'Dine Around' in West Town is Underway

Arami's fire-roasted kamas (fish collars) with sweet soy and Meyer lemon. (Photo: Arami)

I've been gushing about this one for a couple of months and now it's finally here.

Through March 15 (Sunday-Thursday only), West Town's first-ever Dine Around event happens at nine restaurants mostly along Chicago Avenue.

Its goal is to showcase the diversity of chef-driven eateries in the area. Diners are encouraged to scoop up a "passport" for a $5 donation at one of the participating restaurants and area retailers. The donation goes toward the improvement of Eckhart Park.

Passport holders who visit the restaurants or wine retailers over the nine-week period will receive special off-menu dishes, tastings, or pairings created exclusively for the program. Diners who complete the entire passport will be entered to win a gift certificate for four guests at one of the restaurants.

Participants and initial offers include:

Ed Burns Finally Gets into Girl & The Goat

The last time award-winning actor/producer Ed Burns was in Chicago, he couldn't get a reservation for Girl & the Goat.

Owner/chef Stephanie Izard and partner Kevin Boehm reached out to him immediately and said that the next time he was in town that they'd assure he'd get in.

Burns got his chance when over the weekend he was in town promoting his latest movie, Newlyweds, at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Izard taped a personal invitation—including an offer to buy him a beer—that aired during his appearance on The U's You & Me This Morning Friday.

This Makes Me Very, Very Happy . . .

GT Fish & Oyster's lobster roll. (Photo: Serious Eats Chicago)

Serious Eats Chicago's A Sandwich A Day feature has quickly become one of my favorite things in the world.

I mean, seriously, who doesn't like sandwiches?!

Their latest adventure was at GT Fish & Oyster, where SE's editor Nick Kindelsperger dug into the magnificent lobster roll:

Tavernita 'Soft Opens' Tonight!

Tad Carducci and Paul Tanguay of the Tippling Bros. (Photo: Mercadito Hospitality)

Eff that so-called snowstorm today, Tavernita is opening.

But check it out . . .

They're only doing limited reservations, according to Thrillist, so your best bet is to just roll up in there if you're looking to eat or drink.

Some highlights:

Top Chicago Bartenders on Scotch, Mmmm

Just in time for the real deal winter, three of Chicago's top 'tenders recently teamed up with comedian Baratunde Thurston and The Black Grouse Scotch for the first-ever Distinctive Bartender Tour.

The multi-city tour also traveled to Los Angeles, Miami and New York, and bartenders were charged with the task of creating some inventive cocktails using the spirit.

Representing Chicago were Lynn House (Blackbird), Charles Joly (The Drawing Room) and Mike Ryan (Sable Kitchen & Bar), who shook and stirred seasonal sippers certain to keep you warm during the coldest months of the year.

Check out their videos below to see how to make them at home:

Bacon!

(Photo via The Bacon Games)

Baconfest Chicago returns in April and Eater Chicago has got all the deets.

My recommendation if you plan on going this year to check out offerings from more than 200 restaurants?!

Act as though you were training for a marathon. Get on a workout plan NOW.

Four Seasons' New Resto Name Revealed

Kevin Hickey will be executive chef at Allium when it opens in February at Four Seasons Chicago.

Seasons Restaurant and Seasons Bar and Lounge in the Four Seasons Chicago served their last meals on New Year's Eve, making way for a private dining space and a more approachable concept called Allium.

Set to open in February, Allium (which is Latin for "onion") will focus on regional, farm-to-table modern American cuisine under the direction of current Executive Chef Kevin Hickey. It'll be housed in the space adjacent to the seventh-floor hotel lobby. And, according to a recent email from the publicist, the extensive redesign of the space will "showcase a warm, approachable and more modern aesthetic."

Let's just hope they don't take out that fireplace!

Alpana Singh Set To Open Wine Bar

Master Sommelier Alpana Singh (Photo: Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises)

This is some very cool news!

Check, Please! host and former Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises master sommelier Alpana Singh is set to open a wine bar, according to Crain's Chicago: