NY Times tours local beer hot spots

If you're a self-described "beer geek," man, do I have a story for you!

In a New York Times travel piece, local writer Ari Benderski drinks his way through Chicago's new wave of microbrews.

From standbys Hopleaf and Maproom to the hot new shiny things (State and Lake, Bar DeVille), you'll learn all you need to know whether you're a visitor or local.

John Manion on sweet street eats

New to the menu at Goose Island Clybourn is chef John Manion's fancified version of elote, the mayo-slathered, spiced corn-on-the-cob street food popular in Mexican neighborhoods.

About a decade ago, Ashland Avenue in Wicker Park was nicknamed "corn cob alley." Street vendors smeared mayo, chile, lime juice and cheese on the cob and sell to hungry passers-by—including John Manion. Now he's serving his own elote as a bound corn-mayo salad, mixed with shredded cheese, chile and lime and served alongside chile-marinated grilled quail.

Introducing Park 52's hot new exec chef!

New Park 52 Executive Chef Renee Everett (Photo: Park 52)


Hyde Park native Renee Everett takes over the helm in Park52's kitchen as its third executive chef since opening in spring 2008.

Everett began her culinary career for the Gibsons Restaurant Group (Gibsons Steakhouse, Hugo's Frog Bar, Luxbar, Quartino) and later served as sous chef at Mike Ditka's Restaurant, where she developed a fond appreciation for fish and seafood.

Everett graduated from Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago and received the Charlie Trotter Scholarship by the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. She was also formerly the press secretary for the Illinois Senate President's Chicago Office.

Michael Jackson tribute parties . . .

... will be on and popping all weekend, but 312DD uncovered some of the very best going down around town:

FRIDAY

House music and hip-hop enthusiast DJ Vince Adams was up all night Tweeting about his extensive MJ record collection, so expect him to drop some rarely heard tunes during his set at Green Dolphin Street. Head here after work for Bliss Fridays, which also includes a live performance by The Soul People. 5-11pm. $5 before 8pm.

Through July 3, theWit Hotel (201 N. State St.), home to Roof and Cibo Matto, will incorporate one song per hour into their music rotation from the catalog of Jackson's work. They also have on display a portrait-size black & white photo of Michael Jackson on a table, which is draped in black cloth and located in the lobby. Surrounding the table are 20 votive candles where visitors can pay their respect. The shrine will be on display for 24 hours.

Legendary house music vocalist Byron Stingley (Ten City) was supposed to be the big headliner at tonight's show at Shrine, but now organizers have decided to dedicate a big portion of the night to The King of Pop. Tone B. Nimble spins music throughout the 1970s to present, with an extended tribute to Jackson. 9pm-2am. $20.

There's a Red Dog Reunion Party happening at Martini Ranch, which is certain to bring out some old schoolers. Deejays promise to bring you house music throughout the night, highlighting some of the very best of the MJ catalogue. Deejays Lil John, Psycho Bitch, Just Joey and Andre Harris spin. Also, drink specials and discounted food. 9pm-4am. $5.

Last night the resident deejay at Underground did 45 minutes of straight-up MJ music, and they plan on doing it again every night through Sunday. Also, on Sunday Flosstradamus performs during a new industry night. 9pm-4am Friday, Sunday; 9pm-5am Saturday. Cover varies.

An "old-skool," after-hours Chicago-style house party happens at 1635 W. Washington Blvd. Local favorites Roy Davis Jr., Bear Who?, Andre Hatchet, Julio Bishop and Charles Matlock work in their tributes to MJ, plus expect deep soul house and deep Latin beats. 10pm-6am. $10.

SATURDAY

Long-time NYC nightlife impresario BJ Murray has always been a huge Michael Jackson fan, so look for him to dedicate a part of the night to the Man in the Mirror for his party at Prosecco. The party occurs in the lower-level La Cantinella Wine Cellar Lounge and the kitchen will be open until 11pm. 10pm-3am. No cover.

SUNDAY

Deejay Jesse de la Pena spins an all-night set dedicated to the music of Michael Jackson and James Brown at Crocodile. 8pm-2am. No cover.

And, last year's post-Pride Boom Boom Room party at Avenue Tavern attracted more than 800 folks, so expect even more to show up as some of the city's hottest deejays spin underground house and personalized tributes to MJ. Spin stars include Diz, Lego, Just Joey, Uncle Milty and Michael Serafini. 3pm-midnight. Free.

R.I.P. King of Pop!

Every club in the world will be rockin' this weekend with the hits of Michael Jackson. Rest in Peace, dude, you were a GREAT one!

Pick A Fest: Pitchfork or Lolla?

Chicago attracts fans from all over who come to see Lollapalooza and the Pitchfork Festival. But now it's time to decide, which is the better festival? (Photo: Getty Images)


Our buddies over at NBCChicago.com just hooked up a poll to determine the fly-est local music festival, Pitchfork or Lollapalooza.

Check the stats, lineups, crowds, etc., then sound off on who you think is the best right here.

FYI, Lolla's winning right now!

Dig in . . .

Tortelli di Carciofi is just one of the masterpieces by Piccolo Sogno Executive Chef Tony Priolo—who's set to demo at the Taste of Chicago. (Photo: Piccolo Sogno)


. . . we're set for some well-deserved and amazing weather this weekend, so you should be fully aware of what's going down.

Get the bites, hit the benders, like tonight's annual A Midsummer Eve of the Eve hosted by HighSight. One of the summer's biggest bashes attracts a well-heeled crowd of young-ish professionals who come for the open bar, appetizers, silent auction and live music. This year, the food should be especially good as the party's being held at new American contemporary eatery Bluprint in the Merchandise Mart. Party happens 6-11pm. $50.

Parties, a parade and so much more going on this weekend . . .

THURSDAY

The 10th annual Eli’s Cheesecake/Wright College Farmers Market occurs every Thursday in the parking lot of the school. Get your fresh produce, flowers and artisan crafts, plus free breakfast if you arrive early. If you get there around lunchtime, they're also grilling Allen Bros. steaks and produce from the market. 7am-1pm. Free. 4300 N. Narragansett Ave.

In Fine Spirits launches its weekly Eat Local/Drink Local night with a tasting from Koval Distillery Spirits, the city's first boutique organic distillery. You'll get to taste 10 spirits paired with apps. 7:30-9:30pm. $15.

Toast to even more spirits at Experience The Art of the Cocktail at Luxbar, but if you want to get in you must RSVP ASAP. They'll be pouring complimentary cocktails infused with (ri)1 whiskey. 9pm-midnight. RSVP to rsvpchicago@mirrorball.com.

OK, so we love the sound of this: Rhapsody's 5 after 5 every Thursday. All items on the lounge menu are $5 after 5pm, including Michigan duck nachos, flatbread with Taleggio cheese and the Rhapsody dry-aged burger. They're also doing $5 glasses of red, rosé or white wine, so it's an ideal spot to wind down after work. Menu's available in the bar, lounge and patio area only.

FRIDAY

Those with children have through Sunday to take advantage of Kids' Restaurant Week, with prix-fixe menus (pay your age if you're under 11; $29 for kids and adults 12 and older) and family-friendly dining times of 5-7pm.

Maxwell's at the Club hosts an al fresco, wine-focused dinner on the terrace overlooking Chicago River. They'll have four stations set up with items like Southwestern flank steak, grilled summer veggie skewers and mini strawberry-blueberry shortcakes. All dishes are paired with seasonal wines. 6-9pm. $35.

It's time for Soul Joy, the city's grooviest party happening at the South Loop's Cuatro. Local underground spin stars Vick Lavender, Mario Romay and Celeste Alexander work the tables. You'll find only a tiny dance floor, but somehow they make it work. 6pm-2am. Free before 10pm- $5 after.

SATURDAY

Two key happenings at the Taste of Chicago: Zagat hosts a Sweet Treat Challenge at 11am in Dominick’s Cooking Corner (near Buckingham Fountain). Four students from Washburne Culinary Institute compete to create the best Chicago-inspired dessert. The winner gets a $1,000 scholarship, compliments of Zagat. There will also be giveaways for the first 100 people seated in the audience. Judges include Executive Chef Phillip Foss of Lockwood and Marc Schulman, president of Eli's Cheesecake. And at 1pm, Eli's Cheesecake fetes its 29th birthday with a 2,000 pound cheesecake in front of Buckingham Fountain. We're hearing they'll have some "celebrity" cake cutters, and of course, everyone gets a slice.

If you've always wanted to hit a luau, here's your chance. Moonshine's hosting a special pig roast, transforming Wicker Park's urban roadhouse into a scene out of Waikiki. Yeah, that means expect lots of kitschy stuff, including hula dancers, ukulele player and too many damn Hawaiian shirts (wear the tackiest to win prizes). But you'll get over it because they're doing $5 Mai Tais and pineapple mojitos, plus pulled pork sandwiches from the prized pig. Noon-2am. Free.

All summer long—seven days a week—Theory is doing half off on appetizers. That's 5-8pm Sunday through Friday, and 5-9pm Saturday. You'll also get to take advantage of a number of daily drink specials.

SUNDAY

Every bar and restaurant in Boystown will be crawling with people before and after the Pride parade, so you definitely won't be short on choices. But we're betting the best brunch deal's going down at minibar. The indoor/outdoor event will be out of control with unlimited mimosas and bellinis, plus an all-you-can-eat buffet. 11am-1pm. $25.

Another amazing brunch in the area happens at Angelina Ristorante, where you can get an entree and unlimited mimosas or bubbly for $20. Choose from the breakfast croissant (Canadian bacon, scrambled egg and smoked mozzarella, with home fries), Fritatta di Giorno (Italian-style baked omelet served with roasted potatoes and toast) or B.L.T. Club (toasted brioche, smoked bacon, baby arugula, tomato and pesto mayo). 10am-2pm.

And after Pride comes the party, and we love the idea of Bear Who?'s set at Forno Diablo. He'll actually be there all day, along with the drink specials, spinning deep house and hip-hop. 10am-5pm. No cover.

MONDAY

And Pops for Champagne is back on the chef track again for Shift Drink Mondays. Blue 13 Executive Chef Chris Curren will be behind the bar serving up his infamous Detox cocktail. We don't know what's in it, but that's the intrigue! 9pm-2am. No cover.

Have Ads Gone Completely Mad?!

Last week, Bacardi went and did this.

And now Burger King has gone a created an ad so overtly misogynistic that we're almost at a loss for words.

Here's the ad copy if you cannot read the fine print above:

"Fill your desire for something long, juicy and flame-grilled with the NEW BK SUPER SEVEN INCHER. Yearn for more after you taste the mind-blowing burger that comes with a single beef patty, topped with American cheese, crispy onions and the A1 Thick and Hearty Steak Sauce."

No wonder I stopped eating fast food . . .