STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

Oscar-winning star Mo'Nique performs a one-woman comedy show Saturday at Arie Crown Theatre.


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

Improv Children of the Corn 4 - Soft Core Corn at Cornservatory. Just so we're clear, this improv show is not for the kids. 8pm Thursdays through June 3. Also, get ready for audience participation. Get tickets here.

Browntrout: They've got a liquor license in place at this seafood-oriented spot, but if you insist on bringing that fabulous bottle of vino, they'll charge you $20. Come on Thursdays, however, and the corkage fee is waived.

Locations Uncovered for NEXT, The Aviary?!

The interior of recently shuttered Follia, which is rumored to be the new home for Grant Achatz's NEXT. (Photo: Follia)


Apparently someone at Feast knows someone in high places because they're reporting a major scoop Monday on the forthcoming Grant Achatz projects:

"Although it’s been hush hush (and still is), a very reliable source has revealed that Grant Achatz’s highly-anticipated, hyped-up new project does, in fact, have a location. Even though we’re still mourning the loss of Fulton Market’s authentic Italian outpost, Follia, we hear that the space will allegedly house Achatz’s new, tickets-only restaurant, Next. An even juicier rumor is that his concurrent bar project, Aviary, will be taking over Fulton Lounge. With the advent of Achatz, Fulton Market might just become the culinary capital of downtown Chicago."

The Duffy Duck vs. Foss Hog

Mancow (from left), Phillip Foss and Curtis Duffy at Franks 'n' Dawgs. (Photo: Phillip Foss)


We're taking a break from our regularly scheduled Meatball Mondays to bring you something a little different today.

Apparently there's a vicious little battle going down over at Lincoln Park's Franks 'n' Dawgs, where two local celebrity chefs are competing to see who has the best signature hot dog.

Warm Oatmeal Cookies with Rum Soaked Raisins

. . . is what you'll find at The Cookie Bar, a new sweets shop set to open in Lincoln Park in about two weeks, according to Time Out.

They Took Down 'Big Mel!'

Dos Diablos' "Big Mel" chimichanga is 18 inches and weighs 3.5 pounds. (Photos: Marcus Riley)


River North newcomer Dos Diablos offers standard Mexican fare, but one menu item has been getting tons of buzz: The Big Mel (cue the "da da da daaaaaa" music).

Mom's Day, a Milestone & 'World Cocktail Week'

I've gotta give props to Sunda.

Their first-ever day for brunch service is Mother's Day. Mother's Day?! Ask anyone in the restaurant biz and they'll tell you that's the single busiest day of the year.

Nevertheless, Executive Chef Rodelio Aglibot's whipped up a number of classic Asian dishes—with serious contemporary swagger—that should impress even the most discerning mom.

Big Props For Curtis Duffy From Food & Wine

Curtis Duffy, chef de cuisine at Avenues at the Peninsula. (Photo: Peninsula Chicago)


Avec's Koren Grieveson and Alinea's Grant Achatz may have scooped up the big honors for Chicago at the James Beards Awards Monday (Best Chef, Great Lakes; Outstanding Service, respectively), but it was Avenues's Curtis Duffy who had the Best Dish of the James Beard Gala.

A 'Top Chef Masters' Viewing Party; 'Top Chef Tour' Hits Town

Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia/Terzo Piano.


Big news for the "Top Chef" franchise this week . . .

Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia/Terzo Piano) hosts a viewing party so guests can cheer him on as he competes in the "Champions Round" of the second season of "Top Chef Masters."