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.