Back To Drawing Board For Aviary Cocktails?!

Alinea chefs Dave Beran (from left), Craig Schoettler and Grant Achatz discuss The Aviary build out. (Photo: The Aviary)


Thirty five of Chicago's best bar stars were assembled at The Ivy Room Tuesday to get a sneak preview of the revolutionary cocktails set to be served at The Aviary when it opens soon in the Warehouse District.

Sponsored by Absolut Vodka and orchestrated by Alinea's Grant Achatz and his team, the eight-hour, $600-per-person experience included a "sensory analysis workshop," multi-course degustation and a number of full-size cocktails planned for The Aviary's menu.

Food Media Break Down Michelin's 'Bib Gourmand'

Smoque, The Purple Pig and Spacca Napoli. (Photo: Michelin)


The Chicago Michelin Guide revealed its first-ever Bib Gourmand list (an appetizer and entree, plus a glass of wine, will cost $40 or less) of 46 local eateries, and the critics are already weighing in.

Todd English Is Bringing Food Hall To Chicago!

(Photos: The Plaza Food Hall by Todd English)


Boston-based celebrity chef Todd English is the next big name to mark his territory on Chicago's exciting dining scene.

He told 312DD exclusively Tuesday that he's opening an outpost of New York's The Plaza Food Hall in the Gold Coast in summer 2011.

Aviary Hits Up The Cocktail Experts . . .

Craig Schoettler (left) and Grant Achatz of the forthcoming Aviary in the Warehouse District. (Photo: Grant Achatz)


The Aviary must indeed be close to opening.

Just got word that Alinea owner/super chef Grant Achatz and Aviary chef Craig Schoettler have assembled the city's heaviest hitting mixologists tonight for a tasting of the line of cocktails set to be served at the swanky Warehouse District saloon.

What Is Really Going On At Ole Hardwood?!

(Photo: Ole Hardwood)


Not since my coverage of Grocery Bistro have I seen so much drama with a brand-new restaurant.

The latest on Ole Hardwood—which hasn't even been open for two weeks:

Boka Restaurant Group Sweeps First-Ever Eater Chicago Awards

From left: Rob Katz, Giuseppe Tentori, Stephanie Izard, Ryan Poli, Kevin Boehm (Photo: Boka Restaurant Group)


The ceremony for Eater's first-ever awards for Chicago restaurants took place Monday in New York.

Alinea Chef Immortalized at Barney's NY

(Photo: Natasha Liberman)


Gold Coast luxury retailer Barneys New York just unveiled its Christmas window display, and guess who got his mug in the mix?!

He Won't Be Cooking, But It'll Still Sell Out!

(Photo: Rick Bayless)


Just got word that Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco), Art Smith (Table Fifty-Two) and Charlie Trotter (Charlie Trotter) will sit on a panel with Frank Bruni (writer for The New York Times Magazine and former Times restaurant critic) and talk about food at the Chicago Cultural Center.

The first-ever TimesTalks in Chicago: Chicago Chefs Live! happens 6:30-8pm on Nov. 19 and you can get the $25 tickets here.

The event is followed by a book sale and signing.