Some Things I'm Obsessed With This Week . . .

Ryan Poli, executive chef at Perennial. (Photo: Perennial)


A number of local star chefs showcased signature bites made from sustainable seafood during Supreme Lobster's first-ever Summer Solstice Soiree Monday aboard the Columbia Yacht Club.

And while most dishes were outstanding (I don't even want to talk about how many times I went back for seconds!), it was Ryan Poli's ingenious seafood taco that totally blew me away.

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

Public Enemy performs their greatest hits at Congress Theater Saturday.


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

Public Enemy at Congress Theater. Look for this radical, pioneering hip-hop group to diss "Arizona," "Fight The Power" and "Shut Em Down." 8pm show Saturday. Get tickets here.

90 Miles Cuban Cafe: All dinner items are under $10 at this lively Cuban corner spot in Logan Square. You get a heaving plate of meat (chicken, shredded beef or roasted pork) accompanied by rice, black beans and sweet plantains. Bring a bottle of rum to pour in the yummy tropical shakes. Flavorful flavors include mango, strawberry, papaya and the signature Guanabana. Patio and BYOB. No corkage fee! Proximity to show: Five minutes by cab/car.

Big Star, Kuma's, Trotter's, Sunda Hit 'Lolla!'

Graham Elliot Bowles is the newly tapped culinary director for "Lollapalooza." (Photo: Graham Elliot)


Will the munchies eclipse the music at this year's Lollapalooza?!

It certainly looks like it as newly tapped Lolla Culinary Director Graham Elliot Bowles has assembled an astounding culinary line-up to match the three-day fest's hyped headlining musical acts.

Bowles, whose eponymous River North resto first set up shop at the festival in 2009, has personally rallied some of the city's favorite restaurants to join him August 6-8 at the festival.

Thus far, Bowles’ 2010 Lollapalooza culinary line-up reads:

Chefs Prepare for 'Summer Solstice' Soiree

Inovasi chef/owner John des Rosiers (Photo: Inovasi)


You might not be up to anything exciting for Summer Solstice, but a number of Chicago's hottest chefs will be aboard the Columbia Yacht Club Monday doing what they do best.

They're participating in Supreme Lobster's industry-only event and serving up signature dishes of sustainable seafood.

Dad is King of the Scene This Weekend!

How come Dad always gets the short end of the stick when it comes to his big day?!

Wack-ass ties. Cologne that smells more like shoe polish. And frou-frou brunches fit for a queen, not a king.

Not this year. Instead, give him what he really wants and take him to an event like the annual Classic Car Brunch at McGee's Tavern.

In its fourth year, CCB occurs Father's Day (June 20) and showcases the muscle cars of his wildest dreams. Look for classic cars to line Webster Avenue at Sheffield all afternoon. There's a bonus if you've got a muscle car to flex yourself: Park it and you'll get brunch for free. 10am-3pm Sunday.

Leave the corny Father's Day stuff to Mr. Brady. Poppa won't preach if you treat him like this:

'Chicago' Mag's 'Hot List' a Definite Must Read

(Photo: Longman & Eagle)


Stumbled across Chicago magazine's "Hot List," a monthly section highlighting the restaurants everyone's buzzing about right now.

Party Continues All Over Town for Champions!

Blackhawks players spraying the crowd with Champagne at Roof Friday. (Photos: Roof/theWit)


Blackhawks team captain and MVP Jonathan Toews and 15 of his teammates arrived at Roof Friday night with the Stanley Cup and were joined at 12:45am by actors Vince Vaughn and Kevin James.

The teammates stood on the outdoor bar and passed the Cup from player to player as they sprayed the crowd of screaming fans with bubbly.

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

Dennis Leary headlines Chicago Theater as part of the weeklong "Just For Laughs" festival.


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

Just For Laughs at various Chicagoland locations. Tuesday through Saturday, some of the country's funniest comedians hit the stage, including high-profile stars Ellen DeGeneres (7:30pm Wednesday), Cedric The Entertainer (8pm Friday) and Dennis Leary (8pm Saturday) at the Chicago Theater. Events will be held at large-scale venues as well as more intimate comedy clubs. Get entire schedule and tickets here.

Atwood Cafe: Small plates like the Graham Cracker Fried Calamari or bourbon-infused chicken and pork sausage pair well with hand-crafted cocktails. Or head here after the show for Atwood After Dark for $5 glasses of vino and apps like the Shrimp "Corndog" and B.L.T. with crispy pork belly. Proximity to show: Two blocks south; five-minute walk.