More, more, more . . . chef shufflings!

Mark Kasper is the new executive chef at Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club. (Photo: Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club)


An invite just landed in my inbox about a special tasting by Mark Kasper, who replaces Matt Stovey as executive chef at Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club.

Kasper's background includes some impressive stints at Aria and Sixteen, so it should come as no surprise that he completely overhauled the menu at the quirky Lakeview mainstay.

Highlights of the dinner menu include the Sofia Loren (hand-stuffed eggplant ravioli, in a parmesan Sicilian red sauce and aged parmesan regiano) and Charro (8oz prime marinated skirt steak, with chimichurri accompanied by fajita style pomme frites), but we were a little perplexed at the description of the Frank Sinatra entree. Hand-picked seasonal vegetables marinated in red wine sounds just fine, but what is up with the hummus glaze, falafel and tabbouleh?!

Would've expected a nice New York strip or pasta to honor the legendary crooner, but we'll check it out anyway.



New Frasca executive chef Jack Tapp has added a breakfast pizza to the menu. (Photo: Frasca Pizzeria and Wine Bar)


Another newly installed chef is Noah Sandoval, who now calls Green Zebra home (under Chef de Cuisine Molly Kipp) after overseeing the kitchen at Between Boutique Cafe & Lounge for only a couple of months.

The question is, will he be bringing his signature venison carpaccio to the West Town restaurant best known for upscale vegetarian cuisine?!

And in mid-July, Frasca Pizzeria and Wine Bar acquired Jack Tapp as its chef. New to the Chicago dining scene, Tapp is a Culinary Institute of America graduate and worked previously in the kitchens of Brasserie Dietrichs (Louisville), Stokes Adobe (Monterey, Calif.) and Cafe Lurcat (Naples, Fla.).

For now, Tapp's only released a new brunch menu that includes a breakfast pizza (with three easy eggs, sausage and cheese atop house-made crust), eggs Florentine (toasted brioche, smoked turkey, poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce) and the Lincoln Avenue Omelet, made with goat cheese, asparagus, roasted red peppers and artichokes.

How did we miss this?!

Lindsay Lohan (left) and Samantha Ronson


Soooo, the Sun-Times' Bill Zwecker filed this report Monday about Lindsay Lohan's antics when she was in town for Lolla with her girl Samantha Ronson:

"Lindsay Lohan did make it back to town to help on-again (for now!) galpal Samantha Ronson toast her recent 32nd birthday over Lollapalooza weekend.

Ronson, of course, was here for her regular DJ-ing gig at the Hotel Sax's Crimson Lounge but reportedly had no idea Lohan was going to surprise her. LiLo arrived with little sis Ali Lohan in tow and proceeded to hit all of Our Town's hotspots this weekend. ...The fun quotient got amped up around 1:30 a.m. Saturday as the party moved on to Ronson's post-birthday bash at Angels & Kings. ... As the night wound down, both Lohan sisters were spotted at the Music Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel, catching the Virgins' show from backstage."

Crimson Lounge, Angels & Kings, Music Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel.

ALL 21+ spots. Ali Lohan is fifteen.

Someone please explain why and how she got in.

UPDATE: Publicist for Crimson writes: "Ali did not hit any of the hot spots. I was with them. She came to dinner and drank a sprite and ate Nachos. Between dinner, Lindsay, Ali and her assistant stopped by the music lounge at the Hard Rock.

She DID NOT come to Crimson or Angels & Kings. She went and watched movies in the Chairman's Suite at the Hotel Sax with Lindsay's Assistant. Lindsay came to Crimson and Angels with Annabelle Dexter Jones (Sam's step sister)."

If this statement is indeed true, someone needs to get Zwecker to issue a retraction STAT before these spots get in hot water with the city!

A feast of fashions

Randy Zweiban's glorious West Loop gem Province boasts a strong organic and local program, so it's no surprise its stylish setting was selected by the Chicago Fashion Foundation for the launch of The Moda Series.

The event showcases the amazing talents of Chicago's top fashion designers, and tonight guests will get to meet Nora Del Busto, winner of the first CFF scholarship award and designer for Macy's Fashion Incubator. Of course, guests will be able to check out her latest collection as they nosh on locally sourced appetizers and hand-crafted cocktails from Province. The $10 suggested donation benefits the scholarship fund for Chicago-area college students majoring in fashion-related studies. 6-8pm.

