375 in gift certificates, while other envelopes will have coupons like $20 off at Kaze Sushi, $5 off at Village Tap, free Starbucks drinks, as well as deals from spots like Orange, Rudy's Bakery, Volo, Kitsch'n, Victory's Banner, Four Treys, Thai Linda, Que Rico, Riverview Tavern and Piazza Bella. Between Damen and Oakley Avenues. 5-9pm.

Sheque teams up with Lincoln Park Young Professionals for A Girl's Night Out event at STATE (935 W. Webster Ave., 773-975-8030), where you'll be indulged with martinis, margaritas, massages and manicures (oh my!). Also enjoy California Pizza Kitchen gourmet pizzas, bites from Devon Seafood and fresh fruit from Edible Arrangements. 6-8pm. $25.

Mark Domitrovich is the man responsible for transforming the notorious Lotties Pub—a speakeasy with a checkered past—into a cool neighborhood watering hole. And now he’s on to The Pony (1638 W. Belmont Ave., 773-828-5055), a multilevel sports lounge in Lakeview with flatscreens installed at comfy leather booths, roomy bucket-style barstools and rustic accents that set this spot apart from the numerous sports bars in the area. The former home to Guthries serves chicken ‘n’ waffles on the weekend and “stacks” of biscuits or Texas toast piled high with meats. Grand opening tonight at 8pm. Free.

The Keep On Keeping On Foundation, which assists those born with severe physical disabilities, hosts an after-work party to support its cause. Event includes light appetizers and drink specials. 7:30pm. $10.

FRIDAY

Local hot shot designer Maria Pinto (who creates beautiful dresses for the likes of power women Michelle Obama and Oprah) teams up with Tabula Tua (1015 W. Armitage Ave., 773-525-3500) for Fashion Plates to benefit the Illinois Education Foundation. Held at Tabula Tua, the Lincoln Park tabletop store filled with everyday treasures and fine china from around the world, the event showcases Pinto's spring 2008 evening collection. Also, classical music by the Lincoln String Quartet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, appetizers and wine. You can also shop till you drop while you're there. 6-8pm. $125.

Be the first to sample a Nicotini—made with tobacco liquor—and Jackfruit (made with a tropical fruit from South Asia) with Viet Bistro’s first Svedka Vodka Tasting Night. Executive Chef Dan Nguyen pairs signature French-Vietnamese appetizers with the cocktails so you won’t go stumbling out the door. 7-9pm. 1346 W. Devon Ave., 773-465-5720. Free.

Stop by Juicy Wine Co. (694 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-492-6620) tonight and tomorrow for wine and a funky good time. Deejay Poptastic spins Friday and Darren from The Changes makes another Juicy appearance on Saturday. So if you're in the mood for some fantastic music, juicy wine, stinky cheese or mouth-watering grilled panini, drop by for awhile. 9pm-2am Friday; 9pm-3am Saturday. Free.

SATURDAY

LA spin star DJ AM spends so much time here these days that he might as well make Chicago his second home. So what makes this appearance at Enclave (220 W. Chicago Ave., 312-654-0234) different from the others? He’s headlining an Outfit Events party, which have quietly become the bashes you can count on for a good time. It doesn’t hurt either that their parties attract all the PYTs. 10pm-3am. $20-$30

Radio Paradiso's weekly Saturday night party continues at La Pomme Rouge (108 W. Kinzie St., 312-245-9555) with resident deejays Andre Harris and Craig Alexander spinning deep house and Latin beats. Hosted by Music 101 with $5 Stoli drinks all night. 10pm-3am. Free.

SUNDAY

Since it’s likely you won’t find too many bars showing the final round action of The Masters, you might want to check out the WineStyles event at GolfTec (2847 N. Halsted St., 773-549-2227). The popular Lakeview wine shop will be pouring five exclusive PGA wines for guests as multiple screens show The Masters. Also, get tips from PGA pros, and participate in long drive and putting contests. 2:30-7pm. Free.

One of the hottest industry parties in the city fetes its one-year anny tonight. Expect Krem Sundays to be extra lively as all the local stars come thru. You never know who'll be there, so just show up. Krem: 1750 N. Clark St., 312-965-5777. 9pm-2am. Free.

Interesting choice for a celeb guest

So The Joynt (650 N. Dearborn St., 312-573-2233) is hosting a "sneak peek" party Thursday, and they've picked a mighty curious headliner to help launch the club.

Early 1990s comic star Joe Piscopo is listed as their very special guest along with "Sopranos" star Federico Castelluccio.

The nightclub and piano bar is from the guys behind the Jilly's (1007 N. Rush St., 312-664-1001) brand, and the event includes cocktails and apps from 5 to 8pm. RSVP to rsvp@thejoyntchicago.com if you want in.

It's about damn time

I was waiting for the shit to hit the fan! Read info on the lawsuit filed by LA's Roscoe Chicken 'N Waffles here over the new Rosscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles in Bronzeville.