Quick Bites

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jun 5, 2008 3:45PM

Graham Elliot Bowles' eponymous restaurant (217 W. Huron) had a soft BYOB opening over the weekend. Mike Nagrant attended. So did we (bypassing a planned trip to Lincoln Square Mayfest) and HOLY SHITE we can't return fast enough. If what we ate was an indication of what Bowles has in store, this will easily become the most sought after reservation since Art Smith opened Table Fifty-Two last year, except without Oprah's army having been handed marching orders. First impression: Graham Elliot will simply blow you away. We'll give you a full review after we revisit.

Audarshia "312 Dining Diva" Townsend posted info on the upcoming launch of a Chicago location for Pete Wentz's Angels & Kings (via). Wentz's partners in the River North club include Matt Eisler of Empire Liquors and Elm Street Liquors, Stephen Westman of Lakeview Broadcasting Company and the Five Star Bar & Grill team of Lyle Aker and Patrick Poncher. No word on if there's a VIP room where Wentz and his security can stomp a mudhole into the ass of anyone making sass about his new bride.

Raymond Sokolov of the Wall Street Journal came to town to sample some post-repeal foie gras. Sokolov tasted the delicacy at Blackbird, Cyrano's Bistrot, Old Town Brasserie and North Pond. Sokolov gave Bruce Sherman high marks for his poached foie gras, which he says should be a regular menu item.

Here's a nice twist on the "red wine is good for your health" argument. Apparently it can also slow aging, according to tests conducted on mice at the University of Wisconsin. The mice were dosed with reservatrol, which is found in some red wines. It should be noted that the mice were given an equivalent dose of 35 bottles of wine a day. That's a good target number.

Registration opened Tuesday for the Chicago Bicycle Federation's annual Veggie Bike and Dine, one of the federation's more popular events. For this year's version, scheduled for September 13, CBF has partnered with NeighborSpace to plan a two-wheeled tour of some of the most lush urban gardens in the city. The starts in Pilsen at Xochiquetzal Peace Garden, 1903 W. 23rd St., ending with an after-party at Michael Altenburg's Crust in Wicker Park. Space is limited and it always sells out. RSVP to (312) 427-3325, ext. 237 now.