Chef Radhika Desai is a Cheeky Chick of the Year

(Photo: Radhika Desai)


Sarah Levy (Sarah's Pastries & Candies) and Top Chef alum Radhika Desai (formerly of Between Boutique Cafe and Lounge) are two of 10 fab women honored during Cheeky's annual party for the Cheeky Chicks of the Year.

The party goes down at Sunda at 8pm Friday, with passed apps, cocktails and a deejay spinning.

Single guys may want to take note: It'll be a room full of eligible and gorgeous women, so you might want to make this your first stop of the night!

$25 a person; space is limited. RSVP required at cheeky@cheekychicago.com.

Bice Grill Closes for Renovation Until Spring

An astute foodie on her way to lunch at popular Streeterville spot Bice Grill alerted us all with a tweet that it was no longer:

"What?!? No more Bice Grill? So sad! Guess this will force me to branch out a bit more at lunchtime."

A call to the restaurant confirmed that it was indeed closed: The line was disconnected. But we followed up with a call to sister resto Bice Ristorante, where the manager said it closed last Friday.

"Business is slower at the beginning of the year, and it gets really cold for customers because of the ventilation system," he said. "Therefore we took this opportunity to shut it down, renovate and reopen in about six weeks."

Rumor has it that it'll transform into a completely new concept, so we'll just have to wait and see.

On the upside, if you're looking for a new lunch spot in the area, Epic launched service Tuesday, with contemporary menu items like hot-off-the-press paper-wrapped paninis; buttermilk fried calamari; raw bar selections such as jumbo prawn and King crab; and mini desserts from hot shot Pastry Chef Christine McCabe.

She Digs Delicious Eats Beyond Meat . . .

Chicago's a hardcore, meat-eating town.

So when Kelli Zink, the spunky entertainment news reporter for CelebTV.com, told me she was a vegetarian, I blurted out, "How can you survive here?!"

She's always making the scene at the hottest restaurants in town, surrounded by beautiful cuts of meat, so it's hard to believe she didn't feel out of place.

Zink makes it work, by getting creative at regular restaurants and not limiting herself to vegetarian-only spots. So for those considering a meat-free diet (or already on board), she offers her favorites of all time in the city:

Freshii: "They have soups, wraps and salads. You can customize all your meals and whatever crazy combination you come up with they will have it."

Green Zebra: "I can have everything on the menu and don’t have to worry about (biting into meat products by accident). It’s one of the few places you can go and it’s safe, but it can get expensive."

HUB 51: "I’ve taken my out-of-town vegetarian friends here, and they have the veggie sushi roll which has beets on top of it. Their veggie burger is amazing because they make it from scratch. They tested several recipes until they got it right. I also like that they allow you to substitute items on the menu. Their staff is very accommodating for special diets."

Karyn’s Fresh Corner: "They have the takeout stuff, and you can do shots of wheatgrass and it’s really convenient and cool."

Karyn’s Cooked: I can take my friends who eat like 'normal' people and they still enjoy it. You can get pizza that still tastes like pizza."

Lo-Cal Corner: "They have the cheapest and healthiest wraps and soups, veggie chili, vegan cookies and brownies. In the store, they sell coconut water and Kombucha(carbonated Japanese fermented tea), which has an acquired taste."

Sneak Peek of Sable Kitchen & Bar!

Sable Kitchen & Bar, with former Atwood Kitchen exec chef Heather Terhune at its helm, is set to debut March 24 on the first level of the Hotel Palomar.

We got our hands on some really cool photos, a rendering of the restaurant (see above) and some artwork going into the space. You'll love this: Most of the portraits are superimposed over a molecule structure and a cocktail recipe.



As far as the overall design of Sable, the PR rep tells us to expect "a sleek and sexy space with seating for 158 guests, including bar, lounge, dining room and patio options, Sable is a refreshing update on the glamor of the 1940s, as old Hollywood charm mingles effortlessly with modern industrial touches and classic Chicago warmth.

"For the interiors, acclaimed California-based design firm the Puccini Group created a space that is at once soothing and sleek. At Sable, design tips its hat to the almost alchemical power of the bar and to the sophisticated comfort of the 1940s and 1950s."

The Drawing Room Gets Big Honors

Charles Joly of The Drawing Room (Photo: Charles Joly)


With all the cool clubs and bars around town, I'm a little shocked only two made it into the finals for the annual Nightclub & Bar Magazine awards program.

As always, Chicago was mostly overlooked in favor of its peers on the East and West coasts. And then to pour more gasoline into an open wound, the local venue that made it into the "Ultra Lounge of the Year" category is an adult club. Loop lap-dance spot Pink Monkey gets the nod.

