Supermodel does Gibsons . . .

Former supermodel/talk show host Tyra Banks taped "Oprah" Thursday, but instead of heading to the Gold Coast for lunch, she opted to dine at the Gibsons in Rosemont. Wearing jeans and trenchcoat, staffers said she looked fabulous (but of course!), and only chowed down on shrimp cocktail and a tomato and goat cheese appetizer.


And speaking of Gibsons, sister restaurant luxbar is the place to be for the annual St. Patrick's Day benefit for Misericordia. Head to the top floor for the buffet (filled with Sliders, chicken fingers and more), $2 green Bud Light drafts, $4 Jameson shots, and tastings of 12- and 18-year Jameson. That party happens 1-4pm March 14. $10.

EXCLUSIVE: More info on Social Twenty-Five!

Photo courtesy of Urban Daddy Chicago


Turns out the guys behind couture-themed club Moda have teamed up with the crew from John Barleycorn to transform Moda into swanky sports lounge Social Twenty-Five—which was exclusively reported here earlier this week.

They've swapped fashion for flatscreens, plus look for rocker-inspired and champagne-based cocktails, mini versions of our fave fare (burgers, pizzas, tacos), and a highly energetic atmosphere.

They're opening it to the public tonight at 8pm, so try to make an appearance.

Get ready for 'Rampfest!'

Carol Wallack, executive chef/owner of sola, is participating in the fifth-annual "Rampfest" at Garfield Park Conservatory. (Photo: sola)


Help preserve Illinois' farming industry by supporting the fifth-annual Rampfest, happening at the Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N. Central Park Ave.) on April 3.

Award-winning journalist/Tall Grass beef rancher/author Bill Kurtis hosts, as noted local chefs create unique dishes featuring ramps, a native wild leek. Participating culinary artists include Chris Opper (Food for Thought), Paul Kahan (Blackbird), Tony Galzin (mk), Carrie Nahabedian (NAHA), Carol Wallack (sola), and Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris (Prairie Grass Cafe).

Get tix here. $75 before March 20; $90 after.

What they're Tweeting . . .

Erick Williams, executive chef at MK, presides over the hugely popular "Wine on Wednesdays." (Photo: MK)


Kevin Boehm (Partner/Landmark): "March 25th is our free wine tasting, U2's music paired with wine."

Eve: "Crispy Sweetbreads with housemade pancetta, strawberries, grilled red onion and balsamic gastrique."

Greg Hall (Owner/Brewmaster Goose Island): "Ok, ok, Just tasted new version of Demolition Ale, new malt, new hops, new yeast, holy #@$* this is yummy. thin, pale, hoppy and Dangerous!"

MK: "Sweetbreads tonight for Wine on Wednesdays! 3 wines, 3 small plates $25, 6-9pm."

Chef Rick Tramonto: "Looking for New Restaurant spaces for two new for Tramonto concepts the fall."

'Top Chef' showdown at Chopping Block

If you're like 312DD, you've been having some serious "Top Chef" withdrawals.

So, thank the lord for The Chopping Block, which hosts a head-to-head competition between the culinary show's fifth season finalists Carla "Hootie Hoo!" Hall and Stefan "The Arrogant Finnish" Richter.

We'll finally get to see who should've won as they square off in the fifth-annual True Flavor Celebrity Cook-Off, benefiting True Child, a national organization supporting disadvantaged children.



Hall, owner and chef of Alchemy Caterers in Washington, D.C., and Richter, owner of Stefan's Catering in Santa Monica, Calif., each will lead a team consisting of a local chef and an audience sous chef (determined by live auction).

Both teams will have 35 minutes to make a three-course meal with secret ingredients they will only learn of moments before the contest. And local chefs participating in the competition include Heather Terhune (Atwood Café), Luca Corazzina (312 Chicago) and Chris Lateano (South Water Kitchen).

Event occurs 6-9pm April 4. $150. Get tix here.

Wine deals for every wallet . . .

Savvy wine writer Ari Bendersky pours on a few weekly wine and dine deals you don't want to miss.

EXCLUSIVE: U2 partying at The Violet Hour!

U2 hosted a super-private after-party at The Violet Hour on Tuesday.


The Violet Hour publicist just posted this to Facebook:

Ellen Malloy: "U2 after party at Violet Hour...Chicago launch party...details to come. Special invite only. Super exclusivito!!!"

312DD had been hearing buzz from inside the bar earlier about the event happening immediately following the Q&A event at Smart Bar on Tuesday, so apparently this is the real deal.

UPDATE: More from uber-publicist Malloy:

"U2 hosted an exclusive launch party for their new album at the Violet Hour. After a rocking DJ session at Metro, the band headed over to the Violet Hour for an exclusive record-industry event hosted by Interscope Records. The Violet Hour special menu for the evening comprised of Dublin Old Fashioneds (made with Powers Irish Whiskey) and special drinks named after songs on the new record, ('Juliet & Romeo' Moment of 'Surrender' and 'The Magnificent' champagne cocktail). Also served fantastic highlights from the Violet Hour menu.

"Shirley Manson, lead singer of Garbage, was in attendance, along with her long bright red hair. The band came in through the back door at about 10 for a quick party before jetting off to Boston for the next gig."

Operation Stalk a Star on the case

U2 is set to make a special appearance tonight at Smart Bar—not Metro as many media outlets reported this week.


Johnny Clark Street with the U2-stalking Twitter account just posted this about the superband's appearance tonight:

"Smart Bar is right next door to the Metro. So it's not at Metro but at Smart Bar!"

Trust me, there IS a big difference between the two!