Chicago's culinary elite takes to the streets

Time Out Chicago checks in with the likes of Calvin Soh of Shanghai Terrace, Spiaggia's Tony Mantuano and Dan Nguyen (Viet Bistro) to uncover their fave cheap eats around town.

Get the blues for brunch . . . Butter Boogie launches . . .

Ronnie Baker Brooks wowing the crowd at Buddy Guy’s Legends, which is hosting Blues Fest brunch all weekend. (Photo: Recording Academy's Chicago Chapter)


It’s mega music madness this weekend with the Blues Fest in Grant Park, Juicy Wine Co. pairing wine with rap, and an original member of Devo showcasing his artistic skills.

Get in where you fit in:

THURSDAY

Leave it to Juicy Wine Co. to jump out the box when it comes to vino. This time they’re hosting Betts & Scholl, a little-known label created in 2001 that’ll be pouring The Chronique, a new school wine with concentrated raspberry and strawberry flavors. You’ll be able to sample their vino as a deejay spins vibes from Dr. Dre’s legendary The Chronic. And as a bonus, guests will get a $5 Juicy gift card toward any Betts & Scholl wine purchase. 6-8pm. $15.

Upscale men’s boutique HALO [FOR MEN] throws a scotch tasting for those guys looking to really start the weekend off right. Guests will have the opportunity to sample 15-, 17-, and 21-year-old aged scotch with appetizers. Entertainment includes a caricaturist and DJ ME spinning. 6:30-8:30pm. RSVP to rsvp@halochicago.com.

It’s the first Thursday of the month, so that means Braziliance returns to Sonotheque. Resident spin star Joe Bryl hosts this sexy set paying homage to beautiful Brazil with The Braziliance Drinking Guide, a special menu of liquid creations capturing the art of cocktailing in Rio like mojitos, Caipirinhas and exotic beers. Guests are encouraged to start the night off at Flo for a special Brazilian menu, then come to Sonotheque for comp admission. 9pm-2am. Free before 10pm; $5 after.

Chicago’s Black Professional Network and Miracle Entertainment celebrate Barack Obama’s big win with Social Therapy at Victor Hotel. Deejays World and I.N.C. spin. 6pm-2am. Free.

Butter Boogie kicks off tonight at Crimson Lounge. Cool kids Good for Party will be throwing this one every first Thursday of the month with comp Absolut vodka tastings and CDs until 10pm. Deejays Mike Cole and Mark Grusane spin modern soul, boogie, disco, electro, vintage house and more. 8pm-2am. Free when you RSVP.

FRIDAY

Mark Mothersbaugh was an artist long before he formed iconic punk-alt group Devo with Jerry Casale and Bob Lewis. And though the group will forever be known for its timeless “Whip It,” he’s been busy writing music for likes of filmmaker Wes Anderson (“Royal Tenenbaums,” “Rushmore”), the children’s show “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and Apple Computers. He’s in the spotlight in Chicago this weekend for his one-man show, The Postcard Diaries, which showcases the illustrated postcards he’s created for more than 30 years. The grand-opening reception takes place at DLG River North, located in the same building as hot new “bistronomic” eatery graham elliot. 6-11pm. Free.

And speaking of visual art, one of MutualArt.com’s Top 20 Must-See Museum Exhibitions for Summer 2008 is the new Everything's Here: Jeff Koons and His Experience of Chicago exhibit at the MCA through September. Check it out tonight during First Fridays. 6-10pm. The $15 ticket includes live entertainment and Wolfgang Puck hors d’oeuvres; cash bar. 220 E. Chicago Ave.

Head to Gold Star Bar for the 2008 release of the Not For Tourists Guide. Party includes free drinks and copies of the tome, but you gotta print out the invite here to get in. 6-9pm. Free.

SATURDAY

Get the blues before you even get to the Blues Fest and check out Buddy Guy’s Legends—which is located close to Grant Park—for a special blues brunch. Munch on biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and muffins during acoustic blues sets by Guy King and Harmonica Hinds. 11am-1pm Saturday and Sunday. $15.

And you’ll wanna dress up and get down because it’s Big Brown going for the Triple Crown. Brownstone Tavern & Grill hosts a viewing party with a contest (for the best picks) that will include cool prizes like Guitar Hero III, gas cards (!!!), Cubs tickets, Sirius stereo players and an iPhone. Also, there will be prizes for best racetrack attire (think seersucker, bonnets and summer dresses), deejay between races and a live trumpeter for call to post. $5 drink deals include the Belmont Breeze (official drink of the Stakes), White Carnation (official flower of the Stakes) and a Maker’s Mark Mint Julep. Doors open at 11am; race starts at 4pm.

