What the critics are saying . . .

. . . about:

Cafe Matou (1846 N. Milwaukee, 773-384-8911). "(The) daily changing menu—think bouillabaisse, Bordeaux-braised lamb, apple beignets with house-made caramel ice cream—reflects the seasons and (Chef Charlie Socher's) Paris culinary training. But don't expect frou-frou food here; instead you'll find hearty French comfort with nary a pretension in sight. And the same can be said of the cozy interior, with its exposed brick walls, tin ceiling and art from local artists."—Lisa Shames (UR Chicago) Read it all here.

The Dirty Libertine (1615 N. Clybourn Ave., 312-654-1782). "While Galzin’s pissaladière (flatbread) topped with sweet caramelized onions, briny anchovies and picholine olives isn’t exactly an original, it’s executed pretty remarkably, with a bubbled, crispy crust that could convince you there was an in-house wood-burning oven (there’s not). The chef also shows some skill with one of the easiest Italian creations to mess up—his gnocchi were perfect, plump little pillows swimming in brown-butter sauce with sage and roasted squash. The dish’s only fault was the dry and somehow stringy pork belly."—Heather Shouse (Time Out Chicago) Read it all here.

Hugo's Frog Bar (1024 N. Rush St., 312-640-0999): "Fish offerings are impeccably fresh, and a long card of daily specials accompanies the regular menu. The kitchen also appears happy to accommodate requests. Want Mahi ($25) blackened instead of mesquite grilled? No problem. Overall menu preparations for filets are straightforward — planked, grilled and broiled. Look for local catches, too, such as Lake Superior whitefish ($21), perch ($23) and walleye pike ($24)."—Alison Neumer Lara (Crain's Chicago Business) Read it all here.

'Top Chef' spoilers

Local culinary scene is spotlighted in upcoming episodes of "Top Chef," says The Stew, even though the show doesn't officially launch until mid-March.

Highlights include Frontera Grill's Rick Bayless, Table 52's Art Smith, Blackbird's Paul Kahan, TRU's Gale Gand and the Chicago Sun-Times Richard Roeper (?!). OK, then!

This is the reason why I can’t support any Trump projects in Chicago

Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, the so-called villainess on “Celebrity Apprentice,” is singlehandedly damaging the Trump brand. (Photo: David Gabber/Photorazzi)


This has gone too far. This thing on Donald Trump’s so-called “Celebrity Apprentice” show to an extent that I’ve completely lost respect for him as a businessman.

I’m talking about Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, whose performance on the show last night was so ridiculously obnoxious that it's making me rethink supporting his ventures in Chicago. Yes, the new Trump Hotel, which includes the just-opened Sixteen restaurant and Rebar lounge.

I watched in horror as Omarosa verbally attacked one of her team members, British journalist Piers Morgan, with vulgar, violent language that belonged on a street corner instead of a professional environment. She also lashed out at him through his family, which was a low blow—even for her. For her disgusting behavior, she was barely admonished by Donald and Ivanka Trump when she should have been dismissed on the spot. (Any real job would've done that!)

And yes, as a professional African-American woman I felt as though I was slapped in the face. Trump and company looked at Omarosa as though the way she behaved was normal for all Black women: loud, vulgar and untameable. No, it's not. And I won't stand for it. I had been looking forward to his hotel coming to Chicago since it was first announced, but now I'm so over it.

Singles: Are you ready to mingle?!

(Photo: One World Chicago)


From a massive salsa soirée to a "friends with benefits" bash, you don't have to be coupled up to have fun this weekend:

Chicago International Salsa Congress. The three-day festival occurs tonight through Feb. 17 with international Latin bands and some of the best dancers in the world. Seven shows, 60 dance workshops, and four nights of dancing to Latin orchestras until 3am. Dress to impress. Westin O'Hare (6100 River Road, Rosemont; 773-285-3197). $45-$329 (all-access pass)

Le Passage (937 N. Rush St., 312-255-0022). Take your "special buddy" to the Friends With Benefits party, which is also happening tonight. Get there between 9-10pm for a VIP reception sponsored by Effen vodka, and also enter a contest to win a lover's suite for one night at the James Hotel as well as a couple's massage at Urban Oasis. Free.

Martini Park (151 W. Erie St., 312-640-0577). Get ready to sing at the first-ever Love Rocks party with live karaoke setting it off with songs about amore. You're certain to make some new friends. Doors open at 7pm tonight. Free.

Provenance Food & Wine (2312 W. Leland Ave., 773.784.2314). Who knows who you'll run into at this last-minute Lincoln Square event happening tonight. Stop in for a wine tasting of dessert, sparkling and other great wines. 6-8pm. Free.

Victor Hotel (311 N. Sangamon St., 312-733-6900). Lip Service Productions hosts a sultry lingerie and fur fashion show with styles by Elan Furs and G Boutique. Show starts promptly at 11pm with music by DJ Buckley. $10 after 11pm.

Whiskey Blue (172 W. Adams St., 312-782-4933). After work tonight, head to the Spin Me launch party hosted by Jimmyjane. They've created a sexy twist to the classic game of mischief, and if you get there early enough you get to take home a game for yourself. Specialty cocktails included. 6-8pm tonight. Free.

Juicy Wine Co. (694 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-492-6620). The River West wine bar always has some offbeat talent coming in to deejay these days. On Feb. 15, they've got the dynamic, unpredictable duo, When the Eagle Met the Wolf (Bald Eagle and Mr. Wolf). Saturday look out for Darren from The Changes making his debut. It'll go down good with their nice wine selection, stinky cheese and grilled panini. Free.