And for those who like to get down . . .

Incidentally, that's the title of the most popular album by Marques Wyatt, a Los Angeles-based deejay/producer considered the head honcho of house music on the West Coast. He spins a rare set tonight at Griffin Lounge for one of the city's top industry parties. Resident deejay Just Joey also performs. 9pm-2am. $10.

Also, the guys over at LUSH, in University Village, rescheduled the gaucho event from last week, so that's great news if you love mounds of meat. For twenty-five bucks you get to chow down on all the grilled meat you can swallow that's paired with wine. Starts at 6pm Wednesday.

And the Sweet Sixteen of Mixology returns for its bi-weekly turn at Perennial. Bartenders Zach Friedlander (Relax Lounge) and Lynn House (Graham Elliot) face off with signature sippers made with produce from Green City Market. Drinks, appetizers comped. 6:30-8pm Wednesday. Free.

Weekend Tweet Beat

Co-owner Mark Armantrout (left) with co-owner/executive chef Paul Fehribach (Photo: Big Jones)


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

Grant Achatz (Alinea): "(Chef de Cuisine) David Beran makes clay bowl. Baking wagyu shortribs inside. Guests will have 2 crack open w/mallet & get food out."

Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill): "A Lollapalooza party-er came n2 crowded (Frontera Grill) bar & didn't find seat, so set up Lolla folding chair & ordered."

Paul Fehribach (Big Jones): "Fresh hearts of palm just off the plane! With jumbo lump crab and avocado, Florida citrus vinaigrette."

Phillip Foss (Lockwood): "Suckling pig liver tacos for family meal today - prepared by our star cook, Karina Gonzalez!"

Mike Sheerin (Blackbird): "Bought a goat from Slagel and it came with the bast caul fat I've ever seen."

Giuseppe Tentori (BOKA): "I am addicted to Avec."

Do you know Gnocchi?!

If you think you've got some serious culinary skills why not show them off in a new contest hosted by Gold Coast Italian eatery Pane Caldo?!

Through Sept. 8, amateur chefs can submit original recipes for gnocchi, along with a short story on what makes it special, for a chance to win a grand prize of an all-expense paid trip for two to Italy.

Email recipes and stories here: gnocchibattle@pane-caldo.com

Jimmy Buffett Lead Vocalist a House Music Icon

Nadirah Shakoor performing at a recent Jimmy Buffett concert.


The very versatile Nadirah Shakoor’s had quite a career.

She started off as the lead singer for Southern hip-hop group Arrested Development, and then toured with the likes of Madonna, Al Jarreau, Paula Abdul and Quincy Jones. But right now she’s best known as the featured female vocalist for Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band—where she’s been since 1995.

The band’s in town this weekend for a show at Toyota Park, but if you’re not much of a Parrothead and more of a househead, you can catch her live at Cuatro, where she’ll headline Groove Parlor’s seventh anniversary party.

Expect her to perform some of her now classic underground house songs (Just a Breath Away; Love Song) she collaborated on with Osunlade, an amazing, well-known producer who’s had a string of hits on his Yoruba Records label.

The Groove Parlor party takes place 10pm-2am Saturday, and also features deejays FLX and Mario Romay, who will spin underground house, soul and Latin beats. $10.

If you’re not down for that other big music event happening this weekend, there’s so much more . . .

THURSDAY

It's a peachy state of mind over at sola, where the prime ingredient of the month is the juicy fruit that's now being snapped up at farmers' markets across the city. Owner/Executive Chef Carol Wallack has created mouth-watering peach-infused dishes that you can enjoy in the stylish dining room or on the patio. You can also indulge in Wallack's award-winning Wagyu burger, which is only served on Thursdays and Sundays. It's made with cambazola cheese, house-made bacon, caramelized onions and arugula squeezed between a chewy pretzel roll.

Tonight's Sip and Swirl set at Park 52 features sparkling wine. The weekly wine tasting event includes several varieties paired with light appetizers. Starts at 6pm. $25.

For those who'd rather sip beer than bubbles, Duchamp hosts another Heineken Light Summer Series on the patio. What a way to wind down after work with a burger or flatbread, plus you'll get free Heineken for three hours. 5-8pm. Free.

