May
8
Opening DIRT-y Quickies. Sandwich Me In, Red Door, Green City Market’s Outdoor Season
Filed Under Chefs, Chicago, Food News, Go Local, Now Open, Openings, Restaurants | Leave a Comment
Delicious DIRT. Opening Quickies.
DIRT Inside: Sandwich Me In, Lakeview, Duchamp, Troy Graves, Red Door, Green City Market
Troy Graves has Opened the Red Door

Alaskan Halibut Fava Beans, Strawberries, Pancetta, and Balsamic Gastrique from Chef Graves' Old Spot, Eve via Star Chefs.
So many openings, we are into. Earlier, we told you about Duchamp closing and Troy Graves’ Red Door opening. Now, it’s open. So check ‘em out! We love what they posted on their Facebook page: “We would like everyone to know we are not a restaurant with a great bar. We are a bar with great food. Salute!” 2118 N. Damen. [Eater]
Sustainability is Key @ NEW Sandwich Me In. Below.
Green City Market Kicks Off Outdoor Season. Below.

Green City Market by Nick Kindelsberger
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May
7
Taste Frog N Snail, LM Faves Return, Luxbar’s Brunch Newbies.
Filed Under Chicago, Food News, Menu, Restaurants | Leave a Comment
Delicious DIRT. Juicy New Menu Round-Up
DIRT Inside: LM Restaurant, Brad Phillips, Troquet, Brasserie, LUXBAR, Frog N Snail
Brunch Newbies at LUXBAR.

Luxbar
Dig brunch? Love LUXBAR as much as we do? Friday’s, Saturday’s, and Sundays starting at 8:00 AM, get down to LUXBAR for new spring brunch eats like Gold Coast Omelet ($11.50), House Cured Salmon Frittata ($11.00), Breakfast Burrito ($10.50), Veggie Hash ($9.50), Fresh Berries ($9.00) and more. We know you’re not going to forget brunch cocktails… Prosecco Mimosas ($8.25) and LUXBAR’s signature Zing Zang Bloody Mary ($8.75). BONUS DIRT: We love this patio. Make it official –> reservations @ 312.642.3400. 18 E. Bellevue.
LM Menu Newbies = Flashbacks to 2009. Below.
Complete Menus for Newbie Frog N Snail. Below.

Chocolate Dessert @ Frog N Snail via Chicago Magazine
Caught the Delicious DIRT that is Frog N Snail?
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May
4
Burger Night PQM is HOT, Chef’s Burger Bistro Coming to Michigan Ave, More Burger Month DIRT at 25 Degrees
Filed Under Chefs, Chicago, Food News, To Open | Leave a Comment
Delicious DIRT. This Week in Burger News
DIRT Inside: Publican Quality Meats, Paul Kahan, RedEye Chicago, Boston Blackie’s, Benny Siddu, Volare, Benny’s Chop House, Chef’s Burger Bistro, Edward Leonard, National BBQ & Burger Month, 25 Degrees, Greater Chicago Food Depository
TO OPEN: Gourmet Burger Joint, Chef’s Burger Bistro, Coming in July

Benny's Chop House
More burger news we stoked about. The closed down Boston Blackie’s off Michigan Avenue will soon become the home of a gourmet burger joint coming in mid-July. Benny Siddu of Volare and Benny’s Chop House will be opening Chef’s Burger Bistro with Edward Leonard. Get ready for a simply burger filled menu – 2 sizes of patties, veggie, turkey, lobster burgers (Yes, you read that right). Sweet small plates will be offered as well, such as a pressed beet salad with Humboldt Fog goat cheese and sea bass with morels, peas, and lobster-butter broth. YUM. 164 E. Grand. [Dish]
PQM’s Inaugural Burger Night = A HIT. Below.
National BBQ & Burger Month @ 25 Degrees. Below

25 Degrees
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May
3
Gemini Bistro & Rustic House Celebrate Halibut Season; Quay’s Cakebread Wine Dinner; Tuscany Café Gets Abstract w/ Ralph Childs
Filed Under Chefs, Chicago, Events, Food News | Leave a Comment
Delicious DIRT. Three DIRT-Worthy Events To Stimulate Your Senses
DIRT Inside: Jason Paskewitz, Gemini Bistro, Rustic House, Quay, Cakebread Wine, Dennis Cakebread, Phil Stefani, Tuscany Café, Ralph Childs
What They’re Cookin’ Up: It’s Halibut Season

