In efforts to clear out our inventory, we’re having a sale. All shirts in the webShop will be marked down to $14, so anyone that’s been waiting to grab a “Chicago Fixed” tee, nows the time.

It’s not uncommon for a person to keep a hidden treasure a secret all to themselves. But in the case of Clandestino, I will gladly forgo my insider status and share this super cool underground supper club with the readers of this blog. Chef Efrain Cuevas is the mastermind behind the operation, so instead of fumbling words to explain what Clandestino is, read the mini-interview below.

smeeze: What is Clandestino and why was it created?
Efrain: Clandestino is a community dining project, a series of traveling dinner parties focused on sustainability, slow food practices, and community. It’s based on the underground supper club called The Ghetto Gourmet, which I worked with in Oakland, CA. It was created to provide an alternative to the fine dining restaurant that was accessible to anyone, not pretentious, and way more fun. Anyone could come and cook, eat, and help out in the kitchen. Clandestino is my interpretation of the original supper club, but tailored for diners and foodies in the city of Chicago.

smeeze: What was your inspiration to become a chef?
Efrain: Cooking started out as a hobby while I was in college, then later became an obsession. While I was working as a civil engineer in California, I was turned off by the whole engineering field and the corporate culture. I decided to turn my passion for food into my life’s work, and I knew I wanted to do this as soon as possible.

smeeze: Is there a certain appeal to keeping the supper club underground versus open to the public?
Efrain: There is definitely an appeal to the underground nature of the supper club, but once the word gets out, and it always does, then things have to be adjusted. I still keep the locations secret and reveal them a couple days before the event, but since I am also trying to grow my business, I have to make the experience more accessible to the general public.

smeeze: And lastly, random but not useless, Cubs or Sox fan?
Efrain: Sox! Although I’m currently a northsider, I lived in Bridgeport and Pilsen my first year in Chicago and loved it. Plus I can BBQ in the parking lot at the Sox games. Can’t do that at Wrigley.

Sneaker Pimps is rollin’ through Chicago this Friday. Founded in 2003 by Peter Fahey, the tour has traveled to more than 60 cities worldwide and has put on over 200 shows. Known for being the worlds largest traveling sneaker exhibit, Sneaker Pimps has garnered much respect from the hip-hop community and also features live performances for attendees. The headliners for Chicago include Clipse and local MC’s GLC, Project Mayhem, and Mikkey Halsted. Doors open 8pm @ Metro.

Akin, a new sneaker/streetwear spot recently opened up over by UIC’s campus. Located in University Village on the corner of Halsted and Maxwell the store (1313 S. Halsted) is already becoming a point of interest for out of town visitors and locals wishing to peruse the selection of streetwear that Chicago has to offer.

Ran into Shunte McMillian again. All smiles…I would be too if I was going to see Michael Jordan inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Akin’s got you covered on fusions, spizikes, and retros.

Last night I met a friend up at the Kinetic Playground to provide him some help with extra press coverage. I’m really glad he asked because I had a chance to check out Little Dragon. They’re based out of Gothenburg, Sweden and performed in Chicago for their first time last night. Over the last few years they’ve been touring through Europe, but now they’re on a mini tour through the US. You might have heard some of their stuff without even knowing it, their song “Twice” - was featured in Season 5 of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. So I know all you McDreamy fans know what I’m talkin about. I asked them where their next stop was and Yukimi told they’re headed to Toronto.  More precisely @ Wrongbar 1279 Queen Street West. Check them out, it’ll be a good time.

Yukimi Nagano. What a commanding voice from such a small frame.