Binny's Hyde Park hosts Champagne tasting

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Binny's Hyde Park, 1240 E. 47 Street, hosts a Champagne tasting event 1-3:30 p.m. December 1.

Ten percent discount on all Champagne orders December 1. Also, Binny's will donate $1 from the sale of each Clark and Sheffield wine purchase. 

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TheWit's winter pop-up shop features holiday-themed sweets for purchase

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TheWit Hotel, 201 N. State, is offering her exclusive holiday sweets available for purchase at theWit’s Winter Wonder Pop-Up Shop, beginning December 1. 

Executive Pastry Chef Toni Roberts's holiday lobby display this year is an Edible Ice-Skating Holiday Gingerbread Village, atop a six-foot table. The gingerbread display will have a few items available for purchase such as peanut butter penguins and passion fruit coconut polar bears, along with holiday-themed treats such as Get Lit! hazelnut holiday lights and Gingerbread mocha macarons. 

Packaged treats will be available for purchase at the pop-up shop (daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ) Or, at www.abitofthewit.com. Orders can be picked up at the hotel.

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Undergrounds throws a Repeal of Prohibition party

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Underground, 56 W. Illinois, hosts a 75th anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition Fine Whiskey and Spirits Tasting beginning 8:30 p.m. December 6. Early sales are $17.50 (regular price $35), with the promotional code REPEAL through December 3. Tickets. 

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Cantina Laredo offering holiday tamales trays to-go

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Cantina Laredo, 508 N. State, is featuring holiday tamales to go; $16.95 per dozen. 

Selections are beef tamale (spiced shredded beef wrapped in corn masa, served with mild chili sauce and chicken tamale (chicken simmered in a spiced verde sauce, wrapped in corn masa and served with tomatillo sauce. Orders must be placed at least six hours in advance, now through Christmas Eve and will be available for pick up at the restaurant. Orders can be placed at 312-955-0014. 

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The Barn Steakhouse kicks off its winter wine dinner series with Brewer-Clinton Winery

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The Barn Steakhouse, 1016 Church, Evanston, kicks off its winter wine dinner series with selections from California's Brewer-Clinton Winery, 6:30 p.m. December 5: $100 (excludes tax and tip).

Special guest Greg Brewer will be on hand for a meet-and-greet. Evening selections include the winery's award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietals paired with some of the restaurants most popular dishes. Tickets.

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Virtue Restaurant & Bar now open in Hyde Park

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Chef Erik Williams formerly of MK, heads up kitchen duties at Hyde Park's newly opened Virtue Restaurant & Bar, 1462 E. 53rd Street.

Under Williams' helm the restaurant offers traditional southern cooking developed from family recipes. Menu items, which range from small bites to large entrees and sides include: biscuits with homemade butter and pimento cheese, gumbo, gizzards and mustard greens. Large plates include: pork chops, beef short ribs, roast half chicken and catfish blackened with Carolina gold rice and barbecue carrots.

Cocktails a crafted drink menu include: Patience is a Virtue (Pierre Ferrand 1840 Original Formula Cognac, Averna, pear liqueur and barrel-aged bitters); Nana's (gin, lemon, rosemary and orange bitters) and the the Duke of Earl (earl grey tea, star anise, lemon and egg white). Reservations are available.

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Caffé Umbria launched gift-giving program benefitting Friend of the Children

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Caffé Umbria, Logan Square (2545 W. Armitage) and River North (346 N. Clark) locations launched a a gift-giving program benefitting Friends of the Family, November 23 and continues through December 12. 

Customers donating a gift for the Friends of the Children gift drive will receive a complimentary espresso. Gift donations can be in the form of food, clothes, toys, books, family board games, blankets gift cards and a host of family related items. Learn more about Friends of the Children, a nonprofit organization working toward breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Pop-up "Golden Girls" dinner

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Chef Stephen B presents "Dinner on the Lanai, a Golden Girls themed pop-up dinner, 7 p.m. December 7, Get in the Kitchen 3617 N. Broadway; $79. 

The television show's inspired dishes include: Rose's Sr. Olaf salad (Gotham greens, smoked herring); Sophia's Little Slice of Sicily orecchiette with smokey blue cheese and walnut; Big Daddy's beef short rib with squash puree and fall succotash and Golden Miami cheesecake with strawberry glaze, Key lime curd and millefeuille crunch.

Jason Bas will demo the Stanley Zbornak toasted pierogi (butternut squash, braised pork and bourbon maple sauce). Tickets.

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Stretch Bar & Grill gets ELf''d Up for the holidays

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Stretch Bar & Grill, 3484 N. Clark, opens as “Elf’d Up,” a high-energy holiday pop-up bar opens November 23 and runs through January. A tribute to the movie “Elf”, the pop-up experience will be decorated from floor to ceiling with over 200 elves, a 10-foot Christmas tree, an upside down Christmas tree, wreath chandeliers, strands of colored lights, a snow machine, along with figurines of the movie characters and other memorabilia.

“Elf”-themed specialty cocktails ($10) will be served daily until 10 p.m. by staff dressed in elf costumes. Selections include a blue Mr. Narwhal vodka cocktail garnished with a gumdrop tusk; “The World’s Best Cup of Naughty Coffee” spiked with Jameson and maple syrup and a stiff Miles Finch drink with rye whiskey, Campari and sweet vermouth. 

Themed food includes the Buddy Burger with white cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, avocado and crispy onion strings on a green bun; $14.

Daily activities take place as well.

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Portillo's partners with the Chicago Bulls for Fourth Quarter Franks

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Homeown favorites Portillo’s and the Chicago Bulls have partner to bring an added thrill to the game with "Fourth Quarter Franks," a promotion that awards home game attendees with a complimentary hot dog if the opposing team misses two consecutive free throws in the fourth quarter. Bulls ticket holders have 48-hours to redeem their ticket at a participating Portillo’s restaurant for a free Chicago-style hot dog.

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Buffalo Creek Brewing's gift-giving season

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Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove, launches six-days of ThanksBrewing featuring a daily brew special beginning noon November 21 with a 10 per cent discount with a college ID from graduation year (any year). 

November 22 (7 am-1 pm): guests participating in the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, receive a 4-ounce pour for $1. Also, the brewer is offering a 50 per cent discount of of 4-packs of: Beau Fleu; Mamet or Farmer's Illegit Daughter. November 23 (noon-11 p.m.): it's Filler-up Black Friday featuring 50 per cent off growlers and refills. November 24 (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.): all BCB-logo items will be offered at . 25 per cent discount. November 25 (noon to 6 p.m.): it's football Sunday and $1 off goblets. Rounding out the action is November 26 (4-10 p.m.): drop in for a discounted beer while doing a little online Black Monday shopping on BCB's high-speed wi-fi. BCB merchandise will also be discounted.

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Frontier's annual Black Wednesday Whiskey and Wine Fest returns

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Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee, hosts its annual Black Wednesday Whiskey & Wine Fest beginning 8 p.m. November 21 into the early Thanksgiving Day hours; $30, plus fees (includes souvenir glass).

More than 50 whiskey brands will be available for sampling. Guests will be feted to a whiskey tasting 8-10 p.m. Small bites and appetizers will be available. Music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets.

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Rhyme or Reason hosts Bears viewing party

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Rhyme or Reason, 1938 W. Division, hosts a  Bears viewing party 3-11 p.m. November 11. Pre-game and commercial break entertainment by spin masters Mark Flava and Craig Elliot. No cover fee.

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Fairmont launches holiday cookie and cocktail menu

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Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Drive, launched Smitten for Sweets, a new seasonal, cookie-themed cocktail menu that includes a fresh, chef-made cookie for guests to enjoy with each beverage now through January 31. 

THE BAR will serve up cocktails such as the “Champagne n Cane” and the “Cherry Pomegranate Mojito” and Columbus Tap, the in-house gastropub, has partnered with Temperance Brewing Co. and Revolution Brewing to serve festive brews such as Temperance Birdsong Saison and Bell’s Christmas Ale. Offering up guests a scrumptious taste of what’s to come this holiday season, the Smitten for Sweets line-up will feature cookies from the city’s most elite cookie exchange, Cookies and Cheer.  

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Raised: An Urban Rooftop at Renaissance Hotel introduces urban chic camping

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Raised, an Urban Rooftop Bar at the Renaissance Hotel, 1 W. Wacker, extends it's outdoor season with its "glamps" experience (think urban chic campout in the sky). The outdoor and indoor areas features comfy seating with throws and blankets snuggle in. Three types of hot toddies including the bourbon toddy, pictured (Few Bourbon; allspice liqueur; sweet potato honey syrup) will help keep you warm. 

Other amenities outdoor fire pits, heat lamps and a view to die for.

Food items such as chicken and steak sliders from the bar are available.

Above right: Make it yourself s'mores station.
Above left: City view from the rooftop.
Right center: Hot toddy time.

Left center: Bourbon toddy topped with singed marshmallow.

Below right : Bring the outdoors in with holographic wall.

Below left: Rooftop area overlooking State street.

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Sidetrack hosts Jack Daniel's chili cook-off

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Sidetrack The Video Bar, 3349 N. Halsted, hosts the Jack Daniel's Chili Cook-off 1-5 p.m. November 17. 

Visitors will choose the winner from the following participants: Big Star; Drew's on Halsted; D.D. Tequila; Flub a Dub Chubs; Hutch American Bistro; Kubo Chicago; Revulcion; Rocks Lakeview and Wrigley BBQ. A $10 donation, benefitting Heartland Alliance, is requested. Tickets.

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Wow Bao gives away free lunches and dinner today at new location

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Wow Bao, 46 E. Chicago, celebrates the grand opening of its newest location by offering a complimentary meal ($10 maximum value) to the first 100 guests in line for lunch (beginning 11a.m.) and again for dinner (beginning 6 p.m.) November 14.

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Pilsen Community Indoor Winter Market opens November 18

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Pilsen Community Market Winter Indoor Market 2018 kicks-off  11 a.m. November 18 at Honky Tonk BBQ, 1800 S. Racine. 

The market will be open alternating Sundays through April 2019.  The winter market offers goods from a variety of local Latino-owned businesses and entertainment under one roof. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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Rockit Bar's relaunched lunch program

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Rockit Bar & Grill,  22  W.  Hubbard, is once again open for lunch (11:30 a.m.). Look for new food items such as  Flamin' Hot Cheetos carnitas tamale. 

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City Barbeque and other salute US vets and active military personnel

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Chicagoland City Barbeque, area locations  honor US veterans and active personnel with a free sandwich, two sides and a beverage on Veterans Day (November 11). Must present a military or veteran identification card to server.

Other Veterans Day specials:

Cantina Laredo, 508 N. State, offer veterans and active duty military a complimentary entree during lunch or dinner (priced up to $20) November 12 (observed  holiday). Reservations: 312-955-0014.

Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe, offers a complimentary drink to veterans and all active military personnel, 21 and older, visiting November 12, with valid military proof.

III Forks Prime Steakhouse, 180 N. Field, will serve complimentary dinner entrees

featuring USDA prime steaks, ocean-fresh seafood and local favorites, 

priced up to $40) to those showing proof of service November 12. Reservations: 312-938-4303.

Roanoke Restaurant, 135 W. Madison, offers all US veterans and all active and retired military personnel, with valid identification, 20 per cent discount November 11. 

Tuscany Restaurants, offers a free dinner (valued up to $40) for veterans and active military November 11 at the Chicago and Wheeling locations. Tuscany offers a free lunch or dinner November 12 at the Oak Brook location. Dine-in only with valid proof of service.

Weber Grill, 539 N. State, is offering $25 off  a meal of $50 or more to veterans and active military November 11. Dine-in only and must mention the offer to server.

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Perry's Steakhouse salutes veterans and active military members with special dinner offer

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Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, 5 Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook, thanks our veterans and active military for their service 4-9 p.m. November  11 with a complimentary three-course Sunday supper ($34.95 value) when dining with a paying guest purchasing the dinner special. Tax and gratuity are not included.

The three-course dinner begins with choice of Caesar, chopped, pear & pecan, signature wedge, spinach and bacon or kale Salad. The main course is Perry’s Famous Pork Chop (seven-fingers high chop, cured, roasted, slow-smoked and caramelized) served with homemade applesauce. To make it even more dramatic, the chop is carved tableside.
 
For your grand finale is a dessert trio of Perry's favorites—vanilla bean crème brûlée; chocolate crunch and praline cheesecake.

All military guests must present valid military credentials. Offer not available in private dining. Reservations are required: 630-571-1808.  

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