Paella on Parade . . .

This sounds like one hell of a yummy time!

Chicagoist has the scoop on El Coto de Rioja's Paella Parade, as a number of local restos go head to head in a friendly competition to determine who makes the Spanish dish best. Latin- and Spanish-inspired spots like Carnivale, Emilio's Tapas, Province and Socca are set to compete, so you know this will be a good time.

Checking Out Mixologist's 'Bar Aid Project'

Logan Lavachek of Duchamp Chicago. (Photo: Logan Lavachek)

In early May, 312DD introduced you to Logan Lavachek's Bar Aid Project, a cocktail-focused blog tracking her progress recreating 80 classic alcoholic beverages.

And this week, on WCIU-TV's You & Me This Morning, we caught up with Duchamp's ace mixologist to actually make some of the spirited sippers.

Here's the video!

Secret Raphael Saadiq Show at The Gage!

Raphael Saadiq performed a secret supper club show at The Gage Wednesday. (Photo: Columbia)

Man, when I found out R&B/soul singer Raphael Saadiq was going to perform at The Gage Wednesday night, I tried everything I could to get in.

Alas, my contacts didn't come through, but the event sounded absolutely fabulous.

Shhhh. . .Gage's New Monday Party Is 'Semi-Secret'

The Gage's downstairs private dining area. (Photo: The Gage)

Well, now that I let the big ol' cat out of the bag, I might as well give you the rest of the details.

Every last Monday of the month, beginning June 27, The Gage and next-door sister restaurant Henri will throw one helluva party in The Gage's basement private dining room.

Saturday is International Sushi Day!

If you follow me on Twitter @Audarshia, then you know how obsessed I am with @Foodimentary's useful "food of the day" tweets.

I typically keep my postings about the "food of the day" on Twitter only, but this particular day deserves a shoutout on 312DD!

It's International Sushi Day on Saturday, and to celebrate, RA Sushi's giving away its signature Tootsy Maki from 11am to 7pm. It comes with Kani kama crab mix, shrimp and cucumber rolled and topped with crunchy tempura bits and drizzled with sweet eel sauce. To get it, you must "like" RA Sushi on Facebook and print the offer from its page.

That's the only freebie I could find for International Sushi Day, but the occasion also gives me the opportunity to gleefully list some of my fave sushi spots in the city:

Cool Things To Do On Dad's Big Day . . .

McGee's "Classic Car Brunch" in 2008. (Photo: Freddy Love)

I had a rad dad.

He was the type of guy who'd lock himself in his basement art studio for hours listening to Miles Davis and sipping on scotch as he painted African-inspired artwork or penned radical poetry. He'd design the biggest and best kite on the block and then take my brother and me to the park to test it out. Or he'd sneak off and bring back new pets—much to Mom's chagrin—ranging from baby sharks to hamsters to an exotic talking bird.

Now Dad wasn't the type of guy you'd take to a run-of-the-mill brunch on his special day, so we had to be creative every year or we'd bore him to death. So naturally I always keep that in mind when people ask me where they should take their dads (or significant others, etc.) on Father's Day.

Paul Kahan Gets Knives Past TSA at O'Hare!

Paul Kahan (Photo: Battman Studios)

I'm still in awe of how Blackbird head honcho Paul Kahan got past TSA Monday with a bunch of sharp objects. He tweeted:

"Flew outta O'Hare today. Forgot I had four huge chefs knives in carry on bag. Got patted down for wallet. Knives went through."

I mean, we all know who he is and that he's not a potential threat to anyone on the airline, but the fact that he got FOUR large-ass kitchen knives past security without even a beep is scary, no?!

GT Fish & Oyster Launches Lunch & More Openings

Gnocchi with Black Squid Ink, Carrot Lobster Broth, Prawns and Fava Beans at GT Fish & Oyster (Photo via Krebs' Foodspotting page)

This is exciting news for those who work in the River North area.

GT Fish & Oyster's lunch program starts Monday. Now you don't have to wait until 4pm to dig into the luscious lobster roll, various seafood pasta dishes and mussels.

Unfortunately for the first week or so, the entire food menu won't be available, but if you're going for a liquid lunch, you'll be able to order all the cocktails.