Freebie Alert: Sprinkles Cupcakes!

(Photo: Sprinkles)

Just in case you're looking for a sweet bite, Sprinkles is feting its new extended hours with a giveaway.

The stylish cupcakery's now open until 9pm every day (except Sunday until 8pm), so they're giving away a free cupcake to each person who stops by 8-9pm March 15-16.

That's right. You get a cupcake. And you get a cupcake. And you . . . and you . . .

This Should Come As No Surprise . . .

Mixologist Paul McGee doing what he does best at RPM Italian. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)

As director of cocktail development for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Paul McGee has already skillfully created a number of cocktails to complement the cuisine at RPM Italian. I'm especially loving—of course—his rendition of the Negroni, which is topped off with Prosecco.

As he's working on getting Bub City open this summer, LEYE partner R.J. Melman tells 312DD that McGee's next task is to re-design the cocktail programs at Hub 51 and Paris Club.

A Recipe For . . .

. . . The Green Mile Burger.

Everyone's idea of celebrating St. Patrick's Day doesn't entail slamming down mug after mug of green-hued beer. That's especially true over at Lockdown Bar & Grill in Ukrainian Village, where Executive Chef Jason Slimak has found new uses for Guinness and corned beef.

His Green Mile Burger is now on the menu, but if you'd like to hook it up at home, here's the recipe:

March 14 is National Pi Day!

Bang Bang Pie Company's Lavender Coconut Cream Pie. The bakery shop is set to open in Logan Square this spring. (Photo via instagr.am.)

Mensa members and math lovers celebrate National Pi Day on March 14 (3/14) because Pi is 3.14 (3.14159265358979323846).

But foodies will be celebrating in their own way with . . .

Whoopie pies. Mince meat pies. Pizza pies. Cobblers. Chicken pot pies. And good ol' American apple pies.

Some recs on where to go to chow down in style:

More Gourmet Sammies Coming Downtown

We hope Clandestino Supper Club's gourmet sammies look as good as the ones at New York's Taco Mix. (Photo via Grubstreet)

Out of the blue Monday, Clandestino Supper Club's chef/owner Efrain Cuevas posted on Facebook that he's opening a gourmet sandwich shop soon in the Loop.

Cuevas, who cut his teeth in Frontera Grill's kitchen, had been doing offbeat, underground dinners under Clandestino during his off hours for a few years, but they did so well that he decided to make them a full-time gig. His parties have ranged from a Halloween-themed event featuring recipes from Vincent Price's cookbook to the highly popular Dinnerpalooza Summer Jams.

Right now, there are no details about the location, menu and opening date, but we'll get that to you soon . . .

Attack of the Mac . . . & Cheese

The Southern Mac & Cheese Store's signature dish. (Photo: Southern Mac & Cheese Store)

Relish in these next few days as we experience record highs outside, but since I'm not a weather-girl, I'm going to stick to what I really know.

March just happens to be National Noodle Month, and there's a whole lotta celebrating going on.

And The Doughnut Trend Continues . . .

West Town Tavern's sugar-dusted maple potato doughnuts. (Photo: West Town Tavern)

Doughnut Vault and Do-Rite Donuts have been slaying our sweet tooths with their goodies, and now West Town Tavern is getting in on the action with a new special on the menu.

They just introduced the sweet-and-savory sugar-dusted maple potato doughnuts that come with a bourbon-custard dipping sauce. And, according to them, these are from an old Amish recipe that uses left-over rice or mashed potatoes as a base.

These won't be on the menu for long, so you'd better get on it . . .

Looks Like We Were On To Something . . .

Paul McGee photo via This Is A Cocktail Blog

Remember back in early January when I wrote that it was high time for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises to look for new opportunities in Logan Square?!

According to Eater Chicago, the solid restaurant company's looking to the West Side for an upcoming venture, but just slightly east of the hip neighborhood: