Thursday, January 31, 2019

Steve Dolinsky holds discussion and book signing event @Bonci

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Steve Dolinsky, ABC Chicago's food guru, Hungry Hound, discusses and signs copies of his book Pizza City, USA, 6:30-8 p.m. February 2 at Bonci, 1566 N. Damen. 

Host chef Gabriele Bonci will be on hand while Dolinsky talks about how the restaurant's Roman Al Taglia style pizza fits in among  his selections of best USA picks. Copies of Dolinsky's book will be available for purchase. Visit event Facebook page for more details. 

Connect on Facebook

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Joy District offers indoor, outdoor and to-go Super bowl options

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Joy District, 112 W. Hubbard, brings an ultimate outdoors experience to the table Super Bowl Sunday (February 3) with it's private rooftop igloos equipped with 32-inch television.


Decorated with winter theme and colors Joy's enclosed heated igloos accommodates up to 8 guests and features a heated faux fire pit and a 32-inch TV tuned into the game. Game-day food specials are available ranging $50-$200. 

If the cold outdoors area isn't your cup of tea the venue has room available for private party for up to 34 seated or 60 guests reception-style. The room includes a private bar and two 45-inch televisions. guests and that will broadcast the Super Bowl.


Joy District's first floor mezzanine will also be available for private parties (up to 34 guests seated and 60 guests reception-style) featuring a private bar and two private 45-inch TVs.


The bar will also offer catering options to go ($50-$200). Chef Jason Hedin's menu items such as: lamb meatballs with spicy tomato sauce, ribs, turkey chili, wings (Asian, barbecue, buffalo or lemon pepper), beer mac and cheese, variety of sliders (filet, double stack, pork or lobster) and truffle fries. Orders must be placed 72 hours in advance. Minimum order of $250 for delivery (a delivery charge applies). Pick up is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Orders can be placed at: events@joychicago.com.

Connect on Facebook

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Russian Tea Time features $3 pots of tea during Chicago's deep freeze

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Russian Tea Time, 77 E. Adams, invites guests to drop in and warm up with $3 pots of tea when outside temps drop below3 degrees. 

Selections of teas to choose from include: Oolong, Green, White, and Black Teas, as well as caffeine free options.

Connect on Facebook

Monday, January 28, 2019

Gene and Georgetti's serves up lunch and dinner special during CRW

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Gene & Georgetti, Chicago and Rosemont locations, is offering a prix fixe lunch ($24) and dinner ($48) special for Chicago Restaurant week, available through February 7.
Dinner starts with a first course choice of: Garbage Salad (Iceberg lettuce, Volpe salami, grated Parmesan, celery, black olives, radish, pimiento, tomatoes, and red onions tossed in the restaurant's famous Italian vinaigrette); house-made special arancini with marinara, (arancini stuffed with risotto, Gene’s Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes and provolone, baked in marinara sauce) or,  Caprese salad (thick-cut fresh mozzarella and tomato topped with fresh basil and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil). 
Entree selections are: butternut squash ravioli served in a brown-butter sage sauce, topped with Romano; blackened Atlantic salmon with sautéed rapini, herb-roasted fingerling potatoes, and Hollandaise; chicken Toscana with shaved prosciutto, fontina, and signature white wine mushroom sauce, with sautéed rapini and herb-roasted fingerling ptatoes; or, Tuscan-style braised bone-in short ribs with creamy polenta and sautéed rapini. The final course  is a choice of tiramisu or spumoni. See lunch menu here.

Connect on Facebook

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Vu Rooftop bars cold weather cocktail deal

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

VU Rooftop Bar, 133 E. Cermak atop McCormick Place, has a hot deal to keep you warm. The sky-high bar is featuring $5 hot cocktails every day the temps dips below 5 degrees. Guests will be feted to two hot cocktails priced $5 each.

Selections are the bar's signature Port #2 cocktail (rum, citrus and spices) and the Cider #1 (brandy, honey, ginger, berries and spices). The deal continues through February 1.

Connect on Facebook






Saturday, January 26, 2019

Vermilion's CRW deal

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Vermilion, 10 W. Hubbard, serves up four  courses of up to fifteen items for Chicago Restaurant Week, which kicked off January 25.