FRIDAY

Taylor Street Festa Italiana, a cozy neighborhood festival, occurs in Little Italy with live music and Italian-focused eats. On Taylor Street between Loomis & Ashland. Friday-Sunday. 5-11pm Friday; noon-11pm Saturday; noon 10pm Sunday. Free.

one sixtyblue rolls back to Restaurant Week with a special three-course menu until Aug. 21. For $28, diners get several options to choose from, including crispy free-range chicken, grilled flat iron steak or saffron linguine.



The third-annual "Tater Tot Trot" takes place Saturday in the Southport Corridor.


SATURDAY

Everyone loves tots! The third-annual Tater Tot Trot happens in the Southport Corridor. Kicks off at 4pm at Schoolyard Tavern and Grill. No cover.

Just around the corner from that is Wrigleyville SummerFest, featuring local favorites Too White Crew and 7th Heaven. 3350 N. Seminary Ave. Noon-10pm Saturday; 10am-9pm Sunday. $5.

SUNDAY

It's only been open for two weeks, but the brand new Orange on Grand Avenue seems to already be a staple in its hood. It offers the same breakfast items as its Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village and Lakeview counterparts, however, this location also serves as a late-night hangout, offering bar snacks Thursday through Saturday until 4am.

If you've got a couple of amazing bottles you've been saving for a special occasion, it's time to pop the cork during Sip & Savour Sundays at Osteria Via Stato. The BYO event includes no corkage fee, but it's limited to two bottles per table in the dining room or adjacent pizzeria.

MONDAY

And In Fine Spirits Lounge showcases the sustainably produced Death's Door white whiskey, gin and vodka at the Monday night tasting. Guest bartender Peter Vestinos will be on hand with sample cocktails. 8-10pm. $15.

Get ready for Taste of Andersonville Dinner Crawl

Andersonville's one of our favorite adopted neighborhoods, mostly for its eclectic eateries, shops and people.

The thing is, however, that every time we wind up there it's so hard to choose where to dine, so we're totally thrilled about the Taste of Andersonville Dinner Crawl, happening Aug. 12.

Participants choose from the Salt Route (Andies Restaurant, La Cocina de Frida) or Pepper Route (Hamburger Mary's, In Fine Spirits Lounge), which both feature 10 spots along the way. Expect each restaurant to showcase its best dishes with tastings for guests.

For those who don't want to miss out on anything, you can buy The Whole Enchilada ticket for the opportunity to try all 20 of the participants (each ticket also comes with a sweet treat from the likes of Ann Sather).

The event's held in conjunction with the Andersonville Farmers Market, so you can shop and savor the best of the area. Click here to buy tickets. 6-9pm Aug 12. Tickets for one route are $25 in advance; $35 at door. The Whole Enchilada: $40 in advance; $55 at door.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

On his 48th birthday, Prez O's likely gearing up for the meal of a lifetime, but if he was in Chicago we know what he'd like to chow down on:

Hyde Park's Caribbean-focused Calypso Cafe, along with the now defunct New Orleans-inspired Dixie Kitchen, is a favorite of the First Family. They recently added some of the more popular dishes from Dixie Kitchen's menu—which just happened to be the President's faves—including peach cobbler, fried green tomatoes and the Southern Sampler (Jambalaya, gumbo, red beans & rice).

Italian Fiesta, in South Shore, had the honor of serving its thin-crust pizzas at the inauguration. This is the way a pizza's supposed to be: indulgently greasy and bursting with flavor from hearty toppings. Obama's guilty pleasure is the cheese-only pizza.

He's fit as a fiddle and his waistline is trim and slim, but we love that he's not afraid of chowing down on an occasional sandwich loaded down with mounds of corned beef. He caused quite a scene when he ordered several, and paid cash, at Manny's Deli right after the election.

Spiaggia Executive Chef Tony Mantuano flew into Washington, D.C. to personally deliver his restaurant's addictive wood-roasted scallops to a startled Barack Obama. It was right on time because his beloved Bulls had just suffered an embarrassing defeat to the Wizards.

Table Fifty-Two's known for its sophisticated spin on Southern cuisine. We hear another Obama weakness is shrimp 'n' grits, so for certain he's had to have sampled Art Smith's succulent appetizer that comes with three jumbo prawns drenched perfectly in BBQ sauce and laid over creamy, buttery grits.

And the Mexican-influenced Topolobampo, the fancier counterpart to the adjacent Frontera Grill, is where the Obamas go for a romantic night out. The Prez digs Sopa Azteca, a pasilla chile-accented tortilla soup with roasted chicken.