Your FREE tix to hottest game in town!

Stephanie Izard is the executive chef and co-owner of The Drunken Goat, set to open in early 2010. (Photo: Stephanie Izard)


So it happened again.

Stephanie Izard's second Wandering Goat Dinner sold out earlier this morning when the tickets went on sale. This time it happened in 90 seconds flat. Wow.

But have no fear. There's still a chance to get in on the hottest game in town if you follow her on Twitter, as she's "hiding" some free tickets at several secret locations around the city.

Good luck!

Autumn openings you don't want to miss!

Jason Paskewitz is executive chef/partner at Gemini Bistro, set to open Sept. 9. (Photo: Gemini Bistro)


09.09.09.

Remember that date because that's when Jason Paskewitz (The Pump Room, Wave) returns prominently to the Chicago dining scene after a notable absence.

This time the quirky New York chef's taking his skills to Lincoln Park as executive chef and partner of Gemini Bistro, featuring modern-day dishes inspired by French, Italian and classic American preparations.

We've already indulged in some of the highlights from the dinner menu, including the Duck Confit Nachos (with shredded duck leg, manchego cheese and mango salsa), grilled Hangar Steak Frites (with mustard greens and poached lady apples) and the pan-seared jumbo sea scallops, so rest assured we'll be back to check out the rest.

Also promising is the brunch menu, which is always a good thing in this part of town. The stuffed vanilla brioche French toast and Cape Cod Lobster Roll are certain to be big sellers. And the Brunch Punch (made with flavored rum, fresh orange, fresh pineapple, grenadine and a dark rum floater) will make every Sunday a fun day.

The fall lineup for restaurant openings is bigger than the theater season!

Find out what's popping off here, including the first outpost of New York's Mercadito, Michael Kornick's DMK Burger Bar, former Food Network stars Hearty Boys' downscaled HEARTY and Jimmy Bannos' take on the gastropub, The Purple Pig.

Baller is 'generous with tip'

Miami Heat star and Chicago homeboy Dwayne Wade impressed the staff at Feast Bucktown Tuesday, according to an Ultimate Insider:

"Dwayne Wade and girlfriend ate at Feast tonight and earned big props from the staff for being generous with their tip. Not huge news, but lots of notables are less generous."

That's so good to hear considering that we hear so much about other pro athletes (We're looking at you, Jordan and Pippen!) not being as generous.

But is the real story here about who that girlfriend was?! Word is that Wade is currently dating starlet Gabrielle Union, so we're on the case to see if that's who was dining with him . . . .

We also hear the baller and girlfriend also hit up Roof after dinner.

UPDATE: Feast owner Debbie Sharpe confirmed Gabrielle Union indeed dined with Wade at the popular Bucktown restaurant, and the couple left a SEVENTY PERCENT TIP.

Well done, Wade!

Let's scream . . .

. . . for Ice Cream because today's National Banana Split Day.

Three luscious scoops of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream surrounded by a fresh banana, plus dollops of whipped cream, nuts and chocolate sauce that's all topped off by a cherry is how you do it old school at Margie Candies (two locations in Andersonville and Bucktown).

Or for a twist on the classic calorie buster, head to Quartino, which serves it up Italian style as Coppa al Banana: caramelized banana and biscotti complemented by vanilla gelato, whipped cream, chocolate sauce and white chocolate shavings.

We cannot leave out Scooter's, the amazing custard shop in the heart of Lakeview. Their Banana Splice comes with your favorite custard flavor, plus a sliced banana, chocolate, strawberries, pineapples and nuts.

And looking forward, there's certain to be at least one Banana Split among the frozen treats at the Chicago Luxury Ice Cream Festival, happening on Sept. 4. A number of local micro-creameries (Homer's Ice Cream, Black Dog Gelato, Castle Rock Creamery), pastry chefs and artisans will be on hand for you to indulge in their creations.

For $25, you'll also be treated to a grand tasting of rare ice creams, experience live demos and workshops, and participate in the Great Chicago Brain Freeze—a chef competition where guests get the chance to vote for the winners and taste the results.

Event happens 6-9pm Sept. 4 at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon Dr.).

Wacky, tacky email of the year!

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Power to Pork for second Wandering Goat dinner

Stephanie Izard is the executive chef and co-owner of The Drunken Goat, set to open in January 2010. (Photo: Stephanie Izard)


If you missed out on Stephanie Izard's much hyped Wandering Goat dinner that took place in July, have no fear, the second one's coming up on Sept. 2!

Word just came down that the Top Chef winner (and co-owner/chef of long-awaited The Drunken Goat) plans to pay homage to the hog at the next traveling dinner party, which will take place at a secret Chicago-area warehouse.

While listening to the casual sounds of local deejay RB, guests will enjoy the taste of Stephanie’s favorite beer from Three Floyds paired with specialties like Bacon Crisped Oysters, Bacon and Smoked Trout Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes, and Aji-Braised Pork Belly.

Those interested in attending the dinner should follow Stephanie on Twitter, where she will announce the ticket sale date and time. For $65, food and drink are included (secret location will be unveiled to ticket owners a few days before the dinner by email).

The first dinner sold out in less than 10 minutes, so have that credit card at the ready!

Word to self-entitled culilary students: 'You WILL be blacklisted!'

(Photo: Mark Mendez)


After Carnivale Executive Chef Mark Mendez ranted in an open letter to a wayward culinary student, a number of local chefs had his back, calling for an immediate blacklist of like-minded types:

Rob Levitt (Mado): "I was asked to talk to a class at Kendall a week from Monday. I am going to read this (letter) to them. Also, I think we should start a Facebook page listing the names of all the cooks/interns that have done something like this. I'll look into the legality of it. Beautifully said. In the midst of scrubbing down my kitchen tonight, I will raise a beer in your honor."

Timothy Cottini (Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!): "Well spoken chefs! Blacklists I am in!"

Mark Steuer (Hot Chocolate): "Kudos, I'm giving a copy to my intern ASAP. Also, Rob I'm with you on the blacklist idea."

Cary Taylor (Chaise Lounge): "Mendez kicks ass! Totally on point. I've been telling people for the last few months that Mark is quietly one of the most important chefs in Chicago - from his focused cuisine to his dedication to local farmers and now to his recognition and outspokenness to a 'plague' in our industry. Bring on the Blacklist!!"

Weekend Tweet Beat

Rodelio Aglibot of Sunda. (Photo: Rodelio Aglibot)


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

Rodelio Aglibot (Sunda): "Uuuggghhh just had some pooork dishes at the Publican........happyy happyyy happyyy! I need a smoke."

Phillip Foss (Lockwood): "Crew kicked ass last night so I'm braving the 3 block line to bring in Hot Doug's for the team."

Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat): "Finally trying Nightwood for brunch today. Sooooooo hungry can't wait! Holy crap it is a gorgeous Sunday."

Eric Jorgensen (Sushi Samba rio): "Chef de Cuisine (Dan Tucker) is at the Bears game. Let the party begin."

Debbie Sharpe (Feast): "Chef applicants forgetting to attach resumes to emails. Huh? Will they also forget to cook the food?"

Cary Taylor (Chaise Lounge): "Cigar Sunday at the Peninsula hotel rocks! Hanging with wine director Mike Muser, Josh Moore from Hub 51. Good friends, good times!"