In with the new!

How do you top a year that saw the Bears make their first trip to the Superbowl in 21 years, Pearl Jam and Daft Punk deliver headlining performances at Lollapalooza, and a local chef break into national reality TV stardom? We’ve got some ideas. Here, in no particular order, are the eight things we’re most looking forward to in 2008.

Must Eat TV
Reality TV fans still flying high from a jam-packed year are going to have a full plate in ’08 too. Town & Country, the Loop restaurant from last year’s "Top Chef" runner-up, Dale Levitski, opens in late summer with "Top Chef" co-contestant Sara Nguyen as sous chef. Can’t wait? The next season of Bravo’s cookoff show, filmed in Chicago and featuring two locally based chefs, debuts in March.

Wilco’s home stand
It’s never easy to score tickets to see hometown faves Wilco in concert, and the band’s five-night February residency at the Riviera Theatre is no exception. True to form, fans snapped up tickets in a matter of minutes when they went on sale last month. With a different set list each night, we can’t wait to hear what Jeff Tweedy and co. have in store.

L yeah!
Of all the big-name chefs coming to town in ’08, we’re most excited about Laurent Gras, the guy behind San Fran foodie temple Fifth Floor. Partnering with Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Gras will open L2.0 in the former Ambria space in March. The seafood spot promises to be a fittingly elegant replacement for the dearly departed Ambria.

Marc’s mark on fashion
Since the January 2007 announcement that Marc by Marc Jacobs nabbed a Bucktown storefront, fashion fans have been abuzz about the arrival of this pricey brand known for its edgy designs and heroic-chic ad campaigns. After multiple delays, the shop now aims—so we’re told—for a January 2008 debut.

Chicago as Gotham City
We’re psyched for the latest Batman flick, opening July 18, but not for all the same reasons as the rest of the nation. Since much of "The Dark Knight" was filmed in town, we can’t wait to spot the sights, including financial district buildings, a downtown Starbucks and an exploding "hospital" that used to be a West Side Brach’s Candy factory.

Cooking with Grant
You’re never going to be Grant Achatz, the master chef behind Alinea. But with his cookbook planned for a fall release, this is the year you can at least give it a try. Who wouldn’t want to bumble their way through Achatz classics like "PB&J" at home? Hard-core devotees can pre-order the $50 tome (alinea-book.com) and get a special limited edition autographed copy.

Bullish aspirations
We’re officially over the ultra-lounge—for now, anyway. That’s why we’re excited about Bull & Bear (431 N. Wells St.), a souped-up sports bar with a plethora of viewing opportunities, from stock tickers to sporting events to plain ol’ eye candy. The owners, who are also behind Stone Lotus, plan to add this spot to their portfolio come spring.

Reverse commutes
Following the lead of Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand, a new crop of restaurant big-wigs invades the ’burbs this year. Howard Davis and Le Lan exec chef Bill Kim pair up at regional American spot Soul in Clarendon Hills in March, Jerry Kleiner has zeroed in on Hinsdale for a new Mediterranean spot, and a Phil Stefani project—as well as a second Osteria di Tramonto—is in the works for Rosemont.

Wish list
For every 2008 moment we’re looking forward to, there’s another we’ll be dreaming about all year. Sure, our dreams may never materialize, but what’s the harm in hoping? If it doesn’t work out, hey, there’s always next year.

>> Rage Against the Machine and the Smashing Pumpkins headline Lollapalooza—take that, Philly!
>> Foie gras makes a triumphant mid-year return to city tables
>> "The Dark Knight" snubs Tinseltown for a Chicago premiere.
>> Kanye finally gets his due, walking away with eight—no, make that nine!—Grammys in February
>> Bell’s Oberon Ale returns to city taps, just in time for summer
>> The Taste of Chicago coincides with an unseasonable cool spell, rendering festgoers sweatless during its 10-day run.
>> TCBY’s second coming: East and West Coast frozen yogurt phenomenon Pinkberry takes Chi-town!
>> 100 years after their last World Series win, the Cubs … oh, never mind …

[ Lisa Arnett, Karen Budell, Chris LaMorte, Matt Pais, Rebecca Palmore and M. Kathleen Pratt contributed to this story. ] metromix@tribune.com