'Top Chef' Star 'Hosts' Italian 'Movie Night'

"Top Chef" fan favorite Fabio Viviani created the gourmet popcorn recipes for an Italian "movie night" in Chicago. (Photo: Courtesy of Antonio Busiello)

You'd better act fast if you want tickets to this free event featuring goodies by Top Chef "fan favorite" Fabio Viviani.

The affable Italian-born culinary star won't actually be in the house for Prosecco & Popcorn at the Music Box at 6:15pm August 30, but his recipes will. (Apparently, he'll only be making an appearance at a similar event in Miami on August 25.)

Common Threads' First-Ever Cook-Off

When Common Threads throws a cookout, you know it's going to be anything but ordinary.

Co-founded by Table Fifty-Two's Art Smith, the kiddie culinary-oriented nonprofit has gathered some of the city's best chefs and mixologists for this first-ever event.

The benefit happens 6:30-9:30pm Sept. 15 at Fulton's on the River, with participating chefs creating and serving their favorite cookout-themed dishes in one of four categories: in a glass, on a bun, in a shell or on a stick. Guests are encouraged to sample each dish and vote on their favorite in each category for the chefs to win prizes.

Here's who will be on deck:

The 8 Dumbest Restaurant Laws

Photo via zagat.com.

Zagat managed to dig up the 8 stupidest statutes for restaurants across the country, including no buying drinks for female bartenders (Hello, Maryland!), you can’t be drunk in a bar (Thanks, Texas!) and beer and pretzels can’t mix (WTF, North Dakota?!).

Somehow, however, Chicago got overlooked as food truck operators continue their battle against the ban on mobile restaurants cooking food on board. And now that some local legislators and restaurant advocates are attempting to limit the vehicles to operating in "food deserts" only (banning them from serving the downtown area), matters could get worse.

If that's not dumb, then I don't know what is . . .

Wilco Star Lunches at DMK Burger Bar

Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy (center) with fans at DMK Burger Bar. (Photo: DMK Burger Bar)

Staffers at DMK Burger Bar in Lakeview had an exciting Tuesday afternoon when Wilco's lead singer, Jeff Tweedy, stopped by during lunchtime.

Sources tell us that he ordered the #10 (tuckey with smoked Swiss cheese, tomato, arugula and dijonnaise) and an iced tea.

So Many, Many Foodie Happenings . . .

MJSH Chicago's Bone-In Prime Ribeye Steak. (Photo: Michael Jordan's Steak House)

You'd think that since summer's winding down, the food-focused events would too, right?!

Not a chance.

First off, former Branch 27 Executive Chef John Manion is hosting a two-day pop-up Brazilian dinner in the Warehouse District August 26-27. Eater Chicago's got all the details, which includes a multi-course meal paired with cocktails and wine. Manion's also gotten the legendary Frank Orrall (Poi Dog Pondering, Thievery Corporation) to deejay for the event.

Jeremy Piven Outed As 'Worst' Celeb Tipper

Chicago-area native Jeremy Piven, who stars on HBO's Entourage, made Miami New Times' Top 10 List of Worst Celebrity Tippers:

"According to Zimbio, (he) showed up at Nobu in Aspen with a party of 12, without a reservation. After being seated and served, Piven reportedly told the manager 'Thanks for nothing,' and left a signed Entourage DVD as the tip -- which is at least a bit more generous than an autograph. According to the story, a Nobu employee hurled the box at Piven as he was leaving, and Piven was banned from ever returning to Nobu. Sounds like something Ari Gold, his Entourage character might do. The act earned Piven the number one 'worst tipper' on zimbio's list of ten worst tippers, number two on thefrisky.com, and at or near the top on most others. We'd have placed him higher, but he doesn't make as much money as most folks on this list, and it's just one incident."

Yikes. That's worse than anything Scottie "No Tippin'" Pippen's been accused of ever doing, but I'm still shocked he's not on the list as well . . .

Get VIP Seats For 'Air & Water Show'

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will rock the 53rd annual "Chicago Air & Water Show" this weekend.

Here's the thing.

You don't have a friend with a boat or a crib (with a rooftop!) that's close enough to check out the Air & Water Show. So the next best plan is to head over to a number of spots near the lakefront.

In 2010, the Signature Room, for the first time ever, opened its doors for a special party for guests to have the best seats to the action.

While those wishing to see the show from the Hancock Observatory had to wait for hours to get to the top, party-goers were whisked right to their destination within minutes. It was such a success that they're doing it again this year and the event includes a sweet and savory buffet of goodies created by Executive Chef Patrick Sheerin, open bar and of course premium seating.

The Signature Room's event doesn't come cheap at $130 per person, and reservations are highly recommended by calling the restaurant. 11am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Additional events going down this weekend for the Air & Water Show:

Yum. Gimme Some Rum!

Mount Gay Rum Punch. (Photo: Mount Gay Rum)

Get excited.

August 16 is National Rum Day.

Yeah, mon. The first thought that came into my mind when I found out about this momentous occasion is to get to Ja'Grill in Lincoln Park ASAP.

The Ja' Rum Punch is a potent concoction that's made of Appleton white rum, Myer's dark rum, Malibu coconut rum and tropical juices.

Tuesday nights are also popular with a young professional neighborhood crowd that comes out for deejay entertainment in the lower-level lounge. We just need to warn you: Limit yourself to two glasses of Ja' Rum Punch because you might not wake up in time for work on Wednesday!

More cocktails to indulge on National Rum Day: