Fun with Foielapalooza

Music lovin' chef Graham Elliot Bowles creates a foie gras-focused menu for Lollapalooza weekend. (Photo: Graham Elliot)


Looks like someone is a little giddy to have foie gras back on Chicago restaurant menus.

Graham Elliot Bowles—known for his love of good music—has created a menu he's dubbed Foielapalooza, taking place during Lollapalooza weekend, and happening at his chic namesake restaurant.

The three-day foie gras and music extravaganza features a nightly changing preparation inspired by and served with music from that evening's headlining act:

August 1: Radiohead
Foie Gras in Rainbows: Grilled foie gras with stewed blackberries, dehydrated raspberries, strawberry puree, blueberry air.

August 2: Wilco
Yankee Hotel Foie Gras: Cornnut-crusted foie gras with corn foam, caramel corn, popcorn shoots, candy corn Sunday.

August 3: Nine Inch Nails
Head Like a Foie: Poached foie gras torchon with black olive, black pepper, black licorice, aged balsamic.

Say buongiorno to newest Italian hot spot

Urban Daddy Chicago has the deets on former Coco Pazzo chef Tony Priolo's Piccolo Sogno right here.

Storm the (French) scene . . .

It's a fabulous day for the French.

Over the weekend, Angelina (who's part French!) gave birth to Brad's baby twins in the French Riviera. France's first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has a hit album in Britain. And today's Bastille Day, the French national holiday celebrating the storming of the Bastille in 1790.

Many French-focused restaurants get in on the action today:

Brasserie Jo: Enjoy an evening of live gypsy-jazz by Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan, reminiscent of summer nights in France. Also, through July 27, the restaurant offers a special "Frenchie's Menu" with classic dishes like kidneys served with a mustard sauce, blood sausage with sautéed apples and sweetbreads. 6-10pm. No cover.

Brasserie Ruhlmann Steakhouse: Bastille Festival 2008 includes a cocktail reception at the outdoor bar, highlighting select dishes from French-born chef Christian Delouvrier. Delights include Tarte Savoyarde, smoked salmon with crème Fraiche, NY sirloin on the grill, and Brasserie Ruhlmann’s popular raw bar with fresh oysters, clams and shrimp. 6-9pm. $40 in advance; $50 at door.

Cafe Matou: Normally closed on Mondays, the popular Wicker Park eatery is open for a special four-course menu prix-fixe by chef Charlie Socher. Wine director James Rahn will be on hand to offer wine pairing recommendations. The menu is priced at $48, but the regular menu is also available.

Madame Tartine: Fashionable new River North bistro—which harks back to the 1960s—is also doing a prix fixe menu with appetizer, entree, chocolate croissant and a half liter of rosé.

Pops for Champagne: The annual celebration, which settled in its new home last year, takes place indoors as well as outside on the picturesque Tree Studios courtyard. Guests can enjoy more than 25 French sparkling wines and Champagnes, a French-inspired menu developed by chef Andrew Brochu and live jazz. 5-8pm. $75.

Market-fresh goodies make you go mmmmm

Pops for Champagne's executive chef Andrew Brochu's ultra-rich chocolate cake with fresh raspberries, violet and parsnip sorbet. (Photo: Pops for Champagne)


This weekend on "24/7 Chicago: Secrets of the City," we check out several chefs' delectable dessert specials created with picks from the city's many farmers' markets, including the ripest-ever selections of strawberries, rhubarbs, blueberries and more:

C-House: Pastry chef Toni Roberts makes a Brown Butter Cornmeal Poundcake that sounds heavy, but it's light as a feather. It comes with robust Seedling Farm blueberries, homemade blueberry swirl ice cream and cashew "Cracker Jack" popcorn.

Copperblue: Executive chef Michael Tsonton's "Michigan" Panna Cotta is a complicated and rich dish made of raw organic Jersey cow's milk, ginger and wildflower honey, sweet pickled Queen Anne cherry salad and pine nut-caramel crisp.



C-House's Toni Roberts' makes a Brown Butter Cornmeal Poundcake that sounds heavy, but it's light as a feather. (Photo: C-House)


Landmark Grill + Lounge: The Michigan Strawberry Shortcake, designed by pastry chef Elizabeth Dahl, uses locally grown strawberries from Seedling Farm and Ellis Farm in Michigan. The cake is topped off with lavender, fresh whipped cream and homemade strawberry sorbet.

Pops for Champagne: Executive chef Andrew Brochu's ultra-rich Chocolate Cake is accompanied by fresh raspberry, violet and parsnip sorbet. Paired with a nice bubbly from Pops for Champagne's extensive list, this dessert is perfect for you and a significant other.

Socca: Roger Herring's casual French bistro kicks out an unforgettable Strawberry Rhubarb Caramel Croissant Bread Pudding that's complemented by housemade vanilla bean gelato.

Famed restaurants to vacate Harper Court by year's end

After much speculation from the Chicago Maroon and Crain's Chicago Business, it's been confirmed: Restaurants in Hyde Park's storied Harper Court will close by year's end.

The Jamaican-focused Calypso Cafe, Louisiana-themed Dixie Kitchen and contemporary American (with a twist of soul) restaurant C'est Si Bon are the victims of new owner University of Chicago.

