Kit Kat Throws 'Avatar'-Themed Oscars Party!

We're actually excited about this!

The Academy Awards—as well as the Red Carpet and Oscars viewing parties—have become painfully predictable, so thank God we've got the whole "Avatar" theme to shake things up this year.

It would be a little awkward to go to a "Precious," "Inglourious Basterds" or "Up in the Air" themed bash, but we'll welcome the behemoth blue Na’vi any day!

Lakeview's Kit Kat hosts the party, which means its usually lounge-like dining room and bar will be transformed into the mysteriously beautiful planet of Pandora.

Guests will walk a blue carpet (first 50 guests get a gift bag filled with blue boas and Hpnotiq giveaways), and Kit Kat Diva Aurora Sexton will be decked out as the exotic warrior princess Neytiri.

Of course, being Kit Kat, there will be live performances in drag, plus a drink special. The Avatar Princess martini comes with Effen vodka, Hpnotiq liqueur, a splash of pineapple juice and adorned with rock candy and a blue glow stick for $5.

Plus, the awards will be shown on seven oversize projection screens throughout the venue. Pay attention because one lucky person will have a chance to win a grand prize worth $500 (prize includes "Avatar" PlayStation 3 video game and a Swarovski crystal-bedazzled Hpnotiq bottle).

Doors open at 5:30pm March 7; awards begin at 7pm. No cover.

Wine Director Leaving NoMI

Fernando Betata, Master Sommelier at NoMI (Photo: NoMI)


The Chicago Tribune's Bill Daley reports that Master Sommelier Fernando Betata, who serves as wine director for NoMI, will leave his post later this week.

The Guatemalan native is "moving on to pursue a new opportunity," which he hasn't disclosed yet . . .

Celebrities Invest in New Harry Caray's

James Denton of "Desperate Housewives" fame is one of several celebrity investors in the new Harry Caray's on Navy Pier.


What sets the new Harry Caray's Tavern apart from the others?!

This outpost boasts serious star power, says the Chicago Tribune.

Thirty investors include Hollywood elite like James Denton ("Desperate Housewives") and Jeremy Piven ("Entourage") as well as former and current pro athletes Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks), Ryne Sandberg and Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs).

It opens March 1 on Navy Pier.

Bring on the Beads . . .

Five fabulous fetes you don't want to miss on Fat Tuesday:

Dunlays on Clark: The party starts at 4:30pm at the Lincoln Park location for this lively neighborhood spot. They're bringing in a Zydeco band that'll complement a special menu of shrimp Po' Boys, crispy catfish bites, Cajun shrimp & crawfish risotto, and chicken and waffles. Also, $5 Hurricanes and $4 Albita beer. No cover.

House of Blues: Switchfoot and Windy City Rev Ups are the bands shaking up the stage at the bash hosted by Zatarain's. Also, get ready for heaving plates of Mardi Gras favorites like jambalaya, a red beans and rice party dip and Creole-style chicken wings. Party starts at 6pm. $10.

Lagniappe Creole Cajun Joynt: Expect shenanigans at this popular South Side eatery with a Mardi Gras theme 24/7. The Phil Fornett Jazz Group performs; a buffet will have all the jambalaya you can eat. 6-10pm. $20.

Moonshine: Get signature Creole and Cajun dishes at the always bustling Wicker Park bar, but we're more excited about Cajun karaoke kicking off at 9pm. To get you on stage, they're doing $5 Hurricanes. Added to the menu are authentic Muffaletta sandwiches as well as shrimp and Andouille sausage gumbo. 9pm-2am. No cover.

Rock Bottom Restaurant: And you might as well call in sick tomorrow if you're heading over to this bash kicking off at 11am. They've just released the Big Easy Ale ($3), plus you can suck down bottomless Hurricanes at $4 each. Soak up the booze with discounted apps until 6pm. 11am-2am. No cover.

The Publican Gets Props From Forbes!

(Photo: Bob Briskey Photography)


Forbes just came out with its annual list of America's Best New Restaurants, and The Publican was the only Chicago spot to make it:

"The Publican, which was opened by the team behind Blackbird and Avec (the bacon-wrapped, chorizo-stuffed dates at Avec are not to be skipped on any visit to Chicago, period), is modeled after a European beer hall. Appropriately there are dozens of brews to choose from, all to be paired with hearty meat dishes that are simple, elegant and filling.

"It's all about pork in all of its guises and artisan beer to wash it all down," says master sommelier Richard Betts, cofounder of the Betts & Scholl wines and Sombra Mezcal. "[It's a] really fun, beer-hall type of addition to Chicago's already young and fun scene."

Indeed!

Stage Bites: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

Legendary punk rocker Patti Smith performs at the Park West Saturday.


Every Monday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before and after the show:


Abigail's Party at A Red Orchid Theatre. If you think those Bravo "Housewives" series are hysterical, you're certain to love this satirical look at a suburban housewife's party gone wrong. 8pm Thursdays-Saturdays; 3pm Sundays (through March 28). Get tickets here.

33 Club: Chops and steaks and seafood take centerstage at this opulent two-level steakhouse harking back to the "olden" days. Or, you can hang out in the bustling bar area for lighter bites like the truffle mac and cheese, bacon popcorn and crispy tilapia tacos.

Eivissa: Get tix to Friday's performance of Abigail's Party, which includes an after-party at this clubby spot for a discussion of the play with ensemble members, sangria and tapas. Get $50 tickets here.

Perennial: The stylish resto helmed by chef Ryan Poli is part of the third-annual Chicago Restaurant Week (Feb. 19-28). For din-din, you'll get three courses for $32, which includes choices like red wine-braised short rib, black truffle gnocchi and a crispy hazelnut bar (milk chocolate, crème fraiche, chocolate caramel) to feed that sweet tooth.


The main dining room at 33 Club. (Photo: 33 Club)


Hopefest featuring Patti Smith at Park West. The legendary punk rockin' queen headlines a benefit for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Troubled Identity also performs. 8pm Saturday. SOLD OUT.

Gemini Bistro: This Lincoln Park newcomer is also part of Chicago Restaurant Week. The three-course, $32 menu includes some of their favorite dishes, including a creamless tomato soup, short rib ravioli, steak frites, and Amish chicken with mashed potatoes.

Stanley's: Before the show, fill up on good country cooking from this down home-style corner spot. Hell, just make it an all-fried night, from the Kentucky Fried Tomatoes to the Southern Style Fried Chicken to Chicken Fried Steak. All items under $13.


The Exchange cocktail lounge in Wicker Park. (Photo: The Exchange)


Whack! The Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan Story, A Karaoke Musical at Gorilla Tango Theatre. Since we're all in the spirit of Winter Olympics, why not reminisce on the days when Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding were in the news?! The creators of the Tabloid Musical Series are back with this delightful drama on ice. 9:30pm Thursdays (through Feb. 25). Get tickets here.

The Exchange: Go somewhere else if you want wine, beer or simple mixed drinks. But if you're in the mood for inventive cocktails created by master mixologist Peter Vestinos, head here after the show for The Firefly (made with New Holland Knickerbocker Gin, Alpine liqueur, chartreuse, lime, egg white, bitters) and The Challenge (Tanqueray gin, Antica vermouth, cynar).

Sabor Saveur: This BYOB serves sumptuous, French-Mex cuisine, but the real deal is its nightly prix-fixe menu where you get five courses for $40. Must-haves: veal medallions marinated in tamarind mango sauce and beet salad served with avocado, mango, papaya and ricotta. Special menu served 5-7pm.

Usagi Ya: Located right next door to the theater, the somewhat hidden sushi spot offers an enviable list of specialties, including grilled oysters on the half shell, lemongrass boneless chicken and Ton Katsu (pan-fried pork tenderloin with Panko bread crumbs).

Shrimp and Grits Throwdown Hits Town!

Just in time for Lenten season, three local chefs plan to face off in an epic Shrimp and Grits throwdown to find out who makes this Southern dish best.

A challenge came about on Twitter in January, and Supreme Lobster's Carl Galvan helped get Paul Fehribach (Big Jones), David Carrier (Kith and Kin) and Cary Taylor (The Southern) on board.

"All these guys do really good shrimp and grits, but in their own way," says Galvan. "And you know that when these chefs get together it's going to be all about bourbon, beer and people getting hammered."

Galvan says the event is in the beginning stages right now, but hopes it will take place some time in March or early April. It will also be open to the public.

Taylor, from The Southern, says he has a great chance of winning the challenge because he's using all sustainable and organic ingredients.

"I use really good grits from Three Sisters Farms in Kankakee, plus you've got a Southern boy cooking it," he says. "I've been cooking like this all my life."

But he's got some stiff competition coming as Kith and Kin's Carrier promises to bring it.

"I definitely belong in the fight," Carrier says about his signature dish that includes grits from Anson Mills and a housemade shrimp broth. "I'm going to make what we're already serving at the restaurant and we're not going to add any additional ingredients."

Just tell me where I need to be with a plate, knife and fork!

Sweet Treats and Inexpensive Eats . . .

If you've been together for a long time—or just getting into a new relationship—the last thing you want to do is go overboard on Valentine's Day.

I'm not gonna get all preachy, but as long as you're enjoying each other's company it really shouldn't matter what you're doing.

For example, a great interactive event this weekend happens at Delilah’s, in Lincoln Park. They're hosting the annual Vintage Beer Festival where you'll sample more than 100 craft beers from the likes of Thomas Hardy’s Ale, Harvey’s Elizabethan and Skull Splitter, plus regional faves Three Floyds, Goose Island, Two Brothers and Bell’s & Lakefront Brewing. Reps will be on hand to discuss the brews.

If you didn't know anything about craft beers, you will by the time you leave. Noon-5pm Saturday. $20 per person.

So much more going on this weekend where you won't have to spend a lot of $$$:

THURSDAY

TOAST on The Magnificent Mile, an annual celebration featuring the area's top spots and sponsored by Moët & Chandon, continues throughout the month. When it comes to timeless romance, you can never go wrong in the exotic upstairs lounge at Le Colonial, which is doing a $15 special on Moët Bellinis (lychee, mango, guava) and Moët & Chandon Imperial by the glass.

If you can manage to snag one of those sweet sofas in the front of the bar at Tavern on Rush, we suggest going for their Sweet and Savory special for the month. They're pairing Moët with raspberry crème brûlée, shortbread almond cookies, strawberry cheesecake, and a selection of artisan cheeses, fresh fruit and French bread. Available for $16.95 through the month except Valentine's Day.

Speaking of French, you're certain to sweep her off her feet at cozy Bistro 110 as they're also in on the Moët special. Share a trio of hand-crafted Moët & Chandon Impérial champagne cocktails paired with three petite dessert creations for $16.95.

FRIDAY

Even more budget bites with bubbly can be had at Lawry’s The Prime Rib, which is doing a three-tier "sweet display" served tableside for two. Each person gets a glass of Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial, plus chocolate-dipped strawberries, fresh fruit kabobs with Grand Marnier topping and additional chocolate desserts. Available Fridays, Saturdays in February. $45 per couple.

Upscale Greek resto Taxim's featuring dishes made with aphrodisiac ingredients on Friday and Saturday. Special menu items include Nistísimo tahinópsomo me amygdalógalo (toasted tahini bread, Kalamáta figs, almond milk ice; $6); Kremidákia kai xirinó me méli (smoked pork belly, caramelized pearl and cipollini onions, Attikí honey; $8); and Païdákia me pligoúri (wood-grilled rack of lamb, olive and bulgur wheat pilaf, toasted almonds, fresh oregano and pine nut skordaliá; $28).

Take a date to Stone Lotus for the second-annual Love at First Bite event, which is raising money for the American Red Cross in its efforts to help rebuild Haiti. Your $20 ticket includes sweets from local artisans, plus comped cocktails. 11pm-4am.

SATURDAY

You typically won't get "movie and dinner" recs from me, but I'll make an exception when it comes to ShowPlace Icon Theatre in the South Loop. This weekend they're showing a number of romantic movies, including "Avatar 3D," "Dear John" and "Valentine's Day." After the movie, head to the adjacent Lobby Bar and sit in the window for one of the best skyline views in the city. Full bar, flatbread pizzas, appetizers in a jazzy space.

One of Roscoe Village's best date night spots, Volo is doing a special three-course, prix-fixe menu Saturday and Sunday for $41 per person. This is a pretty intimate wine bar too, so if you just want to gaze in each other's eyes over glasses of vino, there's always room at the bar.

SUNDAY

We're getting really good feedback about brunch at The Southern, which just opened last week. Highlights include the spicy cheese grits, morning tacos (fresh avocado, black bean puree, toasted cumin, scrambled eggs, chipotle salsa) and the chicken and biscuits—buttermilk-soaked half chicken, Tasso ham and rosemary gravy. All items are under $14. 11am-5pm.

And is there anything sexier than Samba?! Brazilian brunch spot Sinha still has reservations available 2, 3:30 and 5:30pm, where you'll get authentic South American cuisine in this cozy, two-level BYOB venue. After dinner, get ready to dance it all off on the dance floor! $30 per person.