Recently in Barbecue Category

We've been hearing about Stephanie Izard's not-yet-existent restaurant, the Drunken Goat, for months now.

We still have a few more months of waiting (she is hoping for a January opening), but until then, Izard has come up with yet another way to whet our appetite -- an underground "Wandering Goat" dinner series.

The first of five dinners is on July 26. It will be in the backyard of one of Izard's chef friends (which chef? Only those going will find out, via email right before the event, her publicist says). Izard will grill up stuffed calamari, short ribs and other eats; Three Floyds beer, Black Dog Gelato sorbet and music also are on tap. The cost for each dinner: $50.

Only 40 tickets are available for the first shindig. Those interested are encouraged to follow Izard on Twitter for details on tickets.

Pit master (or, as he likes to say, barbecue life coach) Gary Wiviott -- whose barbecue almost did in Sun-Times reporter Dave Hoekstra, through no fault of Wiviott's own -- will sign copies of his new book, "Low & Slow: Master the Art of Barbecue in 5 Easy Lessons" this weekend at the Book Stall in Winnetka and the Barnes and Noble in Oakbrook (details here).

The book, co-written by Colleen Rush (picture above), is a gem as is Wiviott, a founder of the LTHForum culinary chat site. We finally met Wiviott face-to-face a few weeks ago (it is entirely possible and all too common in this line of work to correspond with someone for a good amount of time without ever actually meeting them).

Anyway, we're glad we did. He's a bear of a guy, as the photo suggests. This being his first book -- and his first book signing -- he admits he's a little nervous. So go meet the guy. You'll probably pick up some good grilling tips. To work past the nerves, he'll just be picturing you all naked.

The National Restaurant Association's annual trade show hits town Saturday, which always makes for an exciting, dizzying, busy couple of days. This year, however, we are literally busting at the seams with anticipation. Forget celebrity chefs ... the Kogi Korean BBQ Truck is coming!

Make that, three key people behind the Los Angeles sensation-on-wheels -- owners Mark Manguera, his wife Caroline and chef Roy Choi. Choi will be cooking his now-famous kimchi quesadillas in the Korean Pavilion.

If you've been living under a rock and don't know what we're talking about, you should be ashamed. Ok, kidding. But do your homework here and here.

We caught up with Choi, 39, this week as he prepped for yet another day (and night) on the streets. We wondered if his appearance at the NRA show signals an expansion into our fair city. Not quite yet, he says.

If you've ever talked to Gary Wiviott, you know the man can talk. (If you've never talked to Gary Wiviott, try it sometime. Even if he doesn't know you from Adam, chances are he'll engage and get going and before you know it, you'll be downing dumplings and Tsing Taos at some hole-in-the-wall joint on Argyle Street).

One of the founders of the LTHForum.com chat site, Wiviott also is known for his skills with the grill. He's come out with his first cookbook, Low & Slow: Master the Art of Barbecue in 5 Easy Lessons.

It's perhaps the only cookbook we know of that begins with a section on cooking gear that "should be avoided at all costs," charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid among them. But that's refreshing. We like that. (And kudos to co-author Colleen Rush for capturing Wiviott's voice so perfectly).

Our Dave Hoekstra spent some time barbecuing and eating with Wiviott recently; his story runs in Food next week. The book is in stores now. And Wiviott and Rush are hosting a book release party at 6 tonight at the Paramount Room, 415 N. Milwaukee. What more do you need?