Porkchop hosts PJ New Year's Day brunch

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Porkchop, (South Loop, Hyde Park and Bolingbrook locations only) is hosting a come as your are, including in Pjs, New Year's Day brunch. Guests arriving in pajamas will receive a 20 per cent discount.  All guests of age receive a complimentary mimosa or bloody Mary. Kids eat free (check age limit with staff).

The restaurant's hangover Bloody Mary (slider, shrimp, bacon, fried pickle and wing—to name a few ingredients; $15) will be available at select locations. 

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Perry's Steakhouse introduces new cocktails for 2018

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Perry's Steakhouse and Grille, 5 Oakbrook Court, Oak Brook,  rings in the new year with a round of three new cocktails, debuting January 15. The new libations, two wine based, are: PassionNut for Port (Fonseca Bin27 Port with DonQ Coconut Rum, Passion Fruit puree and fresh pressed lemon juice; $13.95); Rosé Collins (Botanist Gin with Rosé wine and fresh lemon juice; $19.95) and  Jameson Mocha Old Fashioned (Jameson Caskmates Irish Whiskey with house made coffee syrup and mole bitters), $15 each.

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Raised Bar hosts first 2018 Supper Club Series event

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Raised Bar, 1 W. Wacker, kicks off  its 2018 Supper Club Series, 7 p.m. January 13, 2018. Chef Timothy Powles southern inspired menu includes: fried chicken and grits with redeye gravy ($16) with the suggested cocktail pairing: Sherry Temple cocktail (Old Tom’s gin, cherry herring, fino sherry, fresh lemon juice, sliced fresh jalapeno; $15), pictured; truffled mac and cheese paired with the specialty cocktail ($16) with the suggested pairing: I Dream of Spring (Aquavit, fresh dill, cucumber, ginger beer, and lime juice; $15) and pork tenderloin chili paired ($15); partnered with Where There's Smoke (Hickory Smoked Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Demerara Syrup, and house made blood orange bitters; $16). 

Local folk singer Laura Joy performs live during the dining event.

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MLB player Chris Granderson at tamale contest eating event

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The Delta, 1745 W. North, is sponsoring a tamale eating contest fundraiser for Curtis Granderson's  Grand Kids Foundation charity, beginning 6 p.m. January 8. Ganderson, a free agent from Chicago's south suburbs, who most recently played on the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers team, is a friend of The Delta's  owner Eldridge Williams, and will MC the event. Entrants for the contest can register here. There is a $20 entry fee. A portion of the day's proceeds, including funds from Cutwater Spirits canned alcoholic drinks, onsite raffle and the contest, will benefit Granderson's charity.

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Roof rings in the new year Monte Carlo style

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The countdown is on for finding a spot to ring in the new year. If you're looking for a real continental way to celebrate you can't go wrong with Monte Carlo-Monaco at Roof at the Wit, 201 N. State.

Guests will be feted to bottle service roulette, gaming tables, oyster bar and music by Lipside. Black tie is encouraged. Fore general admission ticket and packages info click here.

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Forbidden Root rings in the new year with back-2-back brunches

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Forbidden Root Restaurant and Brewery, 1746 W. Chicago hosts a New Year's Eve and New Year's Day brunches 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. December 31 and January1, 2018. 

In addition to the venue's popular brunch menu guests will enjoy beermosa cocktails that include: Face for Radio beer with guava, sparkling rose and cranberry and Money on My Rind and orange juice. Cocktails will be available in flights of three for $8.

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CH Distillery hosts Friends with 401 K Benefits event

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CH Distillery, 564 W. Randolph, hosts Friends with 401 K Benefits event featuring Chicago's own Team Us Comedy (Meghana Undurti, Vik Pandya and Tyler Fowler) who will be filming their first stand up benefit on home turf.

Friends With 401(k) Benefits: A Team Us Comedy Special live taping takes place 6-8 p.m. January 6, 2018. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE), a local organization that brings visual, digital, and performing arts education into Chicago Public Schools.

FYI: CH Distillery, closed for the holidays, reopens January 4, 2018.


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Vermilion's NYE Dinner celebrating women

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Hosts chef/owner Rohini Dey of Vermilion hosts a five-course globally-inspired New Year's Eve dinner celebrating women with courses prepared by  members in the James Beard Foundation's Women in Leadership Culinary Program, founded by Chef/owner Rohini Dey of Vermilion.