According to C'est Si Bon owner Renee Bradford, this latest news was delivered to them three weeks before the Taste of Chicago, but thus far she's had no time for look for a new location.

"I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to react," said Bradford, who added that on Dec. 1 she will celebrate her 18th year in her current location. "I'm going to start looking soon (for a new location), but it's all contingent on whether I find a space because it's not easy getting a permit with the city."

Finally, what does the U of C plan to do with Harper Court?! As of today, they haven't disclosed those details. Developing . . .

Be-bopping, hip-hopping through old-school spots

Time Out Chicago goes down memory lane at some of Chicago's favorite haunts, including the Green Mill, Reagle Beagle and Club Lago.

Treat yourself . . .

. . . to a well-deserved weekend of fun. Whether you're interested in checking out Cocktails and Conversation with Salman Rushdie or a number of other notable happenings, we've got it goin' on:

THURSDAY

The first-ever Go Green Day, hosted by GO Green Management, happens at Butterfly Social Club. Guests will get a sneak peek of the city's only organic lounge with complimentary, organic cocktails. 8-11pm. No cover.

Flirty Girl Fitness is in the spotlight for the weekly Diva Series at Jbar. All female guests receive a free Flirtini, pink boa and class at Flirty Girl Fitness. Snow Queen Vodka features drink and bottle specials, as well as legendary deejay Jesse de la Pena spinning his special brand of flavor. 8pm-2am. No cover.

Alhambra Palace is the place to be if you're into R&B. Songstress Syleena Johnson is the guest of honor for a listening party for her upcoming album "Chapter 4: Labor Pains" that's due out in September. Deejays Sean Mac and Timbuck2 spin. 8pm-2am. Free.

FRIDAY

Crust offers one of the most welcoming, coziest patios in the city, and guests can enjoy their specialty organic flatbread pizzas, salads and sandwiches in this relaxing setting. If you get there around midnight, there's free pizza until close every Friday and Saturday.

Baseball fans get lucky every time Chicago Cub player Kosuke Fukudome hits a homerun. All three locations for RA Sushi will offer a 12 oz. Sapporo for only a penny (you've gotta already be in the restaurant!) during Friday games (home or away). And if he hits more than one homer, guests will receive a free appetizer.

SATURDAY

Last year's Volleywood Beach Bash was super hot with DJ AM as the guest super celebrity, so expect an even larger crowd to turn out when it goes down this afternoon. The lineup includes DJ Jumpin James, The Beach Bum Band, DJ White Shadow and a guest appearance by Mix Master Mike of The Beastie Boys. All-day party takes place at North Avenue Beach (south of boathouse) with a volleyball tournament, interactive games, VIP cabanas and more. Go here for more info on event. Noon-7pm. Free.

Party with purpose at Imerman Angels 2nd Annual Rooftop Party, which supports the one-on-one cancer support group. The ticket price includes food, dessert, cocktails and also live entertainment. 6-10pm at Lake Shore Athletic Club (1320 W. Fullerton Ave.). Post party happens at Martini Park. $30 in advance; $40 at door.

Looks like HotHouse is without a permanent home again, but until they find another spot they're partying on. This time, they're doing an all-Colombian theme at South American-flavored eatery Las Tablas in Irving Park. Grupo Rebolú performs. 8:30pm. $30.

SUNDAY

Get into the Bastille Day spirit a day earlier at Stan Mansion (2408 N. Kedzie Ave.) in Logan Square. Globally Intrepid Gourmets hosts the celebration with authentic Parisian street food prepared by executive chef Vincent Colombet of Cook Au Vin. That $40 ticket ($50 at door) includes an open bar, crepes (!!), hors d'oeuvres and charcuterie. 6-9pm. Get those tickets here.

No one seemed to mind that Paris Hilton wasn't there

Benji Madden of alt-rock band Good Charlotte putting down some fire behind the turntables at Manor on Tuesday. (Photo: darkroomdemons.com)


Usually when I hear about celebrities trying their hand at deejaying, I just roll my eyes. Of course I had the same reaction when I got word that Benji Madden of Good Charlotte fame—and more recently for being the object of Paris Hilton's affection—was going to spin a set at Manor, but I got over that quickly once he jumped behind the turntables.

He wasted no time getting to the good stuff, cranking out some solid classic rock tunes, followed up seamlessly by some heavy-hitting hip-hop. I was especially impressed when he dug deep into his crate for some NWA and Too Short.

As all this was going down behind the deejay booth, Manor managed to have one of its best nights in a long time, with every spot in the venue crammed with people, especially a steady stream of Paris Hilton clones. Sponsored by Snow Queen Vodka and hosted by Outfit Events, the Tuesday night parties here get my vote for being one of the best industry events in town.

And speaking of industry, we finally got to meet the guy behind new drink sensation A:M (After Midnight), the premium cocktail in a can that's a blend of premium vodka, all-natural caffeine and rarified taurine. Don Deubler, CEO of Atomic Brands, convinced us (yeah, right!) to sample it in black raspberry, which just might finally knock Effen Black Cherry Vodka right off its effing throne. And I have a confession: It was so good that we popped a few of the little cans in our bags to go. Just call me Sticky Fingers!