A few weeks ago, we said Antonia might be the biggest sleeper of this season. Tonight she stepped out of the shadows with a rare sweep of the Quickfire and Elimination Challenges. We’re predicting she makes the top four this season. Who’ll be there with her? We think it’ll be Richard, Dale and Stephanie.

Yes, we still think Stephanie can hang, even after tonight’s peanut butter-tomato sauce stumble. But she may have used her last get-out-of-jail-free pass this week. Though the judges have said they don’t rely on previous performances to make decisions, we can’t help but think her early triumphs were in the backs of their minds when they made their final choice tonight. One more bad week and those shining moments will have faded too far to be of much help.

Stephanie wasn’t the only one who struggled tonight. Our “Top Chef” drinking game, which we introduced last week, got off to a rocky start in its second week. First, there was the kid thing. The introduction of children to the episode, while upping the cuteness factor, didn’t do much to help our buzz. Everybody—even Lisa—kept it pretty clean. Total Lisa curse count: 0.

And then there’s the matter of the second rule. As the episode progressed, we started thinking we might create a rule around Mark’s inability to stop talking about New Zealand and all things Kiwi. This of course would have included random displays of Kiwi pride, such as playing the didgeridoo his bedroom. Then Mark had to go and pick a fight with Tom (um, awkward) and get sent packing.

So instead we’re going to turn to product placement-inspired rule, as suggested by a reader last week: Drink every time a Glad product appears on screen. And, what the heck, let’s up the ante by chugging every time a Glad commercial comes on. We think this rule is particularly fun because it's going to get fast and furious toward the end of the show when everyone’s hanging in the “stew room,” surrounded by Gladware.

Tonight’s total Glad count: 28 + two commercials.

To recap:

Rule No. 1: Drink every time Lisa curses.

Rule No. 2: Drink every time a Glad product appears on screen. Chug for the first five seconds of any Glad commercial. Check back next week for Rule No. 3—if you’re not playing along by then, you should be! In the meantime, feel free to leave a comment suggesting our next rule.

For a full recap of this week's show and more commentary, check in with our friends at The Stew.

The spot: If you went searching for Lincoln Park’s Tie Me Up Noodles in the past few weeks, you may have been surprised to find Miss Asia (click for hours, maps, etc.) in its place. Open less than two months, the renovated space has been spruced up with warm orange hues and modern accents throughout. Lunch and dinner crowds still buzz on the weekends, when the place fills with large groups and couples on romantic dates. The pan-Asian eatery is mostly Thai-focused (one of the partners is also behind Northern Thai-focused Sticky Rice), but also offers cuisine from 12 other Asian countries: Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. There are more than 200 items on the menu. Though that might seem like a lot of ground to cover, manager Pomme Wongpradu explains that chefs from each country trained Miss Asia’s cooks in their respective culinary traditions.

The bottle: The Market Place Food Store (521 W. Diversey Pkwy. 773-348-5721) is a bit more expensive than most grocery stores in the area, but the wine selection is vast and reasonably priced. Plus, it’s right across the street, so it’s a no-brainer. With all of the spicy options on Miss Asia’s menu, we like the idea of a sweet riesling to temper the heat of dishes such as duck curry with lychee ($9.95), cooked with tomato, pineapple, bell pepper and basil in a red curry sauce. Try the 2006 Blue Fish Riesling in the bright blue bottle for $9.99. It also comes in a cute 187-milliliter size for $2.99 if you just can’t commit to the full bottle. Miss Asia does not charge a corkage fee.

[ Emily Hiser Lobdell is a Metromix special contributor. ] metromix@tribune.com

This just in: Saturday night's show at the Vic with Sly and the Family Stone, the group's first Chicago performances in several decades, has been cancelled due to unspecified health reasons. (Refunds are available at point of purchase.) Here's hoping everyone in the Family is OK and back to deliver the funk shortly.

More info:

http://chicago.metromix.com/music/funk/sly-and-the-family-lakeview/389029/content

It's been a good month for dead celeb sex tapes! First there was the whole Marilyn Monroe sex tape auction thing ($1.5 mil, and the thing might not even be legit!) And now, according to an AP story Tuesday, it's now time for the emergence of an alleged sex tape featuring yet another deceased celebrity. And not even someone who died recently. Jimi Hendrix. Who died of a drug overdose in 1970.

Anyway, the tape, which contains 11 minutes of footage and will be released by Vivid Entertainment, was reportedly shot about 40 years ago and supposedly includes the legendary guitarist engaging in various sexual acts with two women in a hotel room.

Vivid says that experts have authenticated the footage, which makes us wondering if they were authenticating Hendrix's identity or the sexual acts themselves. (Perhaps they have some of Chicago-native Cynthia Plaster Caster's early work.) Perhaps not surprisingly, author Charles R. Cross, who wrote the Hendrix biography "Room Full of Mirrors," doubts that the man in the film is Hendrix.

Does anyone believe that this sex tape is legitimate? If it is, is it wrong to release sex tapes of dead celebs?

Fahrenheit, one of the most anticipated suburban restaurant openings of last year, closed its doors this past weekend. This morning, we talked with chef Pete Balodimas, who opened the restaurant with his parents after leaving his gig as chef de cuisine at Spiaggia. He gave us a canned line about being "ahead of our time in the suburbs," but really, it comes down to a matter of not having enough bums in seats. “Overall, we weren’t doing the numbers we expected to be doing,” he said.

