Call it what you want: For us Jews, Christmas Eve—also known as Schmoozapalooza and the Matzo Ball—is one of the biggest party nights of the year, when a significant chunk of the single population is focused more on flirting and flinging than sleigh bells ringing. Lucky for us, there’s a whole crop of parties slated for December 24th, and it’s not too early to make your plans now…
Dish will be delayed until tomorrow (Thursday 12/11) while we wrap up a couple more details.
Bros with “mos” (that’s “mustaches” for the non-Aussies among us) convened at Enclave last Friday in support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. From among the 500 or so revelers—mustachioed, clean-shaven, and female alike—one lucky “mo bro,” Armand Conti, was named Man of Movember, a title that scored him two tickets to a future party at the Playboy Mansion—proving that, as Tom Selleck knows, the stache still has cachet…
City dwellers who aren’t prepared to cab it to Downers Grove’s newly reopened Stardust can mix this holiday party-pleaser at home.
Will Sully’s House Tap Room & Grill stick it out in the shadow of glitzier clubs like Crobar, or will it go the way of many of the area’s recently constructed condos: unoccupied?
1. Yep, that was proud new papa Pete Wentz hanging out in Angels & Kings’ super-secret new VIP space on Tuesday with Fall Out Boy drummer Andy Hurley. Spy other rock stars when AK finally opens its hidden gem to the public next weekend—if you can get in. The owners are being especially tight-lipped about details, but dressing well can’t hurt.
2. It’s been 75 freaking years since Prohibition was repealed on December 5, 1933, but we’ll use any excuse to keep celebrating. Plan B is the place to be tonight, Thursday the 4th: Burlesque! Whiskey! Shoe-shiners! (Hey, it’s a 1930s theme.)…
When I found out Thomas Keller was coming to town to cook side-by-side with Grant Achatz, his most famous and successful protégé, I thought to myself: Must. Be. There. The two chefs had teamed up to do a series of events—one at Per Se in New York, one at Alinea, and a final stop at The French Laundry in California—each a three-hour, 20-course meal priced at $1,500 a head. I’m not even sure why I found the idea of this event so thrilling. Was it the outrageous price tag as we teeter on the brink of a depression? Was it the presence of Keller, perhaps America’s most…
Jim Dragatsis (Marigold), Howard Natinsky (Fat Cat), and Cary Michael (formerly of Rockit) are collaborating on Branch 27 (1371 W. Chicago Ave.), a 120-seat American bistro in the old 27th Ward library. “We are focusing on foods people are very familiar with—flat-iron steaks, great mussels, great seafood—classics done very well,” says Dragatsis. “The plates are not going to be loaded with garnishes and sauces.” The partners…
Here are the 20 best steak houses in the Chicago area. Call them manly. Call them indulgent. Call them politically out of step. Then call them for reservations.
New ’Cue
Main Street Smokehouse (536 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville), a promising 35-seat spot slated to open the first week of January, plans to put its own spins on barbecue styles around the country. “I’m pairing pork shoulder with my own apple cider ale barbecue sauce, and ribs with maple chipotle sauce, and brisket with a sweet Tennessee-style sauce,” says the owner, Eddie Moore, a culinary school graduate who has been working as a caterer in…
