We hope the weather clears up because the annual Movies in the Park starts Friday. The multi-venue event features a wide variety of films screened in various city parks throughout the summer. If you can't make it to everything--and you shouldn't, "Barnyard" and "Gridiron Gang" are on the roster--we say head to the spelling bee flick "Akeelah and the Bee" Friday; last summer's best blockbuster, "Mission: Impossible III" June 8; last year's best animated film, "Flushed Away" June 15; the overrated-but-fun "Superman II" June 28; the classic Indiana Jones original, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" July 17; one of the ultimate filmed-in-Chicago flicks, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"; and the Audrey Hepburn classic, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" July 26.

If that's not enough, the Chicago Outdoor Movies Festival in Grant Park kicks off in July 17.

What movies do you want to see outdoors this summer?

The spot: In the winter, Sinbad's Fine Mediterranean Grill is a prime spot for take-out. But in warm weather, the small cluster of tables in the below-street-level seating area beckons with twinkling white lights, leafy trees and plenty of people watching. Relax with starters like tangy baba ghanouj ($4.95) or stuffed grape leaves ($4.50), then fill up with surprisingly elegant-but-inexpensive dishes such as grilled chicken and roasted almonds served atop an ample dollop of hummus ($9.95) or lamb shank cooked in tomato sauce and served alongside basmati rice ($11.95). 

The bottle: From the outside, Sage Restaurant appears to be just a cafe. But in the rear of the airy space, you'll find a small collection of wine and foodstuffs for sale. Pick up a bottle of Guntrum Riesling 2005 ($24), a white from the Germany's Rheinhessen region that manages to be both crisp and slightly sweet, making it a good match for Mediterranean food-not to mention an outdoor patio. Be sure to ask for a chilled bottle.

It's Hump Day, people! And it's pretty damn warm out. That gives you two good reasons to start planning for a post-work drink outdoors tonight. And as always, we're here to help: Join us tonight at the Metromix Summer Kick-off Bash at Citizen Bar.

We'll be hanging on the spacious side patio and enormous rooftop deck, hitting the bar to cool off with $5 Svedka cocktails like the Grapetini, Raspberry Ginger Ale and Dreamsicle Screwdrivers. If that's not enough of a draw, there will be complimentary beer cups good for $3 Peroni drafts-all summer long. And our newest Reader Review crew the Beer Garden Guides will be scoping out the scene, prepping for their month-long gig as your guides to alfresco bar action. See you tonight at 6 p.m.!

<<-After reading the article on cicada cuisine in today's Tribune, we're dying to try a chocolate-covered cicada, but it seems  none of Chicago's many chocolatiers have discovered the joy of the crispy little critters.

"It sounds terrifying," said the person we chatted with at Vosges. Well, since the cicadas have only just emerged, maybe we'll find some for you in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we want to know: Have you eaten any of the bugs -- raw or otherwise? Would you dare? (And if you're looking for an alternative, check out the mole-drenched crickets at Tepatulco.)

Tonight our pals at CLTV's "Metromix" will be filming tonight's 7 p.m. show live from North Avenue Beach and Castaways. The whole gang will be there: Marcus Leshock, Summer Jackson, Jackie Tranchida and Pogo, plus a few pals from metromix.com. Special guests include The Underground's Billy Dec and Chicago Sport and Social Club President Jason Erkes, and yours truly will talk about our new Reader Review crew, the Beer Garden Guides, and tomorrow's summer kick-off party at Citizen Bar. Watch the show from home, or hit the beach and join us! The TV team will be giving away free Verizon phones-the ones with TV-so show up no later than 6:30 p.m. to find out how you can win.

Pirates of the Caribbean: "At World's End" must be pretty embarassed. Despite opening in more theaters than any other movie ever (4,362), the big-budget sequel didn't break the three-day record recently set by "Spider-Man 3" ($151.1 million) or even top the opening weekend take of "Shrek the Third" ($121.6 milllion). "At World's End" also made less than the last "Pirates" movie, "Dead Man's Chest," which earned $135.6 million in its first three days. Yes, "Pirates" did rack up a total of $142.1 million over the four-day weekend, making it the biggest Memorial Day weekend opening ever (besting last year's "X-Men: The Last Stand," which made $122.9 million), but somehow we're just not impressed. Same goes for the weak showing by the only other major release, "Bug," which earned $4.2 million and placed fourth. What did you think of "At World's End"? If there's a fourth "Pirates" flick, would you see it? Or would you rather walk the plank?

Yeah, yeah: Everyone's going to be out grilling this weekend. Are you just too darn lazy? We know we are. So here are three places to let someone else do the 'cue for you:

1. Lem's Bar-B-Que-House, a vertible South Side barbecue institution, has been getting saucy since the '50s. 'Nuff said.

2. Sheffield's Backroom BBQ, the newest player in the barbecue scene is an addition to Sheffield's bar in Lakeview. How cool is this: Desserts include ice cream truck faves like bomb pops, Pushups and Neapolitan sandwiches.

3. Calvin's, a Logan Square spinoff of Smokin' Woody's (which for its name alone gets props), will be serving this Monday. While others are grilling for fun, they're grilling for work. Kind of ironic, huh?

Tell us where you'll be getting getting your 'cue this weekend?

Irish Update: As I reported here earlier this week, Lawry's Tavern has closed after 73 years. But sure as spring, as one tavern dies, another takes its place. Look for Paddy Long's to pop up in the Lawry's address this summer. The new owners, Dublin natives, are working on a remodel and facade facelift and say to expect a traditional Irish pub in addition to its very Irish name (Paddy Long was the name of one the owner's grandfathers).  Stay tuned to my New on the Scene column for updates on new bars.

If you haven't heard about Moretti's Pizza Boat, let us do the honor of filling you in -- just in time for Memorial Day weekend. We like to think of it as the ice cream truck for grown-ups -- except that a) it's a boat b) it's stocked with pizza, not popsicles and c) it's roaming territory is the Chain O'Lakes, a sweet day-trip spot in the far northwest 'burbs. When you and your boating pals get hungry, put a call in to this Fox Lake pizzeria and they'll deliver your meal, boat-side. Or, if you catch the Pizza Boat floating by, you can flag it down and snatch up a ready-made pie.

What? You don't have a nautical uncle or trust fund-blessed buddy with a boat? Don't sweat it -- Famous Freddie's, a sprawling bar and barbecue house in Fox Lake, will let you use theirs. If you team up with 20 or more friends, it's $25 per person for a 2-hour cruise with open bar, music and, thankfully, a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain.

And speaking of lake-side pizza, Gino's East is setting up camp in Lake Geneva. Their lakeside outpost (100 yards from the Riveria Docks, they tell us) is slated to open June 11, just in time for the vacation season -- how predictably appropriate.

Find more suburban shenanigans in our 'burbs channel.

<<--The spot: It's easy to zip right by little Bonsoiree Cafe & Delicacies, a charming-yet-modern BYOB with an awning obscured by trees. Maybe that's why co-owners, chefs, (and sometimes servers) Kurt Chenier and Shin Thompson offer perhaps the most eye-popping pre-fixe prix-fixe dinner in town Tuesdays through Fridays. "A lot of people think we're insane for doing prix-fixe on Friday," says Chenier. "We're just trying to get people in and try our food."

For as little as $20, you get three courses from a stellar contemporary American menu. For starters, go for the corn cake topped with a salad of spicy red lentils and fresh lime. An asparagus and oyster mushroom salad is another temptation. Entrees include braised beef short rib in a cabernet reduction and a smoky pork tenderloin wrapped with thick slab of applewood bacon (a $3 upcharge is well worth it.) For dessert, you can't beat warm banana bread pudding drenched with a decadent white chocolate creme anglaise. Think it can't get better? Eat it all under the stars on the secluded back patio-oh, and they do a weekend a la carte brunch too.  Pinch us, we're in BYOB heaven.

-->>The bottle: There's a liquor store on the corner near Bonsoiree, but skip it--they don't  have anything you want (we hope). Instead, just head about two blocks west to Food Smart (2901 W Armitage Ave. 773-772-3200), a 24-hour convenience store with about every mid-priced, popular wine you need, from Santa Margherita to the Coppola Diamond series-plus a few surprises. We couldn't resist this too-cute bottle of Lulu B. syrah, a $6.49 screwcap number from the daughter of famed French winemaker Louis Bernard. But turns out Lulu was more than just a pretty label, with luscious berrys and soft tannins, making it a wonderful summer sipper. -- Chris LaMorte, Metromix dining producer.

Fresh-faced actor/comedian Hal Sparks doesn't exactly bring to mind the image of buff leathermen. But, sure enough, the funnyman will entertain the crowd at the 29th annual International Mr. Leather contest. (At least last year's IML joke-teller Bruce Vilanch looked like someone you'd find at Jackhammer.) Still, the ex-Boy Scout and "Queer as Folk" star (who got a start at The Second City at age 16 while attending New Trier High School) will headline the title event on Sunday at The Chicago Theatre, where one of 50 fierce contenders will claim the coveted title of International Mr. Leather. So, um...what's up with that? Well, in addition to working the room fro laughs, maybe the comedy cutie also hopes to hype his upcoming CD release from his band Zero 1. On his Web site, Sparks says, "If you don't sing your song... nobody will." We can't wait to hear his "song" this weekend.

After last week's "Grey's Anatomy" season finale I thought two things: 1. Meredith is so annoying that I wouldn't mind if her title character got kicked off the show, and 2. I wish Izzy would finally catch a break.

Well, the actress that plays her sure has-Katherine Heigl is set to star along with members of "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" in "Knocked Up," coming to a theater near you on June 1. If this flick's early buzz is anything to go by, accidental pregnancy never sounded so exciting!

Tonight, from 8 to 11 p.m., Elm Street Liquors is hosting a movie release party, complete with swag bags, "Knocked Up" giveaways and complimentary screening passes. And for 5 bucks, you can swig movie-inspired cocktails like Babymama Drama (Sky Vodka, Soda, Splash of Grapefruit), Fertility Shot (Bacardi Melon and Red Bull Shot) or Plan B (Beam, Coke and Grenedine with Cherry). We also like the $2 Shotgun Wedding (can of PBR).

Gee, I hope they're passing out condoms, too.                                       

While you're waiting for cicada season to begin so you can finally crunch some of those crazy critters, here's an alternative to tide you over: soft-shell crabs. The season's underway, and will probably reach its apex in June on the East Coast (click here for the soft-shell basics, including how to tell a hotel from a prime). Whether you like 'em battered and fried or simply sauteed, here are some spots to get 'em.

Nacional 27
Masa-crusted soft-shell crab with a watermelon and jicama salad, served with chipotle-tartar salsa. ($10.95)

Atwood Cafe / South Water Kitchen
Tempura-battered soft-shell crabs with arugula, roasted corn, tomatoes and warm pancetta vinaigrette. ($24)

HB: Home Bistro
Crisp-fried soft-shell crabs served over a salad of frisee, proscuitto, and roasted asparagus, topped with a dill-tartar sauce ($28). Also: Every Thursday is Blue Crab Feast get 10 crabs per person as well as an iceberg lettuce wedge with green goddess dressing and marinated cherry tomatoes, roasted potatoes and corn on the cob.  ($37.50 per person/two-person min.)

Shaw's Crab House
Sauteed North Carolina soft-shell crabs served with rice, lemon, garlic and amandine sauce. (2 for $32.95/3 for 48.98)

SHELL OF A  DEAL>>>: Half Shell Restaurant
Four lightly-tempura battered hotel-sized crabs, served with lettuce tomato, pickle and French fries ($24) -- plus a sucker for dessert.

The Fish Guy
Want to make 'em yourself? Stop by Bill Dugan's (a.k.a The Fish Guy) Elson Avenue shop. Bill says he likes 'em lightly dusted with flour, seasoned, then sauteed with grape-seed oil on one side, and butter on the other. ($5 hotel / $6 prime). Too much work? If you ask real nice, maybe Bill will make a po'boy for you at the shop.

How do you like your soft-shell crabs? Pan-fried or battered and deep-fried?

Dressed in an all-white suit, Francis Ford Coppola, the famous California winemaker who we've heard has directed a film or two, brought a multimedia dog-and-pony show The Harold Washington Library last night to tout his portfolio of businesses, which range from pasta to wine to resorts.

The entertaining 60-minute interactive presentation ended with the unveiling (and uncorking!) of new Rosso & Bianco, wine from his new Sonoma vineyard.

I think Coppola's true objective, however, was to answer the one question that irritates him the most: "Why not just stick to movies?" By weaving stories of his family (his mother was the daughter of a music publisher, his grandfather invented a prototype of movie sound) while talking about his products, the energetic Coppola explained how all his businesses spring organically from his life's passions.

"It just happens to me naturally as I [am] living my life," he said from the stage.

Well, despite all his accomplishments--Academy Awards, a successful wine and food business, a resort business, the award-winning literary mag All-Story, Coppola missed his true calling by about 100 years: "I always wanted to be in Vaudeville."

I could tell: Despite some not-so high-tech flourishes -- Coppola timed himself walking on and off screen in synch with the filmed images of himself -- this was an old-fashioned evening of light humor, storytelling and magic--and, yes, food.

Coppola's stage assistants passed large platters of antipasti to the audience, and a couple of pizzas made an appearance -- as did a big red sauce smear on his white lapel.

Don't feel bad, Francis: At a meet-and-greet wine tasting after the show, I think I left wearing more of the new Rosso than I actually drank.

P.S.: One exciting bit of news for fans of Sofia Mini, the portable single-serve bubbly. Coppola has a new product in the works: Rosso to Go--single serving cups of red wine; just peel back the foil lid and gulp. It's been a big hit with Giants fans at AT&T Park in San Fran; but no ETA on its Chicago debut. Hurry Francis, Ravinia season is about to start.

Longtime Lakeview neighborhood tap Lawry's Tavern will have last call Wednesday. After 73 years, the bar will open one last time from 2 p.m. until  2 a.m.

Stop in for a beer and a shot, a game of pool, or some good ol' conversation. Unfortunately, there will be no more Crapple, a monthly occurrence that become a cult fave with local twenty- and thirty-somethings over the last year.

We found ourselves there one cold, snowy night purchasing raffle tickets to win games and garage sale-style items displayed behind the bar...or crap, if that's the way the cookie crumbled. If your number was called, the crowd would loudly shout in unison: "Crap, crap, crap," to see if you won a good item or a booby prize.

"You need to be there to experience it," said Jackie Price, wife of Lawry Price, whose father originally opened the tavern across the street in the now Lincoln Park Athletic Club, before moving to the current location in 1937.

Bye, bye Crapple. We'll miss you. But at least we have our fondue maker, Dr. Scholl's gel cushion massager and, uh, latex glove prizes to remind us of the good ol' days.

P.S. Price tells us the bar is being sold to new owners...stay tuned for more details.

Not convinced that online music sales are impacting retail outlets? Well, try this on for size. As reported  by the Tribune this weekend, the Virgin Megastore on Michigan Avenue--which has offered massive discounts for the last several months to fight apparently dwindling sales--will close in July. (What's going into the space? Clothing store Forever 21.) Virgin's Chicago location is just one of seven outlets that the company has closed since last year, and, as you may recall, Tower Records shut its stores in December. Will you miss the Megastore? When was the last time you bought a CD in a store, rather than online? Do you think record stores will be totally gone within the next five years?

Yep, as expected, another record has fallen, with "Shrek the Third" besting the take for "Shrek 2" to become the top debut ever for an animated film. The big green guy took in $122 million over the weekend, which also makes it the third largest opening ever, behind "Spider-Man 3" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." In its third week, Spidey dropped to second with $28.5 million bringing its three-week total to a measly $281.9 million. Jeez. Did you see "Shrek the Third"? Was it better or worse than "Spider-Man 3"? Will the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" continue this summer's streak of weekly record-breaking?

1. You won your weight in candy (and earned a few scrapes) after proving your Big Wheel chops as a kid. See how your skills have held up at a Big Wheel Pub Crawl covering 12 Wicker Park bars, such as Cans (1640 N. Damen Ave.) and Northside (1635 N. Damen Ave.). Includes a costume contest and races in Wicker Park at 9 p.m. Crawl starts at 4 p.m. Saturday. $20. Proceeds benefit Children's Memorial Hospital. Registration: bigwheelpubcrawl.com.

2. Crawling, you say? Puh-lease. Go for a seasonal stroll instead at the Fulton Market Spring Arts Walk, and browse contemporary artwork, antiques and other items at nearly 20 neighborhood galleries, studios and shops, including Mars (1139 W. Fulton Market) and Flatfile Galleries (217 N. Carpenter St.). Noon Saturday. Free. Fulton Market District, between Halsted Street and Ashland Avenue.

3. Hibernation season is long gone, so stretch your legs and venture outside for a peek at others' abodes during the 37th Annual Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Home Tour. Guided and self-guided tours feature Tudor and Dutch Colonial homes, an English Gothic church and more. 11 a.m. Sunday. $25-$33. Proceeds benefit the Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA). Tours depart from the Beverly Arts Center of Chicago, 2407 W. 111th St. 773-233-3100. Tickets: bapa.org.

"Shrek the Third" opens this weekend, but trust us, you may want to skip it. Instead of another mindless retread, why not amp up your weekend with some weirdness at Music Box. Catch screenings of Guy Maddin's deliriously odd "Brand Upon the Brain!" The silent, black-and-white horror comedy will feature music from live Foley artists, an 11-piece orchestra, plus in-person narration from one of the strangest characters in Hollywood, Crispin Glover ("Willard"). Tickets are pricey ($25 in advance, $30 at the door). What will you be seeing this weekend? Is "Brand Upon the Brain!" your style, or is Glover so odd that you're afraid to be in the same room as him?

The spot: The rough wooden tables and chairs at this compact Little Italy spot look like a nice place to start a revolution­-or at least debate U.S. politics while noshing on Cuban and Mexican dishes. (Yes, it's named for the Cuban revolutionary, Che Guevara.) Friendly service, low prices and its status as one of just a few BYOB spots in the area also make it a standout.  Be truly revolutionary and order one of their numerous breakfast burritos ($4.99 - $5.99) in the p.m. hours - they're served all day. Or try freshly made dishes like the pork loin and French bread-based Cuban ($6.50), the chicken pesto foccacia ($7.75) or the well-stuffed chimichanga ($6.50).

The bottle: We love the idea of drinking a beer alongside our breakfast burrito - it's not often it's exactly socially acceptable.  Just a block down from the cafe is Taylor St. Food & Liquor (1152 W. Taylor St. 312-666-0096), where you can grab a six-pack of Corona ($7.99) or Dos Equis ($7.99).  But wine lovers needn't totally despair - a sign at the corner of Racine and Taylor proclaims "Wine shop coming soon."  --Allison Knab, metromix special contributor.

OK, we know the weather is a little fickle right now: hot, cold, wet, hot, cold, wet. Stop before we get pneumonia! But this weekend promises to be another beaut. (Yeah, promises, promises.) But if you need one undeniable sign of summer, it's ice cream. Here are three great ice cream-related scoops:

1. On Friday, North side staple Ann Sather Restaurant (Belmont location) adds Original Rainbow Cones, a South Side Staple since 1926, to its dessert menu in honor of the Sox visit to Wrigley for start of crosstown classic, which climaxes Sunday at The Cell. The five-flavored monstrosity features chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (described as a cherry-nut blend) and orange sherbet. There's also a wager in play: On May 26, Rainbow Cones will distribute 250 of its ice cream treats to Ann Sather's customers if the Sox lose. If the Cubs lose, Ann Sather's will hand out 250 of its famous cinnamon rolls to customers at the Rainbow Cones shop. Who do you think will win?

2. Bobtail Ice Cream has announced the winners of its Birth of a Flavor contest. A drumroll please... In the adult category, the winner is Jonathan Polonsky, 30, of Buena Park who concocted a new flavor called Coffee Ice Cream with Doughnuts. In the kids' category, Avery Feinstein, 7, Highland took home the prize for her Peanut Butter, Banana and Jelly flavor.  Both flavors will be available at all locations (excluding its seasonal outlets) through June 13.  Want to try 'em for free? Saturday is Bobtail's free ice cream day (again, only at year-round locations). They will be passing out free single-serve scoops from noon 'till 3 p.m.

3. If the weather turns back to its fickle ways next week, Cold Stone Creamery's River North location has you covered. Al Yeganeh, New York's real "no soup for you"-shouting "soup Nazi" (parodied in that now infamous episode of Seinfeld) is landing in Chicago next week, well sort of. The Original SoupMan chain, which Yeganeh founded (there are 33 outlets), is teaming up with Cold Stone Creamery to test market soups to starting May 24. So in addition to decadant ice cream, you can find soups like chicken vegetable, minestrone, turkey chili and shrimp bisque. What--no mulligatawny?

