There Were Some Very Big Winners At The Fifth-Annual 'Chicago Gourmet'

Luis Pedroza of Benny's Chophouse during Supreme Lobster's "oyster shucking" finale at Chicago Gourmet on Sunday. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)

The secret ingredients of the three most winning-est restaurants of Chicago Gourmet: grilled watermelon, a metallic glove and bone marrow salt.

At the kickoff Hamburger Hop event on Friday, more than 1,000 guests gathered to chow down on 15 different burgers made from chefs around the city. The judges picked Yoshi's Cafe, whose executive chef/owner Yoshi Katsumura whipped up a burger of Allen Brothers Steaks' Wagyu beef, panko-crusted fried green tomato and pickle, Asian pear jam, brie cheese and micro wasabi. It was topped with smoky Asian style BBQ sauced, presented on a poppy seed brioche bun and complemented by that grilled watermelon on the side.

City's First-Ever Stuffed Waffle Sandwich Shop Should Be A Hit In River North This Fall

Bel 50's slow-roasted, all-natural BBQ pulled pork with smashed avocado, prosciutto, Brie, caramelized onions and fig chutney. (Photo: Bel 50)

Last year, everyone went wild over Waffles, the slick South Loop spot featuring the crispy treat in various flavors from green tea to Red Velvet.

Now comes Bel 50, which takes the concept a step further when it opens in October. Owned by restaurateur Tim Jandovitz and consulted by San Francisco-based chef Joey Altman, the River North eatery will specialize in gourmet waffle sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

According to Chef Altman, the secret weapon will be the actual waffle, which is "light, crisp and airy on the outside and soft on the inside" and "not sweet, but instead taste similar to textured country bread." Additionally, each waffle is 220 calories (also 27 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of sugar), and will also be available gluten free.

Here's a sample of what will be on the menu:

Paul Virant Set To Open 'Restaurant Within A Restaurant' Concept in 2013: Radler & D.A.S.

Chef Virant photo via Time Out.

Following a successful year and a half with his second restaurant, Perennial Virant, famed chef Paul Virant is on the move again. This time he's partnering with Vie Chef de Cuisine Nathan Sears and Adam Herbert for an awesome "restaurant within a restaurant" concept.

Radler—which plans to open in late spring/early summer 2013 in either Lincoln Park or Logan Square—pays homage to Sears' rich German heritage and Herbert's extensive travels to Germany. Radler will offer a Bavarian beer hall with German pub fare, and the more exclusive D.A.S. will be tucked inside. D.A.S. will also have a fine-dining chef's table with seating for eight to 10 guests.

How did the names come into play?!

Alain's Reopens Monday, Oct. 1 Following Recent Eviction Notice

Chef Alain Njike of Alain's Restaurant in the South Loop. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)

Looks like it's business as usual for the Cameroonian-focused Alain's, the South Loop restaurant that was recently served with an eviction notice by its landlord.

According to Chicago magazine's Dish on the restaurant that's co-owned by Bears star Israel Idonije and former Charlie Trotter's alum Alain Njike:

This City Winery Review Is Just Cold Blooded

City Winery interior via Time Out.

Nothing could possibly end well for this City Winery review when it begins like this:

"This is not a review; it's an intervention. City Winery: You have to get it together. You’ve been open a month—five weeks by the time this goes to press. From the safe distance of my computer, I've watched you struggle. ..."

Ouch, Time Out.

How About Some Humpday Hot Cakes Today?!

That's right, Sept. 26 is National Pancake Day, and to get you in the mood, I've rounded up a few of my favorites:

Bongo Room: The strawberry-banana hot cakes are topped with banana whipped cream and powdered sugar. There are two additional locations in Andersonville and the South Loop.

Eggy's: Lucky for you, you'll get to order these all day: Melissa's candy pancakes with crunch bar chocolate and M&Ms.

Raise The Curtain on These Pre- and Post-Theater Dining Options

Lincoln Park's Boka is a favorite when seeing a show at Steppenwolf or the Royal George Theater. (Photo: Boka)

It's that time of year when Chicago's theater scene is bursting at the seams. But where do you go to eat and drink before/after the theater?

From the creative, contemporary American fare at the newly renovated Boka to underrated hand-tossed pizzas at Anna Maria Pasteria, you'll find a number of top options right here.

And Now For Some Cocktail News . . .

Sable mixologist Alex Renshaw at Untitled on Sunday after his big Cointreau win. (Photos: Jeff Schear/Wire Image)

Remy Cointreau had its regional finals in Chicago Sunday to select one mixologist to go to New York to compete in the first-ever The Audition Event. The winner will serve as Cointreau Ambassador of Libations at Cannes Film Festival in 2013.

Held at speakeasy-style restaurant and lounge Untitled, the contest featured five Chicago-based bartenders and one from Michigan. The event was twofold: Earlier in the evening, guests and judges did a walk-around tasting of the contestants' Saint-Tropez-themed cocktails, followed by an "Iron Chef"-style competition where bartenders were challenged to create a cocktail using a secret ingredient.

So fitting was the secret ingredient "honey" as September just happens to be National Honey Month! Sable Kitchen & Bar 'tender Alex Renshaw was the judges' overall favorite, so he's on his way to the Big Apple. Ada Street's Joseph Haggard was named "fan favorite."