Berry Chill Goes to the Beans . . .

As if Berry Chill didn't have enough going on with a new kiosk at the United Center, multiple charitable involvements and three booming locations in the city, they've just taken on yet another amazing project.

They're partnering with local, nonprofit coffee company, Crop to Cup, to premiere their own signature java that's organic, roasted weekly and ground fresh in-store. The Original Berry Chill Blend—a.k.a. Yogi's Joe—debuts Monday, Oct. 26 at the Loop location only.

But you haven't heard the best part of it yet. Crop to Cup worked closely with Berry Chill to develop this coffee blend, which comes from small family-owned farms in Uganda. One-hundred percent of revenue goes back to planting new coffee plants and educating African farmers on how to maximize profitability in the coffee trade. Check out some of the farmers who'll benefit from the program here.

To celebrate the new coffee, Berry Chill's giving away free 16 oz. cups Monday and Tuesday. And on Wednesday, Oct. 28, customers will receive a free 16 oz. of the new blend with any yogurt purchase.

Now, that's hot!

Minority Chefs Overlooked in TOC Chef Issue

Mark Mendez is the executive chef at Carnivale. (Photo: Mark Mendez)


Just got the latest copy of Time Out Chicago, and this week they're focusing on chefs.

In it, the staff did a roundup of the 12 Most Important Chefs Right Now, and somehow forgot to include ANY people of color.

It wasn't a surprise to find Frontera Grill's Rick Bayless on the list, and I was happy to see folks like Michael McDonald (one sixty-blue) and Jared Van Camp (Old Town Social) get their shine on, but could not believe a number of amazing chefs of African-American, Asian and Latin descent were excluded.

Since TOC didn't give up the props, 312DD will to . . .

. . . Rodelio Aglibot (Sunda): The Filipino-born executive chef oversees the kitchen in the hottest Asian restaurant in the city, attracting A-List celebs and local diners alike.

. . . Sandeep Malhotra (Marigold): Almost every dish on Malhotra's menu is flavorful, memorable and can easily compete with any traditional Indian restaurant on the famed Devon Street strip.

. . . Mark Mendez (Carnivale): Mendez is a big supporter of locally sourced produce, his Latin-laced restaurant is jamming seven nights a week, and he's always looking to take his menus to the next level. Oh, yeah. We also love him for this.

. . . Erick Williams (MK): The iconic River North resto is 10 years old, and Williams has been there all along, rising in the ranks to become the most prominent African-American chef in the city. And he's not just relying on the Michael Kornick name to attract diners; the menu changes every week with fresh and innovative American contempo dishes.

And that's just a few of the names who should have been considered for that list.

Cat Fight Over Cupcakes?!

"It's really dumbed down stuff with low-quality ingredients, and then they use stuff like beautiful decor, excellent marketing, and nice packaging to create the illusion that you're getting something nice when you're actually getting cheap, trashy product," says Pasticceria Natalina owner Natalie Zarzour to GrubStreet about how she really feels about Sarah's Pastries and Candies.

Wow, now was that really necessary?!

Thankfully, owner Sarah Levy took the high road, responding with only: "I'm sorry to hear that she feels that way."

As I always say, never a dull moment!

A Freak-tastic FREEBIE FRIDAY!

OK, people get ready!

This week 312DD's giving away two amazing FREEBIE FRIDAY deals for Halloween, and you don't want to miss out:

One person will win two tickets to Nacional 27's annual Goth and Glam Gala, happening on Oct. 31. The costume party will include a premium open bar (8pm-midnight) featuring mixologist Adam Seger's award-winning signature libations such as a Dragon Blood Mojito, plus passed empanadas, pumpkin croquetas, shrimp adobado, guacamole, sloppy 27s and more. You'll also be entertained by La Tremenda Rumba and DJ George Perez, and make sure your costume is fierce so you can win one of the prizes (grand prize $1,000 cash; first prize N27 cocktail party for 27 people; second prize VIP club table and two bottles of Bacardi). Featured judges are the legendary Chili Pepper and 312DD.

Regular admission for the event is $75 in advance; $85 at door; $20 at midnight. 8pm-3am.


Another person will win Sunda's first-ever Dim Sum in the Dark, also going down on Halloween. You and a guest will be treated to a selection of dim sum items in a sophisticated, darkened, candle-lit room. Share-able items (which will be $8.88 for everyone else) include crab pot stickers, Har Gow (shrimp-filled dumplings), BBQ duck leg, steamed Chilean sea bass and five spice chicken wings. Your reservation will be at 7pm, and beverages, tax and gratuity are on you. The regular menu will be offered as well.

And immediately after Dim Sum in the Dark, a 9pm table will be waiting for you at Underground, with a complimentary St. Germain kit (tax and gratuity not included).

UG's theme this year is The Coven, with a creature feature cast of characters from classic and contemporary vampire tales. The setting will be transformed into a coven of blood-feeding faves. Deejays Jordan V’ampire and Jugular Rose spin. 9pm-5am. Free for you, and $20 for everyone else.

All you have to do to be eligible for one of these freak-tastic FREEBIE FRIDAY prizes is to be a Chicago-area resident and following 312DD on Twitter.

Good luck!

Bubbles, Bubbles Will Get You in Trouble!

It's about a month until we get into the heart of the holiday season, but when did we ever let that slow us down?!

On tap for Friday at The Drake is Tour de Champagne, a bubbly bash featuring a number of France's finest spirits complemented by bites from local hot spots, live music and a silent auction benefiting Healthy Schools Campaign. Chefs from Blackbird, Kiki's Bistro, Sunda, Wave and other restaurants will provide the eats.

The party's $115 for the regular event happening 7-10pm; $150 for the VIP experience, which includes the main event, plus a fin de soirée for dessert, more bubbly and an after-party at Pops for Champagne. Get tickets here.

Nine more reasons to celebrate this weekend . . .

THURSDAY

Get your rowdiest pals together and hit Brew & View, in Lakeview, for back-to-back-to-back screenings of The Hangover, Anvil and This is Spinal Tap. More incentives are the $3 drafts of MGD, High Life and Miller Lite. The madness begins at 7pm. $5.

The James Hotel always manages to be in the mix when it comes to all things fab, so it's no surprise someone there stuck her stiletto way up in Fashion Focus Chicago. It's all going down in the lobby bar, and adjacent resto David Burke’s Primehouse will pass out comped apps. They're also doing a cool cocktail for the special occasion, The Couture, a refreshing twist of sparkling wine, red currant and white pepper compote for $7. 5:30-7:30pm. Free.

ajasteak's been re-concepted as aja, which debuts today. Instead of a formal steak and sushi menu, executive chef Josh Linton has transformed both levels into a more approachable offering. You'll find a sushi menu of sustainable-only fish, Asian-style tacos, and shareable plates of noodles and veggies. Oh, we cannot forget about the new beverage program, which includes eight by-the-glass sake selections—all presented tableside via a strolling cart—and 12 Asian craft beers.

Oh, boy. It's only a week before Halloween, and The Hideout Players have decided to put on their version of Little Shop of Horrors at The Hideout. There will be singing, maniacal plants and more. Get tix here. 8pm Thursday, Friday; 3pm and 8pm Saturday; 3pm and 7:30pm Sunday. $15.


"Royster with the Oyster" takes place under a tent across from Shaw's in River North. (Photo: Shaw’s Crab House)


FRIDAY

If this is your weekend to get away for a short trip, you'll be in amazing company if you head up to the Abbey Resort & Spa in Fontana, Wis. The third-annual Great Chefs at the Lake weekend package ($219 a person) includes a two-night stay, starting with a Friday evening wine reception with the guest chef, cooking demo and signature four-course dinner prepared by the featured chef. The series kicks off tonight with Cibo Matto/Roof executive chef Todd Stein, who'll be whipping up modern Italian cuisine through Sunday. Upcoming events include Dudley Nieto of Eivissa (Nov. 6-8) and Jimmy "Tasty J" Madla, chef/co-owner of Coobah (Nov. 13-15). Get more info here.

What is it about oysters that drives people crazy? Oh yeah, never mind. If you’d like to see the effects at full force, head to the annual Royster with the Oyster Festival, taking place at Chicago seafood icon Shaw’s Crab House. Just think about what could possibly happen when more than 5,000 oyster lovers gather under a tent that’s bursting at the seams with live blues, gallons of Goose Island beer and a no-hands “slurp off” (an oyster slurping contest, of course). The party’s $10 to get in, with a portion going to the Shedd Aquarium and Alliance For The Great Lakes. 3-10pm.

SATURDAY

If you frequent River North and River West, you're quite familiar with Blommer Chocolate's overwhelming aroma as it permeates the air in the area, but have you ever tasted their goodies?! Now's your chance as the Lockwood lobby bar hosts the Blommer Chocolate Lounge every Saturday through Dec. 26. Pastry chef Fabrice and students from the French Pastry School create signature desserts for your eating pleasure, so you can dig into unlimited sweets (plus coffee, tea, cappuccino, espresso, a glass of wine, champagne or a beer). 9-11pm. $35 for full chocolate experience or $5 for individual desserts.