Tonight, Tyra Banks will crown another beauty America's Next Top Model. Will you be watching? (I'll wait to be sucked into the complete marathon whenever that airs.) That said, I definitely watched Cycle 7, when bubbly blonde CariDee English took home the top prize.

Let me tell you, she is one friendly, down-to-earth model. At least that's my impression after casually chatting with her for a few minutes at Friday's opening bash at new late-night hot spot, Crescendo (To get more info on the club, check my New on the Scene column.) CariDee was dancing with her friends, chatting, and was happy to pose photos while joking, "I have to approve the picture first."

She kicked off a fashion show at the "ultra lounge" in a striking red dress from Giambattista Valli's fall collection. The Top Model and other Elite beauties also wore the designs of Oscar de la Renta, Jill Sander and others.

So, if you are watching ANTM, do you think hometown hottie Jaslene has what it takes?

See half of the original Smiths tonight in Chicago!

Yes, both Morrissey and Andy Rourke are in town. What? You were expecting Johnny Marr? Sorry, he's busy being an official, real-live member of Modest Mouse. And sorry again: Moz and Andy won't be performing together.

But after the Morrissey show at the Auditorium, you can head to Debonair Social Club to catch the former Smiths bassist hit the decks. It's as part of his new gig as a touring DJ. Expect an eclectic, well-selected mix of pop-rock that, from what we hear, samples his former band (including those killer bass lines). We hope that he throws a little "Last of the Famous International Playboys" in the set as well; after all, he had a brief stint as Morrissey's solo bassist.

What do you think the odds are that Morrissey shows up tonight at Debonair to see his former bandmate? We give 'em at, oh, slightly better than Moz showing up to Gibsons for a juicy New York Strip. But you just never know...

Today's RedEye had a great story by Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz about the hardships of servers in Chicago: Bad tippers. Demanding customers. Lack of respect. No wonder New York waiters have been striking lately! (see New York Times; registration required)

We were struck -- OK, appalled -- by the woman Elejalde-Ruiz quoted who left a 5-percent tip after receiving subpar service at a Hyde Park eatery. "They are there to serve you, to cater to your needs and make you feel that you are wanted in that restaurant," she says. Yikes! And on Mother's Day, no less.

So OK, time to 'fess up: What's the worst tip you ever left -- and why? (And, yeah, being broke counts as a reason.) And as far as you servers: What's the worst tip you ever received  -- and do you think it was deserved?

And, by the way, what counts as good service in your book? Which spots around town have the best?

Before catching Damien Rice's utterly haunting, sold out show at the Civic Opera House, we stopped into new River North eatery/deli/grocery Sugar and Brown's, which is about a 15-minute walk north. The spot was spacious and comforting inside and features a funky gadget to help servers deliver items to the right place: After ordering at the counter, we received a plastic card to slide into a port at our table, indicating that we're expecting order 55 without having to post a card on the table, a la Corner Bakery.

Unfortunately, there was still confusion about our order--our Tuscan chicken panini was initially brought to another table--and Sugar and Brown's takes a relatively liberal approach to "quick-serve," which means those looking for a bite before the opera might be biting their nails if they're worried about getting to the show on time. The panini and mixed field greens salad took about 20 minutes to come out, though we did receive a sincere apology while we were waiting. Thankfully, both the sandwich and the salad were tasty, despite the somewhat disappointing quantity of goat cheese on the salad. (Of course, for us cheese lovers you can never have enough.) Regardless, it was a smart pick for a pre-opera, under-$20-for-two dinner in the area with a bit more sophistication than, um, The Rock and Roll McDonald's.

As for Rice, he kept the audience transfixed throughout his hour-and-45-minute performance as he vacillated from heartbreaking ballads to angry, you'll-never-screw-me-over-again jams. Snow and shadow lighting effects were particularly effective for Rice's palate of lonely, gorgeous drinking songs, which would have felt all the more timely had we exited the venue into a blizzard, rather than a burst of warmth and humidity.

What did you think of the show? Where do you like to go before a show at the Civic Opera House -- opera or otherwise?

Metromix.com is turning 10. We know -- we had a hard time believing it too.

As part of our celebration, we'd like to hear from you. What do you love about Chicago's entertainment scene? What do you hate?

Where's your favorite BYOB spot?

Do you miss Circus or Leo's Lunch Room? What other spots were you sad to see close?

Where do you go for the best sushi? The best burgers?

Which bar is the biggest meat market?

What music club has the best sound? The best sightlines?

Bottom line: We want to know what's on your mind. Drop us an e-mail. We'll include your comments in Thursday's edition!

It was crowded, it was cold, but I managed to get an eyeful at Looptopia. Was it all that I hoped? Not really. Was I glad we checked it out? Sure. Here's a recap of my night:

7:00:I escape the cold with a generous pour of red wine at the Art Institute (the Hard Rock Hotel was my first choice for an afterwork drink and peek at Miss Looptopia hopefuls, but the swarms trying to squeeze inside turned me right off). Inside the museum, Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan tuned up but didn't start playing until my plastic cup was nearly empty and the gallery was teeming with Chex Mix-crunching refugees from the wind.

