From Barrelhouse Flat To Carriage House, Get Ready For Henri's 'Spirited Dinner Series' This Fall

Chef Dirk Flanigan and mixologist Clint Rogers of Henri. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)

Henri mixologist Clint Rogers has gathered some of the city's most talented barmen for a series of spirited dinners you don't want to miss.

This sounds pretty cool—even though no female 'tenders are in the lineup—because each event takes on a different spirit that's paired with Executive Chef Dirk Flanigan's food.

For example, the first dinner takes place at 6pm Oct. 10 with Stephen Cole and his team from Barrelhouse Flat. They're charged with coming up with five whiskey craft cocktails using Buffalo Trace, Elmer T. Lee and Weller bourbons. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception featuring whiskey-based punches from Rogers and Thomas Mooneyham, the head mixlogist from Henri's sister restaurant The Gage. Then the guest bartenders will create cocktails to complement a five-course feast.

Here's the lineup for additional spirited dinners this fall:

My Obsession With Waffles Continues With Sushi Samba Rio's New Quinoa Waffles

Sushi Samba rio's quinoa waffles with kuromitsu and vanilla cinnamon butter. (Photo: Sushi Samba rio)

First there was Bel 50 with its sweet and savory waffle sandwiches stuffed with slow-roasted BBQ pulled pork or braised short rib.

Then Square One teamed up with Waffles in the South Loop to offer an all-you-can-eat waffle brunch.

Now comes Sushi Samba rio with its brunch offering for fall: quinoa waffles with kuromitsu (a Japanese sugar syrup) and vanilla cinnamon butter.

The Case of Tavernita's Missing Dog: SOLVED.

OK, so that wasn't Tavernita's missing dog in the Craigslist ad.

Just call me Detective 312DD because I've gotten to the bottom of this very inhumane crime. Apparently, Red Door general manager RJ Wall swiped Pinxto at a fund-raiser last week and has been toting him all over town, according to Tavernita chef/partner Ryan Poli.

"Ask him why they stole it," Poli said to 312DD. "He still has not given me an answer!"

Wall could not be reached for comment at press time, but here are some additional photos of his heinous crime:

An Industry Benefit For Three Aces Bartender Who Was Shot in Ukrainian Village in September

Raquel LeDuc of Three Aces.

Remember that terrible story in mid-September about two people getting shot minutes apart in Ukrainian Village?!

Well, one of the victims was Raquel LeDuc, a local burlesque performer and bartender at Three Aces in Little Italy. She was walking from her car to her home when she was attacked and shot in the abdomen.

I don't know the identity or condition of the guy, but LeDuc is apparently recovering nicely, however, her hospital bills were pretty high.

That's why Three Aces has decided to throw a bash in her honor to help. From what I can tell, the turnout will be pretty outstanding with many prominent folks in the industry pitching in to relieve her of some of those bills.

Charles Joly Unveils First 'In The Rocks' Cocktail Since The Aviary's Opening

Here's The Aviary's original "In The Rocks" cocktail, which paid homage to the Old Fashioned. (Photo via endlesssimmer.com)

It's been well over a year since Grant Achatz's The Aviary first introduced In The Rocks, the innovative sipper that set the standard for molecular gastronomic cocktails.

But it's time for a change, now that new head mixologist Charles Joly is in charge of the beverage program. The original paid homage to the classic Old Fashioned, and the guest shattered a spherical-shaped ice cube to release the liquid contents into a rocks glass. According to Esquire's David Wondrich, The Old Fashioned was conceived in 1806, so it made sense to launch the beverage program with such a classic offering.

Joly's rendition takes on a more modern elixir, the Vieux Carre, which was born in the 1930s in a New Orleans hotel.

Says Joly:

Square One Just May Have The Absolute Best Brunch Offering This Fall

Waffles' Green Tea waffles. (Photo: Waffles)

OK, so I am going to tell you something, but you've got to promise to remain calm.

South Loop newbie Square One has teamed up with Waffles for what they're dubbing an adult brunch. Now what that is supposed to mean I don't really care because it's not like they're offering bottomless Mimosas and/or Bellinis.

Seven Poutines In One Place At Streeterville Newcomer Local Root

Here's enough poutine to feed a family of four! Now available at Local Root. (Photo via Thrillist Chicago)

Our friends over at Thrillist Chicago introduce us to Streeterville newcomer Local Root. Now, while folks who live in the area have got to be excited to have another budget-friendly brunch and breakfast option in the 'hood, the fact that it offers seven different poutines is especially fascinating.

We took a peek at the menu and think you'll agree:

This Is A Good Week To Be Brendan Sodikoff

Doughnut Vault's chocolate glazed doughnuts. (Photo: Doughnut Vault)

The local restaurateur, who's behind Gilt Bar, Maude's Liquor Bar and Bavette's, is getting some exceptional national media attention this week.

First, the burger at his West Loop diner Au Cheval was named America's Best New Burger by Bon Appetit.

And now, his River North sugar shop Doughnut Vault was the only local spot to make Food & Wine's America's Best Doughnuts list: