Melt Sandwich Shop Opens Soon in Bucktown

Just got word that Porkchop's Dion Antic signed a lease late Wednesday afternoon for his latest project: a gourmet grilled cheese concept called Melt Sandwich Shop.

The space used to be home to soup-focused Nalyah's Café, and he plans to trick it out to resemble a "schoolhouse study" with communal tables. That's perhaps due to the fact that he's counting on a large crowd of moms and kids to frequent the spot after classes.

Ikram's 'Red Box' Cafe Open Now

Exterior of the new Ikram via racked.com.

When it comes to high-end shopping, Ikram easily rolls with the big boys like Gucci, Hermes and Jimmy Choo, so building an upper-level cafe would be an added incentive.

So I'm salivating at the news that the tiny eatery—which offers a chic, red interior—opens today to the public. I'm also hearing that a former avec chef designed the menu at The Red Box.

July 30 is 'National Cheesecake Day!'

Saturday is National Cheesecake Day, but Eli's Cheesecake World and Cafe is kicking it in high gear a couple days early with an annual festival in the parking lot.

Get there 8am-6pm Thursday and you'll be rewarded with a complimentary slice if you bring a non-perishable food item for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. You can also get half off on a frozen cheesecake if you buy one through Sunday.

Additional festivities happening that day:

Free BBQ For Everyone at Lillie's Q!

(Photo: Lillie's Q)

Bucktown BBQ joint Lillie's Q must have had one helluva first year because owner/chef Charlie McKenna's decided to give away free smoked whole hogs during his anniversary party on August 1.

We suggest showing up before 9pm, when the festivities officially begin, in order to snag prime spots in the dining room or at the bar. Then you won't have to elbow for space when McKenna starts passing out all the different cuts of his signature, award-winning 30-pound smoked whole hogs. That's right, you'll be treated to tenderloin, pulled shoulder, ham, belly, pulled shoulder and even the bark.

And there's more:

A Sno-Cone Cocktail You Cannot Deny

The Manhattan "Sno-Kone" at Porkchop via Urban Daddy Chicago

Urban Daddy Chicago found the perfect way to beat the heat, and we're totally onboard.

They've uncovered the Manhattan "Sno-Kone" at Porkchop, which they describe like this:

"After combining a 90-proof Kentucky whiskey—slightly stronger than your average bourbon—with vermouth, then shaking it all violently, your barman pours the resulting mix on top of that shaved ice. And very important: maraschino cherry juice is added. Crunching your way into the first bite, you’ll feel a chill run down your spine. Your body temp drops. Go with it. All according to the plan."

Oh.My.GAWD.

Another Pastry Chef Hits The Airwaves!

Pastry Chef Sarah Levy (Photo via Heebmagazine.com)

We were excited to hear about The Bristol's dynamite executive pastry chef Amanda Rockman competing on Bravo's second season of Top Chef Just Desserts, premiering August 24.

But another big name in all things sweet may just steal a little of her thunder. Sarah Levy of Sarah's Pastries and Candies is appearing on the mega-competitive Food Network Challenge a few days before on August 21.

Justin White: 'Food To Rival Anyone's'

The Drawing Room's Executive Chef Nick Lacasse (left) with SmallBar's Executive Chef Justin White. (Photo: Julie Szmyd)

That's quite a declaration coming from Nick Lacasse on the chef he believes is the one to watch next.

Lacasse's the executive chef at The Drawing Room, and he recently issued an ingredient challenge to SmallBar Wicker Park's Justin White to do something creative with an ostrich egg.

The challenge is part of an ongoing video series by the Chicago Reader in which a prominent chef gets another chef to create an entree with a rarely used ingredient.

What Everyone's Talking About in July

Roka Akor's signature sushi platter. (Photo: Roka Akor)

The weather may have cooled off just a wee bit, but that's not stopping the red-hot openings in July.

In ChicagoDining.com's monthly GRUB GUIDE To What's Hot . . ., we highlighted some of the spots everyone's been buzzing about, including the modern Indian-focused Bombay Spice, Pilsen's chef-driven EL, and steak and sushi sensation Roka Akor.

There's never a dull moment!