Next stop, 7:45: Daley Plaza to see what was going on. Midnight Circus was on the stage... I think. (Should've worn heels because I couldn't see anything.) Wandering some more brought one of several Redmoon Theater installations into view. It was a mesmerizing scene with live music, a potato patch and huge hanging lanterns. The crowd was impressed. Big win.

9:30: Searching for food and a place to sit, we stopped into Macy's and found the lower level court closed. Gen Art's seventh floor dance party featured a long line (we didn't wait; MFchicago's dance party at Sullivan Dock looked much more promising). I sat and watched a video installation across the street from Daley Plaza while The Ponys played to a receptive crowd.

10 p.m.: Eventually, the cold and wind got the better of me. My friends' hunger (and car parked nearby) convinced me to call it a night. Stuff I would've liked to visit: Jazz lounge at the Chicago Theatre, "365 Days/365 Plays" at Goodman Theatre, MFchicago Dance Party.

Were you there? What did we miss?

Yes, "Spider-Man 3" topped the box office again, racking up another $60 million in its second week. We're already looking ahead to the next few weeks of part-three blockbusters like "Shrek the Third" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," so no need to talk about Tobey Maguire's bipolar superhero any longer. More noteworthy from the past weekend's results were the low tallies for the zombie sequel "28 Weeks Later," which nabbed only $10 million, Lindsay Lohan's horrible "Georgia Rule" ($5.88 million) and Zach Braff's latest misfire "The Ex," which viewers found so unappealing it didn't even finish in the Top 10. And this, I remind you, was the weekend Larry the Cable Guy's "Delta Farce" ranked No. 5 (earning $3.5 million). Did you see anything besides "Spider-Man 3" this weekend? Are you the one person who bought a ticket for "The Ex"?

Are you ready to rock? You're not? OK, well how about now: this year's Ozzfest, featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Lamb of God, Static X, Hatebreed and several other calm-sounding band names, is totally free. We're not up for making the head-banging trip to First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre for this one, but if you are, register for tickets tomorrow at ozzfest.com. Will you be attending Ozzfest? Is it because you love the rock, or because it's free?

If you still haven't seen The Ponys play tunes from their new album, "Turn the Lights Out," and don't want to deal with the gigantic Looptopia crowds, we've got you covered: The Chicago rockers also appear 10 p.m. Saturday at Subterranean. The catch? It's going to cost you $10. You decide if you'd prefer to brave the masses for free or hang at Subterranean for a price.

OK, so everyone's -- excuse us -- buzzing about Shiner Bock, the cultish Texas-based brew that debuted in Chicago about a month ago. Despite a big marketing push, finding the stuff can be kind of tricky. Its web site, shinerchicago.com, lists bars currently carrying it, but as it turns out, it's not exactly complete--you can find it in some unlikely places. We tried our first Shiner last night after spotting the bright yellow can at The Rail Club -- yes, that dark, low-slug bar inside Ogilvy Transportation Center. So how was it? We're no beer snobs, but even we were impressed. Shiner offers a rich, sweet caramel flavor, with an aggressive vanilla notes. If there is such a thing as a dessert beer this just might be it. For a post-work chugalug on the Metra, it's a step above a Bud Light tall boy. As for the advertised amber color? We'll have to trust the marketers on that one; we were drinking it from a can, after all.

Post your thoughts: Is Shiner worth the hipster buzz?

How brilliant is the name of this new restaurant/lounge going in on the lower level of 160 E. Grand Avenue? Thanks to a tip from one of our eagle-eyed readers, we poked our head in and found that the former Riga-Tony's space (awful name by the way) is indeed being gutted to make way for Reagle [sic] Beagle, a moniker inspired by that "Three's Company" fern bar. We hope it will serve all kinds of '70s-inspired cocktails like tequila sunrises and pina coladas. UPDATE: We just found out that this spot is slated to open mid-summer, and will have a fun, upbeat afterwork bar focus. And, yes, a few kitschy cocktails. We can't wait.

Looptopia? A lot of people still don't know what it is. Let us help:

Here's what we can tell you about Looptopia: For starters: It's an all-night, Loop-wide party. It starts 5 p.m. Friday and offers theater, music, dance, and general spectacle until dawn and beyond on Saturday. It's going to be "uge." Seriously. Think Redmoon Theater, The Ponys, Brickheadz, dance parties, comedy, late-night exhibits, installations, music and, well, you get it, right? Get top picks in our Looptopia guide and find out where the indoor-outdoor party goes down. (Download our map.pdf)

Here's what we can't: Will this be an annual affair? TBD. How much did it cost? Can't say. What happens if it rains? Um, nothing: Indoor programming will suffice. Looptopia organizer, The Chicago Loop Alliance, is pretty tight-lipped about some of these more newsy item. Still, the Extrovert thinks the event's going to be a mob scene -- at least as people leave work on Friday. But will the Loop still be trendy at 3 a.m.? Will hipsters and culture vultures heave a collective sigh in Millennium Park over a free breakfast at 5:30 a.m.? We can't say. But if you see us there, save us some coffee, OK? Thanks.

No tickets to tonight's sold out Velvet Revolver show at Riviera? Well, there are still plenty of other ways to be entertained by the band. You can, for instance, read our interview with Weiland. The singer was certainly all over the place, and his comments about Guns 'n Roses singer Axl Rose managed to stoke the ongoing flame war on the Guns 'n Roses fan site Here Today Gone to Hell. We'd direct you to the thread, but it appears to have been disappeared after endless hearsay regarding the two rock icons. Funny, because we thought he was actually restrained when he spoke to us. In the past, Rose allegedly claimed that Slash bad-mouthed his Revolver band mates, calling Weiland a "fraud"; Weiland later said Rose should "get a new wig," calling him a "fat, Botox-faced, wig-wearin' f---."

We'll leave it to you: Should Rose be jealous of Weiland for being Slash's current main man? Is Weiland as legendary of a rock 'n' roll frontman as Rose? Or is he a fraud? Is Rose washed up? Will the forever-delayed new Guns 'n Roses album "Chinese Democracy" be released this century?

<<--The spot: The recent opening of KS Seafood essentially doubled the number of Chicago restaurants specializing inTaiwanese food (the other is Mei Shung in Uptown), a cuisine slightly less salty and saucy than many Chinese offerings, and, as this restaurant's name implies, featuring more fish and crustacean-based dishes. Try a texturally fun dish of sea bass encrusted with dry soybean ($21), the popular stir-fried vermicelli ($7.95) or six pieces of pork belly served with steamed buns ($14.95). Braver souls might like dishes such as the fried eels ($7.50); more familiar, Cantonese, Szechwan and Thai options are also served.

The bottle:  Jessica Lerner, manager at Lush Wine and Spirits is a KS Seafood fan. "I love it," she says. "It's so hard to find seafood in Chinatown that's not over-sauced." She has the perfect bottle picked out for a visit: Illmitz, a $14 pinot gris from Austria. "It's got a great, clean finish, and it's not overly floral, so it gives a nice balance; it complements the Taiwanese herbs." Call ahead and Lush will have a chilled bottle waiting for you. --Allison Knab, Metromix special contributor.

It looks like the knives are already sharpening for the new season of "Top Chef." As we reported in New on the Scene, Chef Dale Levitski (who has cooked and consulted everywhere, from Orange to Trio Atelier to La Tache to Stone Lotus) is ready for battle. This is the official bio that Bravo sent to the media:

DALE
AGE: 34
HOMETOWN: Chicago, Ill.
PROFESSION: Chef/Consultant
CULINARY EDUCATION: Self-Taught
SIGNATURE DISH/CUISINE: Croque Monsieur
Chicago native Dale has been a chef for six years, with plans underway to open his own restaurant. Whether he's cooking four-star meals, diving, or doing gymnastics, Dale's competitive edge is undeniable. He has created something he calls "flavor math," where the right number of spices can bring the perfect flavor and taste. He uses French American cultural influences in his cooking, and is serious about putting his skills to the ultimate test. He loves the fact that the other contestants could be "out-cooked by a queer." Dale will say what everyone else is thinking.

You go, grill!

Of course, Levitski won't exactly be breaking any kitchen barriers: The Hearty Boys (a.k.a. Steve McDonough and Dan Smith) already have that distinction--the catering domestic partners, after all, were the first winners of "The Next Food Network Star." And, oh yeah, famed Queer Eye foodie (and Chicago native) Ted Allen ? He'll be a judge on the show.

When we asked Smith about Levitski's comment, Smith said: "I just think it's funny that the queer celebrity chefs are taking over Chicago!"

Speaking of the Hearty Boys, look for HBTV -- think cooking karaoke -- to open mid-summer at 3819 N. Broadway.

The Chicago Tribune has a good story today about Arshad Javid, the force behind scrappy coffeehouse mini-chain Café Descartes. If you haven't been to one yet, Cafe Descartes roasts its own beans and has some interesting concoctions like oatmeal latte. The story says Javid's eventual ambition is to take on Starbucks. We wish him the best of luck, but when it comes to caffeine, well, some habits are hard to break. That said, we do have to wonder why makes folks so fanatical about Starbucks in the first place? They either love it, or they hate it.  How 'bout you? Are you pro- or anti-Starbucks? Who sells the best cup of Joe in town?

OK, not really. It was ALL "Spider-Man 3" this weekend, with the big-budget superhero flick taking home $148 million, breaking the previous three-day high of $135.6 held by "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." And Spidey clearly doesn't like to share. Previous champ "Disturbia" fell to second with a measly $5.7 million, and the week's only other major release, "Lucky You," totally tanked with $2.5 million. Did you see "Spider-Man 3"? Will the record stand for awhile, or will upcoming blockbusters like "Shrek the Third" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" claim the crown?

Well, you may get to find out this weekend, when rapper Tone Loc--clearly the king of Mexican pop music--performs at Cinco Division at Mother's. It may not be the most traditional Cinco de Mayo party, but it's, um, the only one featuring a co-star of "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective." What do you think? Do you like your Cinco de Mayo festivities traditional, or a little more of a "Wild Thing"?

What? Tone's not cool enough for you? Then please let us give ourselves a little plug: Metromix is joining forces with RedEye's new Saturday edition, debuting tomorrow. We will give you the 5 must-do things of the weekend. But don't go looking for it in those red boxes, this edition will be delivered for free -- all you have to do is sign up.

Talk about "just say no"!