Owner Rohini Dey is featuring a mix of family style items and individual masala street bike fries; up to six global street snacks; a complete thali tiffin platter with up to four entrees with the works. The meal is capped off with a dessert of Latin mango cardamon flan and spice churros. Dinner is ($36-48); Sunday brunch ($24). Available through February 7. Reservations accepted.

Connect on Facebook

Friday, January 25, 2019

High Noon's taco, throwback tequila deal

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

High Noon Saloon, 1560 N. Milwaukee, $2 tacos, throwback and tequilas event 7-11 p.m. January 29. In addition to $2 tacos the bar will feature $3 tequila shots and $3 Tecate beer.

Dj Chava and Mark Flava spins a blend of throwback hip hop, reggae, salsa and Reggaeton. 

Connect on Facebook

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Kendall College's Annual Fried Chicken & Champagne Fest

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

The Fourth Annual Fried Chicken & Champagne Fest, benefitting, Kendall College Trust, takes place 11:30-3 p.m. February 2, Kendall College, 900 N. North Branch; $90-$195. 

Participating chefs include: Ryan McCaskey, Acadia; Lee Wolen, Boka; Tom Carlin, Dove's Luncheonette; Danny Grant, etta; Eric Mansavage, Farmhouse; Matt Troost, Good Measure; Christine Cikowski and Josh Kulp, Honey Butter Fried Chicken; Justin Diglia, Joe's Stone Crab; Beverly Kim, Parachute and Joseph Rizza, Prime & Provisions. A VIP tickets, with an 11 a.m. entry, are available. Tickets.

Connect on Facebook

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Replay's Games of Throne pop-up bar

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Replay Arcade Bar, 2833 N. Lincoln, in anticipation of the series finale of "Game of Thrones," will open a "GOT" pop-up bar beginning February 1. 

The bar plans to pack in plenty of themed events for GOT fans that include a “Red Wedding” feast; a feast and tournament event featuring a jousting competition as well as Game of Thrones trivia on Thursdays. 

Specialty cocktails, including a “Dothaquiri” and mead on tap.  The bar is also collaborating with Ommegang Brewery for a limited quantity of its Arbor Gold and Fire & Blood Brews on tap.

Entry is free however the bar is offering a VIP ticketed package, which will include a pint of mead or Ommegang brew in a keepsake goblet, a commemorative pin or print, express entry to the bar, and the ability to cut the line at any photo opp location for $20. The eighth and final season premiering April 14, will feature only six episodes. PHOTO CREDIT: HBO.

Connect on Facebook

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

III Forks Sommelier for a Day event

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

III Forks Prime Steakhouse, 180 N. Field, hosts a "Sommelier for a Day" wine tasting beginning 5 p.m. February 6; $25. 

Sommelier Anton Licko leads participants through a sampling of six different wine selections (two white and 4 red varietals) from Napa paired with an array of hors d'oeuvres. RSVP at: 312-938-4303.

Featured selections are:

The Prisoner Blindfold, White Blend, 2016 (white)
Pine Ridge, Viognier/Chenin Blanc, 2017 (white)

Freemark Abbey, Merlot, 2013 (red)
Cain Cuv
ée, Red Blend, NV14 (red)
Terra Valentine, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 (red)
Hall Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 (red)


Connect on Facebook

Monday, January 21, 2019

Long Grove Cocoa Crawl returns

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Long Grove's annual Cocoa Crawl takes place noon to 4 p.m. February 2.

The event kicks off at the Visitor's Center, 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, where guests receive a map of participating stores and restaurants. Admission to the family-friendly outing is free. 

Visitors can pop in any destination along the route for complimentary samples of items such as hot chocolate popcorn; hot chocolate Krispies and hot chocolate bark. After the stroll about town guests are welcome to head back to the Visitor's Center to vote on their favorite item.

Connect on Facebook

Sunday, January 20, 2019

The Hyde hits Hyde Park

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Hyde Park's restaurant and bar scene continues the evolve. The newest resident is The Hyde, 5121 S. Harper, a Prohibition-style speakeasy that features an extensive collection of cognacs from around the world. The venue also features a no cell phone zone.

Connect on Facebook

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya to open second Chicago location

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, opens its second Chicago restaurant in Lincoln Park's NEWCITY complex, 1457 N. Halsted (space A112) January 25.

Beginning 11:30 a.m. during the grand opening Kizuki will give away 100 free bowls of its Tokyo Shoyu ramen starting at 11:30 a.m. (first-come first-served basis). In addition all guests dinning at either location through February 28 will be entered for a chance to win airfare for one to Tokyo. PHOTO: Vanessa Vu Design 

Connect on Facebook

Friday, January 18, 2019

Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery serves up deal for furloughed federal employees

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, 1035 Sterling Avenue, Flossmoor, is offering free lunch to furloughed federal employees affected by the government shutdown. 

Guests can order a lunch menu item priced up to $15. In addition 12-oz pours of their craft beer for $2. Visitors must provide valid federal identification.

Connect on Facebook






Thursday, January 17, 2019

Geja's salutes National Cheese Day

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage, celebrates the upcoming National Cheese Lover’s Day (January 20) by offering  a complimentary cheese board with purchase of two premier dinners, including their signature Prince Geja’s, Deluxe Seafood, or Vegetarian Delight. 

In addition samples of the restaurant's famous Swiss Gruyere Cheese Fondue throughout the day at the bar.

Connect on Facebook

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Porkchop BBQ is offering a half-off deal on meals for government employees

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Porkchop BBQ, both Chicago locations, is giving all official government workers half off their meal from now until the end of the government shutdown. Must provide an official government ID to qualify for the discount.

Connect on Facebook

Yolk serves up complimentary coffee to-go

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Yolk, participating locations, in honor of National Gourmet Coffee Day, is offering complimentary 12 oz. to-go coffee from their elevated coffee menu January 18. 

The offer is valid with $5 subtotal that does not include coffee price. Guests can place orders online, through Yolk’s app and at Yolk locations when purchased with a take-out order.   

Connect on Facebook

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Honey Butter Fried Chicken's inaugural 2019 Clucker Collaboration launches today

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Co-Owners and Chefs Christine Cikowski and Josh Kulp of Honey Butter Fried Chicken3361 N. Elston, partnered with James Beard Award-winning Chef Abe Conlon of Fat Rice for the first 2019 Clucker Collaboration. 

The “Sweet and Sour Fricken Chicken Sandwich” (Honey Butter’s signature fried chicken strips with a tamarind sambal sauce, chopped Eurasian pickle, cucumber, cilantro, and a coconut yogurt; $11) will be available January 15-20 at the restaurant as well as on line through Caviar

In addition $1 from each sandwich will benefit Pilot Light, a nonprofit devoted to helping kids make healthier choices through interactive food education.

Connect on Facebook



Monday, January 14, 2019

Bar Roma's new prix fixe menu

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Bar Roma, 5101 N. Clark, launched a new weekly prix fixe available 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays. Chef Fred Ramos' three-course menu includes a mixed greens salad, house made spaghetti served with specialty meatballs, and choice of dessert; $25 per guest. 

In addition happy hour specials, including half-priced appetizers and $6 select wine by the glass, will be available in the tavern area from 5-6:30 p.m. For table reservations, visit BarRomaChicago.com or call 773-942-7572. 

Connect on Facebook














Wingfest ticket sales begin today

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Tickets for Wingfest, 1-4 p.m. April 13, Credit Union 1 Arena (formerly UIC Pavilion), 525 S. Racine, went on sale today. Noon VIP entry available. Tickets.

Connect on Facebook



Sunday, January 13, 2019

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Gina Homolka of Skinnytaste digital platform holds a healthy treat class @Macy's

Follow all Panache blogs: #books; #entertainment; #grilling; #nationalentertainment; #romance; #videogames

Gina Homolka of Skinnytaste, a health-focus digital platform, hosts an afternoon of healthy tasty treats noon January 18, Macy's Culinary Council studio, Macy's, 111 . N. State, 7th floor. Tickets.

Connect on Facebook