Tricky Rick
The decision leading to Rick Tramonto’s and Gale Gand’s split from Mid-America Development and its restaurant arm, Cenitare Restaurants, seems pretty straightforward. “We wanted to take the brand [Osteria di Tramonto and Tramonto Steak & Seafood, both at 601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling] national, and I don’t think they were able to,” Tramonto says. “I’m looking at some…
This week, two newbies in River North: Dirty Martini, the happy hour hot spot with martinis on tap (yes, you read that right), and Crescendo, which opened on a high note earlier this summer before closing soon after, now under new management…
The Suite Life
Last Friday was the media and VIP party for Vertigo Sky Lounge (see photos), the new bar on the 26th floor of the Dana Hotel and Spa. As I reported in July, Vertigo, which boasts a rooftop deck, was supposed to open over the summer, but when shorts-and-sandals season passed with no opening date, anticipation waned a bit. Thankfully the weather complied last weekend, and the deck was packed with revelers—or, rather, smokers. Yes, smoking is…
A luxury hotel dining room loses Graham Elliot Bowles but hits the jackpot; meanwhile, a lesson in bistronomics is good but not great
Street Justice
Later this month, Rick Spiros (Block 44, Roy’s, Madame B) plans to unveil Mantou Noodles Bar (1633 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-772-8688), a 71-seat spot in Wicker Park. “It’s based on Asian street food,” says Spiros. “People there eat that stuff during the day, on the street, on their way to work as opposed to how we eat it here—sitting down to dinner.” Mantou’s menu will include spicy chicken steamed buns; curries made from scratch; udon noodles with…
Who can protect us from substandard meat? Steak Man!
Seen on the scene Friday night: VIP partygoers at the private opening of Vertigo Sky Lounge in the Dana Hotel and Spa, and celeb DJ and friend of Lohan Samantha Ronson
spinning at Crimson Lounge in the Hotel Sax.
Cover Story Of Prime Interest by Dennis Ray Wheaton As bold as a steak house, our dining critic names the 20 best places to eat Chicago’s pride and joy: prime aged beef Features The Breakaway by Bryan Smith When Rocky Wirtz took charge of the woeful Chicago Blackhawks last fall, he quickly ushered in the … Read more
November 2008: Pan-Crusted Scallops with Lobster Coral Butter Sauce
Last Girl Standing no more.
In what turned out to be a truly memorable evening, I finally tied the knot a couple of weeks ago at the Drake Hotel. Since my marital status has changed, it seemed like the title of my blog should, too; hence “Nightspotting 2.0,” a nod to my longtime print column in Chicago magazine. And now that my mini-moon to the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach is over, I’m back pounding the pavement to bring you the latest from the nightlife front every Thursday—and check in Mondays for weekend photos from the scene. But first, for those who sweated out the prewedding jitters with me via the blog, a few highlights from the big event…
