'Bartender of the Year' Poll Turns Ugly

Eater Chicago launched its second-annual Eater Awards Monday, and boy did it get ugly this time around in the comments section.

Things were pretty routine in categories like Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year, but when the poll for Bartender of the Year went live, the comments were so nasty and personal that Eater editor Ari Bendersky had to shut them down in less than 24 hours.

The issue, according to many of the commenters who work in the industry, was that they felt that some of Chicago's best bartenders had been snubbed. Of note were Paul McGee (The Whistler), Josh Pearson (Sepia), Matty Eggleston (Perennial Virant) and Ben Schiller (Boka Restaurant Group)—who actually won last year's contest.

There was also strong opposition against a few of the bartenders who made the list, but hey, it's Eater's poll so they can pick whomever they want.

Who Makes The Best Manhattan in Town?!

Anyone who knows me well knows that you'll make me happy if you put a well-crafted Manhattan in front of me.

That's why I'm bummed that I'll miss the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience going down 7pm Monday at Quay.

Guests (it's open to the public for free; RSVP here) will be treated to expertly prepared Manhattans created by some of Chicago's top bartenders, including the likes of Drew Goss (West Town Tavern), Tim Williams (Pour Souls) and Kris von Dopek (Duchamp). But these guys aren't just doing it for fun; they're competing for the chance to go up against a number of mixologists from across the country at the finals in New York.

Padma Recaps 'Top Chef,' More

"Top Chef" judges Tom Colicchio (from left), Padma Lakshmi and Hugh Acheson. (Photo: Bravo)

Other than aria's Beverly Kim joining the five other Chicago chefs as one of the official competitors on Top Chef Texas (whew! and yay!), the second episode was pretty uneventful for our homeboys and girls.

But here's a recap from the show's host/judge Padma Lakshmi, who also tells the chefs about the next challenge that has to do with Mother Effin' Snakes . . .

Hot Chef News You Can Use

Chefs Curtis Duffy (left) and Takashi Yagihashi.

This may sound like a minor thing to you, but when you're a chef with as much clout as former Avenues chef de cuisine Curtis Duffy, it's pretty major.

He tells 312DD that after four grueling months, he's finally settled on a chair for his new restaurant that's scheduled to open in the West Loop next spring. That's right, a chair.

The award-winning toque wouldn't divulge details, but if it took this long to find one, that means it's going to be one helluva chair. He's getting 90 of them custom made, which means they will be ready by the time the restaurant debuts.

Duffy's still keeping a tight lid on the restaurant's name and location, and says that he'll be ready to make a big announcement right after Thanksgiving.

Next Up: Glazed and Infused

Scott Harris (Mia Francesca's, The Purple Pig, Davanti Enoteca and quite a few more restaurants) is now tossing his hat in the doughnut ring, according to a tweet from Chicago magazine's Penny Pollack:

"Mid Jan, Scott Harris joins the doughnut fray & the Fulton Mkt crowd w/Glazed and Infused. Counter, couches, wi-fi, & still 'secret' coffee."

Exciting!

Best Impress-Your-Date Food?!

Japonais' sushi. (Photo via Japonais)

Here's something to hold everyone's attention as they wait on pins and needles for Chicago's second-annual Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurants to be released Wednesday.

Seamless just announced the winners of the 2011 CRAVED Restaurant Awards, with 15 Chicago spots specializing in delivery getting a nod. Now, what's the best part of this?! Through Saturday, you can get 25 percent off all the winning restaurants.

Here's what won:

Big Week For Big & Little's . . .

Gary Strauss (left) and Tony D'Alessandro at their new Big & Little's location. (Photo: Big & Little's)

In addition to Top Chef co-host Padma Lakshmi throwing props Chicago's way on this season's premiere episode, the Food Network's Guy Fieri is also giving love to one River North spot.

Big & Little's—which boasts as an owner former Hell's Kitchen contestant Tony D'Alessandro—will be featured on Monday's episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Who's Got The Best Fried Chicken In Town?!

Chicago's Harold's Chicken Shack gets the nod as one of the best fried chicken spots in the country by Food & Wine magazine.

Food & Wine just released its list for the best fried chicken in the country and two Chicago spots made the cut.

On Harold's Chicken Shack, they had this to say: