Say Cheers To These Globally Influenced Elixirs

Tru's Scotsman Can Take A Punch. (Photo: Tru Restaurant)

The NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit hits Chicago this weekend and folks are tense because of the many expected clashes with protestors. One way they can loosen up is to explore the city's best options for globally inspired cocktails.

That's right, cocktails.

Nothing brings people together better than discussions over drinks (Remember the infamous "beer summit" at the White House?), so we've compiled a list of where and what you should be drinking at DiningChicago.com

Michael Muser to Move on to Grace!

Peninsula Chicago wine director Michael Muser made an announcement on his Facebook page Monday that a lot of folks had been waiting for:

"(I'm) very excited to FINALLY announce my commitment as General Manager and Partner of Grace!"

This is certainly exciting news as that partnership reunites him with talented chef Curtis Duffy, who worked with Muser when he acted as chef de cuisine of Peninsula's now-shuttered Avenues. He'll join the Grace team on May 31.

In January, Muser was named Best Sommelier during the annual Banchet Awards, so expect an exceptional wine program when Grace opens this fall.

Pete Gugni Wins Big in NYC; Leaves Bedford For Scofflaw

Props go out to Scofflaw bartender Pete Gugni, who won the Plymouth Gin/Liquor.com cocktail contest for the Chicago region in New York over the weekend.

He beat out Sepia's Josh Pearson with The Speedwell Cooler of Plymouth, watermelon, aperol, lemon juice, simple syrup, absinthe and sea salt.

That may sound like an odd combo, but Gugni said it plays with the idea of sprinkling salt and fennel on watermelon—something he did during childhood.

His big win means that he'll join other regional winners (from Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco) for a lavish, weeklong trip to London in June. Gugni's crossing his fingers that it'll happen during the summer Olympics.

A few weeks ago, Gugni left his partnership with The Bedford to go back behind the stick at Logan Square newcomer Scofflaw. Why?!

More Places To Party Perched High Above

Tavern at the Park's under construction rooftop lounge. (Photo: Susan Schmidt Donaldson)

Here's the view from Tavern at the Park's new rooftop lounge overlooking Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue.

It's still under construction, and set to open in about two weeks, but you don't have to wait that long if you're looking to drink on a rooftop right now.

What Is Au Cheval Supposed To Be?!

Au Cheval's exterior (Photo: Au Cheval)

The West Loop's Au Cheval is not The Violet Hour, but apparently it wants to be.

An outing last Thursday turned into quite an unfavorable experience at the new so-called upscale diner when they wouldn't seat five of us at the completely empty bar. And I mean completely empty, during happy hour on a Thursday when everyone is looking for a good place to drink.

Why wouldn't they seat us?!

Notes From . . .

(Photos: Susan Schmidt Donaldson)

. . . Hanzell Vineyards Wine Dinner at Bespoke Cuisine.

• The Sonoma, Calif.-based winery's been around since 1957, cranking out premium chardonnay and the nation's first-ever pinot noir.

• More than 20 members from Hanzell's Chicago Chapter Ambassador's Circle gathered for a multi-course, interactive dining event at the West Loop venue. 312DD was invited to participate.

• Bespoke Cuisine's Executive Chef/owner Kim Shambrook and chef de cuisine Calvin Roberson led the diners in creating each course. Teams broke into four groups and were paired with a chef to prepare a dish.

Exclusive Sneak Preview of Trump's Summer Cocktail Program

The "Magnificent" drink-for-two (left) and Mandarin Vanilla Float with Goose Island Vanilla Soda and a beaker of Combier Orange Liqueur. (Photos: Trump Chicago)

Leave it to The Terrace at Trump to take its summer cocktail menu to extravagant levels.

Executive Chef Michael Fiddler and Executive Pastry Chef Sarah Kosikowski get in on the action, adding culinary accents to a number of classic summer drinks ranging $18-$85.

$85 for a cocktail?!

Yeah, I thought that was nuts too, but they've commissioned local artist Eric Bladholm to create custom, blown-glass carafes for the Magnificent, a cocktail-for-two with Absolut Sweet Tea Vodka, white cranberry juice, sliced peaches, mint and a splash of elderflower.

Most cocktails will also include fresh juices and exotic ingredients, but what we're extremely excited about is the Secret Shake—an off-the-menu item that will only be available upon request. It's a concoction from Chef Kosikowski, with house-made caramel spiked ice cream and Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whiskey, served in a pint glass for $12.

Peep the entire menu below:

Rockit's Top Mixologist Moves On . . .

drumBAR's Benjamin Newby.

Let's just say he's going back to his roots.

Underground head mixologist and operator Benjamin Newby is more of a cocktail lounge specialist than nightlife impresario, so it's no surprise he leapt at the chance to become vice president of nightlife for Menin Hotels—which owns the forthcoming drumBAR.

But have no fear, he's not going totally corporate. Newby's infamous "cocktail kits," or "tableside mixology" that created more of a communal mixology experience at UG (as well as other Rockit Ranch Productions venues), will live on at drumBAR when the ultra-sexy lounge opens on the Raffaello Hotel's rooftop in June. And on those nights when the outdoor terrace isn't so favorable, the indoor "speakeasy-style" lounge includes a fireplace, sweeping bars and sky-high ceilings.