New Obama chef a 'total hottie' . . .

. . . says MenuPages blog editor Helen Rosner about former avec chef Sam Kass and former personal chef to the Obamas:

"He's also dedicated to sustainable and organic agriculture, as evidenced by his menus and philosophy at his private chef service, Inevitable Table. He grew up in Chicago, went to the University of Chicago, and, as evidenced by this picture, is a total hottie."

He'll be working under current White House chef Criseta Comerford.


UPDATE: Ummmm, Gawker just put their snarky spin on his appointment:

"Hah, the Obamas brought their own personal home chef with them to The White House. And oddly that bit of crazy elitism will please all the hippies.

Because Sam Kass—who will just be one of their personal cooks, with White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford keeping her job!—is 'one of the new breed of chefs who are concerned about the environment and about poor eating habits in this country.' Americans eat like shit, and this chef would like to change that, with his 'private chef service in Chicago that, according to its Web site, is the client’s "link to clean, healthy food."' Oooooh, the smug liberalism on display here is enough to make us want to read The Corner."

Uhmmm, Goat Brain Ravioli?!

The Bristol's Chris Pandel is whipping up offal in the form of Goat Brain Ravioli at his Bucktown hot spot. (Photo: Chris Pandel)


Local food writer Lisa Shames gushes on the latest dining trend of offal—think liver, kidneys, heart, head and other animal innards and extremities—on menus at The Bristol, Mado and Publican:

"'Offal is the most intensely flavored part of the animal and really rings true to what it tastes like,' (Bristol chef Chris) Pandel says.

'If done correctly, offal can be delicious. That's the eye-opener for a lot of people,' says (Publican chef Brian) Huston, who sheepishly admits his mom's overcooked liver doesn't fit the bill.

In addition to its flavor, these eco-conscious chefs also cite respect for the farmer and the animal as another strong motivating factor.

'Farmers can't raise just a rack of lamb,' (Mado chef Rob) Levitt says. 'They have to raise the whole animal and these other parts need a home.'"

Sinatra and Biggie?!

More than 3,000 ballots were cast for Landmark's first-ever poll for the 40 Greatest Songs of All-Time...Countdown.

If you want to find out who made the cut, you'll need to check out the party happening tonight at the Lincoln Park eatery. All we could get out of owner Kevin Boehm is that you're definitely gonna hear some Sinatra and Notorious B.I.G., plus the Top 5 get the live music treatment. Starts at 7pm, so arrive early for those comped appetizers. No cover.

Also happening tonight:

It's snowing again. But you can get a taste of summer with the newest dish on the Smoke Shack menu. Those with uber-hearty appetites can go for The Taste of Smoke Shack that comes with two St. Louis ribs, two Baby Back ribs, 1/2 pulled pork, 1/2 brisket and Argentine chorizo. Mmmmmm, break out the picnic utensils!

The ultimate networking events are always wine-tasting parties and these two are no exception: Quartino returns with the monthly wine affair spotlighting favorites from 2008 in its upper-level party room at 7pm. $20. And Bin 36 hosts a walkaround social where you'll also get deals on special bottles. Starts at 6pm. $25.

And The Local Tourist has a hit on its hands with Chef's Table, a monthly cocktail party highlighting the talents of our local culinary kings and queens. Tonight's event with master mixologist Adam Seger at Nacional 27 is, alas, sold out, but get in touch with them about their sweet soiree happening at Sugar Bliss Bakery on Feb. 18.

Alinea's Achatz to become movie star?!

Photo: James Beard Foundation


MenuPages (who dug up the info) and The Stew report that Grant Achatz of Alinea fame is going Hollywood on us:

"Fly-on-the-wall filmmaker R.J. Cutler, whose celebrated history with cinéma vérité documentary includes producing 'The War Room' (about the 1992 Clinton presidential run) and directing 'A Perfect Candidate' (about Oliver North’s Senate candidacy), is headed to Chicago for a new film about chef Grant Achatz, the acclaimed chef and owner of Alinea. The title? 'Taste.'

Cutler said the Grant Achatz story—Innovation! Legend! Tongue cancer!—will probably be his next project, but he is not sure when the shooting starts. He said he flew to Chicago for a meal at Alinea and decided 'Grant is one of the great maestros. His work gets to the essence of what food is—of what creativity and taste is.'"

'Daily Candy has lost its shit' . . .

. . . was the email diss that just dropped in my inbox over this morning's Daily Candy newsletter "profiling" new one sixtyblue exec chef Michael McDonald:

"Mike McDonald cooks for you, E-I-E-I-O,

New chef at One Sixtyblue, E-I-E-I-O,

Taught by Trotter, he got game, E-I-E-I-O,

And a brand new claim to fame, E-I-E-I-O,

It’s a real fine treat, and, boy, do you eat,

Meat, wheat, oh, it’s sweet, no one can compete-pete,

Dinner with Michael is its name, E-I-E-I-O,

Five-course tasting, vino, too, E-I-E-I-O,

Especially designed for you, E-I-E-I-O,

First he’ll come to your chair with attention and flair,

You’ll declare, if you dare, what you care for in your fare,

Dinner with Michael is its name, E-I-E-I-O,

Seasonal is his MO, E-I-E-I-O,

The food is fresh and goes down slow, E-I-E-I-O,

With some pickle butter here and some tuna tartar there,

Gumbo, risotto, yellowfin, and lamb, yo,

Dinner with Michael, we proclaim,

E-I-E-I-whoa."


Um, FAIL.

'King of New York Clubs' speaks out on industry

The scope of nightlife has changed for the worst, say experts, who add that in order to revive it, we must go back to the basics.

Peter Gatien—King of New York Clubs and best known as the mastermind behind Limelight, Palladium, Club USA and Tunnel—weighs in on what's next:

"We will be re-opening the Tunnel in the upcoming future. I have been gone for a while but I am now returning. Due to the failing economy we think the people have spoken and are looking to express creatively again and not this cookie cutter nightlife we have most recently been exposed and sucked into.. we lost our sense of community and togetherness.. we lost our appeal to be unique and think outside the box and where we once went out because the music drove us."—from the comments section of Down By The Hipster.

Who will take the charge in Chicago?!

Canadian export debuts in Lincoln Park

(Photo: Courtesy of Thrillist)


Thrillist checks out the chow over at Canada's famed sports lounge, Firkin & Pheasant, now open in Lincoln Park:

"The traditional menu (beer-battered fish n' chips, Guinness steak & mushroom pie, bangers & mash) is augmented with daily specials (clam chowder in sourdough breadbowl) and American action like The Firkin Angus Burger: jack, bacon, bourbon chipotle onions, and a house steak sauce whose recipe's kept as locked down as the Queen's box."

MK chef's latest sensation

MK's new commander-in-chef Erick Williams pleasantly surprised Saturday night's diners with a delicious new dish he's been tinkering around with in the kitchen.

Those in the packed dining room got a comped Duck Carbonara (made with fettucine, duck egg, duck confit, crispy duck skin) personally delivered to them by the chef. It was such a hit that they've decided to put it on the menu beginning this week, and believe us when we tell you that it's the perfect entree for cold winter nights.

Maybe, just maybe, Williams will put it on the menu as part of Wine on Wednesday, the wallet-friendly event for $25 that includes three wines and three small plates. Dishes rotate regularly so you never know what he'll come up with. And according to the flyer we were handed that night, the menu features new releases and old MK favorites paired with wines by sommelier Josh Kaplan, who's raiding the cellar each week.

That's 6-9pm every Wednesday.