Update on Doug Sohn: The owner and head sausage dude at Chicago's famous encased meat emporium, Hot Doug's, broke his leg three weeks ago, forcing him to close the place while he recuperated.  Good news: He sent a note today telling us that he plans to reopen on September 12.

The Chicago City Council considers a bill allowing restaurants to allow owners to bring their dogs to outdoor cafes today. If it passes, Brasserie Jo says has the perfect way for Fido to celebrate.

Doggy beer.

Yes, depending on the outcome, tomorrow the restaurant will provide coupons for Happy Tail Ale, which will be redeemable at the restaurant next alfresco season (the law won't go into effect until 2008) attatched to a house-made doggy biscuit.

What is Happy Tail Ale? According to the manufacturer's web site, beerfordogs.com, the drink contains "malted barely and filtered water, fortified with glucosamine and vitamin E, with natural beef flavoring."

Well, if your dog is trying to cut back, don't worry--there's no alcohol in it.

UPDATE: The City Council passed the oridance (See bottom of this story)

Last night's episode proved the second time is not necessarily a charm -- at least it wasn't for Tre.

The Dallas-based chef packed his knives for a number of culinary sins, chief among them a truly terrible poached salmon. Ms. Padma looked like she was either going to spit it into her napkin or vomit. Honey, it's okay. It's only fish. Swallow. You will survive.

But we liked Tre. We want to see more of Tre (especially after we saw him trotting around in his boxers -- ay, ay, ay.) Why should he be the one caught on the hook? Here are some of the people we would have kicked off last night's episode instead.

Our hometown hero, Dale: We love you but we agree with Ted--the guy who cleans the grease traps has more style than that outfit you had on last night. (P.S. Is it just us or is Ted Allen, like, totally crushing on Dale?) Pack your Mohawk and go home.

Then what was up with Casey? C'mon, sister--chop, chop. We were ready to cry when we saw your lousy knife skills on that onion. Tom Colicchio came to her defense on Bravotv.com, explaining she had a dull knife. Well, still. We say pack your Vidalia Chop Wizard and go home.

And CJ, we all thought you were coasting a little bit. You picked the team. You only made one dish. You didn't really step up to the plate when Tre was being battered and deep fried by the judges. Pack your one good testicle and go home.

Stephen from Season One. Well, you're pretentious, but we have a soft spot for you. Still, when will you learn to stop lecturing your guests and start pouring? Pack your pouilly-fuisse and go home.

Christopher Ciccone. You were annoying. You’re the best designer Bravo could get to help on the episode? Uh, get a quote about "food or eating" and stencil it on the wall? Genius. Pure Genius. Your ideas were as trite as your sister's lyrics. Pack your swatches and go home.

Alright, now we're just being bitchy. So who do you think should have gotten whacked last night?

See what our friends at The Stew had to say about last night's show.

My name is Chris, and I am a takeout addict. OK, that's not entirely true. I also have a co-dependent relationship with several deliverymen around town. But, apparently, I am not alone. Today's RedEye cover story "Deliver us from cooking," by Michael Hines has a amazing stat: "More than half of the meals purchased at the nation's estiamated 557,000 restaurants are eaten at home," according to consumer market research organization NPD Group. The average person ate 127 to-go meals, and 81 inside a restaurant, according to another stat the article cites.

What do you think? Are you a takeout addict? Do we need a support group?

It's been a bad month for Virgins in Chicago. First, Virgin Megastore closes and then Randolph Street's mid-priced Italian spot, Extra Virgin and its late-night ancillary, Virgin Lounge both closed on July 15. Restaurants America, the corporate parent, which also owns about a bazillion Bar Louies, plans to open just what the city needs -- Bar Louie No. Bazillion and One. And if that sounds a little like Déjà vu, you're right. Before converting it to Extra Virgin in 2005 it was Bluepoint Oyster Bar and a Bar Louie.

What do you think: Does Chicago need another Bar Louie?

Some sad news to report: Alinea's superstar chef Grant Achatz sent this message to the media today:

"I wanted to personally report that I have been very recently diagnosed with an advanced stage of squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth. I have consulted several prominent physicians and will likely begin aggressive treatment within the next few weeks. I remain, and will remain, actively and optimistically engaged in operations at Alinea to the largest extent possible. Alinea will continue to perform at the level people have come to expect from us -- I insist on that. I have received amazing support from friends, family, and everyone who has thus far been told of the disease, and I look forward to a full, cancer-free, recovery."

We wish Grant all the best for a quick recovery.

UPDATE July 24, 2007: The Chicago Tribune's Phil Vettel and Robert Mitchum have filed this report, with a bit more detail on the chef's condition.

Today, the Chicago Riverwalk has officially reopened. It spans from about Columbus Drive to Wells Street along Wacker. (Download the map) . O'Briens Riverwalk Cafe, Robinson's Ribs, Mustard and Onions Grill, and Caffeecaffee on the River are the first to take root there. Look for Cyrano's Café and Wine Bar to open late July.

This is what is currently left of Papa Milano, which stood for eons on the corner of State and Walton in the Gold Coast. We couldn't resist whipping out our camera phone as we passed this morning. Makes us a little sad.

Despite closing its Evanston location last month and its Wacker Drive location 10 days ago (and its Chicago-based corporate headquarters on Friday), Cereality -- the fledgling chain trying to do for Cocoa Puffs what Starbucks did for the coffee bean -- says you can expect more Chicago stores. Stan Synkoski, the company's chief operating officer, says the company's in talks with a major strategic partner to "aggressively expand" as a fully franchised operation. Synkoski says that the company's original plan to open both corporate-run and franchised stores was scrapped when it when the demand for franchises became "overwhelming." He says right now there are 26 franchises in the works -- a new operation has just opened in Charleston, S.C. July 1. While the 2,200 square-foot Evanston location, which was originally intended to be both restaurant as well as a training and distribution center for the chain, will not reopen, Synkoski says the Wacker Drive location is being considered for a co-branded operation with the new strategic partner, who at this point remains anonymous. Stay tuned for more details...

Did you ever visit Cereality? Do you think a cereal-only restaurant could really be the next Starbucks?

At this weekend's inaugural Pizza Fest in Lincoln Park, visitors and -- in two categories -- a panel of media (including Leo Ebersol from RedEye) judges the best pizza in Chicago in several categories. Here are the results.

Best Chicago-Style Pizza
Jury and Peoples' Choice: Mangia Roma

Best Thin-Style Pizza
Jury winner: My Pie
Peoples' Choice winner: Mama Luna's Restaurant

Best Pizza Crust
Peoples' Choice winner: Falco's Pizza

Best Pizza Sauce
Peoples' Choice winner: Palermo's Red Ivy

Best Gourmet/Unique Pizza
Peoples' Choice winner: Godfather's Pizza