A Gossip Girl Makes Her Chicago Debut at UG!

Attention: Gossip Girl fans . . .

Blair Waldorf Leighton Meester can sing!

But look for the Upper East Side's preppiest princess to ditch her designer threads for something a little more sexier when she performs at Underground on New Year's Day.

If the thought of her singing gives you the shudders, give the girl a chance. She did, after all, record a duo with current R&B prince Robin Thicke on her first single, Somebody To Love. So there's hope!

That's 10pm-4am. Be there or be square.

XOXO

Santa Gave Me a Coronary For Christmas

(Photo: via This is Why You're Fat)


No wonder some folks are fed up with the cupcake craze.

This delightful dessert of cupcake kabobs comes from This is Why You're Fat.

Merry Christmas!

Bluprint Shutters After Two Years

(Photo: Bluprint)


Merchandise Mart restaurant Bluprint closed today after two years in business.

"Every component of our company is an extension of our Blue Plate family. So it is with mixed emotions that we announce bluprint’s closing," Blue Plate CEO Jim Horan said in a press release. "As we begin a new chapter, we are grateful for the relationships and memories we have made over the last two years."

No further information is available on what's going into the space.

Charlie Trotter is No Scrooge; Buys Out Entire Resto for Xmas Party

This is so effing cool that it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside . . .

An Ultimate Insider just sent this to the 312DD inbox:

"Charlie Trotter bought out Boka's whole restaurant tonight for his holiday party."

I really hope they get to taste Executive Chef Giuseppe Tentori's famous Bigoli Pasta!

Celeb Magnet Sunda Tops 312DD Dining Poll

Sunda came out on top in 312 Dining Diva's third-annual "Best New Restaurant Poll." (Photo: Sunda)


It's no surprise Sunda was voted Chicago's Best New Restaurant by readers of 312 Dining Diva.

Owned by the team behind the equally successful Underground and Rockit Bar & Grill, the Asian-focused eatery in River North offers all the elements of a dynamite destination: celeb appeal, great buzz, a uniquely exotic design scheme, and a top-notch chef in Rodelio Aglibot.


Sunda Executive Chef Rodelio Aglibot. (Photo: Sunda)


Since opening in March, Sunda has received big props from local and national critics for Aglibot's take on modern Asian fare, including a three-star review from the Chicago Tribune's Phil Vettel.

Another big honor for Aglibot this year was his third stint cooking at the esteemed James Beard House in New York, where he whipped up signature dishes like Petite Lemongrass Beef Lollipops with sweet Chile glaze and Mama Sally’s Honey and Candied Ginger–Braised Midwest Long Ribs with Lobster-Scented Arroz Caldo. (He's also set to star in his own travel food show on The Learning Channel in 2010.)


Hollywood A-Lister Jessica Alba was one of many stars to dine at Sunda in 2009.


Dishes like those make us understand why there has always been a steady stream of A-List stars coming through, including the likes of Jessica Alba, Ben Stiller, Jeremy Piven, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Kevin Bacon, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Kate Walsh, Tyrese Gibson, Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Ali Larter, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams and Randy Jackson.

In 2010, look for Sunda to get even more crowded as the newly launched Sunda Social takes off.

The after-work affair happens 5-7pm Monday through Friday in the lounge, bar, sushi bar and at communal tables, creating an awesome opportunity to network with new folks. Guests get sushi/sake pairing combos for $20, including one flight of sake paired with chef’s choice of sushi.

Where to Hang to Cure That NYE Hangover

If you're looking for Chicago's most comprehensive New Year's Eve Guide, go here, but if you're in need of some place to go once you finally stumble out of bed the day after, you know 312DD's got you covered:

Both Dunlays locations (Logan Square, Lincoln Park) start a special holiday brunch Dec. 28 through Jan. 1. Just think how good stacks of oatmeal pancakes with maple butter, fried-egg sandwiches (with cheddar and bacon on thick Rye) or made-to-order Bloody Marys will feel going down. 10am-3pm.

You can roll outta bed wearing your PJs at HUB 51, whose New Year's Day brunch is an all-you-can-eat deal with short rib eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, Broiche French toast and thick-cut bacon. So you won't be roaming around too much, Bloody Mary and Mimosa carts will be at your disposal. 11am-2pm. $25 in advance; $30 at door.

If you attend Jake Melnick’s New Year's Eve party, you'll get 25 percent off your bill if you come back for the New Year's Day brunch. They're offering up some dishes certain to cure your "ailment," particularly the Hair of the Hog Breakfast Sandwich (sausage patty, spicy green chili omelet, chorizo-pepperjack cheese sauce on toasted Jalapeno ciabatta bread) and the Bloody Mary Skirt Steak & Eggs. Also, if you dare, $5 Bloody Marys and pomegranate Mimosas. 11am-until.

They're doing the regular brunch menu over at M. Henry, but if you expect to get a seat you're gonna have to arrive early. Hey, it's totally worth it for Fannie's Killer Egg Sandwich with Applewood bacon, sliced plum tomatoes and gorgonzola; the Blackberry Bliss Hotcakes or the bacon-wrapped baked eggs with polenta. 7am-2:30pm.

And Sunda's New Year's Day brunch lasts until 4pm! Get there for yummy Asian bites like the crab potstickers, Tempura French Toast Batons (served with caramel glazed bananas and brown sugar) and The Food Buddha’s Loco Moco, a hangover cure of hamburger steak topped with brown gravy and fried eggs on a bed of steamed rice.

'Tis The Season For Hot New Openings . . .

The dining room of Uptown's newest eatery, Ceres' Table. (Photo: Amanda Puck)


Let's just go ahead and call this week Restaurant Week, seeing how it's a big one for some prominent openings.

We already introduced you to Jerry Kleiner's latest project, The Lobby Lounge at ShowPlace Icon Theatre, in the South Loop (we're all in for the bacon-infused popcorn alone!).

Also new is Ceres' Table, owned and operated by Giuseppe Scurato. You might remember him as the opening chef at BOKA and Landmark, but he's doing a completely different menu in his new Uptown home. Our immediate goal is to get there for his innovative spin on traditional gnocchi, which comes with Gunthorp farm rabbit confit, arugula pesto, pine nuts and pecorino cheese.

And then there's Epic—not to be confused with Epic Burger. This one just landed in River North, with chef Stephen Wambach serving up chops and steaks, with the Seven Pepper Crusted Hanger Steak a highlight. Not a surprise, considering he's a vet of the famed East Coast BLT restos.

Looking for more things to do this weekend?! Of course, we've got you covered:

THURSDAY

Master mixologist Adam Seger's hooking up champagne cocktails during his monthly class at Nacional 27. Mingling, sipping, noshing included. You'll also get recipe cards so you can prepare them at your upcoming Xmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa party. 5:30-6:30pm. $20.

Reps from Maine brewery Peak Organic will be on hand to demo their signature beers at a tasting event at Dunlays on the Square. Get a flight of three for $6, which will pair well with beer cheese dip and beer-battered onion rings. 7-9pm.

Deejay Eric Cubeechee, who's currently starring on the new hit Bravo reality fashion design show, Launch My Line, spins for Underground's second-annual The Grinch Who Gave Back Christmas party. This time, the event benefits Make-A-Wish. 9pm-4am. Donation suggested.


If "Real Housewives of Atlanta" personality Kim Zolciak walks around like this at the Manor party on Friday, guests won't be subjected to her singing "Tardy for the Party." (Photo: Adam Bouska)


FRIDAY

Here's my "Bah! Humbug!" moment of the season: I'm so over Ugly Sweater Christmas Parties! The only reason why I'm letting this one slide through from Chaise Lounge is because they're doing a three-course special for $30, and you get to pick from the menu. Oh, and there are drink specials. Yay.

Someone please tell me why Kim Zolciak is famous again?! Oh yeah, she was on that catty Real Housewives of Atlanta show and sang a song. For some reason she's showing up at Manor tonight, but methinks her "style" would be more appreciated at notorious Boystown hang, Minibar. 9pm-2am. No cover.

Lava Lounge closes tonight. Hit it up for one last cocktail before it transforms into The Exchange in January. 9pm-2am. No cover.

SATURDAY

Speaking of Boystown, it's that time again for The Northalsted Naughty Elves Pub Crawl. Don an elf hat to enjoy $3 Stella beers and $4 Absolut cocktails at bars like Cocktail, Hydrate and Roscoe's. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus. 2-7pm. $10 in advance; $15 day of event.

SUNDAY

And Balsan launches brunch this weekend. The upscale casual resto on the third floor of the Elysian Hotel is an instant hit, especially for its budget-friendly fare, but we have to warn you: The Mimosas will set you back $17 each. The scene is perfect for those needing to unwind after hours of shopping in the area. 11am-2pm.

Kleiner's Back in SoLo with Movie Theater Lounge

(Photo: Urban Daddy Chicago)


I can tell you right now that what I'm looking most forward to at Jerry Kleiner's newest spot, The Lobby Lounge at ShowPlace Icon Theatre, is the bacon-infused popcorn paired with a bottle of bubbly. Our obsession with it began when we first visited his 33 Club in Old Town.

Urban Daddy also gives us a sneak preview of what else to expect at Kleiner's big-screen debut in the South Loop, which opens Thursday:

"After getting off the escalator, you'll pass the concessions stand and follow the gilded-framed photos of De Niro, Depp and Uma up the stairs. First, you'll notice floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city.

Well, actually you'll probably notice a Fiat 500 sitting at the top of the stairs—that sort of thing kind has way of catching one's eye. And then you'll probably spy that magnificent central bar with white leather club chairs and a plush red seating area. And more Uma photos. But, trust us, you'll definitely get around to the view."