The Dana is doing it big!

Reggie Brown, Obama impersonator (Photo: Reggie Brown)


Last night was the first of the Random Acts of Dana, and man we should've been there!

The boutique hotel staged Chicago native, former hotel employee and Obama impersonator, Reggie Brown, to surprise two unsuspecting guests at a kick-off party with an over-the-top random act of kindness. The first recipient was extended a private dinner for six on the hotel’s rooftop lounge, Vertigo Sky Lounge, prepared by ajasteak Executive Chef Joshua Linton.

The second random act required group participation as all attendees to the kick-off party were given a hotel room key to test on the hotel’s Nirvana Penthouse Suite. One lucky cardholder gained access to the suite for a complimentary weekend stay at his/her convenience.

Through July 1 the hotel will extend more than 3,000 random acts of kindness to guests at the hotel as well as ajasteak, Vertigo and the spa at dana.

More Grocery Bistro drama

And so the drama continues . . .

MenuPages gets an interview with the lawyer for Grocery Bistro, whose executive chef called it quits on Sunday.

As 312DD wrote Thursday, the parents of former chef Andre Christopher staged a boycott outside the restaurant, claiming their son hadn't been paid in nine weeks.

Says the lawyer: "I have no idea why the van's out there when I've made an unequivocal offer of ‘let's sit down and try to work this out.' I think it's very unfortunate because the chef was a major part of making this a good restaurant. There's no question that his cooking and his work is what's helped make the restaurant what it is."

UPDATE: The chef claims the restaurant owes his entire family money. And an Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that Christopher is set to open his own restaurant, Little Bucharest, next week.

Fifty-One comments for a freakin' burger joint?!

So this happened again.

The Chicago Tribune's Cheeseburger Bureau Chief Kevin Pang (where the hell was this title when I was working there?!) writes about another Five Guys opening and folks go absolutely bananas.

Love the way people passionately fight over their favorite burger joints in the comments section, whether its for the chains or the locals (Kuma's Corner, Twisted Spoke, Top Notch Beefburgers) . . .

What the hell is going on here?!

312DD got a tip from an Ultimate Insider about an apparent boycott going down Wednesday in front of West Loop newcomer Grocery Bistro.

Apparently Executive Chef Andre Christopher hasn't been paid in nine weeks, and his parents decided to stage a boycott in their van to support their son.

Says the UI: "What's up with the grocery bistro - I'm here and a huge sign - like huge is posted on a van outside saying to boycott on behalf of Chef Andre as he has not been paid in 9 wks."

That's a hell of a family stand!

Chicago’s Most Fashionable Foodie Fest

Izumi Sushi is one of the restaurants participating in Taste of Randolph Street this weekend. (Photo: Izumi)


When it comes to festivals, we're partying all summer long until Labor Day weekend.

Each festival embraces a theme, including ethnic pride, Pride, ribs (!!), getting naked wasted (!!!) and live music. But every local foodie knows that when it comes to the street foodie fest, there's none better than Taste of Randolph Street, taking place Friday through Sunday.

Something, however, happened this year. Notably absent in the food lineup is Red Light (Executive Chef Jackie Chen will still demo at the Whole Foods Culinary Pavilion) and Sushi Wabi, who've participated since the fest's inception in 1997. Oh well. Newcomers include two buzzworthy sports lounges, WestEnd and Market.

5-11pm Friday; 2-11pm Saturday, Sunday. $10 donation.

As always, there's so much more going on this weekend, so let's get right to it!

THURSDAY

Fresh off a fabulous working weekend in Barcelona, 212's finest spin star DJ Kiss returns to show the 312 some love. She'll do a set at Manor for the weekly Outfit party. 10pm-2am. $20.

For my hottie dads out there, one event you don't want to miss is Bourbons, Burgers & Bond, happening at the Drake's Palm Court. Guests will enjoy a bourbon tasting, mini burgers and watch Casino Royale. 6-9pm. $80. Get tickets at info@chicagoculinaryadventures.com.

Even though it's all about Dad this weekend, here's an event dedicated to the working woman. The Eleanor Foundation hosts a mid-summer wine tasting at C-View. The fifth-annual party includes a selection of summer wines, appetizers and an enviable view of the city. 5:30-8:30pm. $150.

Dining With Dale Levitski continues at Relax. The season three finalist of Top Chef whips up something completely different every week; this time he's doing Lyonnaise salad, steak frites and lemon profiteroles for $30. Cocktail specials, too. 7pm; limited seating.

Underground Neo-soul band Fertile Ground performs at Shrine. Early arrival strongly recommended for this one, especially since owner Joe Russo just sent out a note announcing "a very special guest performance." Also, deejays Lee Farmer and Jesse de la Pena spin. 10pm-2am. $20.



(Photo: Glazed Donuts Catering)


FRIDAY

Though June 29, you can be the winner of a $1,000 gift certificate from the Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse group. The trendy local chain celebrates 20 years and is giving away one gift certificate a day. Just stop in any location (also Hugo's Frog Bar, Luxbar) and fill out an e-mail card (no purchase necessary).

And who needs Dunkin Donuts when you've got Glazed, an independently owned donut operation using all local and sustainable ingredients?! This week, they've scored some amazing local strawberries, so they're whipping up strawberry-and-fresh-mint infused donuts. And, hey, a bonus: peanut butter & jelly donut (made with organic concord grape jelly and rich and crunchy peanut butter). Available Friday and Saturday at Swim Cafe and Bite Cafe. $3 each.

SATURDAY

The Semillas Foundation, a nonprofit group helps the indigenous women of Mexico, and to raise awareness and money, they're hosting a benefit at the National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 W. 19th St.). We're excited that Rosangel tequila will be pouring copitas at the event, but we're even more thrilled about the participation of some of Chicago's hottest Latin restaurants. Cafe 28, Mundial Cocina Mestiza and Real Tenochtitlan will provide tastings. There will also be a colorful mercado featuring crafts and clothes, all handmade by women who have used Semillas funding to start small businesses or cooperatives. 4-6pm. $100.

SUNDAY

Purgatory's Hip-Hop Brunch is still going strong with all-you-can-eat pizza and a taste of old-school beats. DJ 5/16 spins. 11am-3pm. $13.

Local deejay legend Jesse De La Pena launches a new Sunday night party at Crocodile, featuring a different theme each week. For tonight's party, it's all about the Ladies of Soul. Free pizza, too! 8pm-2am. No cover.

MONDAY

And Hopleaf's 7pm Beer & Cheese Tasting sold out almost immediately, but there's a rumor that owners are adding a second event. Email louise@hopleaf.com to add your name to the wait list. 9pm. $25.

Bam! Emeril headlines Taste

Get your fill of the usual offerings at the Taste of Chicago (June 26-July 5), or head over to the Dominick's Cooking Corner, where some of the most celebrated chefs will be doing demonstrations.

You'll see local stars Phillip Foss (Lockwood), Jackie Shen (Red Light), Amalia Obermerer-Smith (Kuma's Corner) and Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno), plus New Orleans' culinary king Emeril Lagasse (who's scheduled to sign copies of his latest book after his demo).

Get all the details here.

Giveaways galore at the dana hotel

View of dana hotel's lobby from ajasteak's sushi bar. (photo: dana hotel)


dana hotel's pulling out all the stops to celebrate its first-year anniversary with a two-week event of giveaways you don't want to miss.

Random Acts of Dana is Thursday through July 1 where the upscale boutique hotel will extend more than 3,000 random acts of kindness to guests at the hotel as well as ajasteak, Vertigo Sky Lounge and the spa at dana.

Just some of the treats you could get include overnight accommodations; dry cleaning services; in-room manicures and pedicures; massages at the spa at dana; suite upgrades; ajasteak gift cards; instructional cooking classes with Executive Chef Joshua Linton; breakfast and lunch to go; bar menu bites; cocktails at Vertigo Sky Lounge; and brunch at ajasteak.

All you have to do to win is be in the right place at the right time in the hotel . . .

Weekend Tweet Beat

Allison and Rob Levitt of Mado. (Photo: Rob Levitt)


What were Chicago's top chefs up to this weekend?! 312DD checks out their Twitter accounts:

Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill): "Farmers market part of Frontera Farmer Foundation benefit was the most successful we've had!"

David Beran (Alinea): "You'd be surprised how much fun you can have with a 3'x5' table and bright colors. Table top in full effect!"

Rick Gresh (David Burke's Primehouse): "Put the rhubarb Belgian wit beer into keg today, it's so tasty I can't wait to drink it @ the Market Mystery Soiree on June 24."

Rob Levitt (Mado): "Always a happy brunch when we have both house-smoked ham and bacon on the brunch menu. Mmm...smokey pork parts."

Ryan Poli (Perennial): "Rolled out our new sunday supper club menu. The theme is cooking with beer. Went over very well tonight!"

Todd Stein (Cibo Matto): "Great night tonight, thankful for nice weather, a nice menu change, and the menu for Cibo is looking great!"