The pork belly with Granny Smith-apple slaw and cheddar beignets (pictured) that we had there back in November still—yes, still—comes up in conversations with friends about the best meal we’ve had in the ’burbs. But admittedly, we also haven’t been back since—and not for a lack of want, either. Like most gourmet destinations, the super-high-quality ingredients Balodimas prided himself on (and the price tag that came with it) put Fahrenheit in the special-occasion category for most locals, save for wealthy Fox-Valley foodies with money to burn.

The only complaint we had back when Fahrenheit opened was the location. With a Main Street St. Charles address, we expected a quaint storefront in the city’s pretty downtown district, but instead found it in a strip mall (albeit a shiny new one) further east. We couldn’t help but think that after shelling out $200 for a five-course dinner for two, you might rather stroll along the Fox River than walk out into a parking lot with a view of the KFC across the street. Thoughts from the chef? “No, we think our location’s perfect,” he says.

No rest for the weary, though—Balodimas is already started the hunt for exec chef positions. “I put my resume out there yesterday. I’m just keeping my ear open.”

Look at the picture above. Yeah, it's kind of blurry. (I only had my crappy cell phone cam with me--sorry!). Do you know where it is? Would it help if I told you it's a cocktail lounge? And, yeah, it's Old World Chinese. Hint: It's not in Chinatown. Another hint. It's not old.

DRUMROLL...

The place -- we think -- is called Wang's. We say we "think" because this tiny lounge is an extension of Wakamono, the Boystown sushi den, but has no official signage, just some vintage-style posters plastered to the outside door with the name. To get in on Saturday, we entered through Wakamono, but Wang's has its own entrance, too (it actually occupies the space that Wakamono was in before expandin g next door).

The kitschy interior feels more like a movie set than restaurant: The faded prints on the walls, the bas-relief dragon on a decrotive column, the mis-matched Chinois wallpaper, the hanging lanterns--this is what a Chinese restaurant would look like if filmed for a movie in 1957. (Did I just wake up in a scene from "Flower Drum Song"?) Then there was the thick layer of dust caked above a wooden arch near the back. We think the dust was part of the effect. There's no way that much dust could accumulate in just two weeks!

The menu is very small: pan fried dumplings ($5.95), wasabi fries ($3.95), egg rolls ($3.95) edamame ($2.95) and other nibbles. The wine and cocktail list is tiny as well, listing just one glass of house white and red ($5 each), and just a handful of  bottles selections. There are a few Japanese beers ($4-6) and a few sakes ($8) as well. Martini lovers make out well, though: They have a choice of seven selections.

You can still BYOB at Wakamono for just a $3 corkage fee, or order drinks from the bar.

After the successes of "Knocked Up" and "Juno," audiences showed more love for pregnancy comedies over the weekend, helping Tina Fey's lightweight "Baby Mama" earn $18.3 million to top the box office. Not bad for a pleasant if unmemorable movie that's helping to pass the time until summer movie season starts next week with "Iron Man." "Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay," which doesn't deliver the same high as "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle," placed second with $14.6 million, and the ridiculously predictable thriller "Deception" landed at No. 10 with only $2.2 million.

Does Tina Fey have a long career ahead of her on the big screen? How awesome does "Iron Man" look?

 

In case you weren't psyched enough to see Spoon, Animal Collective, Public Enemy and lots more at this year's Pitchfork Music Fest (July 18-20 in Union Park), check out these additions: The Hold Steady, Sebadoh, Caribou, Bon Iver, Elf Power and several more. The lineup is now finally complete, and we must say that the $65 three-day ticket price is more than fair. What do you think of the lineup now?

Do you love pizza? Do you love Cheap Trick? Wicker Park pizzeria/brewpub Piece has announced that co-owner and Cheap Trick lead guitarist Rick Nielsen will deliver pies from Piece Out to your door—if the price is right. Interested fans can bid in an eBay auction (launch date TBD), and proceeds will benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital. So it’s a win-win situation: Rick arrives in a limo with piping hot pizza, and you get to have a party all in the name of charity. Stay tuned for more details.

If you’re a West Town resident looking for a new local, listen up: The guys behind Five Star Bar, and Empire Liquors and Victory Liquors, are teaming up to open a laid-back corner tavern this summer. Think beer, pool and good tunes on the jukebox.

On a related note, Bar DeVille co-owner Matt Eisler (of the Empire/Victory Liquors bars) and partners have sold Elm Street Liquors to new owners. Though the new crew is keeping the Elm Street name, the Near North Side spot no longer has anything to do with Empire and Victory Liquors.

Bar DeVille: http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/neighborhood_bar/bar-deville-west-town/391685/content

 

Attention men of Chicago: As of tomorrow, you will no longer be left out of Chi-town's shopping event scene. Event company Savvy Shopper Approved is launching its first mens-only sample sale -- and it's the first of its kind in the city that we've ever seen. It's about time someone realized that guys like deals, too!

The headline designer for the event is Hyden Yoo (designs pictured here) who was just recently named a finalist for GenArt's Designer of the Year in New York, where his label is based. You'll also find threads from local boutiques such as TK Men and Akira. Event organizer Janice Moskoff polled her guy friends on how they'd prefer to shop and has arranged this event accordingly, so rather than it being a free-for-all of styles or racks organized by price--which is usually norm at most women's sample sales--expect to find clothing organized by type, such as denim, T-shirts and jackets. That means less of sifting, shuffling and digging: If you want jeans, then look at 'em all on one rack.

As for the most important part -- the markdowns -- expect discounts up to 80 percent off retail price. Check back with The Extrovert this afternoon for a sneak preview on some specific deals, direct from Moskoff herself.

UPDATE: We checked in with event organizer Janice Moskoff as she unpacked the first boxes of merch in preparation for tomorrow's sale, and she clued us on on some rock-bottom deals: Chip & Pepper jeans for $25 (originally $245), Juicy camoflage shorts for $15 ($55 retail), and Hyden Yoo's V-neck T-shirts, striped henleys and dress shirts for $10-$15.

Click for more details: http://chicago.metromix.com/style/shopping_event/savvy-shopper-approved-mens-west-town/337209/content

Whew. Close one. Stephanie and Jenn found themselves on the chopping block in tonight’s Second City improv-inspired challenge for their failure to fully capture the essence of turned-on orange asparagus. (Apparently, it’s harder to, er, prep a piece of asparagus, than one might think.)

There was enough foreshadowing that we knew a full 15 minutes before her departure that Jenn was going to take the hit for the team’s failure, courtesy of her soggy, oversized bread. Still, it was nerve-wracking. Our hands were shaking a la Steph in Episode 1. We saw the whole season flash before our eyes. We even thought we heard Nimma calling us toward the light.

In the end, Stephanie survived to sear another log of goat cheese. Nonetheless, uncertain times like these call for a stiff drink—or at the very least, a stiff drinking game. That’s why this week we’re launching our own version of the “Top Chef: Chicago” drinking game. We’ll start out simple and progress by adding a new element weekly until we have a total of 10 rules.

This week’s rule: “Every time Lisa curses, you drink.”

In case you weren’t keeping track, tonight’s Total Lisa Curse Count was 9.

(For comparison’s sake, Total Curse Count, All Contestants, was 13.)

Are you with us? C’mon, it’ll be fun!

Granted, nine sips of beer is really not so much. So we recommend you start off with strong beer. (We went with a Dogfish Head Raison D’Etre, at 8% ABV. It’s a sipper anyway.) Feel free to step it down as we add more rules.

Speaking of which, we’d love to hear your suggestions. What should our next rule be? We’re thinking maybe “Drink every time Richard unabashedly compliments himself” or “Drink every time Spike appears wearing a different hat." Check in next week to find out.

Don't forget to visit our friends at The Stew for an episode recap and commentary. For the record, we couldn't agree more: The wrong team lost this week--the judges should have come down much harder on Antonia and Lisa for abandoning their assigned ingredient. This is Chicago, ladies: Embrace the Polish sausage!

We've always been kind of skeptical about Chicago Fashion Week. It has touted itself as the "official fashion week event in the city of Chicago," when in actuality, it's ran by private entertainment and development company MW Productions, booked more non-Chicago designers than local talent for its two shows and has no relation to the City of Chicago-sponsored Fashion Focus Chicago event run every fall.

Since it took us several calls and e-mails just to get the details about their events to list on Metromix.com, we weren't too surprised when we received a vague e-mail announcement last week that Chicago Fashion Week was indeed cancelled.

Today, Chicago Tribune reported on how the event fell apart:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-fashion-show-wedapr23,1,1811157.story

Can't wait until April 29 to buy Madonna's new album "Hard Candy" in stores? Head to Minibar's (click for location) listening party tonight to hear the record in its entirety. In fact, DJ Jon Roberts will play it consecutively until close, beginning at 10 p.m.

Drink specials have yet to be finalized for this week's installment of Minibar's Wednesday powerHour, during which a whistle is blown every hour on the hour to indicate a change in the special (for example, from a cocktail to a shot). No cover.

How excited are you for a new Madonna album? Or is it time for the ol' gal to hang up her mic, not to mention her leather?

Need something to do Tuesday night? How about a free DJ set with Moby at Smart Bar? The secret MySpace show starts at 9 p.m. and is open to the public, but we'd suggest you arrive early before the club reaches capacity. (Holy Ghost!, Justin Miller and Jacques Renault open.) Moby released his latest album, "Last Night," April 1.

Every week, you watch "Top Chef: Chicago" religiously. And every week you say the same thing: "I could do that! I should be on this program!" Well, here's your chance, Cookie.

"Top Chef" is casting fo next season. The bad news for Chicago wannabes: The casting calls are taking place in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City and Hyde Park, New York.

But you're not totally out of luck: The Bravo web site lists a special email for Chicago casting: TC5casting.chicago@yahoo.com

If you want more info on the castings, check out the Bravo TV web site.

Despite glowing reviews and a hugely comprehensive ad campaign, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" placed second at the weekend box office with $17.3 million. Not bad, but kind of disappointing for such a sweet, funny romantic comedy, and especially sad since the movie lost to "The Forbidden Kingdom," the mediocre Jackie Chan-Jet Li adventure that pulled in $20.9 million. At least the top spot didn't go to Al Pacino's deeply embarrassing "88 Minutes," which landed at No. 4 with only $6.8 million. Nice work, America.

Why do you think "Kingdom" outperformed "Marshall"?

If you were excited to see Death Cab for Cutie in Millennium Park for only $10, get this.

Chicago native and art-pop expert Andrew Bird will play a just-announced show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, and it's free. Opening is local Afro-beat group Occidental Brothers Dance Band International. No tickets needed, but we suggest getting there EARLY.

http://chicago.metromix.com/theater/theater/jay-pritzker-pavilion-millennium-grant-park-museums/144955

This morning, we were the second pair of feet in the door this morning at the grand opening of the new Michigan Avenue location of Forever 21 (click for location)-- the mall retailer known for its dizzying supply of ultra-cheap, ultra-trendy threads. For most, its also known just as much for its dressing room lines (lengthy) disorganization (overflowing reject racks, clothes everywhere) and stringent return policy (store credit only, always). Questionable quality is a well-accepted given considering the prices--you can't expect a $19 dress or a $12.50 pair of jeans to owe you anything after a few wears.

But at 9:30 a.m. with the staffers over numbering early-morning customers a dozen to one, zero line at the dressing room and the racks immaculately neat, this was the least Forever 21-like experience we've ever had. Housed in the former Virgin Megastore address, this location is fairly comparable in size to the three-story location on South State Street, but much flashier and more pleasant to shop, thanks to the division of the space into semi-separate rooms with different personalities. And we adored the display of mini-dresses near the entrance, all positioned along a wall painted with "Hairspray"-style hairdos (pictured here).

Staffers were still getting a quick pep talk from their manager when we stepped into a sunken vintage-style room right off the first floor, packed with retro high-waisted skirts and belted blouses embellished with bows. The accessory section, marked by a checkerboard floor and windows facing Michigan Avenue, boasts tables topped with bowls full of bangles and headbands and huge tables stacked with shiny handbags and heels. Heading up the escalators to the second floor, we loved the circular, pebble-floored room filled with cotton basics in every hue of the rainbow, a floral wallpapered space featuring airy summer shorts and tees, and a girly alcove with an antique-styled armoire and dozens of lacy dresses. A small men's section (Forever 21 wouldn't dare leave guys out of the disposable clothing market) brims with colorful hoodies, graphic tees and crisp black-and-white dress shirts, vests and slacks.

The grand opening continues until 9 p.m. tonight, with fashion presentations featuring contestants from cycle 8 of "America's Next Top Model" at noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Click here for details.
 

After all of the chair kicking and yelling at the end of Episode 5, this week’s episode seemed anticlimactic. Even the highly teased Jacuzzi scene didn’t deliver on its promise of drunken debauchery.

 

In case you missed the show, there are really only three things you need to know:

 

1. Ryan’s off, and he’s taking his long-winded soliloquies and third-person references to himself with him.

 

2. Stephanie made the top three yet again. We’re not sure on this, but is it possible that just six episodes into the season, she’s the winningest “Top Chef” contestant ever? Her tailgate dish looked good (must've been that Weber grill), but that wasn’t the one that really won us over. That would’ve been her steamed mussels with cilantro vinaigrette, orange wedges and grilled bread, which she paired with Hoegaarden in the Quickfire Challenge. OK, so pairing fresh coriander (cilantro) and oranges with a Belgian wit isn’t exactly a stroke of genius—but she was smart enough to pluck a decent beer from a sea of mediocre of Michelob products and then deftly play to its profile. We can’t be sure, but we even thought we saw guest judge Koren Grieveson (Avec) crack a smile.

 

3. Chicago gets some serious airtime. First, one of Chicago’s two recently crowned F&W Best New Chefs (Grieveson) shows up to judge the Quickfire. Then we learn that the chefs are headed to Soldier Field to cook at a Bears tailgate. (In case it slipped past you, they're using Weber grills. And conveniently, this is also another opportunity to transport food using Glad products!) Then we get to the tailgate and meet some all-time Bears greats, including Gale Sayers and William “The Fridge” Perry. Just when we think it can’t get any better, Paul Kahan (Avec, Blackbird) shows up to judge. Is this heaven? No, but it is Chicago.

 

Other takeaways:

 

Unintentionally hilarious moment of the night: Lisa’s reaction to Dale’s assertion that she’s negative. “Dale can go f*** himself as far as I’m concerned.” Nope, she’s not negative at all.

 

Favorite kitchen shot: Lisa “beating her meat.” (Her words, not ours.)

 

Best payback: Jenn wins the Quickfire. Take that, Spike.

 

Best reason to like a dish: Fridge liked it. We’re not big Lisa boosters, but when a 300-pound man talks, we listen.

 

Most entertaining fashion shakeup: The judges don Bears gear. Padma looks awfully cute in her Bears jersey and hoodie. Tom looks like he’s dressed for a bit part in the’87 Bears “Superbowl Shuffle” video rather than a 2007 tailgate. Gail looks fine, but she’s uncharacteristically giddy. Is it the effect of being outside in the fresh Midwestern air, or did she finish off the leftovers from the Quickfire when we weren’t looking?

 

Best headgear: For once, this honor does not go to Spike. It goes to Andrew, who wears an NFL helmet straight through service. Actually, we’re thinking it might not be a bad idea for Andrew to keep the helmet on for the rest of the season, just for safety reasons. He’s back to twitching and darting about nervously this week, and we’re increasingly concerned that he’s going to hit his head on something.

 

Next off: Nikki. Her number should’ve been up three weeks ago. Care to differ? We'd love to hear what you think.

 

In case you haven’t heard, the original Goose Island Brewpub is closing on Dec. 31, unable to reach a lease renewal agreement with the building’s landlord.

“I’m very saddened because this is where I started the business,” said John Hall, Goose Island Beer Co. CEO and founder. “[It’s] where I met many friends; many of the people that started with me have gone on to more responsibility in the company. It’s a sad day.”

While Hall said the company has been scouting locations—for what he envisioned would be a third location—for the past couple years, he is not ready to make an announcement on where the brewpub might relocate to.

In the meantime, the Wrigleyville location is still open and tonight is the first Cubs night game. So raise a glass of your favorite Goose Island brew, and go Cubbies!

Click here to view photos of the Goose Island Brewery.

 

I've seen the Rolling Stones live once. I've seen them at IMAX movie theaters twice.

The most-recent IMAX movie, director Martin Scorsese's "Shine A Light," was probably the best experience of the three.

I'll leave professional critique to Metromix's trusted movie critic Matt Pais. Instead, here are 10 random observations I made while watching the concert documentary at Navy Pier's IMAX theater over the weekend.

1. When Bill Clinton poses for a photo with Mick Jagger and the rest of the Rolling Stones at the start of the movie, it's hard not to wonder who's the bigger lothario.

2. Mick Jagger can still shake it but, man, he's starting to look like Skeletor wearing a brown wig

3. Charlie Watts, who's visibly winded between songs, is the only Rolling Stone who's willing to show he's getting old. Still, he never misses a beat. 

4. Mick Jagger is not interested in sharing a mic with Jack White, who Jagger playfuly shoves when he steps toward Jagger's mic at the end of "Loving Cup."

5. Mick Jagger is interested in sharing a mic, some hip-grinding and a whole lot more with Christina Aguilera.

6. Martin Scorsese has used the Stones' "Gimme Shelter" in at least three of his movies ("Goodfellas," "Casino" and "The Departed") but, for one reason or another, it doesn't appear in "Shine a Light."

7. Is that a yellow-hat-wearing Bruce Willis standing dead center in the crowd at the Beacon Theatre?

8. How long has Jagger been editing the lyrics to "Some Girls"? He seems to have dropped the raciest line, the one that ends with "I just don't have that much jam."

9. Keith Richards, who's rarely seen playing anything other than Fender Telecaster and Gibson ES-335 guitars, whips out a vintage Guild Starfire during Buddy Guy's guest appearance on "Champagne and Reefer." Then, at the end of the song, he awkwardly gives the guitar to a seemingly confused Guy.

10. Does Martin Scorsese's pre- and post-concert dialogue seem a bit scripted? Specifically the following exchange:

Lighting guy: "If Mick stands in front of the light for more than 18 seconds, he's going to burn."

Scorsese: "What do you mean burn?" 

Lighting guy: "He'll burn up. He'll get too hot. He'll burn up."

Scorsese: "You mean like flames?"

Lighting guy: "He might catch on fire."

Scorsese: "Catch on fire? We can't do that. We cannot burn Mick Jagger. Very simple."

Lighting guy: "But you want the effect."

Scorsese: "We want the effect but we can't burn him."

Despite the giant, beyond cheesy sombrero topping the doorway to the kitchen and this guy (we like to call him Pedro) guarding the entrance, Fuego Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar in Arlington Heights earned a two-star rating from Tribune critic Phil Vettel earlier this month. This place has always been crazy busy, so we weren't surprised to find the place packed from wall to wall at 7 p.m. Here's our report, in brief:

The wait: 75 minutes.
The bar: 3 people deep.
Nearby spot we hung out at while waiting: Big Shot Piano Lounge
Could have done without: The banquet hall-like chicken-vegetable soup served before every entree. Seriously, why bother?
Number of times a member of our party's path was blocked by the tableside guacamole cart: 5
Margarita of choice: Passionfruit. Best ever.
 

Short, simple and rated PG-13 to drawn in as many high schoolers as possible, the remake of 1980's "Prom Night" was crowned weekend box office champ with a dazzling $22 million. Not bad for a movie that's only slightly better than its terrible, horribly dated predecessor. (Especially since the new version only cost about $20 million to make.) Keanu Reeves' run-of-the-mill thriller "Street Kings" placed second with a decent $12 million, and the painfully uninteresting "Smart People" earned $4.7 million to land at No. 7.

Did "Prom Night" seem like a guilty pleasure worth seeing? Or are you saving your movie-ticket budget for "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," which opens Friday?

Got a T-shirt you aren’t particularly thrilled with? Here’re two things to do with it this weekend, both more constructive than letting it rot in the back of your bottom dresser drawer:

1. Bring it to this Saturday’s open house at 4F Designs, a boutique/studio tucked away in the Bulldog Lock Co. building in Ravenswood, and the staff will screen-print it with one of their original designs for free (plain shirts in light colors work best). While you’re there, browse other hand-screened shirts (that's their chandelier design pictured here) plus hand-made hats and bags made from salvaged wool army blankets and funky faux fur. Click here for details.

2. Donate it to a fashionable cause at Barney’s on Oak Street or Barney’s Co-op in Lincoln Park starting Sunday, and eco-chic brand Loomstate will repurpose it into a new T-shirt collection set to debut this winter. As a thank you, you’ll score a coupon for 20 percent off Loomstate merch (including organic jeans for both guys and gals) at the stores between April 13 and 27.

During my morning walk from the train to the office, I’m fairly oblivious to my surroundings (just ask any of a number of my friends who have seen me on the street, waved or yelled my name and were met with zero response). But the fashion-y mannequins that have popped up in the windows of the Hard Rock Hotel on Michigan Avenue were stunning enough to permeate my pre-coffee zombie state earlier this week. 

Turns out the threads featured here are all by local designers (running from $120 to a lofty $720), selected to play off of the slick black interior of the hotel’s lobby. It’s the hotel’s attempt to revamp their image and foster a connection with local fashion, says Stephanie Niedospial, fashion program manager for the Stitches Fashion Program at the Chicago Entrepreneurial Center. Niedospial teamed up with the Mayor’s Fashion Council and eight Chicago designers to put together the display—and Macy’s volunteered their mannequins.

Our favorites: The summery striped top and shorts by Michelle Tan, who runs her own shop in Bucktown, and that sculptural black dress (center) by Abigail Glaum-Lathbury, who’s designs are stocked at Habit. Other designers featured include Soledad Designs, Serpico, Nora Marcella, Elise Bergman and Imaginary People.

Drama! More sparks flew in the last two minutes of tonight’s episode than we’ve seen in months. Not entirely coincidentally, tonight also marked the first time this season we didn’t agree with the judges’ decision.

Sure, Zoi underseasoned her mushrooms, but that’s nothing compared to leaving scales on a fish. Underseasoned mushrooms are boring (“not perky,” according to Tom) but far from disgusting. Fish scales are disgusting, and they can’t be ignored because, well, they’re usually sticking to the roof of your mouth and playing weird games with your tongue.

If we had a vote, it would’ve gone to Richard. We were happy to see him get taken down a notch tonight, but it should’ve gone further.

Biggest disappointment: Though another out-of-towner (Ming Tsai) was the guest judge, “Chicago’s best known chefs” reportedly catered the Meals on Wheels Chicago Celebrity Chef Ball. So where were they?

Best save: Stephanie talks Lisa down off the ledge at Whole Foods. We’re digging Stephanie’s quiet, lead-by-example style. She took Team Fire from the brink of a complete meltdown in Whole Foods to glory at the Judge’s Table. Too bad Lisa got a five-day trip to a Relais & Chateaux property in Italy for it, and she didn’t. Or, as Dale says: “She made bacon, and she gets a trip to (bleep) Italy? Are you kidding me? I’m bitter.”

Weirdest stream of consciousness: “think fire, devil, deviled eggs …” Um, sure. Probably a good thing they moved on to shrimp.

Best headgear: Spike. He may or may not have purchased that hat on the street in Guatemala. But he’s definitely the only one wearing anything like it tonight.

Most awkward exchange: Several tense Dale-Lisa moments are in competition for this honor, but Tom’s kitchen check-in with Team Water—and specifically with Richard—takes the cake.

New favorite term: “Observational negativity,” coined by Dale when describing Lisa’s interactions with her environment. Dale and Lisa clashed big time tonight—and they would’ve kept at it if Jenn hadn’t kicked a folding chair across the room to shut everybody up. We’re siding with Dale. Is there anything worse than a consummately negative colleague? OK, scaly fish, maybe. But other than that, we can’t think of much.

We were surprised to see that Dale, not Lisa, got the most text votes when Bravo put the “who’s a bigger jerk” question to viewers. (Actually, it was something more like “who deserves a spanking for being difficult.” But we know what they meant.) Are we totally off base on this one? What do you think?

We’ll rehash more drama next week. Until then, keep your fish clean and your folding chairs out of harm’s way--and don't forget to check out what The Stew has to say about this week's episode!

The second annual all-night cultural extravaganza Looptopia will take place May 2. Looptopia 2008 starts at 5 p.m. and culminates with a donut breakfast and art exhibit in Millennium Park from 5-7 a.m.

If you're not sure how to navigate this year's 14-hour event--or if you even want to--here's a tip: It's all in the wrist. Literally.

When the clock strikes midnight this year, Loopto-pedestrians will don free wristbands to gain entry into hosting Loop venues. We're told that wristbands will be accessible throughout the festival grounds.

Presumably, this new tactic will ease the type of congestion that put a big black mark on last year's White Night bash, which prompted a temporary shut-down of the Chicago Cultural Center, where numerous events were scheduled throughout the night. It's not yet clear if there will be a limit to the number of wristbands available.

Official web site: http://looptopia.com

 

The spot: Most Bucktown/Wicker Park residents know about the takeout deli and casual front eating area at Lucia Ristorante (click here for details). It’s hard to miss with its prominent location just east of the Milwaukee/North/Damen six-way tangle of traffic. But the slightly more elegant, tranquil dining room in back, complete with white tablecloths, is somewhat of an undiscovered Italian option. Open for six years in August, Lucia is a popular choice for big groups and parties. Italian-born owners Lucia and Dominico Mancini guarantee their cuisine is the real deal. You’ll find classics such as lasagna with meat sauce ($15.95) and gnocchi alla Romana ($15.95), but the ravioli di zucca con prosciutto e noci (ravioli filled with pumpkin squash and tossed with butter, sage, prosciutto and walnuts, $17.95), is Lucia’s recommendation. Don’t risk showing up on a weekend night without a reservation. During the week, a quick table is easier to come by.

The bottle: Normally, we don’t like to associate rodents with any dining experience, but Cellar Rat is an exception. Just a few storefronts to the east of Lucia, this approachable wine shop offers 300 to 400 different bottles, 80 percent of which are under $20. Owner Dean Schlabowske runs a one-man show, offering friendly suggestions to those who seek them. He suggests the medium bodied, crisp 2006 Palazzone Orvieto ($15.99) as a pairing for any of Lucia’s dishes in a white wine. For a red selection, Schlabowske likes the Vivalda Barbera D’Asti ($13.99). “It has a real vibrant crushed fruit quality,” he says. “It has a kind of zippy acidity to the wine that will lend itself to some of the heartier fare over there.”  --Emily Hiser Lobdell is a Metromix special contributor.

