Freebie Alert: Pump Room!

This should be a welcome and refreshing sight to see at the beach!

Look for complimentary, handcrafted Pump Room popsicles at the lakefront every weekend beginning Saturday, July 14 and ending August 5.

Goodbye, Rhapsody. Hello, Tesori.

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Some Stuff To Get EXCITED About . . .

A mysterious image from La Sirena Clandestina's interior. (Photo: La Sirena Clandestina)

There's so much going on right now that it'll make your head spin.

Allow me to get you up to speed . . .

• John Manion's working overtime to open the Argentinean-focused La Sirena Clandestina in the West Loop in early August. As I wrote back in March, he's secured Poi Dog Pondering's Frank Orrall to act as music curator.

Another great contributor to La Sirena will be San Diego native Justin Anderson, who's set to create an all-Latin-inspired cocktail menu. Formerly of The Bedford and Branch 27, he's planning extremely approachable elixirs for the first few months.

"We want to make this experience fun and approachable for those coming in dining," Anderson said. "Six months from now, I'd like to be more technical with the cocktails."

One thing you can expect right out of the gate is a permanent section on the menu that he's calling "Latin Classicos." That's where he'll put his spin on the daiquiri, caipirinha, Pisco sour and mojito. He'll also include Fernet Branca & sugar cane Coca Cola, which he said is the unofficial national drink of Argentina. Look also for every wine to complement each dish.

Vera Introduces The 'Otro Bar' & More

Vera's new lobster paella dish. (Photos: Vera)

Vera owner and wine director Liz Mendez recently returned from Spain, where much of her excursion focused on the Castilla y Leon region.

She tells 312DD that during the trip she saw various aspects of cuisine, wine, cocktails and service that inspired her to make some menu changes at the West Loop hot spot she owns with her husband, Executive Chef Mark Mendez.

The most significant change, she says, is the new Otro Bar, which used to be called the Cheese Bar.

"Otro Bar at Vera will still feature artisanal cheeses from around the world and Jamon Iberico sliced to order, now available by the half and full order," she says. "Guests will also enjoy the bounty of the season from fresh salads, marinated vegetables, fresh fruit in sweet and savory forms, as well as classic snacks such as marinated olives and boquerones (anchovies)."

Get Cooking With Culinary Classes . . .

Rosebud on Taylor chef Michael Ponzio instructs in the art of Italian cooking. (Photo: Rosebud on Taylor)

If you're planning to entertain at home this season, the last thing you want to do is put out platters of cheese and fruit with a side of some old-fashioned punch you found in a magazine. Instead, get some inspiration from a number of hot spots ready to spice up your summer soiree.

From Italian-focused classes with Rosebud on Taylor chef Michael Ponzio to whipping up refreshing, classic cocktails at Filini, I've got you covered in my latest story in ChicagoShopping.com

Burger Bar's 'Beer and BBQ Bash' Returns

Burger Bar's "Beer and BBQ Bash" includes a number of unique craft beers paired with regional barbecue. (Photo: Burger Bar)

I don't typically write about beer- or wine-focused dinners because frankly they're a bit boring.

But I'll give exception to the one coming up soon at Burger Bar because it's more of an interactive experience that allows guests to walk around to several stations with tastings along the way. It's also a chance to mingle, make new friends and actually have some fun.

Chef/owner John McLean tells us: "With our Brew Club at nearly 500 members, turnout for our beer dinners kept on growing exponentially every month. It occurred to us that we could serve more guests if we loosened up the program, set up food stations and beer stations, and encouraged guests to roam, taste, drink."

The last one attracted more than 150 beer enthusiasts, and with the summer edition expanding to the outdoor patio, they're expecting even more.

The event happens at 7pm July 24, with McLean pairing Ommegang Brewery with 'cue from Chicago, New Orleans, the Carolinas, Memphis, Texas and Kansas City. See the menu below for the BBQ and beer pairings:

What The Fashionable Foodie Wears When She's Out On The Town

BCBG Max Azria/Farmhouse/Audarshia image via Refinery 29.

Many props go out to Refinery 29, who not only featured 312DD in a fashionable foodie feature, but a few of her fab colleagues, too!

Find out what I love to wear—plus my hot new restaurant pick of the summer—as well as Heather Sperling (The Tasting Table), Kiki Luthringshausen (Beauty & Her Feast) and Amanda Puck (Foodarazzi).

Fun stuff!

Jeff Pikus Upgraded at Sodikoff Restaurant Group

Sodikoff Restaurant Group chef/partner Jeff Pikus. (Photo: Maude's Liquor Bar)

There's been a lot of chef shufflings in recent weeks, which is probably why this one went completely under the radar: The mad-talented Jeff Pikus is no longer at Maude's Liquor Bar.

He tweeted that update in late June—which was spotted by an eagle-eyed Ultimate Insider—and has pretty much been on the road ever since.

What has he been up to?!