Ohm (1958 W. North Ave., 773-278-4646). They're calling it Cupids Ball 2008, but don't go expecting anything romantic here. Their tagline is actually "Love Stinks...," so it should be a roomful of singles hanging out as though the holiday never existed. Dance music, drink specials and lots of revealing skin on the female patrons. 10pm-4am Feb. 15. $20.

La Pomme Rouge (108 W. Kinzie St., 312-245-9555). The weekly Radio Paradiso party offers a "French Kiss" theme for the weekend. Guests who arrive early for dinner get complimentary dessert and roses for the ladies. Also, DJs Andre Harris and Just Joey spin; $5 Stoli drinks and $8 Roseline martinis. Sponsored by Music 101 and Selective Search. Free.

Jbar (610 N. Rush St., 312-660-7200). Make your way to Sunday Night Service—especially since most folks have Monday off for Presidents Day. The chilled-out vibe is chic and mature, and is home to some of Chicago's best underground house deejays known for deep, sexy grooves. Come with a date, or find one here. Resident deejay Matty spins. 10pm-2am. Free.

Spice Girls in town today

(Photo: Capitol Music Group)


From Stella's Column in the Chicago Sun-Times today:

"THE SPICY SPICE GIRLS are performing Friday at the United Center. But don't be surprised if you see them hitting the clubs for some dancing and prancing. The divas hit town today—Mel B (Scary), Victoria Beckham (Posh), Geri Halliwell (Ginger), Emma Bunton (Baby), Melanie C (Sporty). And since it is Valentine's Day, newlywed Mel B will be accompanied by her husband, Stephen Belafonte. And don't be surprised if other Spice Girls lovers show up in town as well."

Somehow I doubt these chicks will be clubbing it up around town—especially together—but I'll be on the lookout for them anyway this weekend.

The Dog gets its day

Dion Antic (of Iggy's, Harry's Velvet Room fame) finally gets an opening date for his long-awaited Rock Star Dogs (801 N. Ashland Ave.): March 6.

Also, that new Fleming's steakhouse is opening in River North at 25 W. Ohio St. next month.

The Wild Brunch

Bin Wine Café's Mimosa Flight: pineapple (from left), pomegranate, Bellini and Madras (Photo: Bin Wine Café)


Extend your Valentine’s Day festivities through the weekend this year. Have dinner on Thursday, party on Friday and Saturday, and chill out with brunch on Sunday.

Feeling particularly romantic? Share luscious bites with your sig other at some of my favorite spots for amore:

Bin Wine Café (1559 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-486-2233). Share a few items like the Brunch Pizza (with poached egg, Applewood smoked bacon, spinach, frisee), Croque Monsieur (speck ham, roasted chicken, blue cheese, with fries) or the cheese flight, in which you get six awesome selections specially picked out by the staff. And speaking of flights, be sure to order the Mimosa Flight, 3 oz. tasting portions of champagne-infused cocktails, with fresh pineapple, pomegranate, peach nectar (Bellini) as well as orange juice with a splash of cranberry (Madras).

La Creperie (2845 N. Clark St., 773-528-9050). The cozy, family-run bistro serves up sweet and savory crepes that are legendary. My favorites include poulet & fromage de chevre (chicken breast with roasted tomatoes and goat cheese), poulet au champignons (chicken in an herb cream sauce with sautéed button mushrooms) and Banana Sara (bananas in a brown sugar caramel sauce topped with rum and vanilla ice cream). And yes, they're big enough to share!

North Pond (2610 N. Cannon Dr., 773-477-5845). Or go all out for your loved one with one of the city's most popular brunches, which overlooks Lincoln Park's pond. Your focus, of course, will be on each other as you nosh on Bruce Sherman's seasonal offerings. Right now, he's serving items like stone ground oatmeal with whipped cream, caramelized pears, almonds and cinnamon; a spice-rubbed Hangar steak; a pan-browned Rainbow trout; and dark chocolate sorbet accompanied by mint ice cream, cocoa cookie ganache and a salted butter cracker. $32 per person.

And the nominees go to . . .

Who cares about the Grammys or Oscars when the ballot for the 2008 James Beard Foundation nominees has been released to Beard judges (each category will be whittled down to five nominees in April, when the official list is released):

Here are the Chicago stars getting props:

BEST RESTAURATEUR:

Richard Melman (Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises)

BEST NEW RESTAURANT:

Sepia

BEST CHEF (GREAT LAKES REGION):

Martial Noguier(one sixtyblue)

Graham Elliott Bowles (Avenues)

Suzy Crofton (Crofton on Wells)

Kendal Duque (Sepia)

Carrie Nahabedian (Naha)

Bruce Sherman (North Pond)

Giuseppe Tentori (Boka)

Paul Virant (Vie)

Michael Maddux (Le Titi de Paris)

OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF

Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate)

OUTSTANDING CHEF

Grant Achatz (Alinea)

Jean Joho (Everest)

OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT

Arun's

Spiaggia

OUTSTANDING SERVICE

Spiaggia

OUTSTANDING WINE SERVICE

BIN 36

The 2008 James Beard Foundation Awards Gala will take place in NYC on Sunday, June 8.

Related: Hosted by Spring Executive Chef Shawn McClain, the Friends of James Beard Dinner will be held on Wednesday, March 19 at Spring (2039 W. North Ave., 773-395-7100). Along with McClain, this mega-chef event will feature the Midwest’s most renowned – and James Beard Award-winning – chefs: Takashi Yagihashi (Takashi); Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia) and Paul Kahan (Blackbird). Together, these culinary all-stars will present a five-course menu that exhibits the most current thinking and knowledge of the American dining scene from a Midwestern perspective. Cost for the event is $175 for members of the James Beard Foundation and $200 for non-members. Advance ticket purchase is required. Space is limited.