Courses one: plantain, jerk chicken, mango salsa, cilantro aioli, prepared by Jasmine Smith. Second course: pav Bhaji, jalapeno lime caviar prepared by Jasmine Sheth. Third course: Inodnesia beef or Jackfruit Rendang, nasi goreng fried rice, prepared by Titik Suprapti; fourth course: whitefish tehri, layered spiced saffron rice, prepared by host chef Rohini Dey. Dessert by Dessert Carnival is vermilion chocolate hedonism, spiced caramel popcorn, masala chai ice cream.

Two seatings ar available: 6-8 p.m. ($70); 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. ($100) December 31 at Vermilion, 10 W. Hubbard. Make reservations. Call 312-498-2340.


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Chicago Ale Fest winter edition

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Early entry tickets are currently available for the Chicago Ale Fest winter edition returning January 20, 2018, Aon Ballroom, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand.

The event, featuring more than 150 varieties of beer, focuses primarily on beers available during the winter months only. Two sessions are being Hours for the morning session are: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (early entry); noon to 3 p.m. A late session takes place 5-9 p.m. (early entry); 6-9 p.m. (general admission). 

Guests will be feted with a selection that includes: barrel-aged, rare, limited-edition and hard to find beers, all with a seasonal twist. Early entry tickets will be available through January 13, 2018.  Tickets.

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SafeHouse hosts party for ages 21 and over

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SafeHouse Chicago, 60 E. Ontario, hosts a holiday party for ages 21 and over beginning 10 p.m. December 22. Holiday themed drinks. live DJ action and give aways are on the agenda. Guests receive a raffle ticket for every drink purchased for the opportunity to win one of three prizes, each valued at $100. In addition the venue is featuring a Christmas Eve Bond brunch 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. December 24. 

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Tony Priolo's Maillard Tavern opens today

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Maillard Tavern, 494 N. Milwaukee, a new informal eatery from Tony Priolo, who co-owns Piccolo Sogno and Nonnina with Ciro Longobardo, opens December 21.

Menu items include eight custom griddled burgers all made from two 4-ounce local raised beef patties (single patty option available) including the signature Maillard burger (crispy onions, bacon and onion jam, cheddar, pickles, Dijon mayo; $14). Another option is the City Slicker (1.5-ounce of foie gras, black truffle pesto, caramelized onion, foie gras mayo, crispy prosciutto; $24), pictured. 

A vegetarian burger, the Grass Fed (vegetable patty, mushrooms, chipotle mayo, Swiss cheese and cilantro; $15) is also on the menu. Burgers are served on a toasted potato bun and come with a side of duck fat Norwis potato fries. Other food and beverages include: the sloppy Giuseppi made with wild boar meat and crafted shakes and cocktails.

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Slurping Turtle's NYD PJ brunch

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The Slurping Turtle, 116 W. Hubbard, is hosting an all-day New Year's Day pajama party brunch beginning 11 a.m. continuing throughout the day until 8 p.m. Featured dishes include duck fat fried chicken and waffles (four pieces of soy-sesame marinated chicken fried in duck fat, matcha waffles with buckwheat honey, whipped butter); hangover ramen (tan tan, tonkotsu broth with spicy pork miso paste, molten egg, bok choy, kimchi, bean sprouts, fried pork belly; duck fat friend chicken) and breakfast boo (Benedict served on a steamed lotus bun with pork belly, sunny side up egg and hollandaise sauce.  

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Cantina Laredo kicks off the new year with a special menu

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Cantina Laredo, 508 N.  State, is offering  a three-course dinner, paired with cocktails (optional), December 29-January 1, 2018.

The dinner features a choice of starter (cranberry salad or chipotle chicken soup); choice of entree (bone-in ribeye or halibut) and choice of dessert (mixed berries with tequila cream or churros with chocolate-raspberry sauce), pictured; $59. Cocktail pairings are available for an additional $15.99. Reservations recommended.

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Christmas at The Albert

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The Albert, 228 E. Ontario, features a prix fixe Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Supper menu featuring Heirloom turnips with dates and grapefruit tamarind, dry-aged Berkshire pork rack; au gratin potatoes and a dessert of cranberry-ginger cobbler made with oat streusel and honey granola ice cream; $75. Beverage pairing available for an additional $50. Reservations recommended.