We told you about Chicago's Rosscoe's last week, the new Bronzeville chicken and waffles joint. The place is not related to the Los Angeles-based Roscoe's House of Chicken 'n Waffles, but owner Darnell Johnson says he got sign off from the L.A. owners to use the name when he opened a version of it in New York (which has since closed.)

But according to a story in today's Chicago Tribune, turns out Roscoe’s House of Chicken 'n Waffles isn't so crazy about the similar name now cropping up in Chicago. The L.A. Roscoe's had hoped to bring their concept here in 2009. The Trib quotes the one-"s" Roscoe's owner Herb Hudson as saying he's going to sue Chicago's two-"s" Rosscoe's "to the hilt."

Yikes. But it also sounds like a name change might be in the works for Rosscoe's: "I would go to Chicago's House of Chicken and Waffles," Johnson told the Trib. "I have no problem with that. I like that name better!" Johnson says it's just a matter of expense when it comes to signage.

We hope it works out: We really liked our visit and hope this town is big enough for two chicken and waffles joints.

UPDATE: Rosscoe's is changing its name! Click here for an updated Trib story. 

When The Bluebird Bistro and Winebar (click here for details and pics) opened last summer, it was almost everything we wanted from a casual neighborhood spot. The beer list blew us away, the menu gave bacon and cured meats top billing, and the farmhouse-chic decor had us at “hello.”

But there was the issue of the chairs.

Or maybe they were stools. Whatever you call them, the tiny, teetering metal seats weren’t just uncomfortable—they were downright treacherous. Even our most petite friends feared leaning back, lest they topple heels-over-head onto the service floor. After one awkward Goldilocks moment that played out when we brought our father to Bluebird, we started steering first-timers to the booths as a matter of course.

So, on a visit last weekend, we were thrilled to see the Stools of Death replaced by sturdy wooden chairs. No, they don’t look quite as cool. But it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind (and behind). For the first time in at least a half-dozen visits, we ordered dessert and lingered over our final beer of the night instead of heading next door for the more comfortable confines of Hot Chocolate.

 

Move over John Malkovich and Gary Sinise, there's another Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member making theatrical waves: Tracy Letts. Steppenwolf annouced Monday that the actor and playwright, an ensemble member since 2002, was awarded the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his darkly comic family drama "August: Osage County."

"August" opened in Chicago in June 2007 to critical acclaim and racked up eight Jeff Award nomiations (winning six, including best production, play). The show opened at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway in December '07 with most of the Chicago cast intact--including the playwright's late father Dennis Letts--and will move to the Music Box Theatre on Broadway at the end of April.
 
See Letts' new play "Superior Donuts" at Steppenwolf Theatre from June 19-Aug. 17. Tickets go on sale April 10.
 
Read our review of "August" on Broadway:

http://chicago.metromix.com/theater/article/review-steppenwolfs-august-on/264852/content

 

George Clooney is undoubtedly one of the world's biggest movie stars, but he's not always a winner at the box office. His pleasant, football-related screwball comedy, "Leatherheads," brought in only $13.5 million over the weekend, placing second behind "21," which earned another $15.1 million to top the box office for the second consecutive week. (If only the film itself were as intriguing as its card counting subject matter.) The cheesy family flick "Nim's Island" was hot on "Leatherheads"' heels, placing third with $13.3 million. Proving not all horror movies are box office gold, "The Ruins," which is actually better than recent junk like "One Missed Call" and "Shutter," made $7.8 million to land at No. 5.

Why doesn't Clooney's star power translate to box office numbers? What did you think of "21"?

Yes, Lollapalooza tickets are pretty pricey this year ($190 now, with prices rising to $205). But guess what: It's worth it.

The lineup has finally been confirmed, and there are plenty of bands to be excited about. From (previously rumored) headliners Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine and Nine Inch Nails to up-and-comers like Battles, Yeasayer and Bang Camaro, the fest (Aug. 1-3) is sure to please long-time fans and make new fans of newer bands. Chicago is also decently represented between headliners like Kanye West and Wilco and local buzzworthy acts like Office, Kid Sister and Cool Kids.

Other highlights: brilliant New York indie rockers The National, the nostalgic rock of Dr. Dog, the worldly sounds of Amadou and Mariam. What about you?

Complete lineup: http://chicago.metromix.com/music/rock/lollapalooza-2008-grant-park-museums/329471/content

See photos of this year's acts: http://chicago.metromix.com/music/photogallery/lollapalooza-2008-lineup/367959/content

 

The words "sample sale" are enough to perk up the ears of any budget fashionista, but sadly for our hometown, we don't see them around Chicago very often. With its abundance of designer showrooms, NYC is the epicenter of the hallowed designer sample sale, and the ritual goes something like this:

1. Make your way to an obscure loft location, usually unmarked or otherwise befuddling to find.

2. Pat yourself on the back for remembering to wear a tank and leggings under your clothes -- there's no dressing rooms in sight here. Either tug on clothes over your own or chuck your modesty out the window and disrobe on the spot. Or guess your size. Did we mention it's cash only, no returns?

3. Dig through boxes. Theorize about questionable items: Tube top, mini-skirt or turban? Elbow that girl with the Louis Vuitton bag who's invading your personal shopping space.

4. Remember you're not a model, and that sample sizes are usually 0, 2 and the errant 4. Dejectedly proceed to the hats and shoes.

All things considered, we like our town's more accessible take on the sample sale much better. There's Beta Boutique/Savvy Shopper Approved, a year-round Bucktown boutique and event company offering not only samples, but also designer overruns (leftovers from past seasons, in a range of sizes instead of just teensy ones).

This weekend, a new event called High Gloss  debuts (click for details). It's run by Tamara Chaponot, owner of local boutique Clever Alice, and her hubby Christophe, who also works in the fashion industry. They're extracting some of the chaos from the traditional sample sale concept with separate sections for each designer, both communal and private dressing rooms and staff to return your cast-offs to the proper racks. And they're adding a bit of a party vibe with cupcakes and a sparkling water bar. Expect to find women's clothing (sizes 2 to 12, hooray!) like jackets from Paris-based Ave Montaigne for $75-$100 ($250-$300 originally) and dresses by Los Angeles' Frenzii for $45-$65 (usually $110-$150), plus a $25-$35 clearance rack from Clever Alice, too. Can we appoint this the new sample sale standard?
 
High Gloss starts tomorrow and runs through Saturday. Click here for details.

Looks like Greek Islands will be taking a little spring cleaning vacation:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/dining/chi-greek-islands-closeapr03,0,552338.story

Manuel, we hardly knew ye.

 

This week’s episode of "Top Chef" was all about trimming the proverbial fat, and Manuel was headed for the butcher's block before the show even started. Of course, by that logic, one could also argue that Lisa was predestined to get cut this week—but she drew a great partner in Stephanie and that saved her.

 

It’s clear that Stephanie is not among the forgettable chefs who tend to get “trimmed” in episodes No. 4-6. (After Manuel, our money’s on Lisa and Nikki.) Again this week, we saw Stephanie finish in the top four. At the dining table with Richard Roeper and Aisha Tyler (what, Michael Phillips wasn’t available?) and again at the judge’s table, everyone seemed to agree that the flavors in her dish were spot on.

 

Whew. We were worried that a too-literal representation of the “Top Secret” cow scene would do Stephanie and Lisa in—Val Kilmer in a cow suit is not really the image you want in your mind while eating a lovely New York strip, with or without savory caramel sauce. (Also, we’re just not sure guest judge Daniel Boulud has seen “Top Secret.” Then again, you never know.) So we give Stephanie bonus points not only for executing a great dish, but also for gracefully humoring Lisa’s bizarre movie selection.

 

Other observations:

 

Most unsettling quote of the night: “… the people that will be eating this food will culinarily crap in their pants when we see what they have for them.” Ah, another gem from Andrew. But he might want to reconsider the imagery before reusing this one.

 

Most incongruous movie/food pairing: “Good morning Vietnam” as interpreted by Manuel and Spike. Yeah, we love Vietnamese cuisine too. But if we remember this flick correctly Robin Williams didn’t spend a lot of time shopping for fresh produce at the Hanoi market.

 

Most avoidable error: Doesn’t everyone know by now that Tom’s pet peeves include non-functional garnishes and ill-composed plates? The random garnish-like Swiss chard creation on Manuel and Spike’s plate may have violated both Colicchio commandments at once.

 

Biggest suck-up: Richard. Tell us he didn’t actually say, “Restraint is one of the things that Daniel taught me.” Oh, but he did—and while Daniel was in the room.

 

And now, we’re off to the store to stock up on Glad ForceFlex products. There’s just this nagging, uncontrollable urge all of the sudden ...

The spot: Most of Papacito’s   business comes from carryout, catering and delivery, so the friendly, festive dining room remains somewhat of an undiscovered Lakeview BYOB secret. Owner Moussa Elmetennani, who previously owned Mamacita’s (hmm … we thought the name sounded vaguely familiar), says weekends can get a little zany with bachelorette parties stopping in for affordable Mexican feasts before heading out on the town, but weeknights are quiet. At $8.99, the carne asada plate, served with rice, beans, avocado and pico de gallo, is a steal. Tilapia tacos drizzled with Papacito’s signature pineapple sauce are another tasty bargain ($2.59 each). Sidewalk seating is planned just as soon as the weather cooperates.

The bottle: Papacito’s sells Sangria Senorial, a carbonated sangria-flavored non-alcoholic drink, by the bottle ($1.25). It’s easy to dress it up—and booze it up—with some fresh-cut fruit and red wine. There’s is a Jewel-Osco (2940 N. Ashland Ave. 773-871-8242) within trotting distance, where you can to snag some produce and wine. With its full, rich berry flavors, a bottle of Spanish Tienen Duende garnacha ($8.99) is a good choice for sangria. Red Guitar Navarra Old Vine tempranillo garnacha ($10.99) is another solid Spanish red. If you’re the sort who needs a little portion control when it comes to sangria, Jewel sells single-serve bottles of Concha y Toro’s Frontera wines for $1.29. Papacito’s does not charge a corkage fee. --Emily Hiser Lobdell

 

So you're not a vegetarian. Neither are we. So if today's article, "Say it isn't soy" about Chicago places serving poultry-free "chicken" wings and meatless "meatballs" doesn't float your boat, that's OK--you don't have to fake it. But you just may want to step up a bit. It looks like America's Dog has just the thing. On Apr. 7, it's introducing an all-natural dog. This new dog's got meat alright, but it's uncured, hickory smoked all-beef Vienna sausage made from hormone and antibiotic free livestock. We still wouldn't classify it as health food, but it sounds like a good way to, um, well fake it if you don't want to eat tofu.