Zapatista Outpost Set to Open in Lincoln Park

South Loop location for Zapatista. (Photo: Zapatista)


An Ultimate Insider exclusively tells 312DD that the stylish Mexican flair and fare of Zapatista is set to move into the space recently vacated by Emilios Tapas at Clark and Fullerton.

The Lincoln Park location marks the third (also in South Loop and Northbrook) and plans are underway to open by late summer.

'Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot' DELETED!

(Photo: Graham Elliot)


The Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot Facebook page that 312DD was the first to write about Friday has been deleted!

Big Jones Has Best Fried Chicken in Chicago?!

Yes, according to the June issue of Bon Appetit, which placed it high on its list for Top 10 Best Places for Fried Chicken in the country:

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

R&B siren Erykah Badu headlines two shows at the Chicago Theatre Wednesday and Thursday.


Every Monday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before and after the show:

Erykah Badu at Chicago Theatre. Pleeeeease, Ms. Badu, try to keep your clothes on during the entire show! The tour's approps named Out My Mind, Just In Time, so expect her to perform songs from new album, New Amerykah Part Two, as well as Baduizm and Mama's Gun. N.E.R.D. and Janelle Monae open. 7:30pm Wednesday, Thursday. Get tickets here.

BIN 36: The new artisanal cheese flights are a delight, particularly the super-creamy Fat Cats, blue cheese-focused No Need To Sing The Blues or worldly We Love Italy collections. Prices range $12-$22 per flight. Proximity to show: Two blocks north; five-minute walk.

Disgruntled Diner Creates 'Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot' Facebook Page

(Photo: Graham Elliot)


A diner didn't like his experience at River North resto graham elliot, so he decided to send owner/chef Graham Elliot Bowles a copy of his "review" on Yelp.

Of course, that didn't go over well—he claims he got a prompt "F*ck You" from the "Top Chef Masters" star—so he decided on another approach.

A Salute to Soldiers, SATC2 & Summertime!

This weekend's dedicated to our fearless military men and women who fight hard for our country. We'd be lost without them!

We've got a nice, three-day weekend to show our support through various events, from Saturday's Memorial Day Parade to a number of fabulous parties. And because the weather's supposed to be incredibly nice all weekend, you'll definitely want to spend a lot of time outside.

Luda Party Now Benefits Gulf Coast Fishermen

Lakeview's Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort was already hosting the official Ludacris concert after-party Friday, but now they've turned it into a benefit for the fishermen affected by the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The festive bar has teamed up with The Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, which has provided hundreds of emergency food boxes to fishermen and families affected. They're donating $5 of every $20 ticket (deluxe packages are available for $60) to the nonprofit organization.

Shift Drinks . . . The Aftermath . . .

I have a new respect for those who work in the bar and restaurant industry this morning. Seriously.

Inovasi chef/owner John des Rosiers and myself had the honor of guest bartending the final Shift Drinks party at Pops for Champagne Monday before it moves over to The Exchange June 7.

Let me tell you that this is not easy work. We shook up three signature cocktails for a few hundred folks that included chefs, servers, bartenders, restaurateurs, booze distributors and others in the biz. It was nonstop busy until last call.