Hub 51 tied with Vertigo in Nightlife Poll

Hub 51 is battling Vertigo for the title of "best new bar of '08." (Photo: Hub 51)


The Who's on Top in '08?! poll is off to a great start, on its second day.

Frontrunners are Hub 51, the trendy bar/restaurant hybrid by brothers Jerrod and R.J. Melman, and Vertigo, the posh penthhouse-level lounge crowning the dana hotel.

To vote, just scroll to the bottom of the page!

Mmmmm, short ribs . . .

Over at Chowhound, a foodie started a thread about finding the best short ribs in the city:

Check the list for the best recs from regular folks, including graham elliot, Sweets and Savories, Custom House, Osteria Via Stato, Manny's Coffee Shop & Deli , Bonsoiree and Chaise Lounge.

Can I get a yum yum?!

Why are they famous?!

Will someone please remind 312DD again why Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are famous?! They cannot spin, sing or sew, so why is it that this dude boasts that he gets a minimum of $100,000 just to show up to a bar?

I just pray that Manor, where they're making an appearance on Friday, didn't get suckered into paying anything near that amount!

This just makes me want to hurl a heel at somebody.

Who's on Top in '08?!

Vertigo Sky Lounge, atop the dana hotel, was one of the hottest new bars to open in 2008. (Photo: Vertigo Sky Lounge)


We had fun this year. I mean a whole lotta fun.

We partied our asses off—as the whole world watched—at various hot spots when a new president was elected right here in our fair city.

We kicked it hard all summer in some of the best outdoor venues we've ever had, including C-View, Vertigo and Zed451.

We mocked the Eat & Drink Club, a vicious pack of freeloaders hitting every open bar in town they could sniff out.

And we saw several triumphant comebacks, particularly from Crescendo and Trader Vic's (opens Dec. 15!).

So, it's that time of year again; time for you to pick your favorite new venues in the second-annual nightlife/dining poll: Who's on Top in '08?!

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and vote (If you don't see your favorite, then feel free to post in the comments section)! And because we're here in the infamous Windy City, vote often!

Celebrated chef out at Old Town Brasserie

Old Town Brasserie chef Roland Liccioni (left). (Photo: Le Français)


Dish breaks the news that Old Town Brasserie chef Roland Liccioni is out at the end of the year:

"Today’s big news: Roland Liccioni, who put Le Français back on the map in the nineties, is apparently leaving Old Town Brasserie (1209 N. Wells St.; 312-943-3000) just before Christmas. 'I’m going to France to visit my mother, take some time off,' Liccioni says. After that, he has no plans, but would like to stay in Chicago. Bob Djahanguiri, OTB’s owner, sees it differently. 'I told him, "You go to France and when you come back we will sit down. And if you agree with my agreement, we will work together." . . . Roland is a great chef but the restaurant is not just the food. Honestly, he wants to stay.'"

He may or may not return, but in his absence, Andy Motto, a Charlie Trotter’s veteran who has worked with Liccioni for 12 years, is handling the kitchen.

Way to take advantage of a sticky situation

This wins for the most tasteless press release of the week:

"As Illinois politics is making front page news throughout the country, Chicagoans are up in arms that yet another governor has proven to be corrupt. One Chicago restaurant is voicing its disapproval in another way; by dedicating a drink to the situation.

Take a dirty martini, steal the olives but leave the pimentos and you have 'The Dirty Governor,' a drink currently being served at Wicker Park hotspot The Fifty/50.

What brand of vodka is used? Effen. Because Chicago’s (sic) are 'effen' mad."

Note to publicist:

Fail!

Rad's on fire!

The Stew continues its coverage of our girl Radhika Desai of Between on "Top Chef":

"At judges' table, Radhika's team is on top, but Ariane gets the victory for cooking 'the most flavorful component of the evening,' (guest judge Dana) Cowin reveals. Now wait. Didn't Radhika's marinade and yogurt sauce contribute more to the flavor than Ariane's cooking? All she had to do was know when to take the lamb out of the oven, and she needed help from her teammates to get that right. Radhika should have stood up more for her cooking. At least she shows strongly by placing with the winning team. Now she needs to stand out on her own."

Support.

This week's been effed up, y'all.

From The Guv to GM, it seems like everyone's in hot water. Two prominent restaurants shuttered (copperblue, Mantou Noodle Bar), and yet another is changing its concept before it heads into trouble.

Of course, everyone's strapped for $$$ these days, but let's try to get out and about this weekend and support our local businesses:

THURSDAY

If you're shopping on the Mag Mile or in River North, and it's arctic outside, warm up at mk. Every time the weather dips below 20 degrees, diners get free hot toddies.

Shoppers can also take refuge inside Bistro 110, which is doing Bistro & Bubbles until the end of the month in the lounge. They're offering two champagne pairings from Moët & Chandon: a glass of Moët White Star paired with truffle oil parmesan fries ($11) or a glass of Moët Rosé Impérial with smoked salmon pizza ($15). 5-7pm Sunday-Friday.

Green Zebra's new dinner deal benefits the World Bicycle Relief, a nonprofit organization supporting impoverished areas worldwide. A seasonal, four-course tasting menu is $44, with $4 from each order going to the organization. Through Dec. 30.

FRIDAY

They're doing Millionaire Flight Night every Friday at D.O.C. Wine Bar, but thankfully that's meant to be tongue in cheek. This one's only $25, with rare and specialty vino personally selected by wine director Adam Moore. This week, global pinots Domaine Leroy Burgundy, Julius Wasem Spatburgunder, Archer Summit "Cuvee Estate" are featured.

Funkshion (2121 W. Division St.) fetes its first-year anniversary with a party at the boutique from 7-11pm. Deejays spin, giveaways and a premium open bar. They're also requesting that guests bring gently used clothing to gift those less fortunate. The after-party happens at Right Loft (above Enclave) until 4am. No cover.

Hopefully the Bears beat the Saints so they hold their heads up high at the first-ever Bear Factor, happening at Rednofive. Guests get to mingle with past and present Bears players, and enjoy a fashion show featuring their wives and girlfriends. Appetizers and open bar included. 7-11pm. $75.



C-House chefs Seth Siegel-Gardner and Toni Roberts are the guest celebrity bartenders at Pops for Champagne on Monday. (Photo: C-House)


SATURDAY

It's suds galore at Delilah's, which hosts the 10th annual Christmas & Winter Beer Tasting. This is likely the largest beer tasting in the country with more than 100 beers on hand for your indulgence. Brands include Goose Island Christmas Ale, Three Floyds Alpha Claus Christmas Porter, Lakefront Holiday Spice Lager and Summit Winter Ale, plus reps will be on hand to answer questions. Noon-5pm. $20.

The sixth-annual Kandy Kane Ball at Joe's should bring out all the young professionals. Admission includes an open bar and appetizers (until midnight), live entertainment and some of the most interesting people you'll meet this holiday season. 9pm-2am. $40 (toy donation required; no batteries).

World-class tennis hottie Anna Kournikova's in town for another toy drive happening at Enclave. The party benefits the Union League Boys and Girls Club. 10pm-3am. $20 donation (or toys).

XBOX 360's I'm With the DJ Tour makes a stop at Bon V. You'll jam out to the sounds of Clinton Sparks, Rick Rude and White Shadow. 9pm-3am. $20.

MONDAY

Every Monday Pops for Champagne hosts an industry night event featuring local chefs behind the bar. It's time for C-House chefs Seth Siegel-Gardner and Toni Roberts to shine with their creations Pineapple Express (tequila, rosemary, sparkling wine), BOH (bourbon, maple, lime) and Motorboat (horchata, Kahlua, rootbeer). 9pm-2am. No cover.

OM Records superstar Miguel Migs makes a rare appearance at a Chicago nightclub. He's doing a special house set at Boom Boom Room, happening at Green Dolphin Street. NYC's SUPER PRODUCERS "1200 warriors" and local spin star DJ Uncle Milty also perform. Drink specials. 9pm-4am. $10.