Dining Tidbits – February 2007
A new spot in a hallowed Evanston restaurant space; new and updated listings
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Celebrity Beat
Summer in the city really means celebrities in the city. Seen on the scene, in the last week alone:
Thursday, June 7
Perhaps the most celeb-studded party Chicago has seen in recent years, the official Ocean’s Thirteen opening bash took place at Jerry Kleiner’s Room 21 last Thursday, following the movie’s premiere at AMC River East 21. Hosted by Vanity Fair, the party doubled as a charity event for Darfur; the cheapest ticket went for a cool $2,000. “Everything was draped in red, and it looked like the VIP-VIP-VIP room of Las Vegas’s best casino,” says guest Jonathan Landan, president of the marketing company A-Life Group. “George Clooney, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle,…
Trend of a Trend
How many restaurant fads can you fit under one roof? At least three, according to a pair of loungy new small-plate Latino lairs.
New stuff from Laurent Gras, Rande Gerber, Charlie Trotter, and other big names
The Next Chapter We knew the acclaimed chef Laurent Gras (Fifth Floor in San Francisco) was hooking up with Rich Melman and his Lettuce cronies, but we weren’t sure how or where. Now it’s clear: Gras is taking over the Ambria space (2300 N. Lincoln Park West; 773-472-5959). “Our goal all along has been to … Read more
Sweet Spots
Looking for a great place to linger over a cocktail? That special outdoor patio? An authentic Irish pub or dance palace of the moment? Whatever your need, we’ve got the perfect bar or club to satisfy it
Dish Flash!-Day 48, Room 21
Aaron Whitcomb, the highly touted executive chef of Room 21 (2110 S. Wabash Ave.; 312-328-1198), has left. “Aaron is a great chef, but he’s a young kid,” says owner Jerry Kleiner. [Note: he’s 30.] “He was overwhelmed by the volume and the pressure. He just couldn’t take it anymore and kept saying it would be … Read more
Ode to Old Town
Saturday and Sunday brought the return of the Wells Street Art Festival and the Old Town Art Fair-my absolute favorite weekend of the year. Because I live in Old Town, I consider these my festivals-essentially, a block party in my front yard for about 70,000 people. And since the Wells Street fest and I are … Read more
Five Days on the Line
Under wunderkind chef Grant Achatz, Alinea has become perhaps the most talked about restaurant in the country. We sent a reporter to work in the kitchen for a week to find out how his culinary high-wire act all comes together.
5 questions – Douglas Rodriguez
Douglas Rodriguez, Miami-based executive chef who owns restaurants in three time zones. His latest, De La Costa,opens in July in the River East Art Center.
Nightspotting – Rock On
Rock the Warehouse; Minnies; Celebrity Beat