Get out this weekend . . .

"First Fridays" at the Museum of Contemporary Art is just one of many parties going on this weekend. (Photo: MCA)


You cannot just let the first weekend of the year come and go without acknowledging it.

Get out and enjoy yourself at:

Beauty Bar. This one is for the chicas, so grab your girls and head to Elm Street Liquors (12 W. Elm St., 312-337-3200) for a pamper party. The event includes a manicure or massage, sushi appetizers by Kamehachi, martinis and chocolate. Thursdays 7-10pm. RSVP recommended at info@elmstreetliquors.com. $35. Attire: Chic.

Plan B. And for the fellas, ellas, ellas: Tonight you get $2 cans of beer, $6 martinis and 30 cent jumbo wings at this Wicker Park neighborhood lounge. Also, DJ Giotek spins the usual hip-hop and rock that you love. 1635 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-252-2680. Thursdays 9pm-2am. No cover. Attire: Cool.

Warm Up with Some Reds. Get to WineStyles Chicago (1433 W. Belmont Ave., 773-549-2227) tonight and sample some luscious, exotic red wines. They'll be pouring some gems from Spain, Italy and Argentina. 6-8pm. No cover. Attire: Comfy.

Flair. The original First Fridays occurs at the James Hotel (55 E. Ontario St.) with music by deejays Mark Fullaflava and 33 1/3. 9pm-2am. RSVP to RSVPMe@SLDMarketingGroup.net for free admission. $20 without. Attire: Sexy.

Fallen Star First Fridays. Or make plans to attend the Museum of Contemporary Art's (220 E. Chicago Ave., 312-280-2660) monthly after-work soiree. You'll be the first to see the UBS 12 x 12: New Artists/New Work exhibition featuring the work of Paula Henderson. Take in more art with the critically acclaimed Sympathy for the Devil: Art and Rock and Roll Since 1967 before it closes this weekend, and also see the continuing exhibitions Collection Highlights and Mapping the Self. DJ Mnookin spins; comp apps from Wolfgang Puck; free massages from Kiva Spa; sample teas from Argo; and do the after party at Bon V (1100 W. Randolph St.). 6-10pm. $7-$15. Attire: Stand out.

Wine Down. Foodlife (835 N. Michigan Ave., 312-335-3663) in Water Tower also has its first Friday event, with samplings of 20 international wines and appetizers. 6-8pm. $10. Attire: Delightful.

Fashion Rocks. They're calling it an "urban couture" fashion event, so expect the unexpected at this party taking over two ballrooms in the Hard Rock Hotel (230 N Michigan Ave., 312-345-1000). In addition, deejays Tim Buck 2, Sean Mac and Reese spin. Saturday 10pm-3am. Ladies get in free before 11pm; guys get discounted admission by 11. Attire: Fabulous.

The Best of 2007. Luxe bar Lumen (839 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-2222) celebrates its stellar first year with this party hosted by Red Bull and Effen Vodka. Saturday 8pm-3am. RSVP to rsvp@lumen-chicago.com for no cover. Attire: Clever.

Get ready for Nia in the West Loop

Nia Asimis, whose father owns Jubilee Juice (140 N. Halsted St., 312-491-8500), a bar and grill in the West Loop, branches out on her own in the neighborhood with her ultra-stylish, eponymous eatery. Look for Nia (803 W. Randolph St., 312-226-3110) to open later this month offering small, eclectic plates from the Mediterranean region (from Turkey to North Africa).

Just some of the highlights include the Nia Sangria (berry flavored), several cocktails made with fresh juices and a bold, very gold interior. The 50-seater Nia is housed in a former alterations shop, so this is an all-new space with state-of-the-art equipment.

Update on Frankie's Scaloppine

Yep. We had it here first about Frankie's Scaloppine (900 N. Michigan Ave., 312-266-2500) taking over Tucci Benucch after it serves its last meal this Saturday.

And now here is the latest info: The new Italian restaurant opens in mid-February with a city-rustic interior of dark wood walls and tables with red, naugahyde chairs; light floors and accents such as dramatic wainscoting, glowing sconces and chandeliers.

Handwritten menus will offer salads such as panzanella, Italian salad and chopped; and appetizers including the signature farmer’s market antipasto plate, steak carpaccio and fried fennel. The main course scaloppine dishes are pounded thin and portioned big with items like salmon scaloppine all’ Milanese; chicken scaloppine all’ amatriciana; portabella scaloppine and calamari steak scaloppine. Seafood entrees include salmon hard char and scallops with pesto.

Quote of the week . . .

(Photo: Il Covo)


"It was like 'A Wonderful Life' with a psychedelic Santa," says Carol Johnson, partner of Il Covo (2152 N. Damen Ave., 773-862-5555) in Bucktown, about a special Christmas Eve dinner she hosted for none other than the legendary George Clinton of Parliament fame. Johnson says that Clinton's "dinner" first consisted of only a Long Island iced tea until she convinced him to try some of the Italian eatery's signature dishes, including grilled Vegetale e Scamorza (one of Chicago magazine's top 124 dishes), the calamari fritti as well as several flavors of gelato: rainbow (just like his hair!), strawberry, pistachio, tangerine, vanilla bean and chocolate chip.

The restaurant was closed for the special event (which was a thank you party for his participation in Lip Service's annual Jingle Bell Jam), but she says that a cute neighborhood couple knocked on their door and asked if they could come in for a drink and anything the kitchen could whip up for them. The couple was sommelier Stephan Alexander and Erin Draper of the four-star Italian restaurant Spiaggia (980 N. Michigan Ave., 312-280-2750).

More, more, more

The dining room at the new Rustik in Logan Square. (Photo: Rustik)


There's plenty going on in Andersonville these days, with two major openings on the horizon:

Big Jones (5347 N. Clark St.) will offer creative, contemporary Southern cuisine with an emphasis on local and organic products. And the beverage menu will include classic cocktails, a mid-sized wine list and espresso bar service. Look for it in the spring.

And opening any day now, according to Metromix, is traditional Mexican spot La Cocina de Frida (5403 N. Clark St., 773-271-1907) going into the old Angel's space. As reported here first, chef Pedro Angel took his game to Rustik (2515 N. California Ave., 773-235-0002) in Logan Square, where he's partnering up with Tim Leahy for modern American comfort food and his famous Latin-focused brunch.

Deal of the day . . .

Suffering from the holiday blues and cold-ass weather today?

Get out tonight:

-Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club's (3700 N. Halsted St., 773-525-1111) Project Runway Viewing Party is still going on strong in Lakeview. No cover.

-The monthly installation of RUI: Reading Under the Influence happens nearby at Sheffield's (3258 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-281-4989) with a "hangover" theme. The event will feature readings of both published and original selections by regular performers. Drink specials: $3.50 pints of Goose Island; $4 Ketel One Citroen cocktails; $5 Ketel One Citroen martinis. 7-10pm. $3 cover charge.

-And warm up with the monthly series Revolution Wednesday at neighborhood lounge Rodan (1530 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-276-7036) in Wicker Park. DJ Madrid and guests spin punk, hip-hop, soul and disco. Share budget bites with your friends: cigarette rolls with shrimp and pork rolled in egg wonton wrappers; steamed Chinese sticky buns stuffed with red curry chicken or potatoes; wasabi tempura battered fries with spicy peanut and honey wasabi sauces; or chicken or potato empanadas with roasted tomatillo and poblano sauce. 10pm-2am. No cover.

New poll is up

Which hot new spot are you looking forward to in 2008? The return of Michael Carlson's fabulous Schwa in Wicker Park? Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson's glamorous C-House in Streeterville? Dion Antic's after-hours hipster hang Rock Star Dogs in West Town? Cinner's Chili Parlour & Cocktail Lounge in Lincoln Square? Or perhaps it's celebrated chef Takashi Yagihashi's eponymous Japanese eatery in Bucktown?

Whatever you're getting excited about, 312 Dining Diva wants to know about it. Cast your vote at the bottom of the page!

In with the new . . .

Berry Chill is one of the hotly anticipated spots opening in 2008. (Photo: Yelp; Andrea W.)


As you’ve heard here often, there’s a bunch of openings on tap for ’08.

But wait. There’s even more!

For those waiting on a Pinkberry frozen yogurt shop to open, we’ve uncovered something even better. You’ll want to treat yourself to Berry Chill (635 N. State St., 312-640-0312) when it opens at the end of the month in River North. Owner and “yogurteur” Michael Farah is marketing this bright, late-night joint (open until 4am on weekends!) to the clubbing set with a daily menu of plain chilled yogurt, soy chilled yogurt (lactose-free) and rotating flavors that include pomegranate, mango and green tea. Also, more than a dozen fresh-fruit toppings will be available, including lychee, papaya and pineapple, as well as more than 20 dry toppings like granola, trail mix and cereals. Other Berry Chill offerings: BC Blasts, BC Smoothies, the Veggie Chill and the ChillWich.

Also, Roscoe Village’s Terragusto (1851 W. Addison St., 773-248-2777) had a banner first year in 2007 with its awesome handmade pastas and sauces. And now owner Theo Gilbert is currently working on opening a second location that’s likely to be identical to the popular Italian BYOB. No location has been disclosed yet.

And finally, get ready for even more buzz as the eco-conscious Dana Hotel and Spa (666 N. State St.) debuts this summer in River North. The sleekly modern boutique venue will house Vertigo, the sexy rooftop lounge; Sublime, a Japanese steakhouse/sake lounge; as well as a lobby sushi bar and sidewalk café.