The Derby, Dos Diablos & Dynamite Deals

Derby-goers at the 2009 party at Arlington Park. (Photo: Arlington Park)


Brace yourself for a BIG drinking weekend.

The Kentucky Derby's May 1 and Cinco de Mayo doesn't even happen until the fifth, but that won't stop folks from indulging in advance.

In fact, Arlington Park gets the party started today with the grand opening of Longshots Sports Bar, which is equipped with 30 flat-screen TVs and a patio with a prime view of the track.

'Flirty Cupcakes' Hit The Street This Weekend!

(Photo: Flirty Cupcakes)


What's that?! A cupcake truck roaming the streets of Chicago this summer?

We're looking forward to Flirty Cupcakes, which will offer gourmet-style sweets on some of the busiest blocks in the city.

'Foodie' Sites Offer Unique Deals, Thrills

So many people are getting engaged later in life, which means that when it comes to registering for their weddings, they really don't need anything.

Case in point is Ben and Jennifer Reid, who were frustrated at the registry options during their engagement in 2008. The couple didn't need any additional household products, but they wanted something to celebrate their new union.

After a frustrating few hours at a department store, Jennifer went home and had an epiphany. She and Ben were big-time dining enthusiasts, so they asked all their friends and family to give them gift certificates to their favorite Chicago restaurants.

That's when they decided to launch Foodie Registry, so that other like-minded engaged couples could enjoy months and months and months of what they've coined as Free Dinner Date Night—courtesy of family and friends.

Book Today . . . TV Tomorrow . . .

Rick Tramonto's got great timing!

The powerhouse chef behind Tru as well as Tramonto’s Steak & Seafood and RT Sushi Bar & Lounge debuts his seventh cookbook today.

Buy Me Some Peanuts and a Bison Meatball Sandwich!

(Photo: Wrigley Field)


Wrigley Field exec chef David Burns (formerly at Le Bouchon, La Sardine) recently unveiled an impressive new menu at the concession stands, which includes more than just your usual baseball bites.

We're especially excited about the Bison Meatball Sandwich, made of all-natural, hormone and antibiotic-free High Plains Bison that comes from the Ricketts’ ranch in Little Jackson Hole, Wyo.

No Blue Frog 22 Until Next Week . . .

The karaoke-focused Blue Frog 22 opens the last week of April. (Photo: UrbanDaddy/www.stevenjohnsonphotography.com)


After reading this pretty sweet writeup in Urban Daddy, we were soooo looking forward to checking into Blue Frog 22 to play old-school games and sing karaoke-style to the likes of Beyonce, Cher and David Bowie.

But alas, it's not happening until next week.

EXCLUSIVE: It's Just 'JUICY,' Baby . . .

Here's a first-ever look at the new "JUICY" sign, which will be unveiled Monday over the River West wine bar. (Photo: JUICY)


"It should look sexy hanging over Milwaukee Avenue," says an excited Chris Dunstatter about the new sign he's debuting Monday over the River West wine bar formerly known as Juicy Wine Co.

He's one of the new owners of what they've officially named JUICY, and he gave 312DD some exclusive details on what to expect next at the hipster wine lounge.

Local Deejays Reflect on Rap Icon Guru's Career

I was never a hardcore hip-hop fan, but when it came to the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Common and Gang Starr, I always felt right at home.

There was something about how they all combined the best elements of hip-hop with jazz rhythms and unbelievably strong vocals. While Tribe's Q-Tip, The Roots' Black Thought and Common spat out some seriously tight rhymes, Gang Starr's Guru was simply a lyrical genius.