Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

On his 48th birthday, Prez O's likely gearing up for the meal of a lifetime, but if he was in Chicago we know what he'd like to chow down on:

Hyde Park's Caribbean-focused Calypso Cafe, along with the now defunct New Orleans-inspired Dixie Kitchen, is a favorite of the First Family. They recently added some of the more popular dishes from Dixie Kitchen's menu—which just happened to be the President's faves—including peach cobbler, fried green tomatoes and the Southern Sampler (Jambalaya, gumbo, red beans & rice).

Italian Fiesta, in South Shore, had the honor of serving its thin-crust pizzas at the inauguration. This is the way a pizza's supposed to be: indulgently greasy and bursting with flavor from hearty toppings. Obama's guilty pleasure is the cheese-only pizza.

He's fit as a fiddle and his waistline is trim and slim, but we love that he's not afraid of chowing down on an occasional sandwich loaded down with mounds of corned beef. He caused quite a scene when he ordered several, and paid cash, at Manny's Deli right after the election.

Spiaggia Executive Chef Tony Mantuano flew into Washington, D.C. to personally deliver his restaurant's addictive wood-roasted scallops to a startled Barack Obama. It was right on time because his beloved Bulls had just suffered an embarrassing defeat to the Wizards.

Table Fifty-Two's known for its sophisticated spin on Southern cuisine. We hear another Obama weakness is shrimp 'n' grits, so for certain he's had to have sampled Art Smith's succulent appetizer that comes with three jumbo prawns drenched perfectly in BBQ sauce and laid over creamy, buttery grits.

And the Mexican-influenced Topolobampo, the fancier counterpart to the adjacent Frontera Grill, is where the Obamas go for a romantic night out. The Prez digs Sopa Azteca, a pasilla chile-accented tortilla soup with roasted chicken.

EXCLUSIVE: The Drunken Goat home revealed!

Stephanie Izard is the executive chef and co-owner of The Drunken Goat, set to open in early 2010. (Photo: Stephanie Izard)


An Ultimate Insider tells us The Drunken Goat—whose official location has been under a cloak of secrecy for four long months—is going into a former manufacturing building at 809-813 W. Randolph St. in the West Loop.

This is the first time a restaurant's gone into the heavy timber venue that's now undergoing a massive makeover to turn it into the glammed-out space everyone's expecting from the team behind it.

That would be past Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard and her partners Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm, best known for their trend-setting projects in Lincoln Park (BOKA, Landmark, Perennial).

We're, of course, expecting The Drunken Goat to be one of the biggest openings in 2010, so look for it when it debuts sometime in January or February.

Chicago chefs take on Julia Child

In homage to the late, great Julia Child, who's portrayed on the big screen in the upcoming Julie & Julia, the chefs over at BOKA and Perennial have recreated recipes right out of one of her cookbooks.

The Milanese-born Giuseppe Tentori (BOKA) met Child while working at Charlie Trotter's, and was enamored with her passion for cooking. Through Aug. 7, he's serving the recipe for Steak au Poivre, which comes from her Mastering the Art of French Cooking cookbook. He says, "She took what was once viewed as hoity toity French cuisine, and made it palatable to 'meat and potatoes' Americans." The dish costs $31.

Perennial's Ryan Poli first experienced the Cherry Clafouti Tart when he was working pastries at the famed Le Francais in Wheeling, Ill. When legendary chef Jean Banchet came to Poli one day with cherries, requesting he make a clafouti as a special the next evening, Poli had no idea what the dish was. So he immediately hit the cookbooks searching for clafouti. "It was Julia Child who had the recipe for me," he said, "so I thought a great way to honor her was to run a dessert she basically taught me." The cherry clafouti tart, at $8, also comes from Mastering the Art of French Cooking and is on the menu until Aug. 7.

Jamie Foxx hits up Roof and Sunda!

We've heard all about the crazy late-night antics of talented funnyman Jamie Foxx, but that wasn't the case Tuesday at Sunda, where we hear he was a perfect gentleman to the staff and customers:

"He was taking photos with a lot of the diners and a bunch of kids who were waiting outside for him," said our Ultimate Insider.

After a late night of wining and dining at Sunda, Foxx and friends took off for sky-high hot spot Roof, at theWit, and hung out for a few hours. Executive Chef Todd Stein said he was "nothing but great to the staff."

What was he thinking?!

I understand what Prez O was trying to convey with the "King of Beers" message, but he missed out on a grand opportunity to showcase some of our finest beers when he sits down for what's being called the Beer Summit.

Before he settled on such ho-hum suds as Bud Light, he should've first taken a peek at this recent New York Times travel story on Chicago's new wave of microbrews that includes local stars Goose Island and Piece.

I'm just sayin' . . .

UPDATE: Goose Island founder, owner and CEO John Hall makes a statement!

“Whatever style of beer chosen, the President has the right idea. Sharing a pint helps people relax, drop our pretenses and just be ourselves. If Goose Island can get Cubs fans and White Sox fans together, anything is possible.”

Top Chef Masters liveblog is hysterical

Art Smith of Table Fifty-Two (Photo: Table Fifty-Two)


There were some gems all night as Gawker liveblogged week seven of Top Chef Masters featuring both Art Smith (Table Fifty-Two) and Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill/Topolobampo).

Not gonna tell you how it turned out ('cause I know most of y'all Tivo-ed it!), but this snark on Smith was the quote of the night:

"Love him or hate him — you have to admit he's like a character straight out of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. And this finalist group needs all the character it can get, since it already includes Suzanne Tracht and Anita Lo — who are like characters straight out of Midnight in the Poppy Garden of the Living Dead."

Free Your Mind . . .

. . . and let your body lead you to the annual Northalsted Market Days, going down Saturday and Sunday in Boystown (Halsted, between Addison and Belmont).

It's considered the largest street festival in the Midwest, so it's a little shocking that they've never offered VIP access until this year. And oh what a year to do it!

The all-star, girl-power retro weekend includes performances by En Vogue (9pm Saturday), CeCe Peniston (3:30pm Sunday), Berlin (6:30pm Sunday) and Jody Watley (8:30pm Sunday).

We're excited about them all, but especially En Vogue (pictured above), who set the standard for the contemporary girl group way before the likes of Destiny's Child, The Spice Girls and Pussycat Dolls with chart-topping hits Free Your Mind, Hold On and the super-steamy Giving Him Something He Can Feel. They're celebrating 20 years as the fabulous foursome and still look good!

Those with VIP access at the Horseshoe Casino stage get unobstructed views of the stage. Prices are $30 (access to back of house and one beverage) and $50 (front of house and two beverages). For those steep prices, one or two drinks is jankity as hell! Get tickets here or try your luck at the gate.

Of course, that's not all that's happening this weekend . . .

THURSDAY

It's National Cheesecake Day, and of course the iconic Eli's is in on the action. They're giving away slices (one per person, while supplies last) 7am-2pm at Wright Farmer's Market, in the restaurant's parking lot. If you miss out there, you'll still get freebies at the cheesecake sample bar inside Eli's Cafe.

Tonight (and every last Thursday of the month) Goose Island Clybourn exec chef John Manion serves an all-you-can-eat Slagel Family Farm pig roast dinner for $17. Includes sides like red-skin potato salad or sweet potato fries with curry catsup. Starts at 6:30pm—until the whole pig is gone.

If you've never checked out Pilsen sensation Mundial Cocina, tonight's the last night to dig into the $10 tasting plate that comes with three luscious Latin bites and a delicious glass of sangria.

WTF is Megan?! Whomever she is, she's looking for a millionaire, and Manor somehow got roped into hosting the kickoff party for her show premiering on VH-1 Sunday. Super star NYC DJ Kiss spins; get there early for comped Snow Queen cocktails (10-11pm). 10pm-2am. Cover varies.

Dope OM Records house music deejay Andy Caldwell is on the sked at Spy Bar, which could be quite a blast if you can get over the fact you're in a hardcore nightclub. 10pm-4am. $20.



Seats are still available for Bluebird's Lagunitas Brewery tasting on Monday, where guests will get to sample the limited release Lucky 13.


FRIDAY

As I excitedly gushed last week, Top Chef New York star Fabio Viviani makes an appearance at Wildfire.

Ethnic funk, roots and folk band Funkdesi performs at Wild Hare. 9pm-until. $10.

More island grooves await you at Ja' Grill, one of the very few Jamaican eateries on the Near North Side. Every last Friday of the month, they're serving Caribbean beats along with exotic eats. Deejay Boombostic spins reggae, dancehall, ska, soca. 7pm-2am. No cover.

Lucky you. You get two chances to check out Dee Alexander—one of Chicago's top crooners—at the Green Mill this weekend. If you've never seen her live, you're definitely missing out. 9pm Friday; 8pm Saturday. $12.

SATURDAY

Though it's been open for a week, tonight's the official grand opening over at Red Canary in River West. They're expecting a big crowd (especially with all the media coverage it's been getting!), so arrive early to get prime placement in the lounge or dining area. Drink specials include $5 Stoli drinks and $5 Patron shots.

SUNDAY

Branch 27's finally launched brunch service, and we're hoping it's as good as it sounds. Mmmmmm for the pork belly hash skillet, half-pound burger with aged Cheddar, and a BLT stacked with thick-cut bacon and topped with chipotle aioli and fried eggs. Our drinks of choice will definitely be Ginger Lemonade (with Stoli Ohranj), the Raspberry Mint Julep, and a cucumber melon cocktail with Hendrick's gin. Brunch is served 11am-3pm Saturday and Sunday.

Oh my goodness. Kick The Keg Sundays starts today at Faith & Whiskey. If you think that sounds like trouble, you're probably right. For a minimum of four people per table, and $20 a head, you'll get all-you-can-drink tableside keg service. And that is four hours of drinking—if you're counting.

MONDAY

And Bluebird showcases Lagunitas Brewery for a special tasting featuring mainstays like IPA, Czech-Style Pils, Maximus and the Censored Ale. They'll also treat guests to Lagunitas' limited releases Correction Ale, Lucky 13, Hop Stoopid, the Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale and the just released Imperial Red. Flatbreads and snacks also served. 7:30-9:30pm. $25; reservations recommended.

It's National Lasagna Day!

In honor of this momentous occasion today, Italian-focused chain Buca di Beppo's giving away comped, lunch-size portions of its cheesy, hearty lasagna.

Get all the details here.