Help this dude out

Some poor sap from Toronto is trying to get a reservation at Schwa to no avail. Can anyone help him out?!

Yes We Can . . .

. . . get the 411 on the location for the bar they're trying to keep a secret from everyone! An Ultimate Insider tells me that the recently closed Rockwell Lounge in River North is the new home for Angels & Kings, that hot new rock bar from Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz and company.

Look for it to open in mid-June.

Rick Bayless, house music and more

Frontera Grill chef/owner Rick Bayless will demo at the Green City Market today.


Whether you want to chill out at home with goodies from the market or dance the night away, there's something for everyone on this list:

Yet another rock star chef takes the stage at Green City Market this morning: Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill/Topolobampo fame will demo at 10:30am. The Market runs 7am-1:30pm with seasonal local veggies and fruits. Free.

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club is the place to be if you're looking to view Bravo's wildly popular "Top Chef" tonight on five screens and sip themed cocktails. Specials include two-for-one entrees and half-price select cocktails. 9pm.

If the weather is decent today, why not head to River North for the Block Party hosted by Ai and Zocalo? They're celebrating the opening of their new patios with alfresco dining specials, including $3 glasses of Japanese sangria and $3 edamame and selected maki at Ai; $5 margaritas and half-price appetizers at Zocalo. 11:30am-11pm.

You'll dig Trilogy, the deejay-driven event happening every Wednesday at Moonshine. Tonight's lineup features Spencer Lokken, Bear Who and Newlife spinning deep house and remixes. You'll also appreciate all the deals, including half-price pizzas, $15 Absolut vodka pitchers and $15 Hornitos margarita pitchers. 8pm-2am. Free.

More dance music is on tap at Zentra with We Love House Music Wednesdays. Hosted by Allay Soul, Aid to the SouLLess, and House Arrest, the party also includes a host of drink specials, including $2 vodka cocktails (10-11p), $5 tequila and rum cocktails, as well as a $35 bracelet for 9 premium cocktails. 10pm-4am. No cover.

I told y'all it was gonna sell out!

Word just came down that the Stephanie Izard dinner at the Drawing Room is sold out.

It sold out in 15 minutes! That's right, but because the owners don't want to turn away the fans, they've added a special post-VIP cocktail reception. Stephanie will be preparing two "culinary" cocktails using seasonal ingredients. It's $40 and starts at 9pm June 15.

graham elliot, others coming your way

graham elliot's Cheddar-apple risotto (with braised onion, green apple, Wisconsin bacon and Cheez-its) is one of the entrees on the menu. (Photo: graham elliot)


Today's the big opening day for graham elliot in River North. Chicago's first "bistronomic" restaurant is owned by former Avenues chef Graham Elliot Bowles.

Moderately priced Italian eatery Piccolo Sogno is expected to open on July 16, according to chef/owner Tony Priolo, who was the former exec chef at Coco Pazzo.

And we're sending out good vibrations for the June debut of Logan Bar and Grill in Logan Square. It's the latest project by the owners of Northside and Black Beetle.

Tempt yourself . . .

Pina Colada, Persephone and Mango Peach Poptails (Photo: DeLaCosta)


. . . with a tasty treat in the form of a refreshing cocktail:

Today's the perfect day to indulge in one of DeLaCosta's new Poptails, a cool combo of a cocktail and popsicle. Choose between Pina Colada (DLC's pineapple infused vodka, pineapple juice, lime and Coco lopez popsicle), Persephone (Grey Goose L'Orange vodka, Pama pomegranate liquer, blood orange puree, cava and a pomegrante popsicle) or Mango Peach (Bacardi Peach red rum, mango puree, orange juice, lime juice and a peach popsicle).

Or celebrate the end of the Democratic primaries with this ode to U.S. Senator Barack Obama. Plan B Bar + Kitchen has created the Ciroc Obama (Ciroc, splash of Chambord and lemonade with a grape sugar rim) that's certain to be a winner all summer long.

Get to Lincoln Park's cozy lower-level lounge Matisse for $2 sangrias, $6 taco plates and a chance to sit down on the intimate patio. It's a great spot for a date, but also for groups looking to avoid the madness up in Wrigleyville's watering holes.

And every Tuesday is Return of the Cocktail Party at Martini Park. Come early (5-8pm) for the delicious passed hors d'oeuvres and specially priced signature cocktails ($5-$7) like the Berry Fizzy Lemonade (Effen Berry Vodka, lemon juice, strawberry puree, and a Rock Star float, garnished with a lemon wheel) or Grapefruit Caipirinha (Ketel Citron, muddled grapefruit, lime, and simple syrup, garnished with a lime wheel). Stick around for the live music. Tonight, the Flat Cats perform at 7pm.