Sock It To Me, Baby!

This is one of those rare occasions when I cannot wait for the weekend to end.

No, I haven't lost my mind, but I think you'll get on board knowing that Monday, Sept. 20 is National Punch Day.

Local Bar Stars Compete at 'Chicago Gourmet'

From left: Mixologists Lynn House, Josh Pearson and Debbi Peak.


They're all drinking buddies, but when it comes to boozy contests, they're fierce competitors.

Five of Chicago's leading bar stars will go head-to-head during Chicago Gourmet's first-ever mixology competition.

Lynn House (Blackbird), Josh Pearson (Sepia), Ben Schiller (Boka), Debbi Peek (Bristol) and Todd Appel (Crimson) will participate in a 30-minute, "Mystery Mix" seminar where they will create a signature cocktail.

Top 5 Spots for a First Date

In a pinch on where to go for that very first date?!

The Hungry Hound offers his Top Five picks, including one of our favorite new neighborhood hangs:

Zweiban To Open Second Province in Phoenix

Randy Zweiban, chef/owner of Province in the West Loop. (Photo: Laurie Proffitt Photography)


Last week I reported that Province owner/chef Randy Zweiban was opening a new resto in the West Loop.

Turns out I was wrong and while it's true he's working on a second location, it's in Phoenix, Ariz.!

Reads the press release dropped in my mailbox this morning:

Racing Star Rolls into Blue 13

Indy 500 hottie Danica Patrick hit town Tuesday evening and didn't dine at one of the usual suspect restaurants.

Instead, she headed to River North's rock 'n' roll-themed Blue 13 for what sounds like quite an awesome meal.

Today is FREE Dessert Day!

Everyone's on a serious sugar high now that the premiere of Bravo's "Top Chef: Just Desserts" is finally here.

To get folks even more excited about the station's sweetest reality show, Bravo's teamed up with Open Table so that diners all over the country can get a free dessert with dinner tonight.

In Chicago and the 'burbs, 100 restaurants are participating, and you can find the complete list here to make a dinner reservation.

But a few dessert-only spots are also getting in on the action from 1-3pm:

Mark Your Calendar for More Chef Events

Mercat a la Planxa chef Michael Fiorello at last year's "Celebrity Chef Ball" at Macy's on State. (Photo: Meals on Wheels)


Fall's turning out to be major for chef-related events, from the third-annual Chicago Gourmet in Millennium Park to Meals on Wheels' Celebrity Chef Ball at Macy's on State to Common Threads World Cookout at Fulton's on the River.

And while those events are spectacular in food, folks and fun, not everyone can afford those tickets, which start at $75. That's probably why Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ-FM) decided to host its own food-focused fete, showcasing some of the city's most talked about chefs at $15 ($12 WBEZ members; $10 students).

C-House Chef Spotlights Yummy Local Beer

Nicole Pederson is the executive chef at C-House. (Photo: C-House)


Through the end of the month, you can treat yourself to the delightfully special supper paired with local suds at C-House.

Executive Chef Nicole Pederson has whipped up a three-course deal for $39 that features seasonal dishes and exceptional Midwest beers. You'll start with Goose Island's seafood-friendly Matilda, which complements the steamed mussels and Littleneck clams paired with root vegetables, espelette aioli and spiced Matilda-infused broth.