—Set your DVRs to see two top Chicago chefs try to redeem themselves for one-point losses on “Iron Chef America.” Paul Virant (Vie) and Todd Stein (Formento’s) will battle Flay on an episode of “Beat Bobby Flay” that premieres Thursday at 9 p.m. on the Food Network and will re-air late Friday night as well as May 25 and 26. Stein lost by one point to Flay on an episode in 2011, while Virant lost by a single point to Masahiro Morimoto in 2009.
—That Kosher Gino’s East planned for Bucktown/Wicker Park that was reported back in fall 2014 is still in the works — but first the Chicago deep-dish pizza institution’s Kosher pies will first land in grocery store freezers. The pizzas will be available at five local Jewel stores beginning April 19, DNAinfo reports. There’s no official timeframe for the pizzeria at 1630 N. Milwaukee Ave., but Gino’s East’s president tells the publication that renovations are underway.
—Rosé 40s are now a thing, as Eater National reported on Monday, and they’re now available in Chicago too: Maple & Ash is now serving the fun 40-ounce bottles of pink wine. Leave a comment or email the tipline if you know of other local spots that have them for sale.
—The chef lineup is out for this year’s Chicago leg of the Cochon 555. John Manion (El Che Bar), Pete Coenen (Cherry Circle Room), Nathan Sears (The Wit), Ricardo Jarquin (Travelle Kitchen + Bar), and Tom Carlen (Publican Quality Meats) will compete in the annual whole-hog cooking competition and party on April 23. More info and tickets are available here.
—Chicago has released critic Jeff Ruby’s 10 best new restaurants of the year: Oriole, Giant, and Smyth take the top three spots.
—And finally, a unique offering will be available the first Monday of every month starting in May at Lincoln Park’s Dutch-Indonesian restaurant De Quay: a Rijstaffel (rice table) service. The traditional Dutch family-style service will cost $40 for three interesting courses beginning May 1.