Blackbird Chief Mixologist Lynn House Set To Leave In June; Heads to Bourbon Country

Well, here's a bombshell you didn't see coming: Blackbird's chief mixologist Lynn House is leaving her prestigious post on June 15.

The award-winning bartender, who has worked at the hot West Loop restaurant for more than three years, will join the Bardstown, Ky.,-based Heaven Hill Distilleries as the first-ever national brand ambassador for PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur (one of the company's brands).

House told 312DD over the weekend that she will continue to be based in Chicago, but her new duties of brand awareness and schmoozing with big wigs will take her all over the country.

Tippling Tuesday: It's National Negroni Week!

Barrel-aged Negroni photo via starchefs.com.

Through June 3, a few Chicago restaurants and bars are taking part in National Negroni Week, sponsored by Imbibe magazine.

It's not only an opportunity to indulge in the classic Italian cocktail (made with gin, Campari and sweet vermouth), but for every Negroni sold, $1 goes to the venue's favorite charity. More than 70 restaurants and bars across the country are participating, but here's where you can join in on the fun in Chicago:

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

Giuseppe Tentori, partner/executive chef at BOKA. (Photo: BOKA)

The wind will blow you away!

• Boka executive chef Giuseppe Tentori (also of GT Fish & Oyster fame) has teamed up with chefs Rick Gresh (David Burke’s Primehouse) and Cleetus Friedman (Fountainhead) for the second-annual CigarBQue. The event takes place at 6:30pm June 21 and it's exactly what you think: people chowing down on chef-driven BBQ dishes and smoking cigars. The trio's invited a bunch of colleagues to help them whip up vittles, including the likes of Matt Troost (Three Aces), Jimmy Bannos Sr. (Heaven on Seven), Mike and Patrick Sheerin (Trenchermen), Rey Villalobos (Table Fifty-Two), David Blonsky (Bull & Bear/Public House), Heather Terhune (Sable Kitchen & Bar), Chris Macchia (Coco Pazzo) and Willie Wagner (Honky Tonk BBQ). Mixologists Thaddeus Dynakowski (Northside Bar and Grill), Ben Schiller (Berkshire Room) and Mike Ryan (Sable Kitchen & Bar) will be serving up cocktails, which are included in the $150 ticket price. A portion of the evening's proceeds will be donated to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation. Get those tickets right here.

May 25 Is 'National Wine Day'; Where To Drink & Be Merry in the City

Photo via Uptown Magazine

All my favorite winos should be very happy with this news.

May 25 falls on a Saturday this year and that also happens to be National Wine Day. And because this weekend's all about celebrating Memorial Day, there will certainly be a lot of wine pouring going down.

If you're out and about, these spots rule, in my book:

Bar Pastoral. An extension of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, Bar Pastoral is a great choice for those seeking smaller, boutique wines. Diners may choose their selections from the retail shop and consume in the restaurant.

Scott Harris Expands His Empire To River North With Outposts of Davanti Enoteca, Glazed & Infused

Scott Harris photo via Schumannco.com

Centro. J. Rocco Italian Table & Bar. Osteria Via Stato. RPM Italian. Siena Tavern.

And now that Davanti Enoteca enters the fray in River North it's like the area's suddenly Little Italy 2.0!

'Tales of the Cocktail' Announces Finalists for 'Spirited Awards'; Chicago Represents

Charles Joly of the Aviary (Photo: Charles Joly)

Chicago strikes it big at Tales of the Cocktail, which announced Friday finalists for the seventh-annual Spirited Awards. It recognizes the year's best bars, bartenders, writers, experts and more at what's considered the largest gathering of bartenders in the world.

Tales takes place July 17-21 and we couldn't be prouder of the Windy City representation! Making the finals are the Aviary's Charles Joly ("American Bartender of the Year"), Barrelhouse Flat ("Best American Cocktail Bar"), Bridget Albert ("Best Bar Mentor") and Sable Kitchen and Bar ("Best High Volume Cocktail Bar" and "World’s Best Hotel Bar").

So Very, Very Hot Right Now.

Embeya's boozy new snow cone (Photo: Danielle Pizzutillo/Embeya)

Since the next several days are certain to be scorchers, I'm tripling up on the boozy coverage for the weekend. All the patios will be open and there's plenty of fun to be had.

I'm especially excited about Embeya's latest offering: hand-crafted, boozy snow cones. Created by beverage director Danielle Pizzutillo, flavors include bourbon with falernum and citrus; gin with ginger and lime; and rum with cherry.

Lillie's Q Set To Re-Open in Mid-June

Charlie McKenna's succulent baby back ribs. (Photo: Lillie's Q)

What a sigh of relief!

I just got word that Lillie's Q, which shuttered in March due to a fire, is reopening in its original Bucktown location in mid-June.