EXCLUSIVE: Julius Peppers' Signing Bonus?!

In the twilight hours after he signed a six-year, $92.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears, defensive end Julius Peppers partied like a rock star, according to an Ultimate Insider:

"Julius Peppers (newly signed Bear today) is partying (at 2:42am Saturday) at Crescendo. Has bought 20 btls."

Whether he bought bottles of bubbly or hard-core booze at the after-hours River North hot spot wasn't clear, but you get the idea. He was partying his ass off.

We found out that Peppers is no stranger to the high-rolling lifestyle. In February 2009, he donated $100,000 to a scholarship program that supports African-American students at his alma mater, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He was also referenced in Nelly's song, "Heart of a Champion," and made a cameo appearance in Nelly's monster hit video, "Hot In Herre."

I'm sure as hell it was hot in Crescendo!

UPDATE: It was indeed champagne. And he bought all 25 tables in the club a bottle. Wow.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Oh wow. Now there is video!

Anthony Bourdain Show Auction Just Announced!

This just in:

Premium pit seats for Anthony Bourdain's one-night show at the Chicago Theatre have just been put on auction.

The famed chef, author of Kitchen Confidential and host of The Travel Channel's "No Reservations" will be in town April 24, but we're not exactly sure what he'll be doing on stage. Cooking? Singing? Playing the trombone?!

Whatever the case, Bourdain's quite the entertainer, and you'll have an up-close look of what he's really like if you're one of the lucky people to nab seats. Winners will also get to meet him backstage.

The special auction seats go on sale at Ticketmaster on March 8 (bidding ends March 19).

Good luck!

Where's Our DJ Ruth Flowers?!

(Photo: Dlisted)


On Friday morning, the fabulous Dlisted introduced us to DJ Ruth Flowers, a 69-year-old European who's considered "the grandmother of Paris nightlife."

From what we understand girlfriend's quite fierce behind the turntables, and she's coming out with her first techno single this spring.

Just one question: Where's our DJ Ruth Flowers?! Do we have anyone out there like her this awesome spinning in Chicago nightclubs?

That would be a really cool thing!

Lady Gaga's Monster Tribute B-Day Ball

The biggest question here is: What do you wear to such an outrageous affair?!

Luckily Lady Gaga's birthday isn't until March 28, so you've got plenty of time to shop for the perfect, appropriately crazy outfit if you plan on attending the party in her honor at Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club.

Just don't try to outshine Sunny D-Lite, the New York diva being flown in from New York for the special occasion. She'll perform all of Gaga's biggest hits, and of course she'll be dressed in costumes so over the top that you're certain to be at a loss for words.

Several large screens will be tuned in to Gaga's videos throughout the evening, and you'll get to indulge in $5 signature cocktails Gaga Ooh La La (Effen Vodka, Hpnotiq liqueur and a splash of pineapple juice garnished with rock candy and a glowing disco stick), Bad Romance (Effen Vodka, Apple Pucker liqueur, melon liqueur and a splash of pineapple juice adorned with a wedding ring) and Poker Face (Effen Raspberry Vodka, Chambord, St. Germain liqueur and champagne crowned with a poker playing card).

The party takes place 5:30pm-2am March 28; no cover.

Just How Bad Will It Get This Year?!

Kitsch'n River North, which also houses The Fifth, has officially closed, according to an Ultimate Insider who stopped by Thursday evening.

"I was actually told that it's been closed since last week," he said. "I was going to try to stop by, but it was locked up tighter than Cook County Jail."

He added that Hubie Greenwald, who owns Motel Bar next door, will be taking it over with a new concept.

On Wednesday, 312DD exclusively reported that A Mano's last day is Saturday and now this.

Looks like 2010 is off to an unfortunate start . . .

Chicagoans Looooove Bacon!

Bacon Fest Chicago sold out 10 minutes after the tickets went on sale at noon Thursday. We're talking more than 300 tickets here, people.

Taking place April 10 at the Stan Mansion in Logan Square, the event will include 24 local chefs hooking up their best bacon-focused bites. Some of the chefs participating are Giuseppe Tentori (Boka), Chris Pandel (The Bristol), Jimmy Bannos Jr. (The Purple Pig) and Heather Terhune (Sable Kitchen and Bar). We're also hoping David Burke’s Primehouse chef Rick Gresh demos his bacon fat-infused votive.

The $45 ticket also includes a BFC’s Guide to Bacon Souvenir Program and samples from a wide assortment of bacon-vendors who will be selling gourmet smoked bacon, bacon-flavored lip balm, bacon-infused cupcakes, bacon t-shirts, bacon jewelry and bacon-flavored toilet paper.

OK, I made that last one up.

Doing Hard Time for Burgers & Fries

Massive burgers, hand-cut fries and heavy metal music complement the prison theme at Lockdown Bar & Grill.

We take a camera inside this boisterous new Ukrainian Village venue, which offers 10-ounce burgers with names like Straight Jacket, Electric Chair, The Big House and Ponzi Scheme.

Now, that's a sentence we don't mind serving!

The Bad Girls Club (of Cuisine & Cocktails)!

Toni Roberts, executive pastry chef at C-House (Photo: Kevin Weinstein Photography, Inc.)


March is Women’s History Month, so it's a fine time to give props to some very well-deserving people on the local restaurant front.

Everyone knows Stephanie Izard, the talented, award-winning chef behind Girl & The Goat, set to open early this spring with a heavily meat-focused concept paired with booze and brews.

But she's not the only "bad girl" making waves in the cuisine scene.

C-House's Executive Pastry Chef Toni Roberts also belongs in the Bad Girls Club for her unique spin on sweets. She has a knack for updating classic desserts, especially those from our childhood.

I could just dedicate a week exploring her menu, from the seasonal Sweet Potato Donuts (filled with sweet cream ice cream, salted candied pecans and cajeta) to the Candy Bar, where you can choose from a number of decadent desserts. Highly recommended are the Pistachio Brittle, Salted Fudge Brownies, Rum Raisin Clusters and Sour Candied Citrus. Get a selection of five ($9), nine ($16) or 12 ($20).


Carol Wallack of Sola (Photo: Sola)


More gastro girls inducted into the club:

THURSDAY

Avec's Chef de Cuisine Koren Grieveson grew up in Angola, served in the U.S. Army and rides a Harley. Her fearless approach shows in her menu with dishes like the whole-roasted fish paired with house-cured bacon, wood-oven roasted smelts in a spinach-horseradish vinaigrette, and a roasted lima bean puree crostini with fried orange slices.

Karyn Calabrese's been on the scene for a very long time, most notably for spreading the good word about the wonders of raw and vegetarian lifestyles. Her latest project, Karyn's on Green, dips way on the side of hardcore carnivores—and we absolutely love it. Don't miss the BBQ Bacon Meatloaf with horseradish roasted fingerlings and Crispy Chicken Legs dressed in a Kentucky bourbon sauce and sweet potato hash. Oh, and make sure you don't leave without getting an ice-cream cookie in peanut butter, oatmeal or coconut. Yum.

Wife-and-husband team Allison and Rob Leavitt are behind Wicker Park's offal paradise Mado. Their offbeat Sunday family dinners have drawn their own cult crowd, with the next one happening March 28. In the meantime, you can get your fix at tonight's Food Frenzy hosted by Little City Foundation. They'll be one of several local restaurants featured at the event. 6:30-9:30pm at Loft on Lake (1366 W. Lake St.). $75.

Burger queen—and avid surfer—Carol Wallack cranks out her signature bite on Thursdays at Sola as part of Burgers, Beer & Bacon night. Her Wagyu "Kobe" Burger comes with house-made bacon, caramelized onions and melted Cambazola cheese on a chewy pretzel roll. Pair it with a local craft beer, which changes each month.


Lynn House of graham elliot (Photo: graham elliot)


FRIDAY

You know you're a bad ass when you can impress shock pop icon Lady Gaga. But that's our Debra Sharpe, who's made a successful career of catering to rock stars as well as neighborhood folks with Bucktown's Goddess and Grocer (also in the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park). Top of the list are the Panko-Crusted Chicken, Wild Mushroom Risotto Cakes and Mustard-Crusted Beef Tenderloin.

If you want a classic cocktail like the Moscow Mule, Sazerac or Manhattan, make your way to In Fine Spirits Lounge and let rising star mixologist Anne Carlson-Tye make it for you. She's also studying to become a Master Sommelier, so she can also help you pick the perfect vino.

SATURDAY

The awesome, award-winning mixologist Lynn House of graham elliot brings the drama from her theater background into her hand-crafted cocktails. She's won several awards, including one for her signature London Calling cocktail that's her spin on the classic Pimm's Cup with Plymouth Gin.

MONDAY

This month, watch Amanda Downing get her shine on at Rockit Bar & Grill Wrigleyville during the Tasteit events every Monday. They're featuring all women winemakers in March, and this talented chef de cuisine has teamed up with Executive Chef James Gottwald for pair-able, share-able dishes. Highlights of the menu include Almond-Crusted Tilapia, Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Pizza, Lobster Burger and Sweet Potato Fries. All wines by the glass and bottle are half off.

WEDNESDAY

And since it's still too cold to venture out in search of various street food carts, Kristine Subido's bringing it to you every Wednesday at Wave. Each month her menu travels to a different country showcasing fabulous fare; order three bites and specialty cocktail or beer for $10. India is featured in March, and look for delights from China in April.