EXCLUSIVE: Melvin B's coming back?!

(Photo: Melvin B's)


Could this be true?!

Just in time for summertime shenanigans, word is that Melvin B's—the Gold Coast's most notorious outdoor bar—is back!

An Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that it's resurfacing in its old home at 1114 N. State St., and will be reopening in about three weeks.

Former owner Donnie Kruse (who also owns Stanley's), says he's not behind this second incarnation, so we're on the case to find out who's in charge.

This is sooo developing!

If She Had It Her Way on Mom's Day

Michelle Garcia (left) of Bleeding Heart Bakery and her mom, Sharon (Photo: Bill Lambert/Erickson Design)


They're truly the queens of their kitchens, so they almost never get a day off to relax.

312DD managed to catch up with some of Chicago's busiest chefs—who just happen to be moms—to find out their idea of the perfect Mother's Day:

Malika Ameen, executive pastry chef and co-owner of the exotically sexy Aigre Doux, manages to run a tight ship in the kitchen with her husband Mohammad Islam even though they have three sons under age seven. A blissful Mom's Day for her would be huevos rancheros served to her in bed by her family. And no housework.

Favorite Menu Item at Aigre Doux: Black Truffle Pizza with a wood-fired crust.


Tru's Gale Gand, the tireless pastry chef, author, TV personality and restaurateur, is also the mom-in-chief of three children (two girls and one boy). Her special fantasy day would consist of homemade cards from her kids, just-picked Daffodils from her garden, foot rub from her husband and movies. Of course, there'd be breakfast in bed, seeing as the award-winning artist just released Gale Gand's Brunch!: 100 Fantastic Recipes for the Weekend's Best Meal (Crown Publishing Group; 2009). She'd want her family to whip up her recipe for Blanched Asparagus with Poached Eggs and Shaved Parmesan paired with fresh-squeezed OJ (with strawberry puree, passion fruit juice, and a shot of Cava).

Favorite Menu Item at Tru: King crab, white asparagus, pineapple, and tarragon appetizer; also the gianduja cremeux with concord grape sorbet, basil and manchego cheese dessert.



Author, TV star, pastry chef and restaurateur Gale Gand.


Punk rock mom and pastry chef Michelle Garcia has two children and two popular, organic-focused North Side bakeries, Bleeding Heart and Smash Cake. And if she managed to get a day off for Mother's Day, she'd want to be lavished with gifts from Lush (the cosmetics store with handmade organic products, not the spirits shop!). Also, for her son not to hit her in the head with his Star Wars' lightsaber.

Favorite Menu Item at Bleeding Heart: The infamous tattoo cakes that put her store on the map. Get the organic goodies in whatever flavor you like with the Mom heart tat surrounded by flowers.


Sarah Stegner may have more prestigious awards than children (one daughter, one Robert Mondavi Culinary Award Of Excellence, two James Beard Foundation awards), but she takes her role as mom to heart. As co-owner and co-executive chef at Prairie Grass Café in Northbrook, she always works on Mother's Day, but if she had the chance to get away she'd spend every precious moment with her daughter.

Favorite Menu Item at Prairie Grass Café: She keeps it simple with spaghetti and roasted chicken.


For an extensive list of Mother's Day events, go here and for freebies, check this out.

May is National BBQ Month . . .

David Burke (left) and Marcus Samuelsson (Photo: XA, The Experiential Agency)


. . . so you can either fire up that grill and try your luck at getting it right this year, or allow two of the nation's most recognized chefs to show you how it's really done.

Meat master David Burke (Primehouse) and seafood specialist Marcus Samuelsson (C-House) join forces to host a grilling demo and tasting at the Affinia hotel's C-View rooftop lounge.

But that's not all. The first-ever Land & Sea BBQ Bootcamp also includes a cocktail reception and information Q&A with the chefs. They'll be whipping up BBQ short rib tacos, grilled oysters and more, plus guests will leave knowing exactly how they did it. A gift bag will include the day's recipes.

Event happens 1-3pm May 16; call C-House for the $75 tickets. It's happening the same weekend as the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, so this thing will sell out!

Chuck Bass in Chicago . . .

"Gossip Girl" star Ed Westwick will be in Chicago Wednesday.


Attention: Gossip Girl fans.