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Houndstooth Saloon spreads a little holiday cheer

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Houndstooth Saloon, 3369 N. Clark, hosts the Ultimate Country Night Party, featuring a DJ spinning country music until closing beginning 5 p.m. December 28. Specials include: $1 Bud Light and Michelob Ultra drafts available 7-10 p.m. All-day deals include: $10 domestic pitchers; $3 Jameson shots; $6 40-ounce bottles and $1 sliders.

In addition the bar will spread holiday cheer 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. December 24 featuring a seasonal lineup of Christmas Eve drafts that include Shiner Beer Holiday Cheer. In addition The regular Sunday Funday specials including $8 domestic pitchers will be available as well.

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New Year, new you, new beer and yoga event

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Copy of Taproom Takeover Beer + Yoga event, noon january 7, 2018, Whiner Beer Company, 1400 W. 46th Street, #104. Guests will workout for an hour followed by sampling of a Whiner barrel-aged beer; $20. Tickets.

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Hubbard Inn's new winter menu

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Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard, has launched a new winter menu highlights include salt cod Brandade (fresh baked French bread, piquillo pepper, olive oil, fine herbs); $11, pictured; escargot and French pastry (white beans—baked overnight, local apple, black pepper molasses, sorel); $13; and grilled grass-fed Bison Burger (tomato jam, Taleggio cheese, caramelized onion, malted vinegar pickle, cracked pepper aioli); $17. PHOTO: Adam Sokolowski

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III Forks' Napa Valley Wine event

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III Forks Prime Steakhouse, 180N. Field (Lakeshore East), kicks off it's 2018 "Sommelier for a Day" wine tasting 5 p.m. January 3. Sommelier Anton Licko leads participants through a sampling of six different wines, paired with  a selection of  hors d'oeuvres crafted by Chef Hans Aeschbacher: $20. RSVP: 312-938-4303.

Sommelier for a Day Selections

The Prisoner Wine Co., Blindfold White 2014

Emmolo, Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Atlas Peak, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Atlas Peak, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Franciscan Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Paraduxx, Proprietary Red Wine (Blend) 2014

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Goose Island Homebrew Club event

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Goose Island Homebrew Club event, featuring special guest Marty Nachell, author of HomeBrewing for Dummies, takes place 8-10 p.m. December 14, Goose Island Beer Company, Fulton Street Taproom, 1800 W. Fulton. Admission is free. Participants must register.

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Swissotel's Winter Eve dinner

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Swissotel, 323 E. Upper Wacker Drive, is hosting  a pop up winter dinner, 6-9 p.m. December 14. 

Executive Chef, Dan McGee and the Swissotel culinary team creates a lavish dining experience, inspired by none other than the man of the hour, Santa. The "Winter Eve" dinner begins with a round of reception-style appetizers such as gorgonzola mousse & pear chutney on gingerbread followed by a two-course dinner. The meal concludes with a nightcap in the hotel's Santa Suite overlooking the city's holiday lit streets. 

Tickets are $100 and includes a $15, donation to SOS Children's Villages Illinois, a non-profit, child-welfare agency that serves children in foster care and at-risk youth in nearby communities, in some of Chicago’s highest crime neighborhoods. Must be 21 and over to attend.

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Chicago Christmas Crawl 2017

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The Chicago Christmas Crawl 2017 takes place 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. December 16 throughout Old Town. Venues will feature $3-$7 pours. Food tastings, funny photos, Santa hats and more are on tap for the occasion.

Venues include: Benchmark, BrokEnglish; Old Town Pour House; Corcoran's; Steakbar; Declan's Pub; Lady Gregory's; Orso's Italian Restaurant and the Fudge Pot.

Participation is free, but you must register. All participants must be 21 and over. Information packets can be picked up at Benchmark. Register.

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Santa lands at SafeHouse

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SafeHouse Chicago, 60 E. Ontario, hosts a spy-themed brunch with Santa 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. December 17.

Menu items for the brunch are a la carte. All kids will receive a gift. Admission is free but guests must register.  

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Fizz has a visit from the Grinch and new seasonal frozen treat

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Fizz Eatery & Soda Fountain, 7958 W. Belmont, hosts a Grinch event 3-9 p.m. December 16. The Dr. Seuss character visits and will be available to take photos with during three seatings: 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Reservations suggested.

In addition the shop will introduce its seasonal Merry Fizzamus winter treat (vanilla ice cream with peppermint flavoring, crushed candy cane bits, whipped cream, garnished with a whole candy cane; $4.95).

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