I wanna be like Mike

Hungry Mag head honcho Michael Nagrant gives us a taste of what it was like to experience last night's $1,500-a-head Thomas Keller/Grant Achatz feast at Alinea:

"Tonight, I asked Grant Achatz if I could hug him. Fortunately, he had the foresight to preserve our collective dignity, and he said no. It wasn’t just the glass of Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2000 talking, either. Rather, it was a dish named Chestnut, quince, chocolate, baked potato."

Lucky @#$%^&*()@^!

Ouch, Alpana . . .

Feast of Fools host Fausto Fernós (left) with Alpana Singh (Photo: Feastoffools.net)


Local wine diva Alpana Singh gets called out by MenuPages for over-promoting her real job on her new vino-themed blog:

"FoodLife is owned by LEYE. And Alpana? Is the director of wine and spirits for LEYE. And as such presumably has a hand in selecting these $4.95-per-glass wines and signing off on the signs for the singles-friendly wine tastings.

Don't get us wrong—we know that when a restaurant employee blogs about his or her professional life, the blog serves as an extension of the restaurant brand. No one expects, say, Philip Foss to go on a screed against hotel dining, f'rinstance. But this kind of wide-eyed who-me advertorial gets our undies in a bunch."

Toast to Repeal Day!

I'm not going to get all wordy about the history behind Repeal Day, and by now you know the 75th anniversary's coming up on Dec. 5.

If you want to read up on which current local bars thrived during the Prohibition era and which ones were the first to get their liquor licenses after it ended, you'll find that here, here and here.

In the meantime, if you just want to party, a number of events happen Friday, but Thrillist just had to be first out the gate with theirs on Thursday. They're doing it at Wicker Park's Plan B with a complimentary whiskey tasting, burlesque dancers and even shoeshine boys! That's going down 7-10pm, but you must RSVP here to get in.

Didja know there was a Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails?! Chicago's new chapter hosts two parties on the big night. They're encouraging guests to dress in period clothing and head over to Clark Street Ale House right after work for the first one from 6-9pm. And, if you're still standing by 10pm, make a move to part two over at The Drawing Room. For $33, they're doing a Prohibition-era, prix-fixe food and drink pairing. There's also live music by the Ron Mills Orchestra, and a portion of the proceeds benefits Chicago's Greenhouse Shelter, which assists abused women.

At Andersonville liquor shop and lounge In Fine Spirits, the festivities include more pre- and post-Prohibition-era cocktails, 1930s music and staffers dressed like gang-stars. Go ahead and order The Capone (a citrus-y cocktail with Templeton Rye Prohibition Era Whiskey), Prohibition Cocktail (gin cocktail with a touch of apricot) or The Volstead Toddy (spicy-smooth blend of Batavia Arrack, Pendleton’s Whiskey and a touch of pastis that's served warm). 3pm-2am. No cover.

Moonshine mixes it up with professional swing dancers, live music, period attire and a special Dewar’s toast to Repeal Day. They're also giving guests “Dewar’s Dollars” to buy things like an old-fashioned shoe shine, barber shop shave and even more cocktails. 8pm-2am. No cover, but use the password "Dewar's" for admittance. Come dressed to thrill.

Servers at Room 21 will be dressed up as gangsters and flappers, and guests may order from a special menu for $19.33 that includes one Dewar's specialty cocktail. All Dewar's cocktails, such as the Old Fashioned or one infused with vanilla beans, are $5 for the night. 5:30-10pm.

Spring teams up with former Violet Hour mixologist Kirk Estopinal for a night of fun in the lounge. He's shaking up a host of new and classic libations like the G&T (North Shore #11, housemade tonic on the rocks) and The Spice Cart (brandy, triple sec, lemon, five spices). They're also introducing a new bar menu with savory items like maki rolls, squash wonton and short rib Gyoza. No cover.

New West Town sports bar The Fifty/50 celebrates with a dress-up period party and specials on classic drinks. 8pm-2am. No cover.

And Lush doles out the goodies in both the University Village and Roscoe Village locations. They're pouring free samples of classic cocktails from 6-9pm. No cover.

Why hasn't anyone talked about this?!

An astute reader brought to my attention late last week an interesting tidbit:

Turns out the controversial Indian-British novelist and essayist Salman Rushdie—who was once married to former supermodel/"Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi—is an investor in the newly opened New York restaurant At Vermilion (480 Lexington Ave., 212-871-6600).

This Indian-Latin focused eatery is an offshoot of the Chicago original, which Lakshmi once told 312DD was "the best Indian restaurant in the country."

What makes it even more interesting is that "Top Chef 5" contestant Radhika "Rad" Desai, who's still in the running and is the exec chef at Between Boutique Cafe and Lounge, was the opening sous chef at Vermilion and has gotten major props for that menu's success today.

Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Back of the House on Xmas

Adam Seger of Nacional 27 (Photo: Brenden Lekan Photography)


Restaurant Intelligence Agency's new Back of the House feature highlights holiday memories from local food and beverage stars:

What will be on your holiday dinner table this year?

Jill Barron (executive chef, MANA food bar): Oysters and caviar for Christmas Eve.

Tim Dahl (pastry chef, Blackbird): I grew up with kjottboller and lefse. This year it'll be lasagna and seafood soup.

Dirk Flanigan (executive chef, The Gage): Turkey with garlic and basil under the skin; crown of oyster and foie gras stuffing, with duck confit; the now famous Brie, bacon and Brussels sprouts; vanilla sweet potatoes with Spanish chorizo; cavatelli with a pot of my wife's homemade sauce.

Josh Kaplan (general manager/sommelier, mk): Traditional fare. My family does the cooking, not me. Although, every year my favorite item is the caramelized onion tart from Foodstuffs.

Carrie Nahabedian (executive chef, NAHA): For Christmas, we always do prime rib, whole-roasted with great rich side dishes: compote of pearl onions with bacon and cognac, celery root dauphinoise, roasted squash with hickory nuts. And all of my aunts' favorite cookies: cherry wonders, cream cheese chocolate chip cookies, toffee squares, nut cups, buckeye balls, cherry jewels.

Adam Seger (manager, beverage director, Nacional 27): A deep-fried turkey, a pumpkin pie made with fresh pumpkin from the Green City Market with a real lard crust and a two-year aged black-walnut-fed Newsome's country ham from Kentucky.

Erick Williams (executive chef, mk): Turkey dressing (as opposed to stuffing) -- a traditional family recipe that my mother makes using cornbread instead of regular bread. Giblet gravy, braised mustard and turnip greens, beef roast, turkey, tomato-stewed green beans, chitterlings, sweet potato pie, bread pudding, pecan tart.

Shelley Young (chef/owner, The Chopping Block): Traditional for sure. Mom cooks Christmas.

Observe World AIDS Day

Today's the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, so if you're looking to commemorate, 312DD's rounded up a few events:

Join others at W-Lakeshore's Living Room for an online viewing party for the launch of RED (WIRE), a new digital music magazine launched by U2 frontman Bono. For a $5 monthly fee, subscribers get access to exclusive tracks from artists like John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Coldplay and Jay Z. A portion of the proceeds benefits programs combating AIDS in Africa. Monitors will be set up carrying the live feed, as well as computer kiosks for people to sign up. All evening, you can also order the INSPI(RED) pomegranate-infused cocktail, with a portion of those proceeds benefiting (RED)WIRE). 3-11pm. No cover.

Green Dolphin Street's weekly Boom Boom Room observes the occasion with a special set by global spin star Ron Trent. He'll spin deep house, Latin and Afro-Latin beats, but arrive early for a special AIDS-themed fashion show produced by Fashion Empire. $5 Effen cocktails. 9pm-4am. $10.

And tickets are still available for the annual World of Chocolate party happening at the Chicago Hilton and Towers (720 S. Michigan Ave.) on Dec. 3. Sponsored by AIDS Foundation of Chicago, the party features sweet treats from more than 30 local restaurants, caterers and chocolatiers in an effort to fight HIV/AIDS. Participating restaurants including China Grill, Bistro Campagne, Mado and Terry's Toffee. You'll also get appetizers, open bar, live jazz and a holiday bazaar for those last-minute gifts. 6-10pm. Tickets start at $75.

Giving back

Looking to volunteer over the holiday season?

312DD's uncovered a number of opportunities all over town, from senior citizen homes to food pantries. Whether you can volunteer your time or money, anything you do will be much appreciated.

Happy Holidays!

For those who like to get down . . .

. . . on Thanksgiving Eve:

Once again, it's time for Butch McGuire's to dust off the vintage toy choo-choo trains and Dr. Seuss mechanical thingamajig decorations for the holiday season. The after-work and into the night party is supposed to be the biggest singles scenes in the city on Thanksgiving Eve. Trust me, it really is. 3pm-4am. $10.

DandE Entertainment's long-standing Thanksgiving Night party moves to the night before, and is also taking place at Green Dolphin Street. House music legend Frankie Knuckles serves up classic and contempo beats to a crowd dancing so hard they won't have to worry about all those calories the next day. 9pm-4am. $20.

More groove-oriented music happens over at Moonshine, featuring the DJ Soul Foundation featuring Brenda D, Brian Gardner and others. Moonshine's also officially unveiling new house-made microbrew Chronic, which will be sold for $3 this night. Also, half-price pizzas and $5 Jack Daniels drinks. 9pm-2am. No cover.

Gobble up more goodies at Plan B at the second-annual B Thankful bash. A number of shots and cocktails are $3; domestic canned beer $2; half off on appetizers. DJ Daddy spins tasty beats. 6pm-2am. No cover.

Wine lovers, don't worry, there's something for you, too! Quartino continues its end-of-the-month wine tasting party happening on the upper level of the trendy pizzeria. Cool music, appetizers, socializing and four featured wines for twenty bucks. 7-9pm.

Backtrack returns to Rednofive, featuring turntablists Jesse de la Pena, Mario "Smokin" Diaz, Pumpin Pete and others. The best thing about this night?! There's a Michael Jackson/Prince showdown at midnight! Also, an '80s costume contest. 9pm-4am. Cover varies.

If you're cool and you know it, clap your hands—or just go to Sonotheque for the monthly Rebirth of the Funk fete. Deejays Joe Bryl and Eric Williams should blow you away with funk, reggae, go go, breakbeats and more. Also, $5 well cocktails. 9pm-2am. $5.

Those guys over at the Lincoln Park Young Professionals try so hard with their events, and the one at Whiskey Sky sounds like it'll jump off for sure. The Turkey Trot Classic includes classic cocktails, a fabulous lake view and multiple appetizers from various restaurants.
7-9pm. $20 in advance; $40 at door.