Just got word Jessica Szohr and Ed Westwick (a.k.a. Chuck Bass) of Gossip Girl notoriety will make a special appearance at Wednesday's launch party for Target's Bullseye Bazaar.

Hosted by Rockit Bar & Grill, this VIP party takes place at 445 N. Michigan Ave., and includes hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and a chance to be first to shop this exclusive "pop-up" store.

To get in, just RSVP at vip@rockitranch.com. 7-10pm.

We'll take the 5th . . . sip . . .

So many, many choices today as you go out and celebrate Cinco de Mayo:

If you're looking to do something good in the 'hood, Cinco Del Soul's happening at Society for Arts (1112 N. Milwaukee Ave.), benefiting Youth Technology Corps. Event includes authentic Mexican food by Jordan's Food of Distinction, an open bar of margaritas and music by Jesse de la Pena. 6:30-10:30pm. $40 in advance; $50 at door. Get tix here.

Test your wine knowledge at BOKA's new monthly Guess the Mystery Wines party for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to dine at the hot Lincoln Park eatery. Four stations will be set up to pour a mystery win out of a decanter for sampling, and if you get the most answers right, you win! It's that simple. 6:30-8pm. Free with appetizers.

North Center's Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro is doing its monthly Beer of the Month Passport Series, with ales from Indiana-based Three Floyds. For $10, you get snacks and samples. 7-9pm.

Mexican-owned Ceja Winery makes a stop at Just Grapes for a free tasting you can check out right after work if you're in the Loop. 6-7:30pm.

Indoors and outdoors at The Fifty/50 gets busy at 4pm with tequila and margarita specials, plus bar personality "Shorty" wanders the bar rocking a sombrero filled with gratis chips and salsa. If you're still standing at 9pm, a seven-piece mariachi band plays all the classic songs you remember from your last trip to Cancun. Also, bring in your ticket stub from the Blackhawks playoff game and get 20 percent off your entire bill. No cover.

You know the scene will be hot over at Nacional 27, known for its lively music, munchies and hand-crafted margaritas. For $27, you get passed tapas and cocktails, plus DJ George Perez spins Latin grooves. That's from 6-9pm, then the dance party continues until 1am.

And they'll also be kickin' it late night at Fuel Kitchen & Cocktail Lounge, where Miles Maeda hits town to spin a very special set. Early arrival highly recommended as this event is free. 9pm-2am.

Weekend Tweet Beat

Tim Graham, executive chef at Tru.


What were Chicago's top chefs up to this weekend?! 312DD checks out their Twitter accounts:

Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill): "Flight to NY for Beard Awards/editor mtgs for new book. Dreaming of yesterday's breakfast: Fage Greek yogurt, ripe/orange strawberry, milk & honey granola."

Phillip Foss (Lockwood): "Spending the day off with great friend Frank Brunacci (Sixteen) and our families.... beer, burgers, beer, kids, beer, and sunshine!"

Tim Graham (Tru): "Saturday service going smooth, layering on gougeres filled with caviar cream. Spring lamb coming next week."

Rick Gresh (Primehouse): "Spent the morning working on webpage & blog page, should be up and running soon. off to work, & then Art Chicago & C-View kickoff party."

Paul Kahan (Blackbird): "Looking forward to hiding out in New York this weekend."

Mark Mendez (Carnivale): "Thinking of doing something with deviled eggs, organic deviled egg with Iberico ham?"

Mark Mendez (Carnivale): "Got crushed by tsunami of people, 700 resos, 450 in private dining, much pain."

Meet the Beard Nominees

Koren Grieveson, chef de cuisine at avec. (Photo: Jessica Tampas Photography)


We've gotta give it up to MenuPages Chicago, which has done a pretty thorough job interviewing several of the James Beard nominees, who will find out Monday in New York whether they go home with an award or not.

Helen Rosner, the site's tireless editor, snagged some pretty sweet interviews with BIN 36 Wine Director Brian Duncan; chefs Paul Kahan (Blackbird, Publican), Koren Grieveson (avec), Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate) and Sarah Grueneberg (Spiaggia); as well as food writers Monica Eng and Phil Vettel from the Chicago Tribune and Mike Sula at the Chicago Reader.

