'Andersonville Wine Walk' Returns . . .

Cross your fingers for good weather when the Andersonville Wine Walk returns on May 20.

That's your chance to shop, sip, shop, sip at all the cute little retail stores in the area, as you learn all you can about vino.

Arami To Open Second Location in River North

Ukrainian Village's Arami interior photo via metromix.com.

If you know sushi in Chicago, then you know Ukrainian Village's Arami is a serious power player.

It's garnered all types of accolades with industry insiders and the media, so it wasn't a surprise when an Ultimate Insider told 312DD the partners were planning a second location in River North.

A Sure Sign Warm Weather Is Back!

Green City Market photo via Italianhandful.

On Saturday, Green City Market returns to its outdoor venue.

Also . . . tickets for the annual Green City Market Chef's BBQ go on sale this weekend.

That foodie extravaganza happens on July 12.

Your Guide to the Art of 'Day Drinking'

You'll get an ample selection of Italian-focused cocktails and vino at Quartino in River North. (Photo: Quartino)

It finally looks like we're about to get some relief. . .and warmer weather.

And with that comes slacking, and the urge to day drink.

Now, because there's an art to that craft, I've decided to hook you up with a guide you should follow if you want to do it effectively. It includes some wise tips, plus a few spots you should hit up such as Big Star, Luxbar and The Purple Pig.

Cheers!

Vince Vaughn, Joan Cusack Hit Up Next

A loyal 312DD follower spotted two A-List celebs Sunday at Next:

"In case you didn't already know, Joan Cusack, her husband, her 2 sons, and 2 other boys (all in the 12-14 age range) dined at the Kitchen Table at Next last night. Vince Vaughn, his wife, and another couple were in the dining room.

"When the Cusack clan was leaving, they stopped by Vince's table for hugs. She introduced her sons to him as 'Vince Vaughn from wedding crashers!' They were uninterested as they were all busy playing with the blow-up rubber gloves used to wave goodbye at the end of service. Nobody else bothered either of them or asked for pictures."

Awesome! But I wonder just how much those Cusack kids liked the food . . .

Kristine Subido Debuts Pecking Order at Dose Market

(Photo: Wave Restaurant)

I'm hearing really great things about the Filipino-style chicken from Kristine Subido, the executive chef at Wave who's set to open Pecking Order: A Chicken House in Uptown in early summer.

The secret recipe for Subido's chicken was passed down to her through generations, and it'll be served roasted, grilled or fried after being marinated overnight in bright, punchy flavors of soy, vinegar, sugar and garlic. It'll also come with banana ketchup or gravy dipping sauces.

If you're excited as I am to get your claws on some before the summer, here's where you can be one of the first people to get a sneak preview:

Get Excited About New Bayless Cookbook

(Photo: W. W. Norton & Company)

What fun must it be to tinker around behind the bar at Frontera Grill these days.

Rick Bayless, his wife, Deanna, and mixologist Jordan Johnston are working on the upcoming Frontera: Margaritas, Guacamoles, and Snacks cookbook (due out November), and the super chef gleefully tweeted the below photo on some of the cocktails' yummy house-made ingredients:

Notes From . . .

Master Mixologist Bridget Albert's "Smoking Jacket" cocktail was served at The Gage. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva/Additional Photos: Illinois Restaurant Association/Chicago Gourmet)

. . . Chicago's Culinary Crossroads Trolley Tour Kickoff.

• To celebrate the nations represented during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, the Illinois Restaurant Association hosts the first-ever Chicago's Culinary Crossroads May 1-25.

• The dine-around initiative includes more than 200 restaurants throughout Chicagoland that will feature special tasting menus, desserts, wine selections and cocktail creations inspired by the NATO nations.

• A select group of food journalists were invited to the Chicago's Culinary Crossroads Trolley Tour Kickoff and visited Mexique, Piccolo Sogno and The Gage.

• Chefs Carlos Gayta (Mexique), Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno) and Dirk Flanigan (The Gage) were gracious hosts at each location.