She Wants You To 'Jam Out'

Chef Grayson Schmitz (Photo: Bravo)

If you know what Top Chef Texas contestant Grayson Schmitz means by this, then you already know you're in for one helluva ride if you decide to attend her first-ever Chicago event.

The Wisconsin native's making a permanent move here and for her inaugural dinner, she's teaming up with Chicago-based, Latin-influenced brewery 5 Rabbit Cervecería for a benefit at Logan Square Kitchen.

So Much Good Stuff Happening Right NOW

Tad Carducci and Paul Tanguay of the Tippling Bros. (Photo: Mercadito Hospitality)

Those busy guys from Mercadito are at it again.

This time they've taken over the first-floor space in the Talbott Hotel for a restaurant that's due out in the fall. In the meantime, they're doing an ambitious pop-up project called PT at the Talbott that should finally bring some energy to that little corner.

The menu features daily all-you-can-eat treats (Taco Tuesday, Fried Chicken Friday), and, as always, the award-winning Tippling Bros. (Paul Tanguay and Tad Carducci) are behind the cocktails. Accordingly, the menu changes daily, but here's a sampling of what to expect:

Roots Debuts Girl & The Goat Pizza

(Photo: Stephanie Izard)

That's right, Stephanie Izard of the famed Girl & The Goat is collaborating with the West Town pizzeria for a signature pie.

Of course there's goat involved!

It's made of Pleasant Meadows goat sausage ragu topped with Quad Cities mozzarella blend cheese, smoked cheddar, sharp aged cheddar, and finished with a yuzu-maple drizzle.

How can you get a sneak preview taste?!

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?!