We loved them all, but especially the one with Greiveson, who even talked about her favorite haunts:

"I'm kind of a creature of habit – I go to the same bars, the same restaurants. I was just at Volo last night, had a great dinner there. It’s nice to see (chef) Christophe David over at NoMI, to sit at the bar. I like Urban Belly."

Mint Juleps, Margaritas, Moles . . . Olé!

Woodford Reserve's $1,000 Mint Julep, only at the Kentucky Derby (Photo: Woodford Reserve)


Some serious high rollers will get to indulge in the Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep at the Kentucky Derby.

That's cool because Chicago's so hot this weekend with the openings of Loft Six Ten, Market and Rockit Wrigleyville, there will be plenty of options for Derby—and Cinco de Mayo—parties right here at home.

Here’s where else you need to be:

THURSDAY

AIDSCARE's annual Dining Out for Life happens today, and all you have to do is dine out at one of the participating restaurants to help out those in need, including Club Lucky, Broadway Cellars, Angelina Ristorante, Blackbird and La Creperie. Each spot will donate a percentage of the night's $$$ to the cause.

An early-1990s R&B heartthrob is back with a new record and new attitude. Uptown Magazine and Hidden Beach Recording host a party for the triumphant return of Al B. Sure. If you don't know who he is, you'd better ask somebody. Party happens at Griffin Lounge 9pm-2am, with a preview from his new album, Honey I'm Home. Free with RSVP: rsvp@richmondgrouponline.com.

FRIDAY

Get ready for Battle of the Belgians at Jake Melnick's. The private dining room will be converted into a "battlefield" with three pairing stations of Belgian-style ales and dishes like five-spice ribs, BBQ Mussels and dark chocolate crème brûlée. 7-10pm. $25.

Or, if you're in the mood for vino, head to Enclave for the Wines of the World Tasting. Party promises generous pours of wines from all over the globe, plus heavy appetizers and an after-party all for $20 ($30 at door). 7-9pm.

The Metroboard of the Chicago Urban League hosts a Spring Fling First Fridays at Hotel Sax (333 N. Dearborn St.). Watch these young professionals loosen up on the dance floor to hip-hop, soul and R&B jams by deejays Mark Fullaflava and Timbuck 2. 9pm-2am. $20.



SATURDAY

Apparently, not everyone's interested in Derby and Cinco de Mayo mayhem. For mommies-to-be and nursing moms, a special pre-Mother's Day brunch happens at hip, Middle Eastern-focused Turquoise. Hosted by trendy maternity boutique Kickin', the event includes a fashion show and exotic brunch bites. 9:30-11am. $24. RSVP to Kickin' at 773-281-6577.

The first-ever Mole de Mayo festival happens in Pilsen at the El Zocalo outdoor plaza (18th and Paulina Streets). The event includes traditional mariachi performances, beer garden and open-air market, but the highlight should be the mole cook-off where amateur cooks go head to head with chefs from area restaurants (Mundial Cocina Mestiza, Fig Catering, Zocalo). Judges for the contest include Check, Please! host Alpana Singh and 312DD! 11am-7pm. Cannot believe the daylong fest's only $1!

Do Derby Day at In Fine Spirits, which sounds like a blast for its free-spirited take on the event. Wear the most outrageous hat you can find to win a free Mint Julep or take your chances by picking your horse to win prizes every time you buy a drink. You'll also get to pick your poison for your Mint Julep with bourbon, brandy, gin or whiskey. 3pm-2am. No cover.

Or, make your way to a more traditional Derby deal benefiting local charity Equestrian Connection, over at The Pony. Your ticket includes an open bar and a Southern spread of fried chicken and biscuits. $5 traditional Mint Juleps will also be on sale. Derby wear encouraged. 1:30-5:30pm. $40.

Too bad Cuatro has such a tiny dance floor because you'll want to stay swirling around to the sounds of Mark Grant and Mario Romay. Groove Parlor's deep soul and house music party also includes a performance by vocalist Russoul. Get there early because this thing will get packed early. 10pm-2am. $5.

SUNDAY

And fashionable French-American bistro La Tache's back with a new look and menu. Of course we're especially excited about the brunch at the Andersonville staple, with updated classics like the Croque Madame, crab cake Benedict, and signature burger with balsamic onions, gruyere and truffle aioli. 11am-3pm.