Monday, January 3, 2011

Doughnut Vault Set To Open Soon . . .

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Maple Bacon-infused donuts from Glazed. (Photo: Glazed Donuts Catering)

Glazed is officially gone for good, but there's no need to shed a tear if you're looking for hoity-toity sweet treats.

Just got word restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff (Gilt Bar/Maude's Liquor Bar) is set to open Doughnut Vault in River North by month's end.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Achatz Gets Props From Anthony Bourdain

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Grant Achatz's second restaurant, Next, is set to open this winter and you'd better believe we're all excited.

Even No Reservations star Anthony Bourdain is looking forward to it as he gushed on Twitter Sunday:

"I have to say, I'm extremely excited by @gachatz mention of antique duck press. And everything else I'm hearing about Next."

It won't be hard to figure out where he's going on his next Chicago trip!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

So New. . . So Fresh . . . And They're Next!

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Cristina DeLucca of The Drawing Room (Photo: Audarshia Townsend)

Something to look forward to in '11:

Three new hot cocktail recipes from some of the city's up-and-coming bar stars . . .

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Another Chef Out At L2O; Bite's Renovation

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L2O's main dining room. (Photo: L2O)

You know I couldn't leave 2010 without a big bang for you, right?!

L20 has been working hard to get its groove back since chef Laurent Gras left in early November.

His replacement, Francis Brennan (who opened the restaurant as sous chef, left, then came back in October), is hoping to take the seafood-focused spot to the next level. But it looks like Brennan will have a few challenges as his right-hand guy, Nathan Huntington, resigned this week, according to an Ultimate Insider.

His only message in a text message: "I am no longer with L2O."

This Is The Face of a Cyber Content Stealer

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Rod Kelly of www.chefscoopkitchen.com (Photo: www.chefscoopkitchen.com)

Ever hear of slut shaming?!

Well, I've just created a new term: Cyber Content Stealing Shaming.

That's what we're now going to refer to those who recklessly gank hard-working journalists' work and attempt to pass it off as their own content on their faux blogs.

Don't Let Holiday Hangover Knock You Out

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That's right, take on the day after New Year's Eve like the strong woman (or man) that you are and keep the party going. It's Saturday night, for crying out loud.

Because it's New Year's Day, most places will be closed, but I've rounded up some gems so you can celebrate in style.

Kitsch'n on Roscoe, for instance, opens at 10am for its annual New Year's Day Hangover Brunch. The best part of the deal is that you can show up in your jammies, so there's no excuse why you shouldn't go.

If the Bayou Crab Cake Benedict, fried chicken & waffles and signature Eggs in the Basket don't get you back to normal, the deluxe Mimosas and Chipotle Bloody Marys certainly will. It's available until 4pm.

There's even more on tap for the first day of the year:

Monday, December 27, 2010

They Rocked 2010!

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Head Bartender Mike Ryan of Kimpton's Sable Kitchen & Bar. (Photo: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants)

Find out which restaurants and cocktail bars came out on top this year and what's in store for 2011 in the Huffington Post's "Best Of" roundup . . .

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Rating The New Year's Eve Guides . . .

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If you're like me, you're so overwhelmed with all the New Year's Eve offerings that you're tempted to curl up with a good bottle of bubbly and do the countdown with Dick Clark (and Ryan Seacrest . . .boooo).

But before we throw in the towel, let's rifle through what everyone is recommending. It's such a night with so much pressure and expectations and $$$ that you want to make sure you get it right.

Therefore we decided to break down some of the best—and worst—guides, rating them so that you can make the best decision: