It's His Day!

Time to count down to Jan. 20—the historic day when Barack Obama takes his rightful place as the 44th President of the United States of America. And after he's sworn in during the day, he'll be partying all night.

While Obama's setting it off in D.C., we'll of course be partying our asses off here in his hometown, but if you don't have the dough to attend the official Inauguration Ball at McCormick Place, 312DD's got you covered with a number of happenings all over town:

Both Berry Chill locations (also at Ogilvie Station) are giving away free Berry Obama chilled yogurt to customers all Inauguration Day. That's five ounces of original chilled yogurt topped with fresh pomegranate, coconut and blueberries to signify the red, white and blue of the American flag.

Sip La Margarita Del Presidente (a red, white and blue margarita for $10) at Carnivale, as you watch the events unfold on one of the flat screens in the lounge.

Planning your own bash?! Get tips at the Dazzling Dinner Party Appetizers class at Chopping Block Lincoln Square. You'll learn how to whip up tight little bites like Yukon Gold potato blini with smoked salmon, caviar and creme fraiche; shrimp cakes with tarragon aioli; potato, truffle and fontina tart; and roasted beef tenderloin crostini with horseradish sauce. 7pm Jan. 12. $80.

Get on the list now for the party hosted by swanky hotel bar Crimson Lounge. Arrive early (8-9pm) for the cocktail reception; stay late for lounging. 8pm-2am. RSVP to gina@crimsonlounge.com for admission.

C-Change happens at C-View, the glamorous penthouse lounge on top of the Affinia Hotel. Indulge in a number of specialty cocktails (Bon Voyage, All American), plus comped appetizers and desserts like BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, chorizo mac 'n' cheese, Stars & Stripes cupcakes and chocolate brownies. Live music by the Josh Burke Duo. 6-11pm. No cover.

You can get half-price glasses of wine (regularly $8) at Chen’s Chinese and Sushi while watching the parties and recaps in the lounge.

Chill out in the sexy Cityscape lounge with panoramic views of the city and four flatscreen monitors to watch Obama dance the night away. Specials include the Obama-Tini ($7), plus $4 on house wine and domestic bottles of beer.

David Burke’s Primehouse offers a week-long inauguration lunch special happening Jan. 19-23. You get three courses of anything on the menu for $20.09. 11:30am-2:30pm. On Inauguration Day, you don't want to miss the Celebrate Change Cocktail Party happening in the lobby bar of the restaurant. Set includes complimentary nibbles from Executive Chef Rick Gresh’s new Small Bites, Big Flavor menu, including Firecracker Duck Rolls, Mini Burkers and dry-aged sirloin tacos. $5 mini cocktails like the Razzamatazz and Flapjack (Dewar’s, bacon & maple syrup) will also be served. 5-7pm.

Has Obama fever finally reached the Chicago Young Republicans?! Find out at Dugan's Drinking Emporium, as they host an Inaugural After-Party with cocktails and apps. 5:30-8pm. $20-$50 (free for members).

Get an early start on the celebrating at Dunlays on the Square, which opens at 10am for diners to view the festivities all day long. This is the spot to bring the kiddies to watch the historic occasion as they eat free from 4:30-6pm, plus you'll get a free glass of champagne. Also, don't miss out on the $5 OBOMB shots.

The Presidential Pairing happens Jan. 20-23 at wine and chocolate lounge Eno, with a glass of Graham Beck Brut (a reported Obama favorite sparkling wine) and a piece of Gail Ambrosius’ Dark Chocolate covered caramel topped with Fleur de Sel (The New York Times reported it's his fave). That's $15, but if you give the wine manager Obama's Secret Service code name, you'll get it for $10.

A wild time will be had at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club as they celebrate with the Alternative Inauguration Day Ball. Party includes complimentary bubbly, half-price martinis (O-Bomb, Go Green), coverage on five giant, gold-framed screens and a Tarot card reader telling you your future under the new leadership. As expected, the sassy Kit Kat Divas will perform. Special party happens 5:30-8:30pm for $25; Kit Kat Divas perform 7pm-1am.

The All-Chicago People’s Inauguration Ball occurs on Jan. 18 at Martyr's, with live ethnic music, poetry and a dance party. Afro-pop ensemble Ghanatta and DJ Warp perform during the dance party, which happens 7-11pm. Hosted by Partisan Arts International. Doors open at 4pm for the all-ages event. $5 before 7pm; $15 after.

Nacional 27 master mixologist Adam Seger shakes up the Heirloom Apple Baracktail for you to enjoy at the restaurant or at home during your own celebration. The refreshing recipe serves four to six, and comes in a glass pitcher with fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, Northshore Gin, one fresh apple and orange slice.

More than 240 flatscreens will show the ceremonies at Stretch Run Sporting Club and Grille, plus they're serving up two $5 cocktails to fit the occasion: Barack on the Rocks (Blue Curacao, orange juice, Sprite) and Barack’s Blue Martini (Vodka, Blue Curacao, lemonade).

Tasting Room's monthly Third Tuesday Tasting event features a special theme to commemorate the day. They're serving up the best vino of 2008, which will include more than 30 rosés, whites and sparkling wine paired with appetizers in the city view lounge. Those wines will also be discounted that evening at the adjacent Randolph Wine Cellars. Space is limited; reservations required. 6-8pm. $30.

'Eat It Up Chicago' returns

Naha is one of many returning participants in "Chicago Restaurant Week…eat it up!," happening in February.


312DD told you exclusively last month about the second-annual Chicago Restaurant Week…eat it up! returning in Feburary.

And, as promised, we've got more deets:

Host Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau just unveiled the official site for the weeklong fest here, which is taking place at more than 130 restaurants around town, including newcomers The Drawing Room, Lux Bar, Le Colonial, La Madia, Topolobampo, Prosecco and others offering some great deals. River North's swanky Naha is one of many returning participants.

Look for Chicago Restaurant Week to happen Feb. 20-27, with three-course prix-fixe menus of $22 for lunch and $32 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity).

What's happening next?!

Tiny Lounge photo courtesy of Urban Daddy Chicago.


Stars to watch in early 2009:

We've been waiting for two years for the return of Tiny Lounge, and now word comes down that it's back on Wednesday. New home is in North Center/Lincoln Square, and in addition to the extensive cocktail menu, they'll offer small bites.

The guys behind Bon V bang out their second project at the end of the month. Look for Faith & Whiskey, a hard-rockin' joint with whiskey as the poison of choice, to open in the old Ta'too space in Lincoln Park.

Bar DeVille's been around since November, but they haven't officially unveiled what's going to set it apart from all the other 'hood spots in Ukrainian Village. A room way in the back holds a "speakeasy"-type lounge complete with deejay and a bar hidden in the wall. They're working on opening it by February.

Remember iCream?! That futuristic ice-cream parlor that opened in Wicker Park late last summer, then closed like two weeks later because something supposedly happened to the liquid-nitrogen tanks responsible for cranking out more than 31 flavors? Well, it's planning to reopen by the end of the month. Great timing, guys.

Purgatory Pizza's been around for a few months, but we're excited about the Sunday Hip-Hop Brunch Series starting on Feb. 8. For $13, you'll get MCs, deejays and an all-you-can-eat-and-drink fiesta. 11am-3pm.

River North's upscale sports lounge Bull & Bear, which had a few setbacks and was supposed to open on New Year's Eve, aims again for a mid-January opening. The same guys also own Stone Lotus and they're assuring us that they're on target this time.

Sunda, the highly anticipated Asian concept by Rockit Ranch Productions, debuts in late February in River North, right down the street from its celeb magnet Underground.

And we'd almost given up hope that Loft Six Ten would ever open in the old Paje space in Wicker Park. So much drama going on over there, but they're really, really working on opening in the next few weeks.

Someone's Having a Birthday!

Graham Elliot Bowles, whose stylish namesake River North eatery caused a stir in 2008 for its carefree takes on classic dishes and cocktails, celebrates his big day on Jan. 4.

Happy Birthday, Graham!

L20 tops Tribune's list for 'best new restaurant'

L20's "exotic preparations" of seafood dishes impressed the Chicago Tribune's Phil Vettel the most in 2008. (Photo: L20)


"Chicago's best new restaurant hands down was L20, the magnificent seafood restaurant in Lincoln Park where Laurent Gras oversaw exotic preparations of gooey duck clam, cold smoked Golden Eye Snapper, (an) amazing golden egg composition with pork belly and carpache, and some of the best soufflés I've ever had," said Chicago Tribune Dining Critic Phil Vettel in his year-end video of the city's Top 10 best new restaurants of 2008.

He also mentions a number of new hotel-based eateries, including Lockwood at the Palmer House, Sixteen at Trump Tower and Mercat A La Planxa in the Blackstone Hotel.

Peep the video here for the entire list.

Hubba Hubba, Hub 51

Hub 51 came out on top in the second-annual 312DD Nightlife Poll. (Photo: Hub 51)


Big props go out to River North newcomer Hub 51, which took first place in 312 Dining Diva's annual Who Came Out on Top Nightlife Poll (scroll to the bottom of the page for results).

The contest included a number of local new hot spots that generated buzz in '08, from beautiful penthouse boîtes Vertigo and C-View to hipster hangouts Angels & Kings and Cat's Meow.

But in the end it was all about Hub 51, which has managed to gain a loyal following in a short few months. Whether Hub 51 won because of its sexy underbar Sub 51, potent Hub Punch or stylish singles scene is unknown, but whatever the case, the fans came out to give it a landslide victory over the competition.

Congratulations!

Redefine in '09!

You're out of your eggnog fog and it's now time to concentrate on those New Year's Eve plans.

312DD's gathered a bunch of events around town—some free, some not so pricey—and you won't find anything over $60, from a sultry Brazilian bash happening at Cat's Meow to Rebar's no-charge event where you'll have the perfect view of the fireworks.

Happy New Year!

What the critics said in 2008 . . .

MANA food bar (Photo: Grant Kessler)


. . . about:

Big Jones. "My dining partner ordered the sweet potato biscuits smothered with spicy gravy and hash and topped with Andouille sausage. Big Jones uses organic and farm-raised meats from Niman Ranch pork to Tall Grass beef. Everything was delicious and I’m sure extremely bad for you. Our server brought over a bowl of fruit, which was a welcomed addition to our high-fat, high-cholesterol meal. We had a really good first impression and great first meal. Once we work off the 5 pounds we gained from breakfast we will certainly be back for dinner to try one of their fabulous sounding desserts."—Chicago Foodies (read entire review here)

Bristol. "The Bristol doesn't serve bread, but you can order the 'monkey bread' listed under 'snacks.' It costs $4 and is really good. The cute little loaf comes in a cast-iron baking pan, served nicely hot. And as it goes with monkey bread, you pull pieces off the loaf, dipping each piece, if you care to, in the dill butter that is served on the side. You also can spend a lot at the Bristol. The grilled prawns were excellent—four very large prawns, heads still on, were swaddled in a tasty anchovy butter. They tasted as good as they looked and the aroma was enticing. Good eating? Yes. For sixteen bucks? I can deal with it."—Pat Bruno (Chicago Sun-Times) (read entire review here)

C-House. "(Executive Chef Seth) Siegel-Gardner will throw a meaty surprise out there now and again—the nicely charcoaled skirt steak was delicious, and the fork-tender suckling pig with peach chutney and lacquered skin was a revelation—but large plates are mostly finny and very good, particularly seared tuna with black olive couscous and sea urchin foam."—Phil Vettel (Chicago Tribune) (read entire review here)

Duchamp. "There's nothing surreal about the food at the Bucktown spot, though chef/partner Michael Taus manages a few twists on the menu, such as the 'fish and chips' that involves skate wing, garlic-romano fries and no bread. Everything is familiar and accessible. And even a starving artist could afford to eat here; main courses top out at $19, and the gussied-up sandwiches, including a picture-perfect burger with havarti cheese and tomato remoulade, go for $11 or $12."—Phil Vettel (Chicago Tribune) (read entire review here)

graham elliot. "What sets (Graham) Bowles’ cooking apart is his original approach to familiar items. A roasted beet salad ($9), a standard on any American contemporary menu, is elevated here by the application of gossamer puffs of whipped goat cheese. Other appetizers, like the spicy buffalo chicken ($13), which comes with something called "Budweiser bubbles," seemed like they were going to be too gimmicky. Cute, I found myself thinking, without expecting much. But trust us: You haven’t tasted a buffalo wing (actually, it’s a crispy chicken thigh) this good before. And, yes, that beer taste really comes through."—Metromix (read entire review here)

MANA Food Bar. "The Mana Chili ($6) blew us away—a substantial southwestern style chili made with black beans, corn, chickpeas and manchego cheese. The spicy Bi Bim Bop, filled with vegetables and brown rice and covered with spicy hot pepper miso, came topped with a perfectly fried egg. Save room for Baja Corn, an ear of corn grilled, split in half and coated with a lime-chili powder. At only $2, it’s a fine-dining bargain you won’t find anywhere else."—Chicagoist (read entire review here)

Mercat a la Planxa. "Chef de cuisine Michael Fiorello throws plenty onto that grill, from prawns and turbot to rack of lamb and morcillo sausage, though what he cooks off it is just as delicious—bonbon-like Serrano-ham croquettes, chile-spiked chicken-chorizo-rock-shrimp soup, and the bocadillos—sandwiches that come with smoked paprika fries. The big, two-level dining room has been as big a hit at lunch, when tapas, charcuterie, and cheeses are a great way to eat light, as at night, when the Latin music rises up and the sangria goes down easy."—Esquire (read entire review here)

Park 52. "Executive Chef Chris Barron spins a locally sourced menu of salads, soups, steaks, fish, chicken and pork, with many ingredients plucked from Hyde Park's weekly Farmer's Market. A lack of fancy eats in this community fuels traffic from families, foodies and University of Chicago students."—Citysearch (read entire review here)

Province. "I look forward to the Very Slow Tasmanian Salmon in red wine mojo ($18), and I look forward to paying $18. The rest—Spanish influenced (Spanish blue cheese fondue, to cite one obvious, if enticing, example), a penchant for just enough on your plate, a long, involved selection—reminds us a smart restaurant leaves you with a hint of what you’re missing. One final note: The bread plate—a white rectangular plate, and not a basket—includes a cornbread nugget, with a lilting bite of ancho chile, is among the best things I’ve taste all year."—The Stew (read entire review here)

The Whistler. "The cocktail menu changes seasonally. When I visited we sampled the Rosemary Gin & Tonic, Hibiscus Sour, and Sazerac. All were delicious and offered at the very reasonable price of $8. The bottled beer menu includes selections from craft breweries like Bell's and Great Lakes and—perhaps best of all—they also stock $2 Pabst cans."—Gapers Block (read entire review here)