At least they got it right when it comes to The Drawing Room. The sexy, subterranean spot is a finalist in two categories: "Cocktail Lounge of the Year" and "Bartender of the Year," with that honor going to magnificent mixologist Charles Joly.

Congrats!

What The Hell Is Going on Here?!

I tried to get some well-deserved R&R Friday afternoon, and apparently all hell broke loose.

According to NBCChicago.com, there will be no fist-pumping this weekend because the entire "Jersey Shore" crew scheduled to appear at local nightclubs Manor, Lumen and RiNo have canceled:

"Hordes of fist-pumping Chicagoans will be disappointed to learn that the four stars of the MTV reality show 'Jersey Shore' who were slated to hit the Chicago nightclub scene will not be coming after all.

Lumen nightclub, which was planning to host Mike 'The Situation and DJ Pauly D, announced Friday that the duo canceled because of 'scheduled appearances.'

The entire cast was pulled from all North American appearances in order to fly to Los Angeles for a major press junket hosted by MTV, according to their booking agent.

If Pauly D's Twitter account is to be believed, they're currently living it up in LA.

Jenny 'J-WOWW' Farley announced Thursday via her Twitter account that she wouldn't honor her commitment at RiNo, apologizing to her fans, but not giving a reason why.

But on Friday afternoon, she tweeted 'In the hotel room with @snooki sick... We r sooo congested.'

And we feel sooo sorry for you both.

A PR rep for the The LGN Group, which owns both Manor and Rino, confirmed Friday afternoon that Nicole Snookie' Polizzi, who was scheduled to appear at Manor, and J-WOWW's appearances were canceled due to an 'unexpected change' in their filming schedule.

Lumen officials said they planned to make it up to it customers by offering a hosted vodka cocktail reception from 9-10:30 p.m. and a Jersey Shore Look-alike contest with a $300 main prize.

But they won't be able to reimburse you for all that hair gel you bought in anticipation of tonight's shenanigans."

If this is all true, don't even think about coming back . . . go pump those fists elsewhere!

Bars & Restos Raise $$$ for Haiti Relief

Here are some ways you can help Haiti:

Law & Order: SUV star Chris Meloni took a video during his recent trip for Smile Train, which helps malnutritioned children.

Donate $10 instantly by texting "HAITI" to 90999 on your mobile phone (you'll see the charge on your next bill); all proceeds go to International Red Cross. Also, get up-to-the-minute updates on relief efforts here.

Doctors and nurses volunteer with Doctors Without Borders to provide urgent medical care in countries to victims of war and disaster regardless of race, religion or politics.

Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean, who originated from Haiti, is taking donations to help rebuild his homeland at www.yele.org. You can also automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund if you text "YELE" to 501501 on your cell phone.

Messiah St.-Bartholomew Development Center (MSBDC) is a Chicago-based, non-profit organization offering relief for disadvantaged children and seniors. They've been raising donations for programs in Haiti for more than 10 years. They're accepting donations that will go directly to the country at 8255 S. Dante Ave., Chicago, IL 60619; 773-721-6965.

All Gerber Group properties, including Whiskey Bar and Whiskey Sky in Chicago, will donate a portion of the night's sales on Jan. 22 to Oxfam America, Partners in Health, American Red Cross, UNICEF and Yele Haiti Foundation. They're doing it in conjunction with the Hope for Haiti celebrity-studded telethon.

Joel Barnes, the general manager at Le Passage, is hosting Haiti fundraisers each Friday in January. He'll be collecting canned goods at the door, and all tips he receives will benefit American Red Cross. 6-9pm.

Through the end of the month, Custom House is offering the Aid to Haiti Punch made with Rhum Barbacourt, Myers Rum, Bacardi rum, apricot, orange and pineapple. All proceeds from the $16 cocktail go to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund.

Twenty-five percent of all burger sales at DMK Burger Bar will benefit American Red Cross. We highly recommend going for the No. 3 (NY pastrami, Grand Cru Gruyere Cheese, Sauerkraut, Leroy’s Remoulade), No. 9 (organic turkey with cucumber and blue cheese coleslaw) or the No. 10 (grass-fed lamb with sheep's milk feta, olive tapenade and tomato and onion salad). Jan. 19-24. Also, DMK will have a Haitian Relief Fund donation raffle for $20 per ticket; the winner will receive a month of free burgers. The drawing takes place midnight Jan. 30.

Province's party raises money for Doctors Without Borders. Benefit includes food and drinks, with 100 percent of the money going to the group. 5:30-8pm. Jan. 28. $40.

Bottom Lounge is the place to be on Grammy Night, when local musical and spoken-word artists join forces to raise money for the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund. There will be a special Grammy viewing party, food and a silent auction. 6:30-10:30pm in the upstairs Volcano Lounge. Jan. 31. $20. (17+ admitted)

Will update as more events come in . . .

Baby, It's Cold Outside, So Heat It Up Inside . . .

. . . with a significant other by cozying up to one of many events this weekend. You don't even have to wait until Valentine's Day!

Chopping Block's known for innovative cooking classes, so grab your honey and head to the Merchandise Mart location to whip up flavorful, spicy dishes like blackened shrimp with remoulade sauce; crawfish and Andouille sausage etouffee; and flambéed bananas foster with vanilla bean ice cream. 6pm Friday, Saturday.

Or if you're in the mood for more traditional dishes with a little bit of twist, make a date for the Lincoln Square spot. You will prepare spinach artichoke dip, smothered pork chops with caramelized onions, scalloped potatoes and a gingerbread pear cobbler. 7pm Saturday. All events are $75 per person.

More events where you can snuggle in the city . . .

THURSDAY

Make your hot date right after work for Adam Seger's Hot Drinks Class at Nacional 27. The master mixologist will show you how to make his signature Hot Buttered Hum and Hot Agave Mocha, as you nosh on appetizers. 5:30-6:30pm. $27 per person. And if you stick around, we highly recommend you share a bowl of the black bean soup (with smoked chicken, crema, amontillado) and get a shot of 1894 solera sherry and spanish flor de sel for an extra $1.95.


Seasons Lounge's "haute" chocolate. (Photo: Tyler Curtis)


West Town Tavern's wonderful Pappardelle with turkey meatballs, roasted tomatoes, market veggies and mushrooms is not going to be one of those dishes you'll share with your sweetie. So your night will be fight-free, you both order it along with a bottle of 2006 Quinta de Cabriz Red.

Liquid lovers will certainly enjoy the sexy lounge at Sepia, where you can gaze in each others' eyes and sip the Hot Spiced Whiskey, made with Jameson Irish Whiskey, spiced honey, Grand Marnier and topped with Rooibos tea.

FRIDAY

If it gets below 20 degrees tonight—or any night this winter—make your way to MK for a complimentary Hot Toddy.

Hot Toddies are also on tap at graham elliot, when it reopens tonight after a holiday break. Mixologist Lynn House's take on it is the Hot Crimson and Clover, made with Hum Liqueur, rum, Hibiscus tea, lemon, honey, clove rock candy syrup and garnished with a brûléed lemon.

Aja chef Joshua Linton offers a delicious chile-lime soup with hearty ingredients (charred chicken, braised pork and rice noodles) that's certain to warm you right down to your toes.

If you're on a budget, Chens Chinese and Sushi is the hookup for its variety of soup specials you can share, including the vegetable and tofu soup or chicken sizzling rice soup. Both are $6.95.


Aja's chile-lime soup with charred chicken and braised pork. (Photo: Aja)


SATURDAY

If you're heading to the Mag Mile to finally spend those gift cards you got over the holidays, might we recommend stopping in Seasons Lounge in the Four Seasons for some "haute" chocolate?! It'll pair well with savory short rib sliders, the homemade all-beef hot dog or crisp pork belly flatbread.

Or, make your way down the street for Bistro 110's classic French onion soup that's made with Provolone and Swiss cheese melted on top of a medley of onions, leeks and homemade beef bouillon and served in a cast-iron bowl.

For guys who want to throw the smooth moves on a mama, take her to the new Elysian Hotel, where she's certain to be impressed. Right now what's hot on the menu at casual eatery Balsan is the duck cassoulet, made with cranberry beans (cooked with pork belly, bacon, chicken stock herbs), confit duck gizzards, confit duck leg, pork skin, duck heart and homestyle Toulous sausage. That's only $10 and serves two people. Skip dessert and instead opt for the Kentucky Cider, a delicious drink of bourbon, warm apple cider, cinnamon and star anise topped with whipped cream and shaved nutmeg. Get one more nightcap at Bernard’s, the delightfully decadent bar on the second floor. A Hemingway Side Car (cognac, Cointreau and lemon) or Brown Derby (bourbon, grapefruit, honey) would be the perfect way to cap off your evening.

SUNDAY

Snag seats near the fireplace and get ready for a massive, all-you-can-eat brunch at ZED451, which is now $24 a person. Ideal dishes for winter include the vanilla-spiced whole-grain oatmeal; bourbon-glazed ham that's been roasted over a wood-burning grill; and duck hash browns sautéed with confit duck, shallots and fresh herbs.

And you can also cozy up to the fireplace at sola, where Executive Chef Carol Wallack's putting a Hawaiian and Asian twist on her comfort soups. Indulge in Carrot Miso or Parsnip Miso, her take on ‘French’ onion with pineapple (sweated in bacon fat) with gruyere croutons.