You don't get many Saturday nights when you can dress up your dog in his/her finest and take him/her out on the town. So get it together for Wine, Wags & Dog Tags!, happening at Bice Grill. You'll meet celebrity dog coach Tamar Geller, whose clients include Oprah Winfrey, Larry King and Ellen DeGeneres, plus chow down on Italian bites as your pet indulges from the gourmet dog bar. Benefits Operation Heroes & Hounds. 6-8:30pm. $35 per adult (includes VIP Goodie Bag valued at $200); $5 per pet (limit one licensed dog per adult).

SUNDAY

And the Bears Bloody Mary Special happens at Shaw’s Crab House every time the hometown team plays. Come in wearing Bears gear (excluding hats), order brunch, and you'll be treated to one comped signature Bloody Mary filled with house-made tomato juice, Absolut Peppar vodka, Worchester, Tabasco, and garnished with a plump shrimp, dill pickle spear, green olive and a lime. By the way, the Bears play the Cincinnati Bengals today.

All Quacked Up for Fall

The luscious duck gyros from Taxim. (Photo: Taxim)


I've always been a big fan of the duck, but until lately you could only find it on most menus in traditional form (Peking, roasted, smoked), and paired with rice, veggies and thick, rich sauces.

But that's all changing as more restos are using duck in unconventional ways this fall, from a casual BBQ joint shredding it and pairing with a sweet and spicy Caribbean jerk sauce to a trendy new Greek eatery putting a new spin on the classic gyro:

The guys behind Logan Square newcomer Brand BBQ Market want to set their spot apart from the hundreds of barbecue joints around the city. They'll offer the typical slow-smoked pulled pork and baby back ribs, but they're also introducing smoked tofu and pulled duck. Just think of how good that'll taste when you pour their homemade Caribbean Jerk sauce offering the perfect tang. One thing to note: They're BYOB for now.

Chaise Lounge's executive chef Cary Taylor is constantly tinkering around in the kitchen, stamping his deep Southern roots all over classic dishes. Right now he's offering a duck cassoulet, and he amps it up nicely with black-eyed peas and collard greens.


Gemini Bistro's decadent duck nachos. (Photo: Barry Brecheisen)


What's certain to be a fall fave can be found on the menu at Lincoln Park's Gemini Bistro, which is quickly gaining a name for its contemporary American menu engineered by chef/owner Jason Paskewitz. If you don't start with the duck confit nachos (with shredded duck leg, manchego cheese and mango salsa), you are definitely missing out on something sensational.

What we're totally intrigued by this season is the brand-new duck confit Shepherd’s pie on the menu at Stanley’s. It should come as no surprise, as the down-home hangout for Lincoln Parkers is known for comfort fare. This one includes garlic whipped potatoes, sweet peas, roasted red peppers, corn and smoked Gouda.

And the runaway hit at Wicker Park's Taxim is no doubt the duck gyro entree. A warm Pontian pita is stuffed generously with spit-roasted marinated duck, pomegranate glaze, fresh mint and walnut yogurt mousse.

The (Lynn) House Advantage

Lynn House, award-winning mixologist of graham elliot (Photo: graham elliot)


Who says only boy bartenders have all the fun?!

Award-winning mixologist Lynn House—who's also in charge of graham elliot's cocktail program—seems to be having the time of her life in her second career.

The former full-time actress recently won a place in the finals for the Alchemists of Our Age competition sponsored by Benedictine and Esquire. It's to honor the 500th anniversary of the liqueur created to revive Benedictine monks in 1510.

Going down in New York at the end of the year, each finalist will create a signature Benedictine cocktail, with the winner rewarded with a full-page spread in Esquire's January issue. All finalists will also be featured in the magazine.

And finally, House's signature London Calling, which has been on GE's menu since the restaurant opened in 2008, gets a spot in Gaz Regan's new book, The Bartender's Gin Compendium.

House deconstructs the classic British-originated Pimm's Cup by blending Plymouth Gun with Pimm's #1, using fresh ginger water in place of ginger ale, and infusing homemade apple butter (with apples from her garden!) with a light homemade apple juice. It's topped off with fresh lemon for acidity.

We'll take one, or two, or three!

The first 'review' is in!

Asian "meatball" sandwich jammed with lemongrass, fish sauce and mint. (Photo: Steve Dolinsky)


Belly Shack's only been open since noon today (Tuesday), and ABC's Steve The Hungry Hound Dolinsky's already dropped by and hooked up a review on his Twitter page:

"Super-bold flavors at Belly Shack. Asian 'meatball' sandwich jammed w/lemongrass, fish sauce, mint."

Now that Dolinsky's already been through expect a little madness of likes of Rick Bayless's Xoco . . .