Our big story Wednesday was all about the lastest energy drinks, including one buzz bev that was just begging for controversy -- it was called Cocaine. Also on Wednesday (coincidence?), Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan demanded the beverage no longer be sold in the state, stating that it's in violation of Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. While Cocaine doesn't actually contain cocaine, Madigan's said the product "promotes the use of illegal drugs."

If you look at the Cocaine web site today, sure enough, it says the drink is no longer for sale not only in Illinois, but also in Texas and Connecticut.

So what are you missing? We taste tested the Cocaine drink, as well as cocktails made with the stuff and other other amped-up alcohol available at local clubs.

But what do you think: Should Illinois ban this drink because of its name?

We like Amy Winehouse's latest album, "Back to Black," and we're not the only ones: There's so much buzz behind the British soul singer that her two sold-out shows at Schubas had to be combined into one massive -- still sold-out show -- at the Vic. Just one problem: Winehouse is a snooze on stage.

During her 60-minute set, the tiny-waisted crooner with the huge hair never seemed like she was trying terribly hard, and only showed her personality when tossing pieces of candy into the crowd. Her large backing band-- featuring a three-piece horn section and two backup singers--looked bored most of the time, as songs like "Me and Mr. Jones" came and went with little excitement. The ensemble tried to liven up already-soulful tunes like "Rehab" by speeding things up, which did more harm than good. Throughout Winehouse's performance, the music sounded just right for a dinner party, and pretty blah for an hour of packed-in head-bobbing at the Vic.

Fortunately, opener Patrick Wolf (supporting his eclectic recent album "The Magic Position") showed more life on stage, bopping and prancing around in a checkered, chest-revealing top and red shorts that did nothing to flatter his pale-as-an-English-schoolboy legs but did match his hair. Wolf seemed happy to be in Chicago, and we hear he partied at Debonair Social Club after the show-- in more or less the same outfit, believe it or not (though he left before local rockers The Assassins took the stage). If you haven't checked him out, here's "The Magic Position" video from YouTube:

Well, hooray. Frango mints are coming back to Chicago.

But, c'mon, do you care? I don't. Is the candy -- so closely tied to the Marshall Field's legacy and Chicago history, but manufactured in Pennsylvania since 1999 -- really that big of a deal anymore? Sure, the extra jobs the announcement portends are great. But Frango without Marshall Field's? Sort of like a bad sitcom spinoff. (Any "Joey" fans in the house?)

Well, do you think Frango is still relevant in a town that's now home to amazing boutique chocolatiers like Vosges and Coco Rouge, both of which have refined chocolate making into an art form? Frankly, if I wanted to show off what this town had to offer, I think I'd rather treat my out-of-towners to a box of ginger-wasabi Vosges truffles than bore them with yet another box of Frangos.

The Spot: Don't let the Spanish-speaking regulars or the slightly Spartan atmosphere deter you from checking out Buenos Aires Forever: Servers speak perfect English, and the ease-and aromas-of this spot on the border of Noble Square and East Ukrainian Village will soon draw you in. The price-$1.99-of the empanadas seems to make them even more golden and flavorful; we particularly like the onion, creamy corn, and ham and cheese varieties. If empanadas aren't enough to fill you up, try the ultra-rich broccoli soup ($2.99), or go for a full entree, such as the popular milanesa, a dish of breaded, fried beef with fries ($10.90).

The Bottle: Don't let the occasionally locked door of Esmael's Food Mart (935 N. Ashland Ave. 773-252- 0644) deter you either-the shop's probably open, just knock. Beer seems the perfect match to the soccer-watching going on at the restaurant. Keep it simple with a six-pack of Corona. Tip: Bring your own li mes, or risk substituting the lemons the restaurant has available.

--Allison Knab, metromix special contributor

We were delighted to find this in our morning news surf:

But what do you think-are you in favor or against a statewide smoking ban?

After the megaissue we just put together for you, we're exhausted! Pooped! Tuckered out! Good think this week's issue has everything you need to know about the newest, hottest energy drinks - and whole lot more!

<<--What a charge! Separate the Bull from the buzz on amped-up alcohol

Dining: Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, Tequila shows its serious side

Mother's Day: Does your Mom have a Madonna complex? Where to get her into the groove

Beer with us! Apply for our next Metromix Reader Review crew

Bars & Clubs: Lights! Action! We put the spotlight on Lumen, the newest scenester lounge

Music: LCD Soundsystem is playing at our house! (Or Chicago at least.)

We didn't quite know what to say when a press release popped into our inbox for a Men's Shopping Night at Iridesse, a high-end pearl jewelry shop at Oakbrook Mall. For one, this too-close-for-comfort bum shot took us by surprise.

The invite reads: "Stop by to discover the natural beauty of cultured pearl jewelry while sampling scotch and cigars at Iridesse Pearl Bar and even pick out something special for Mother's Day."

Mother's Day?

Clearly, the goal is to lure guys in the door at this girly-as-ever boutique with ultra-manly cigars and scotch. Is turning up the testosterone in order to appeal to cash-dropping (and in this case, gift-shopping) guys a smart concept? Absolutely -- that's why men's clothing shops like TK Men and Revolver have stocked their sales floors with pool tables, video games and free beer. But we can't help pointing out that the last thing we want to associate with this pearl-laden, scantily-clad bikini is our moms. Can we get a collective "ew"?