NYE countdown

I just realized that in exactly two weeks from today is New Year's Eve. Have you made plans yet? Do you need some recommendations?

Starting tomorrow, I will be picking three great options a day for you to choose from. Or, if you cannot wait, feel free to shoot me an email at igrooveon@gmail.com where I will be happy to lend a helping hand.

Publicists, promoters and bar/restaurant owners are strongly encouraged to send stuff for consideration--especially if they're offering something offbeat.

In the meantime, check back as often as you can.

Red Carpet madness . . .

This weekend was especially busy for celebrity types, with rock stars, a reality show sweetheart and a songwriting genius making the scene:

--The Hills star Lauren Conrad co-hosted the Holiday for Hope fundraiser with the U.S. Marines at Crobar (1543 N. Kingsbury, 312-266-1900) Friday. The aspiring fashion designer mentioned that her clothing line is coming to several Chicago boutiques in February, but had no idea which stores. Interesting.

--Award-winning R&B songwriter/vocalist John Legend braved Saturday's snowstorm to hit two Chicago hot spots: Table 52 (52 W. Elm St., 312-573-4000) for a quiet dinner with friends; and Carnivale (702 W. Fulton Market, 312-850-5005), where he performed in the fabulous upstairs party room for a private affair.

--And pop legends Duran Duran hit Rockit Bar & Grill last Thursday (22 W. Hubbard St., 312-645-6000) for the famous Rockit burgers (according to Good Morning America), and sat next to Mayor Daley, his wife Maggie, former Friends star David Schwimmer and Rockit partner Billy Dec. Duran Duran was in town headlining a holiday concert at the Chicago Theatre, and then made their way over to Dec's late-night club Underground (56 W. Illinois St., 312-644-7600) for a party to celebrate their new CD release, Red Carpet Massacre.

Go 'Underground' for dinner tonight?

Bon Soiree's signature braised lamb shank in puff pastry will be one of the dishes on the "Underground" dinner menu tonight.


At Bon Soiree (2728 W. Armitage Ave., 773-486-7511), the hot catering company and cafe in Logan Square, the Underground Wine Dinners are what keep foodies coming back. And tonight they still have a few tables left for their event that's pairing vino provided by Provenance Food & Wine (2528 N. California Ave., 773-384-0699).

If you manage to get a seat, get ready for a five-course feast, which includes: celery root and roasted garlic bisque paired with a Villa Villa Carafia Asprinio D'Aversa wine; braised lamb shank in puff pastry and Moroccan pesto paired with Jaume Mesquida Callet; and sweet potato-stuffed whole quail, curried carrot quinoa, apple-maple gastrique paired with Villa Carafia Zine Aglianico. Seating is extremely limited; call Provenance at 773-784-2314 ASAP to book seats. Tonight 7pm-midnight; $85.

Deal of the day . . .

It's incredibly cold out there today, and if you just happen to get cabin fever this evening, make your way over to Deleece (4004 N. Southport Ave., 773-325-1710).

The cozy, family-friendly Lakeview eatery offers a $20 three-course, prix-fixe menu every Monday and Tuesday, and I'm sure it's enough to warm you down to the bones. Menu highlights include the braised short ribs spiced up with a chile morita glaze, a pan-roasted salmon served with Chinese sticky black rice, and the herb-cured Amish chicken with apple and sage stuffing.

I'm getting all warm just thinking about it.

Warm up this winter with Cinner's Cincinnati-style chili

OMG. I'm starting to get just as excited as the folks over in Lincoln Square for the January arrival of Cinner's Chili Parlour & Cocktail Lounge (4757 N. Talman Ave.).

Got my hands on the menu, and if you're a true chili fan, then this is the place for you. Cinner's specialty will be Cincinnati-style chili, with the tasty sauce spilling over a bed of spaghetti. Depending on how many toppings you want, you can get your chili 3-way, 4-way or 5-way, with shredded mild cheddar cheese, onions and red beans.

And for something a little different, try the Cinners Muff (four warm muffins with chili and diced onions baked in the center), Cinful Fries (a giant platter of fries topped with chili and shredded cheddar cheese) or Phoney Coney (a steamed bun with chili, diced onions, mustard and shredded cheddar cheese).

Fat Cat still leading Nightlife Poll

Uptown's Fat Cat (4840 N. Broadway, 773-506-3100) continues to lead the Nightlife Poll for Best New Bar of 2007. Looks like the retro-style pub has a strong following because they're certainly coming out to vote!

Agree? Disagree? Cast your vote at the bottom of the page. 16 more days to go . . .

Taste offers a 'taste' of super-premium tequilas tonight

If you were wondering whatever happened to Eric Aubriot (Aubriot, Hotel 71's Fuse), we found out. He's landed at Taste Food & Wine (1506 W. Jarvis Ave., 773-761-3663) in Rogers Park where he's a partner in this gourmet cheese, wine and liquor shop.

Every Monday at 6:30pm, they're offering wine tastings paired with various cheeses. But tonight they're stepping out with a super-premium tequila tasting event.

Partida—known for its handcrafted tequilas from Mexico that come from blue agave plants grown 7-10 years—will be sampling four different tequilas tonight from 6-8pm. Partida has only been in the country for three years, according to Partida Ambassador Alex Fowler, and 16 months in Chicago.

For shoppers, Fowler's serving up Blanco (boasting a soft floral aroma and blended with hints of citrus, fresh herbs and tropical fruit), Resposado (aged for six months in Jack Daniels barrels; a rich finish topped off with scents of vanilla, hazelnut and almond), Añejo (aged for 18 months in Jack Daniels barrels; soft honey fruited tones blended with flavors of banana, chocolate and sweet pear) and Elegante Extra Añejo (aged for 38 months; uses the very best Partida estate-grown blue agave, carefully selected by estate owner Enrique Partida himself).

He'll also be sampling margaritas made from the super-premium tequila. Oh, and if you can't make it to Taste in Rogers Park, Fowler is also a bartender every Saturday at Wicker Park's Moonshine (1824 W. Division St., 773-278-3735), where he'll be happy to make one for you that's strong and long.

What the critics are saying . . .

. . . about:

Blu 47 (4655 S. King Dr., 773-536-6000). "I'm not dissing the dinner menu when I say that Sunday brunch might be the best time to visit Blu 47. The $19.95 buffet is a bargain, a fine array of Southern comfort food that includes white grits and cheese grits (take the white grits; the cheese grits are gummy), chicken wings, biscuits with honey, catfish nuggets, pork sausage patties and one or two entrees such as gumbo or smothered pork chops. Omelets and waffles are made to order, and there's a cereal station for youngsters. The food is simple, down-home and good. The price includes a complimentary mimosa. It's a tough deal to beat."—Phil Vettel (Chicago Tribune)

Bonsoiree Cafe & Delicacies (2728 W. Armitage Ave., 773-486-7511). "The contemporary American menu showcases clean, streamlined, seasonal flavors. The autumn menu introduces an appetizer of cured pork belly with star anise, fig sauce, and polenta and a main course of duck breast with acorn squash puree, fried parsnips, and a white balsamic gastrique."—Martha Bayne (Chicago Reader)

Ja' Grill (1008 W. Armitage Ave., 773-929-5375). "The menu is tight. The place is small. But there is a good deal of character and creativity in both. The highest-priced dish on the menu is the whole snapper, which runs $20 but includes (as do all entrees) rice and peas ("peas" in Jamaican cuisine are actually kidney beans), steamed cabbage and carrots, plantains and bread. (Ja' Grill offers preparations -- chicken, shrimp -- that involve curry, but I didn't try any of them.)"—Pat Bruno (Chicago Sun-Times)

Tavern at the Park (130 E. Randolph St., 312-552-0070). "Perhaps the finest dish is braised beef short ribs, slow-roasted tenderness soaking up a concentrated red wine demi-glace ($22). I don't know why they gave me a knife. A side of whipped potato casserole ($5) is buttery and creamy."—Laura Bianchi (Crain's Chicago Business)