King of New Orleans' cuisine on 'Today' for Fat Tuesday fun

Jimmy Bannos of Heaven on Seven
(Photo: Heaven on Seven)


Heaven on Seven's Jimmy Bannos is back on the "Today" show to kick off Fat Tuesday. Tune in on Monday, Feb. 4 to watch him whip up one of his signature dishes, BBQ shrimp on buttery cornbread squares from his latest book, Big Easy Cocktails, Jazzy Drinks and Savory Bites from New Orleans.

And on Fat Tuesday, all three of his locations will get in the holiday's spirit with an authentic Mardi Gras vibe, including decor, Zydeco bands, on-site face painting, and Lousiana-style dinner specials. Also, you cannot get out of Heaven on Seven without gulping down a few Hurricanes—a potent blend of several rums and juice.

And being down with all things Louisiana, Bannos is donating a percentage of his Mardi Gras proceeds to the continued efforts to revive the city of New Orleans. Locations: 111 N. Wabash Ave., 312-263-6443; 600 N. Michigan Ave., 312-280-7774; 224 S. Main Street, Naperville, 630-717-0777.

Three for tonight

Cellar Notes. The weekly NoMI event tonight features a whiskey tasting. Advanced sommelier Fernando Beteta will guide guests through a blind-tasting of some rare spirits. It's open-house style; 5:30-7:30pm. $30. Park Hyatt Chicago, 7th Floor, 800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030.

Industry Tuesdays. Lumen's popular industry-night party hosts a special event for fashion-industry types with this event hosted by the Mayor's Fashion Council. They're celebrating the launch of chicagofashionresource.com, which is "home for all things
fashion-related in the City of Chicago." Free; 6-8pm. 839 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-2222.

Lush Wine Tasting. The Roscoe Village outpost of Lush Wines & Spirits hosts Spanish winemaker Bon Vivant and ODYSSEUS this evening. Enjoy simple Spanish tapas as you sip and schmooze. 6-8pm; free. 2232 W. Roscoe Ave., 773-281-8888.

Big props for some worthy Chicago restaurants

Charlie Trotter's (shown above) and Alinea were the only Chicago restaurants to receive five stars from the 2008 Mobile Travel Guide.
(Photo: Charlie Trotter's)


The 2008 Mobil Travel Guide comes out today in stores, and several of Chicago's top restaurants received some pretty high honors. The following spots totally deserve the props, but the list is pretty predictable. [Hey, what about Moto (945 W. Fulton Market, 312-491-0058) NaHa (500 N. Clark St., 312-321-6242), NoMI (800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030), Sepia (123 Jefferson St., 312-441-1920) or Topolobampo (445 N. Clark St., 312-661-1434)?!]

Five Star honors:

Alinea (1723 N. Halsted St., 312-867-0110): "Steaming eucalyptus leaves, smoking cinnamon sticks or lavender air-filled pillows are just some of the unusual elements that may be incorporated in the presentation of some dishes."

Charlie Trotter's (816 W. Armitage Ave., 773-248-6228): "Charlie Trotter’s is a place for people who prefer food to be treated like a work of art. It’s also a restaurant for those who value a chef’s masterful ability to transform sustenance into culinary wonder."

Four Star honors:

Avenues (108 E. Superior St., 312-573-6754): "Cutting edge, contemporary cuisine awaits diners at Avenues, located within Chicago’s Peninsula Hotel."

Everest (440 S. LaSalle St., 312-663-8920): "Chef and owner Jean Joho blends European influences with local, seasonal American ingredients. He’s not afraid to pair noble ingredient like caviar with humbler fruits of American soil such as potatoes and turnips."

Les Nomades (222 E. Ontario St., 312-649-9010): "Chef Chris Nugent has crafted a traditional French menu that features dishes such as white asparagus soup with wild mushrooms and truffle froth."

Seasons (120 E. Delaware Pl., 312-280-8000): "Seasons restaurant has a diverse menu that changes depending upon the availability of fresh ingredients such as a surf and turf tartare, which features American Kobe beef with violet mustard, or ahi tuna with wasabi sorbet and tamarind-soy gelee."

Tru (676 N. St. Clair St., 312-202-0001): "Tru’s modern, airy dining room is a stunning stage for chef and co-owner Rick Tramonto’s progressive French creations and co-owner pastry chef Gale Gand’s incredible, one-of-a-kind sweet and savory endings."

It costs $10,000 for this memorable V-Day package

Got an extra $10,000?

If you do, then now is the time to burn it on something you'll never forget. One of my favorite romantic hideaways, Le Colonial (937 N. Rush St., 312-255-0088), is giving one—and only one—couple the chance to experience the Shoot for the Moon package.

What do you get for that hefty $10,000 price tag?! Well, let's see. Exclusive use of the restaurant's fabulous enclosed terrace (which feels like you're in another world when you're the only ones out there!). A customized menu designed by Executive Chef Chan Le. A personalized florist, harpist and limo that whisks you away to a luxurious hotel suite after dinner. Hey, if you've got it like that, then why not? And if you've got it like that, and you don't want to go, then can I borrow $10,000?!

Seriously, call 312-255-0088 for more info.

New industry night kicks off . . .get those forks ready!

Already infamous Lincoln Park night spot Filthy Libertine (1615 N. Clybourn Ave., 312-654-1782), which quietly opened earlier this month, hosts a new Monday night industry event aiming to beat all the rest, says Time Out Chicago. It kicks off on Feb. 4 with "Top Chef" runner-up Dale Levinski. In coming weeks, look for Carrie and Michael Nahabedian (Naha), pastry chef Mary McMahon as well as Timothy and Elizabeth Dahl (Blackbird, BOKA respectively) to take over the kitchen.

Best biz places to chow down

If you're home later tonight, try to check out my girl LeeAnn Trotter, the entertainment reporter for NBC-5. She's doing a roundup on the 10pm news of the best spots to dine for business dinners. I can tell you that I know at least one place on the list: one of my favorite spots with one of the best chefs in the city, David Burke's Primehouse (616 N Rush St., 312-660-6000), with executive chef Rick Gresh at the helm.

Deal of the day . . .

(Photo: Le Bouchon)


One of the best things about Le Bouchon (1958 N. Damen Ave., 773-862-6600) in Bucktown? The cult French fave offers a daily three-course special for only $22. Diners choose from a choice of French onion soup or salad Lyonnaise (greens with lardons, croûtons and poached egg); steak grille maitre d'hotel (grilled steak with house butter and housemade fries) or poulet aux grains avec sa gousse d'all (free-range chicken with garlic cloves, thyme and potato galette); and dessert. With prices that low, you can certainly get a nice bottle or two of vino.

Chicago's culinary couples in the spotlight

Linda and Tom Verhey, owners of Pops for Champagne
(Photo: Pops for Champagne)


There’s nothing sexier than seeing two people in love. And for once, we’re not talking about movie stars or other boldfaces in the tabloids.

It’s all about some of our top restaurateurs who get big props for successfully juggling their personal lives with their passion for entertaining.

And in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, which is coming up soon, 312 Dining Diva is highlighting some standout husband-and-wife teams (and a formerly married duo) who want to make you feel just as special as their bond:

Carl Anderson’s inspiration behind exotic Wicker Park bar Between Boutique Café and Lounge (1324 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-292-0585) was his wife Lu Lu. The couple met when Carl was a wedding planner and Lu Lu was hired to do makeup and hair. When smooth-talking Carl finally managed to get his hair cut for free, he also talked her into dating him. They married eight months later in Maui. Their V-Day special is a six-course, small plate tasting of signature dishes. Each candlelit table will be adorned with lush roses and for an extra $10, guests receive Teuscher Swiss Chocolates and a half bottle of Besserat de Bellefon Champagne. $85 per person.

Chaise Lounge (1840 W. North Ave., 773-342-1840) partner Jim Lasky randomly bumped into his future wife, Mary, when he was walking his yellow Labrador puppy Sydney along Lake Shore Drive in September 1996. They had met a year earlier at a mutual friend’s party. A week after that she showed up at one of his other restaurants; they were engaged by December and married the next August. They now have two children and still have Sydney, who is now 11 ½. They’re offering three different packages for the special occasion: a bottle of wine or Champagne, choice of a shared appetizer, soup or salad, choice of entrée and choice of dessert for two for $150 per couple; the package plus a dozen of red roses for $200 per couple; the package, dozen roses and a limo to escort you to and from the restaurant for $400 per couple ($600 from suburbs).

Linda Verhey was a bartender at Lincoln Park’s River Shannon (425 W. Armitage Ave., 312-944-5087) when she met her future husband, Tom, in 1981. A year later they opened the acclaimed Pops for Champagne in Lakeview, which just celebrated its first year in its new home at 601 N. State St. in November. For the most romantic holiday, they’re doing it in grand style with a four-day celebration. They’re kicking it off with “GALentine’s Day” on Feb. 13, a ladies-night event that includes a flight of rose champagnes paired with Vosges chocolates and live music by the Mikel Avery Quartet from 9pm-midnight. The $10 cover benefits Step Up Women’s Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening community resources for women. Pops will also feature various champagne and food specials through Feb. 16, including five rose champagnes by the glass for $12. Also, the Hinda Hoffman Quartet performs on Valentine’s Day and the Lisa Roti Quartet performs on Feb. 15-16. $15 cover.

The outstanding culinary team of Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand was forged when they were working at the Strathallan Hotel in Rochester, NY, about 30 years ago. Even though they’re no longer married, their continued teamwork on their award-winning restaurant TRU (676 N. Saint Clair St., 312-202-0001) has garnered numerous awards, including the James Beard Foundation’s “Outstanding Service” award in 2007. In addition to several luxury collection dinners on Valentine’s Day, TRU will offer a specialty dessert package in the lounge.

Mike and Helen Cameron worked together on and off in a Chicago deli, and then one day ran into each other at a Cubs’ Christmas party. Both of them had just ended relationships, so they dated for three weeks, moved into an apartment together and were engaged within two months. Once married, they worked together again at a hotel and began to conceptualize the eco-friendly Uncommon Ground (3800 N. Clark St., 773-929-3680) in Lakeview. For Valentine’s Day, Uncommon Ground is offering a three-course menu for $50. Their second outpost in Edgewater (1401 W. Devon Ave., 773-465-9801) is also offering the deal.