Chicago's gone cuckoo over cooking competition

"Top Chef" gets its own cupcakes at Bleeding Heart Bakery (1955 W. Belmont Ave., 773-327-6931). And speaking of BHB, get ready to get a sugar high when you look at this.

The Note changes its tune

Wicker Park mainstay The Note (1565 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-489-0011) plans to close on May 4, then transform into a neighborhood tavern, reports Time Out Chicago.

Be the star in new Food Network series

Now this is something I can get behind:

FOOD NETWORK IS LOOKING FOR AMAZING STORIES FOR A GROUNDBREAKING NEW SERIES!!!

Do you or someone you know have an amazing food related story to tell? Do you know someone who has gone from being homeless to the owner of their own restaurant, makes pop art out of pineapples, or eats nothing but peanuts? Do you know someone who is battling food fears or phobias? Has food helped to cure an illness, changed the course of your life, or helped to inspire you in some dramatic way? We are looking for all types of stories even those that are odd or humorous to feature on and upcoming series for the Food Network.

Casting is underway, so Email a brief description of your story with your contact information and picture of yourself ASAP to michaelraptis@alroker.com or call 646.723.9848 to be considered for the show.

Padma's Passion, Hump Day Happy Hour and more

Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi, judges of "Top Chef" (Photo: Bravo)


You know you're hot stuff when they name a cocktail in your honor.

So goes Padma's Passion, the mighty delicious-sounding drink Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club (3700 N. Halsted St., 773-525-1111) has created to give props to sexy supermodel Padma Lakshmi, the host of "Top Chef." Made with Absolut vodka and passion fruit puree, it's available tonight as the restaurant hosts a viewing party every Wednesday during the popular chef-driven reality show.

Or sip a TopChefTini (Absolut Citron, wild strawberry liquer, melon liquer, splash of lemonade) or The Quickfire (Absolut Rasberri, melon liquer, lemonade) as you cheer for homegirl Stephanie Izard, who is still in the running to become "Top Chef." Other Wednesday specials include buy-one-get-one free entrees and half-price martinis and cocktails. The show will be presented on five large screens, with sound.


You can also view "Top Chef" at Paramount Room (415 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-829-6300), which is showing the series on LCD screens on both levels. You'll get a chance to sink your teeth into their specialty Amish fried chicken, which is only served on Wednesdays.

To fete an early Earth Day, Le Passage (937 N. Rush St., 312-255-0022) and Go Green Management are hosting an eco-friendly night. Everything served will be made with fresh, organic ingredients such as complimentary VEEV cocktails and heavy passed hors d'oeuvres. 7-10pm. $10 admission.

And if you're getting started right after work, head to Hump Day Happy Hour at Cityscape Bar (350 W. Mart Center Dr., 15th Floor, 312-836-5000). Each week, they're serving up a complimentary appetizer buffet with Guinness BBQ chicken wings, cheddar jalapeno poppers and grilled fresh vegetables with aged balsamic reduction. Also, all bottled domestic beer and house wines are $4. 5-7pm.

A taste of Paris in the Loop

Heather Terhune, executive chef at Atwood Cafe (Photo: Atwood Cafe)


Heather Terhune, cuisine queen at Atwood Cafe (1 W. Washington St., 312-368-1900), is one of my favorite local chefs because she loves to have fun with her food.

And her latest creation, American in Paris, is no exception with its quirky offerings of fantastic spring fare. Highlights of her menu include soup au pistou with spring vegetables and rich chicken broth; Coriander-crusted butterfish with fingerling potatoes, French green beans, grape tomatoes and a warm niçoise olive-lemon-caper vinaigrette; oven-roasted Georgia quail with garlic-herb butter, mashed potatoes, sweet onion jus and crispy onion straws; and a heavenly-sounding vanilla bean crème brûlée.

It's $45 per person (with wine pairing for each course, an additional $20), and only available through April, so get on it.

A 'Star' is born and other openings

As you can see, there's never a shortage of hot new restaurants and bars in Chicago. There's quite a few openings this week that may pique your interest:

Formerly known as Jay's Amore, Viaggio (1330 W. Madison St., 312-829-3333) opened yesterday in the West Loop. After shutting down for a few weeks for renovation and overhauling the menu, they're now ready to serve a contemporary menu of Italian classics.

Starfruit Cafe (1745 W. Division St., 773-328-2900), boasting froyo parfaits, smoothies and frozen treats made from kefir, opens today in Ukrainian Village.

And Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (25 E. Ohio St., 312-329-9463) actually opened last Friday. It's a national chain, but don't let that scare you away.

A toast to Tax Day . . . going away

Well, it's here. Tax Day, that is. It's time to celebrate with a cocktail or two, or three . . .

Get a jumpstart on some fabulous finds for Mother's Day tonight at the tony Tory Burch boutique (66 E. Walton St., 312-280-0010). Author Melanie Charlton Fascietelli will be there to celebrate the launch of her new tome, "Shop Your Closet," and all guests get 20 percent off on all purchases. Cocktails, light appetizers, but they'll need your RSVP for entry at kelly@michiganavemag.com. 6-8pm. Free.

Don't pull your hair out about your tax woes. Instead head to Juicy Wine Co. (694 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-492-6620) for its fourth-annual 1040 Tasting. Taste 40 different shackle-breaking wines and swirl against the machine to seething jams from DJ Fiscal Response. 5:30-7:30pm. $10.

Pops For Champagne (601 N. State St., 312-266-7677) hosts its annual 1040 Tax Relief Celebration, which includes bubbly and food specials for $10.40, including three premium sparkling wines: Rosell Boher Brut Rose from Mendoza, Argentina, a North American exclusive at Pops; Argyle 2002 Brut; and Ruggeri & C. Prosecco. Also, guests may enjoy a discounted cover charge to the Jazz Club ($10.40 for two) to listen to the Chris Sargent Trio.

CityScape Bar (350 W. Mart Plaza Center Dr., 312-836-5000) is really offering some relief with a complimentary appetizer buffet from 5-7pm and drink specials all night. Go for the Effen IRS Blue Lemonade Martini, In The Red Bloody Mary, In The Black Russian or the Deduction Draft (Samuel Adams Draft)—all for $4.15.

And if you're still in need of relief by tomorrow, make your way over to Martini Park (151 W. Erie St., 312-640-0577) for Tax Bash 2008. The Karaoke Dokies will perform popular money-themed songs (“The Taxman” by the Beatles, “Take The Money & Run” by Steve Miller Band). The karaoke starts at 8pm, and there will be a $500 “refund” prize for the best performance of the evening. Judges will be, ahem, Amanda Puck from X/A PR, LeeAnn Trotter (entertainment reporter for NBC-5) and 312 Dining Diva (!!!). There is also some crazy rumor going around that we're supposed to perform too. I think I'll suddenly get a case of laryngitis. . .

Goose Island brew pub loses lease

The Stew reports that Goose Island will close the Clybourn Avenue brew pub location by year's end. They lost their lease. Wow. Just wow.