Gemini Bistro.
The oh-so-short Wild Alaskan Halibut season is here. Chef Partner Jason Paskewitz and his two Lincoln Park hotspots, Gemini Bistro + Rustic House, are prepared to serve up this tender white fish in a bunch of delicious ways. Weekly specials at Gemini Bistro = pan seared halibut with pea shoots, roasted baby carrots, caramelized onions and a lemon beurre blanc for $32. At Rustic House, pan seared Atlantic halibut is prepared with a corn purée, sauteed asparagus and shimeji mushrooms for $28. Paskewitz will be highlighting the mild, yet slightly sweet nature of wild Alaskan halibut by pairing it with fresh, seasonal ingredients. BONUS DIRT: the fish is certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. The weekly specials at both of these hotspots will rotate weekly, and just as a heads up, both spots are closed on Mondays. Gemini Bistro: 2075 N. Lincoln. Rustic House: 1967 N. Halsted.
Join Quay + Dennis Cakebread for Cakebread Wine Dinner. Below
Tuscany Café + Artist Ralph Childs = An Evening of Art. Below.
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Apr
29
PQM Intros Burgers, D Vault Best, Red Door To Open, Do Rite Saturdays, Starbucks Alcohol, Wit’s Roof
Filed Under Chefs, Chicago, Food News, JUICE, Restaurants | Leave a Comment
Delicious DIRT Quickies: Publican Quality Meats Brings Burgers; Doughnut Vault Best in the USA; Troy Graves’ Red Door Opens In Duchamp Space; Do-Rite Donuts Open Saturdays; Beer and Wine Coming to Starbucks Lakeview; Retractable Glass Roof to the Wit.
DIRT Inside: Publican Quality Meats, Paul Kahan, Food Film Fest, Doughnut Vault, Food & Wine, Duchamp, Jason Freiman, Troy Graves, Red Door, Christopher Peckat, Fei Tang, Do-Rite Donuts, Starbucks, Lakeview, Wit Hotel, Roof at Wit Hotel
May 1 = First Burger Night at Publican Quality Meats

Publican Quality Meats by Scott Manlin
Chef Paul Kahan tweeted Publican Quality Meats will now serve burgers and we’re salivating already. Beginning May 1, PQM serves up their first burger night. One thing we KNOW for sure, we expect juicy burgers. Hopefully George Motz will hit this joint on his next Chi trip so we know the low down from the true burger expert himself… Until then, we’ll juuuust have to sample the goods ourselves. 312.445.8977. 825 W. Fulton Market. [Grub Street]
Red Door Opening In Duchamp Space. Below
Do-Rite Donuts Open Saturdays. Below
Retractable Roof at Wit Hotel on May 9. Below
Beer + Wine To Starbucks Chi Specifics. Below
Doughnut Vault Gets Best in Country. Below
We love when our friends win big! Congrats to friend Brendan Sodikoff + team -> aka Food Film Fest winner, Doughnut Vault on being named Best Doughnuts in the COUNTRY by Food & Wine Magazine. NOT a surprise to us. Serious foodgasms are a sure thing when taking these babies down.
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Apr
27
JUICE: Chicago Run Fundraiser; Ann Sather Opening; Caffe De Luca Closing
Filed Under Chicago, Food News, Fundraisers | Leave a Comment
Delicious DIRT. Running Is Elevating: Little Steps, Big Stars Fundraiser; Get Ann Sather’s At New Location; Caffe De Luca Closing to Make Way for Grass Fed
DIRT Inside: Chicago Run, Fulton’s on the River, Little Steps Big Stars, Ann Sather, Bananas Foster Cafe, Caffe De Luca, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Grass Fed
Chicago Classic, Ann Sather’s, Heading to Broadway / Granville
Chicago veteran Ann Sather has been warming up our insides with amazing creations for over 65 years (gotta love those gooey, luscious cinnamon rolls), but this Swedish breakfast hotspot will be expanding! In the coming weeks, watch for the fifth Ann Sather location to be opening up at Broadway and Granville, at the old Bananas Foster Café that closed abruptly to the shock of it’s local following. We gotta know: What’s your favorite Ann Sather treat? [Eater]
Run for Fun + Benefit Kids @ “Little Steps, Big Stars” Fundraiser. Below.
Caffe De Luca Sold: Opening Sustainable Meat Resto In Its Place. Below.
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Apr
26
Food Film Fest event 6/9; May’s National Hamburger & BBQ Month; Pet-Friendly Bistronomic
Filed Under Chefs, Chicago, Food Film Fest, Food News, JUICE, Restaurants | Leave a Comment
Delicious DIRT. Dine With Design at The Glass House; Where to Get BBQ + Burgers in the Chi this May; Dine on the Patio with your Pooch at Bistronomic
DIRT Inside: Food Film Festival, Glass House, Phillip Johnson, Frederic Kieffer, George Motz, Dine With Design, National Trust for Historic Preservation, New York Times, Chicago Cut, Chicago q, Gemini Bistro, Luxbar, Frontier, Porkchop, Rosebud, Tavern on Rush, Bistronomic, Martial Noguier
Food Film Fest Event 6/9 @ The Glass House
This is a one in a lifetime opportunity that you cannot miss. Join us on June 9 for an unbelievable evening of the perfect pairing of food, film, and modern design. This event will be held at the Phillip Johnson Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut. Built in 1949 as Phillip Johnson’s own residence, it is regarded as a masterpiece in the use of glass, but also extremely important and influential in modern architecture. Like all Food Film Fest events (incredible, duh), you will be treated to some of the most intriguing and relevant food films accompanied by epicurean delights. This time you will also have access to the exquisite 47-acre campus of the Glass House. Starting with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Artisan Executive Chef Frederic Kieffer, then onto the film program presented by Festival Director George Motz, this Dine With Design event will be sure to spark your fire. Watch eight short films and eat what you see as seven of them will be including food pairings. Best of all, proceeds will directly benefit the Phillip Johnson Glass House, (a site of The National Trust for Historic Preservation). The New York Times even covered this event, so you know it’s a big deal. Read up on it here. Most importantly, get more information and purchase tickets by clicking here. See you on June 9.
Where to Eat for May’s National Hamburger and BBQ Month. Below
Pooches on the Patio at Bistronomic. Below.
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Apr
24
Taste of Chicago 2012; Adam Ezra Group at Martyrs; Billy Goat Washington St Closing
Filed Under Chicago, Events, Festivals, Food News, Music | Leave a Comment
Delicious DIRT. Who To HEAR at Taste of Chicago; DO NOT MISS Sexy Rockers Adam Ezra Band in Chicago 4/26; No More Cheezborgers at Billy Goat’s Washington St Location
DIRT Inside: Taste of Chicago, Jennifer Hudson, Death Cab for Cutie, Chaka Khan, Dierks Bentley, Adam Ezra Group, Martyrs’, Billy Goat Tavern, Naf Naf Grill
The Sexy Adam Ezra Group FINALLY Back In Chicago 4/26
Our friend, the one and only smoking hot musician, Adam Ezra is back to blow your mind and rock your world. We can’t wait to dance our asses off at this NOT TO MISS ROCK & ROLL EVENT. We sure do love us some sexy rockers. Few top Adam Ezra Group‘s vibe and we welcome our good friends and treasured talents as they are finally coming back to Chicago! If you’re ready to have yourself a killer night, get it on Thursday, April 26 at Martyrs’ @ 10 PM. No exaggeration, you’ll be overcome by amazing music + pure rock & roll smokin’ sexiness. TICKETS at their website. Need a sneak peak? Check ‘em out on YouTube. 3855 N. Lincoln.
Who to Jam to During This Year’s Taste of Chicago. Below.
Billy Goat Tavern Washington Street Location Set to Close May 1. Below
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Apr
24
Bleeding Heart Update; Juice on BadHappy Poutine, Hot Chocolate Temporary Closing
Filed Under Chicago, Food News, JUICE, Restaurants | Leave a Comment
Delicious DIRT. Bleeding Heart Bakery: One Door Closes, Another Opens; Poutine: Be Bad, Get Happy, Mindy Segal’s Hot Chocolate Closing for AC Renovations
DIRT Inside: Bleeding Heart Bakery, Oak Park, BadHappy, Mindy Segal, Hot Chocolate, Tom Kern
Mindy Segal’s Hot Chocolate Closing – Temporarily
Rumors were a-buzzin’ of a closing when Mindy Segal posted a pic of her Bucktown resto/bakery Hot Chocolate under construction. No reason to worry. Mindy’s Hot Chocolate will be closing only from April 24 until May 8 -ish for renovations (hint: air conditioning). This long-standing hotspot has been around for more than 10 years. Enjoy the decade-long goodness in May guys. 1747 N. Damen. [312 Dining Diva]
Bleeding Heart Update: Closing Burbs Shop. Below.
Love Poutine? Get It Right Here in the CHI. Below
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Apr
11
Spotify Embedded; Springpad 3.0; Pinterest Adds Video-Pinning W Vimeo
Filed Under Gadgets, iPhone Application, JUICE, Social Media, Sweetness, Technology | Leave a Comment
Delicious DIRT. Tech Juice We Love. For the Technocrat -> Embed Spotify; Is Springpad Becoming the “Smart” Pinterest?; Speaking of Pinterest…Pin More Videos with Vimeo Collab.
DIRT Inside: Spotify, Spotify Play Button, Tumblr, Rolling Stone, Huffington Post, Guardian, ELLE, People, Mashable, Popdust, Springpad, Pinterest, Vimeo, YouTube
Pinterest + Vimeo = Awesomeness
Speaking of Pinterest… Look forward to pinning more videos as Vimeo and Pinterest have teamed up so users can now pin Vimeo videos directly to their boards. This isn’t the first video integration from Pinterest. Back in August, Pinterest also introduced YouTube video support on boards. For both Vimeo and YouTube, just install the Pin It! bookmarklet into your browser’s bookmark bar for easy pinning and follow the simple steps from there – pin away. While you’re pinning, be sure to check us out on Pinterest and Vimeo and YouTube! [Tech Crunch]









