Hello, Publican fans?!

The pork shank at The Publican. (Photo: Grant Kessler Photography)


After all the year-long buzz, props and foodie frenzy surrounding Publican, I'm tres shocked their fans haven't come out strong for this nightlife poll (scroll down to the bottom to vote!).

After all, Hub 51's supporters certainly are not shy because they've voted enough to give the River North hot spot a serious lead over the competition.

Come on now, guys, it's time to vote!

Exclusive: Gone too soon!

So an Ultimate Insider sadly reports that Agave Bar & Grill, the Lakeview spot known for all-natural, handcrafted margaritas, is closing Sunday.

Word is that the current owners will be re-opening under a new concept in the New Year.

Hope it works out for them!

Winning dishes for your holiday table

Cockburn’s Culinary Competition's winning recipe offers an original twist on traditional Portuguese cuisine: Crispy Braised Pork Belly, Migas, Black Beluga Lentils and Frisée Salad in a Cockburn’s Special Reserve Vinaigrette. (Photo: Cockburn's Special Reserve)


From beginning to end, this year will certainly go down as the most unusual, so why settle for the usual turkey and stuffing for your holiday celebration?!

312DD got a little inspiration from Kendall College students whipping up original recipes during last week's Cockburn’s Culinary Competition at the school.

Three teams of future culinary stars raced around in "Top Chef" style preparing their creations as famed alumni Shawn McClain (Custom House, Green Zebra, Spring) and reigning "Top Chef" champ Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat) served as judges.

Tracey Torres and Jeremy Fisher came out on top in the end, with their winning recipe of Crispy Braised Pork Belly, Migas, Black Beluga Lentils and Frisée Salad in a Cockburn’s Special Reserve Vinaigrette. Find out how to make it here.

And for a unique starter, Stephanie Izard suggests her simple recipe for Broiled Oysters with Garlic/Parsley Aioli:

Broil oysters until just warmed through then drizzle with aioli (will melt but makes a nice rich jus on oysters). Recommend to plate on rock salt or bed of blanched seaweed.

Aioli

1-2 heads garlic, roasted (Just cut off top of head, put in foil, drizzle with salt and pepper and olive oil and roast at 375 degrees until browned and soft. Squeeze to remove)

2 egg yolks

1 tbsp Dijon

1/4 cup white balsamic

Place in blender. Add in blended or light olive oil until thickened. Add in garlic and 1 bunch chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

Meatloaf Bakery gets props in first week

The lentil meatloaf cupcakes at Meatloaf Bakery. (Photo: Urban Daddy Chicago)


Yesterday we brought you short ribs and today it's meatloaf. We're all about comfort food these days, especially with the frightful weather outside.

But the latest fare find—uncovered by Urban Daddy late last week—is not your mama's meatloaf. At Lincoln Park's Meatloaf Bakery, you can get them resembling cupcakes, pies or cakes with savory "frosting."

The Stew already jumped at a "first bite" report (let's hope this one goes better than last time), with the writer pleasantly surprised at what he sampled:

"We ate our Wing and Prayer right there, and it was moister than any meatloaf we remember our parents making. Slice into it and the surprise is the creamy orb of blue cheese at the center—on top, a cap of blue cheese, salty and buttery and a bit over the top. (Hot sauce? Each order comes with a miniature bottle.) As for our next favorite, that would be the Mother Loaf, and being how this is the signature loaf, the most down-to-earth foot soldier in the gourmet cupcake/meatloaf revolution, we were pleasantly relieved. The veal came through surprisingly strong as did that long old meatloaf tradition of not knowing precisely what you’re eating but being physically incapable of stopping. The potatoes, however—harder than we would have liked, even when prepared and served by (owner Cynthia) Kallile herself."

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!