And The Winners Are . . . Jean Banchet Awardees Revealed!

Acadia chef/owner Ryan McCaskey at the annual Banchet awards. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)

The Jean Banchet awards—the highlight of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's annual Grand Chefs Gala—happened Friday. That's the most glorious time of the year for Chicago's culinary community as they honor the best in the biz.

Here are the winners (indicated by asterisk):

Blackbird's Donnie Madia Sounds Off On His Favorite Things In GQ's '10 Essentials'

Donnie Madia via GQ.

The dapper Donnie Madia—one of the principals at One Off Hospitality (avec, Big Star, Blackbird, Publican, Publican Quality Meats, Violet Hour)—gets a bit of shine in GQ's 10 Essentials feature.

His favorite spots for "date night" with his wife, Estelle: Saigon Sisters, Riccardo Trattoria and the late Great Lake pizza.

Spice Up Your Valentine's Day With These Fab Dining & Drinking Recs Around Town

There's no need to feel pressure about where to go on Valentine's Day. I've gathered some great choices, from a number of chocolatey goodness from the Frontera Grill restaurants to Hearty's dual celebration of Fat Tuesday and Valentine's Day.

Enjoy it!

Get A Sneak Preview of Kuma's Too

One of Kuma's signature burgers via The New York Times.

Here is how you can get a free taste before the Lincoln Park outpost officially opens on Feb. 13.

Good luck!

Lite Bites: What Your Favorite Chefs & Mixologists Are Up To Around Town This Week

Rick Gresh of David Burke's Primehouse (Photo: David Burke's Primehouse)

Let's get rollin' . . .

• The Chicago Auto Show's First Look For Charity happens Feb. 8, and for the second year in a row Rick Gresh (David Burke's Primehouse) is one of the headlining chefs for the black-tie event. Also serving up bites will be Jeff Shapiro (Real Urban Barbecue) and Chef Chao (Union Sushi). Get ready for spicy BBQ duck breast, braised boneless short ribs, Garrett popcorn and "red neck" tacos.

• Former BIN 36 chef John Caputo has settled into his new role as executive chef at City Tavern, and he's finally released a new menu. Of note are the split pea and smoked ham hock chowder; wild boar and short rib meatloaf that comes with macaroni and cheese gratin; and beer-battered skate "fingers" served with a tabasco-lime aioli and onion rings.

Tony Potempa Is Out As GM/Executive Bar Chef At The Boarding House

This is a bummer.

Tony Potempa, who's been with The Boarding House since opening as general manager and executive bar chef, is no longer with the restaurant. He curated a promising cocktail menu before leaving, which included the delicious Red Wine Margarita made with Olmeca reposado tequila.

Here is what he had to say about his departure:

These Top Intriguing Picks of Chicago Restaurant Week Will Have Your Mouth Watering

Frontier's antelope meatballs with smoked tomato, gnocchi and sage chimichurri. (Photo: Frontier)

Have you made reservations yet for Chicago Restaurant Week?!

Everybody has their favorites of where they're planning to go, but I am always curious to see which restaurants are doing the most offbeat offerings.

From antelope meatballs to rather tasty gluten-free Tagliatelle with chanterelle and truffle, here are the Top 5 most intriguing menus you'll find around town.

What Exactly Happened To The Tortoise Club Over The Weekend?!

Tortoise Club exterior (Photo: Tortoise Club)

A loyal reader who lives in Marina City—located right off the Chicago River—took note of some frantic fixing up of the first-floor Tortoise Club early Sunday morning: