So Very, Very Hot Right Now.

(Photo: Pastoral Artisan Cheese)

It's year three for Pastoral’s Artisan Producer Festival, and this time around they've gathered more than 90 vendors to showcase the best in artisanal cheese, confections, beer, wine and spirits in the West Loop.

The best part about this fest?! It's absolutely free, so if you sample something you particularly love, you can use that extra cash to spend on the goodies.

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

Chef David Burke

It's Hump Day.

David Burke's garnered much success with his namesake River North steakhouse that's situated in the James Hotel. But since it's been there for almost 10 years it could use a facelift. We were pretty excited to hear about its current renovations a few months ago, but apparently there is more news, according to Chicago Real Estate Daily. In addition to a new lobby, bar and wine cellar for Primehouse, expect the debut of upscale sandwich shop Burke's Bacon Bar in the summer. That certainly makes me want to squeal, but Burke is apparently working on yet another project near Millennium Park, according to the story. He's planning a farm-to-table restaurant in a 101-year-old building at 168 N. Michigan Ave. that is set to open as a Hotel Indigo next spring. Dishes and ingredients will be locally sourced.

• Happening elsewhere, Michelin-starred chef Shin Thompson has just opened Kabocha in the West Loop. It serves small, medium and large plates with offerings such as duck confit & fennel pot stickers, asari-steamed clams and Japanese sweet potato croquettes. What's certain to be the pièce de résistance is the shellfish "aquarium." Yeah, you read that correctly. Generous portions of seafood such as lobster, oysters, scallops, prawns and king crab arrive to your table in an actual aquarium for $85. Something tells me that will be a BIG hit.

A Lil' Something For My Scotch-Lovin' Fans

City Winery switches it up from the usual vino happenings to a scotch-focused event that's certain to bring out the fans.

They've teamed up with Glenfiddich for a night of single-malt scotch whisky tasting where guests will indulge in 12-, 15- and 18-year spirits. Award-winning pianist Greg Spero should complement this evening of sheer sophistication with live musical selections. He'll debut three new compositions, each a musical description of a different Glenfiddich expression.

'Racist Bartender' Pops Up Again. . .This Time At River North's Castle Nightclub

(Photo: Facebook)

It's been awhile since we checked in on our "favorite" Chicago bartender, Jessica Harr—who infamously spewed racist rants on Facebook that were heard around the world.

Well, apparently she's scored a cushy little job at late-night River North nightclub Castle. I wonder if they were even aware of her reputation?!

Award-Winning Mixologist Josh Pearson Leaves Sepia For Hot New River North Project

Josh Pearson (Photo courtesy of Josh Pearson)

Josh Pearson is one of Chicago's most celebrated bartenders, and after more than four years behind the stick at Sepia, he's ready to move on. This is his last week at the upscale West Loop eatery.

"(It was a) totally amicable split," he told 312DD exclusively over the weekend. "I'm going to a new bar in River North."

In his new role, which officially starts May 1, he'll serve as co-beverage director and head bartender. He wouldn't disclose any additional information, but with a little digging I found out that he'll be working for this planned tri-level lounge that was once home to Swirl Wine Bar.

That Eater Chicago article from 2011 stated that the team behind Bangers & Lace also owns that project. This is apparently not true, according to partner Matt Eisler. The people who own the River North spot are completely different.

So Very, Very Hot Right Now.

The Lobby at the Peninsula adds ramps to its signature whole roast chicken. (Photo: Peninsula Chicago)

This incredibly gloomy weather needs some brightening up, which is why we're completely obsessed with the arrival of ramps on menus all over town.

At the Lobby at the Peninsula Chicago, for example, Chef de Cuisine Lee Wolen incorporates the seasonal, onion-like ingredient into his signature roast chicken dish that's been a hit on the menu since it debuted last fall. It also comes with juicy morels and marbled potatoes.

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

A recent "Discovery Dinner" party at Storefront Company (Photo: Tyler Curtis/Storefront Co.)

When will spring arrive?!

• Bryan Moscatello is gearing up for the next Discovery Dinner Series events at Storefront Co. Guests will be savoring Moscatello's seasonal dishes while sipping Double Cross Vodka, Goose Island Beer Co. Vintage Collection and the Italian beers 32 Via Dei Birrai. The events happen through May; call the restaurant for reservations.

• Brandon Wolff (La Madia, one sixtyblue, Signature Room) is the new toque at Tre Soldi, the latest project from Jack Weiss (Coco Pazzo). What's certain to be one of the standout dishes on the Roman-style menu is Carciofi alla Giudea, a traditional, double pan-fried artichoke with mint-and-anchovy infused oil. The restaurant is set to open in early June.

Today's Nightlife: Is It About Music or Mixology?!

I'm trying to gauge people's minds on where they stand when going out on the town.

Is it about the music or the mixology?! The mix master or the mixologist? I feel as though the deejay culture—well at least in Chicago—has taken a back seat to Chicago's ever-growing cocktail culture. What used to be carefully curated musical programs at night spots are now focusing on craft beers and booze.