Gotta love their sense of humor

HUB 51 (51 W. Hubbard St.) owners—and siblings—R.J. and Jerrod Melman show off their silly side with this hiring video parodying the classic late-night informercials with host extraordinaire Tom Vu (starring local actor Vince Minh).

The River North restaurant, a subdivision of Lettuce Entertain You, is scheduled to open on June 10 with a hip, youthful vibe, casual dining menu and enviable music program.

Swirl, sniff 'n' sip, baby

WHAT DO you want to do after work today?!

Make a beeline to Juicy Wine Co. (694 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-492-6620) for a free tasting of Eyrie Vineyards' pinot noirs plus other treats. You'll get to indulge in three vintages from this award-winning winery from Oregon, plus Juicy promises to give guests a taste of some of their other favorites. 6-8pm. Free.

The weekly Cellar Notes event at NoMI (800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030) pays homage to Cinco de Mayo with a Don Julio tequila tasting. Advanced Sommelier Fernando Beteta will be on hand as usual to guide guests for the best experience. 5:30-7:30pm. $30.

Seafood lovers can go to town during Paramount Room's (415 N Milwaukee Ave., 312-829-6300) weekly all-you-can-eat Fish & Chips Night, for hand-dipped Icelandic cod, creamed slaw and fresh-cut fries for $14. It's also half-price wines by the bottle night.

Look out . . .

. . . for the next round of openings:

Chocolate Grape (2113 W. Division St., 773-772-3990), a chocolate, wine and pastry cafe, opens in Wicker Park on Friday.

Epic Burger (517 S. State St.), an all natural, fast casual burger concept, debuts its flagship store next week in the South Loop.

Raise a margarita to Cinco de Mayo

Adobo Grill celebrated Cinco de Mayo all weekend long with specials. (Photo: Adobo Grill)


Likely, you launched into Cinco de Mayo festivities over the weekend, and if you're not maxed-out on margaritas yet, here are some events to check into:

Adobo Grill’s grande Cinco de Mayo celebration concludes tonight with specials on food and margaritas. You'll also get to nod your head to mariachi bands at both locations: 1610 N. Wells St. or 2005 W. Division St.

The weekly BBR Monday Night Social happens tonight at Debonair Social Club (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-227-7990). Hosted by Music 101, the party includes drink specials, live art installations and festive house and Latin soul music by Mazi and Brian Gardner. 9pm-2am. Free.

Cityscape Bar (Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, 350 W. Mart Center Dr., 312-836-5000) is changing up its usual after-work buffet for a Spanish spin tonight. The complimentary buffet will include homestyle chicken tamales, tortilla chips, chorizo and potato flautas and more. Also, they're serving up several drink specials, including Patron Melon Bull (Patron Silver, Patron Citronge, Midori Melon, Red Bull and topped with Champagne) for $6. Buffet: 5-7pm; party continues until 1am.

Flock to Park 52's (5201 S. Harper Ave., 773-241-5200) fiesta tonight. They're doing a Chipotle roasted rack of lamb served with mashed yucca as well as spicy crispy rock shrimp. Specialty sippers include an organic Partida margarita (created with organic agave nectar, fresh lime juice) for only $5.50.

And the colorful Sangria Restaurant and Tapas Bar (901 W. Weed St., 312-266-1200) will offer $5 glasses of red and white sangria and $3 bottles of Bud Light Lime.

Your Momma . . .

. . . is a very special lady, and her Big Day is May 11. If you haven't made those plans yet, 312 Dining Diva has got you covered with these offbeat dining options:

The Chopping Block. Spend the afternoon cooking a three-course meal with you mom at either location of this popular cooking school. You'll get to make prosciutto-wrapped asparagus; egg, spinach and cheese stuffed crepes with Hollandaise sauce; and a lemon tart with strawberries. 10am at Merchandise Mart (Suite 107, 312-644-6360); 11am in Lincoln Square (4747 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-472-6700). $75 per person.

Geja’s Café (340 W. Armitage Ave., 773-281-9101). They're offering an all-inclusive fondue lunch that includes cheese fondue, a choice of chicken or shrimp, flaming chocolate fondue and Champagne. All moms will also get a free five-minute massage by a licensed massage therapist. Doors open at noon. $30.

Green Zebra (1460 W. Chicago Ave., 312-243-7100). Shawn McClain's contemporary vegetarian-focused eatery serves up a la carte brunch choices like baked cheese fondue with Granny Smith apples and sourdough bread; aged cheddar grilled cheese with tomato-onion chutney; caramelized vegetable hash, roasted tomato vinaigrette, baked eggs; and Challah French toast with black pepper and strawberries. 10:30am-2pm. Prices vary.

Pops for Champagne (601 N. State St., 312-266-7677). Indulge your mom with premium bubbly during the Mothers of Champagne celebration all weekend long. Pair executive chef Andrew Brochu's American progressive menu with a number of champagne specials such as Louis Roederer Brut Premier and Pommery Brut Rosé.

Powerhouse Restaurant and Bar (215 N. Clinton St., 312-928-0800).
Mothers get a complimentary glass of Henriot Blanc champagne from noon to 8pm on their big day when they order from the classic American menu. Enjoy entrees such as slow-roasted chicken thigh with faro, braised artichokes, Swiss chard and sorrel sauce or Walleye Pike with English pea custard, black trumpet mushrooms, white corn and roasted red pepper nage. Prices vary.

Sinha Elegant Cuisine (2018 W. Adams St., 312-491-8200). Transport Mom to Brazil at caterer Jorgina Pereira's weekly exotic brunch/early dinner giving props to her homeland. Dig into filling portions of authentic Brazilian cuisine, dance to the music (with dancers in full costume!) and mingle with others who're there to have a good time. Hopefully the day will be warm so diners may relax on the outdoor patio. 2-8pm. Reservations are mandatory. BYOB; $30.

Vermillion (10 W. Hubbard St., 312-527-4060). Savor a six-course, Indian-Latin seafood supper with delights like lobster bisque, blue corn-crusted scallop, lobster ceviche, tamarind shrimp and Brazilian caldeirada. And if you're looking for something beyond the usual bubbly, get one of their "herb & spice" champagne fizzes (blueberry cardamom fizz, jalapeno cilantro or prickly-pear ginger). Moms get one for free! Noon-3pm; 5-10pm. $55 per person.

Best 'Morning After' Brunch?!

Uhm, OK, CitySearch rounds up the best breakfast spots to go after a one-night stand. Classy!

A Chicago connection—sorta—to the Puff Daddy party tonight

I soooo need to be in LA right NOW.

My girl DJ Kiss, the hottie New York deejay who's spun for the likes of Lenny Kravitz, chef Gordon Ramsay and Puff Daddy (or whatever he's calling himself these days!), performs tonight at the private party celebrating Puffy getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

It's rumored that he's spending $4 million for this little shindig where 250 of his closest friends have been invited.

If you're curious as to why Puffy is bringing Kiss on as the only deejay for the night, don't miss her when she returns to Chicago next month. She's already played her special mix of mashups at J Bar (610 N. Rush St., 312-660-7200), NV Penthouse Lounge (116 W. Hubbard St., 312-329-9960), Le Passage (937 N. Rush St., 312-255-0022) and Lumen (839 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-2222), so I'll keep you updated on where she hits town next.

A change is comin' in River North

312 Dining Diva broke the story a few weeks ago that Randy Zweiban was resigning from Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron St., 312-664-2727), so now here's more exclusive dining news you can use:

Look for Madame Tartine, a 1970s-style brasserie, to take over BB's at 22 E. Hubbard St. soon. Even though BB's partner Donnie Kruse (Melvin B's, Stanley's, Butterfield 8) has had much success with his current concept, he's decided to change it up.

He's teaming up with super-successful restaurateur Jonathan Segal (PJ Clarke's, Minnies) for this next project. Look for more information soon because they're still in the planning process.

And speaking of hot new spots, there's word that celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's coming to town in 2009!