Chris Curren Named Executive Chef within The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group

Chef Chris Curren (Photo: Blue 13)

Well, that was quick.

Just last week, I wrote that Chris Curren had resigned from LGN Group, which owns Stout Barrel House & Galley. Now comes word that he has a new gig as executive chef of The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group (The Fifty/50, Roots Handmade Pizza, West Town Bakery & Diner, etc.).

Phil's Last Stand Owner Makes 'Bigoted' Jokes On Facebook

Hot dogs from Phil's Last Stand (Photo: Phil's Last Stand)

Well, this was weird.

Phil's Last Stand is a popular, late-night burger and hot dog stand in Ukrainian Village. Owner "Fat Phil" is a colorful character, but did he go too far on Facebook when he described an encounter over the weekend with a customer of another ethnic group:

Reward Yourself With These Tax Day Specials

Tavern on Rush's petite filet Mignon is $15 on April 15 and comes with bacon-cheddar mashed potatoes and spinach. (Photo: Tavern on Rush)

Got your taxes done?!

Great! Now it's time to celebrate with some dining and drinking specials around town:

Brasserie by LM/LM Bistro. Wind down the long, taxing day with $4.15 Kir Royales made with creme de cassis and champagne. If you're expecting to pay out more $$$ this year, you might need a few of these!

Carnivale. Those dining at the Latin fusion restaurant for lunch or dinner on April 15 will get a $15 gift certificate to use on the next visit. It's valid through May 31.

So Very, Very Hot Right Now

Maple slab bacon at Tavernita brunch (Photo: Tavernita)

With marriage equality a heated issue in the media today, our LGBT friends and family need our support more than ever.

I'm not going to get all preachy, but one chef is giving us the opportunity to celebrate our differences with a brunchy good time this weekend.

Lite Bites: What Your Favorite Chefs & Mixologists Are Up To Around Town This Week

Chef Chris Curren (Photo: Blue 13)

Rain can be such a pain . . .

• Chris Curren is no longer executive chef at Stout Barrel House & Galley in River North. He gave no additional information for his departure, stating on Facebook Wednesday for fans to "stay tuned for the next stage of my career in the next few weeks. It's going to be exciting!" I wonder how this announcement will affect LGN Group's upcoming beer-focused restaurant in the West Loop. Curren was charged with handling that project as well.

• If you weren't lucky enough to get tix for the annual WhiskyFest, you've got a chance to win a pair at a Templeton Rye Whiskey dinner on April 11. That happens at Local Chicago with a four-course dinner paired with curated cocktails from mixologist Katie Sauer. Templeton Rye Master Distiller Keith Kerkhoff will also be in attendance. The dinner is $80 and reservations may be made by calling the restaurant. It starts at 6:30pm.

Arami Boasts First-Ever Private Label Sake In City

Ichi No Torii, Arami's own private label sake (Photo: Arami)

With all the beer- and bourbon-focused restaurants teaming up with breweries and distilleries, this makes perfect sense.

West Town sushi spot Arami worked with Tojii Hibino of the Japanese-based Ohmuraya Brewery to produce Ichi No Torii (translates to "The First Gate")—the restaurant's own private label sake.

We'll Be Sippin' On A Saturday At 'Pinot Days'

Photo via Uptown Magazine

Who wouldn't want to spend an entire afternoon sipping some of the best wines in the world?!

Pinot Days returns to Navy Pier 2-5pm April 20 and you don't want to miss out on sampling up to 150 domestic vinos from the likes of the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. There will be 60 producers in the house.

Bartenders Aim To Raise $250,000 For 'Just One Shift,' Providing Clean Water Worldwide

I'm a little surprised that so few Chicago bartenders are participating in Just One Shift, a project happening at restaurants and bars nationwide to raise $250,000 so that people everywhere have access to clean water.

The event goes on all this week and three local bartenders have signed up to generously donate their tips. Here's where you will find them: