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The Extrovert.

You love to go out. We love to go out. You love to eat. We love to eat. You love to drink. Well, you get the idea. So when you're itching for the lastest Chicago nightlife has to offer, check out The Extrovert for up-to-the minute details on the scene.

Archive: April 29, 2008

A Jimi Hendrix sex tape?!



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?

Categories: celebrity Matt Pais
April 29, 2008 3:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The fire's out



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.”

Categories: Lisa Arnett Restaurant closings Suburbs
April 29, 2008 9:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)

Mystery spot



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.

Categories: Chris LaMorte New Bars New Restaurants
April 29, 2008 5:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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