The spot: While the charming outdoor patio recalls a cozy Mexican village scene, indoors, newish Bucktown taqueria Lobos Al Fresco Tacos has the all the ambience of your average burrito joint: bright lights, blaring TV and tacky booths. So what sets it apart? This unassuming spot serves some of the best Mexican food around, and neighborhood folks can’t get enough. The carne al pastor taco ($1.95), filled with guajillo sauce-marinated pork, grilled onions and pineapple, is a standout, as is the Yucatan-style cochinita pibil ($10.50), a dish of shredded pork slow-roasted in a banana leaf. The steak burrito ($6.25) is another hearty choice, and don’t pass up the guacamole appetizer ($4.25).
 
The bottle: Just a block east, Olivia’s Market (2014 W. Wabansia Ave. 773-227-4220) offers a great wine selection as well as a decent mix of chilled beer. Keep it casual, but authentic, with a six-pack of Pacifico ($8.99), Tecate ($6.99) or Corona ($8.99)—and don’t forget to grab a lime or two from the market’s small produce section. While you might not think to pair a burrito with vino, Olivia’s staff recommends the Fontana Mesta Tempranillo, a popular red bistro wine in Barcelona. It’s a steal at $7.99. Expect hints of strawberry, vanilla and tobacco flavors, which should pair well with heavier Mexican entrees. --Emily Hiser Lobdell, Metromix special contributor

If you're going to have a concert called "Movies Rock," shouldn't it feature more rockin' singers than Fergie and Carrie Underwood? The just-announced event takes place Dec. 2 in L.A.--and can be seen Dec. 7 on CBS--and is meant to honor the relationship between music and film. Nice idea, but performances like Underwood doing "The Sound of Music," Beyonce doing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and Fergie and Jennifer Hudson singing "Live and Let Die" and "Goldfinger" seem like they'd be part of a concert called "Movie Songs to Sing at Family Karaoke Parties." What classic movie songs do you think should be included, and who should sing them? Allow us to suggest Spinal Tap's "Big Bottom," sung by Velvet Revolver (or Sir Mix-A-Lot?).

Sure, Chicago has its underground party scene. But the Chicago arrival of traveling entertainment venue, Stoli Hotel, made warehouse parties a little more mainstream this month—and the open, 50-gallon drum of raw meat and dead rat I encountered (no kidding!) on the way from the car to the party at 240 N. Ashland Ave. seemed like what you’d expect on your way to a hush-hush, super-hot rave.

First launched in L.A., the Windy City locale of this party spot—not a hotel—opened Oct. 10, and ends this weekend with a Halloween bash hosted by celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton.

I checked in last night, when the Dark Wave Disco crew (Greg Corner, Trancid and Mark Gertz) hit the decks, followed by DJ Steve Aoki Kid Millionaire. A diverse crowd mingled, sipped complimentary Stoli cocktails and danced in the large space outfitted with decor inspired by the Hotel Moskva, the Russian hotel on the Stoli label.

The real party started up in Elit Suite, the V-VIP lounge named after Stolichnaya Elit vodka, when rapper Common and an entourage of about 50 filed in. Other special guest rooms lining the Stoli Hotel entry hall were done up in color palettes reflecting the Stoli flavors; after the rapper Common’s arrival, no one in those areas seemed as important to the crowd.

If you get a chance, check it out: Each night features a different host and there’s complimentary drinks (RSVP at going.com)! Plus, if you show up early enough, you could snag an appointment at the Stoli Spa, complete with mini-massages or reflexology treatments sounds like a plus. At the very least, it’s a change of pace from your usual stomping ground.

 

Good news, sci-fi fans. As reported by Maureen Ryan on "The Watcher," you don't have to wait until the Sci Fi Channel movie "Battlestar Galactica: Razor" debuts on the small screen Nov. 24. There will be free screenings of the film Nov. 12 in eight cities around the country, and, yes, Chicago is one of them. You can catch the flick at AMC River East 21, Century 16 in Deer Park and Century Evanston 18 in Evanston, but be sure to register at battlestarevent.com to reserve your seat. With the series' rabid fan base, you'll surely need a reservation, but don't jump the gun: The site doesn't go live until Friday. Will you head out to see "Razor" on the big screen or wait until you can watch it from the comfort of your couch? Or are you anti-sci-fi and can't tell your Battlestars from your Death Stars from your Star Treks?