Get Ready For Brendan Sodikoff's Ox Diner

Photo via Flickr

It's been a busy year for Brendan Sodikoff, and it's only March!

In early January he opened the instant French hit Maude's Liquor Bar in the West Loop. Up next is Doughnut Vault, which is set to open soon in his first restaurant, Gilt Bar.

Now comes word from Sodikoff about his fourth project, which will also hit the West Loop.

Starting Week Off On Great Note!

Bridget Albert, Director of Mixology for Southern Wine & Spirits. (Photo: Bridget Albert)

This is the type of news that should put a smile on everyone's face:

Bridget Albert—the star mixologist who helped usher in the current cocktail revolution in Chicago—has just been named official mixologist for Redbook.

Look for her original, market-fresh recipes in the magazine's new lifestyle section that will be viewed by more than three million readers.

Albert's rockin' recipe for The Buckcherry is the type of yummy stuff she'll be serving up in upcoming months:

Bad News For Lady Gregory . . .

Kyle McHugh of Lady Gregory (Photo: Kyle McHugh)

Just as excitement hit for the upcoming Lady Gregory project set to open in Andersonville in April, it was hit with some very bad luck Thursday.

According to an Ultimate Insider, a fire raced through the venue destroying the entire bar and dining room.

"It won't open for a few months now," he said.

Lady G.'s beverage director Kyle McHugh checked out the scene Friday morning and had this to say: "Just visited the fire scene. It's bad. Brand new hand-made bar, new coolers, taps - gone. Thankful kitchen and all in basement ok."

We'll keep you posted on its progress . . .

Free Burgers at M Burger!

M Burger's signature double-stack burger. (Photo: M Burger)

This is the kind of news we LOVE.

To celebrates its first birthday, the original M Burger in Streeterville will generously give you a gift.

Freebies . . . on Friday . . .

It's "Oyster Fest" at Tavern on Rush through March 13.

Low on cash, but got an appetite for the good life?! Every Friday, 312DD features the best bargain bets around town:

Don't you always feel less guilty about pigging out after a great workout?! Burn some calories first at the brand-new 6pm Friday spin class at Go Cycle, then chill out with a great deal at next-door neighbor Old Town Social. Pick up a certificate at the studio for a comp glass of Prosecco or pint of Three Floyds Pride beer as well as a half-price appetizer. Fridays only; first-time Go Cycle students get first class free.

Bistronomic Is #Winning!

Photos of Chef Martial Noguier and Bistronomic interior via galdonesphotography.com.

A funny thing happened Wednesday during my first visit to Bistronomic, the new casually cool French eatery owned by chef Martial Nogiuer.

The place was bustling, diners appeared to be animated and elated with their entree selections, and the bar area was scattered with sophisticated European types dining on smaller plates of sardines and pate.

But there was one customer who was not happy—or impressed—with any of this and it was pretty funny to watch it all go down from my perch at the bar.

'Spectacle' Includes Elusive Schwa Chef

Chef Michael Carlson of Schwa. (Photo via The Stew)

"I literally had to camp out and go in there at times when I knew he'd be there," Redmoon Theater's Sean Kaplan confessed to Eater on how he snagged Schwa's elusive chef/owner Michael Carlson for his annual event.

"When I met him he was one of the most friendly, genuine guys I had (ever) met. I told him what the mission was and he said he doesn't do benefits, but he liked what I proposed and said he was a fan of Redmoon."

That's freaking HUGE that they got Carlson to serve food at Spectacle Lunatique (6:30pm March 12) for the VIP portion of the event. It'll also include top chefs Paul Kahan (Blackbird), Giuseppe Tentori (Boka), Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia), Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat), Jimmy Bannos, Jr. (The Purple Pig), Bill Kim (Belly Shack/Urban Belly), Randy Zweiban (Province), Chris Pandel (The Bristol), Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate) and Jessie Oloroso (Black Dog Gelato) as well as mixologist Charles Joly (The Drawing Room).

Last Hurrah For Art Smith's 'World Festival'

It had a good run, but now it's time for a change.

Common Threads' World Festival—the gourmet grubout staffed by some of the most recognized names in the culinary world—will be no longer following its final event on March 7 at Soldier Field.

And to no one's surprise, this final blowout will go out with a significant bang, as founder Art Smith of Table Fifty-Two has gathered the likes of Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat), Michelle Bernstein (Michy's), Anita Lo (Annisa), Bill Kim (Urban Belly/Belly Shack) and Chris Pandel (The Bristol) to serve as his celebrity chef hosts.