Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Lirica anchored at Navy Pier

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Lirica, Navy Pier, 900 E. Grand, the first Latin-inspired venue at the Sable Hotel is now open. The venue, which boasts a 150-seat lakeside patio, draws inspiration from more than a dozen South American countries, delivering a combination of robust meals and exotic atmosphere for a unique dining experience.


The dining spot, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, is helmed by Chefs Cesar Reyes (Offshore Chicago; Smith & Wolinsky; Spruce; Park Grill;  and Chicago Firehouse) and Michael Shrader (Offshore Chicago; Gideon Sweet; Monnie Burke's; Luxbar; Epic and the Nine Group).


Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations available here. Call: 872-710-5703.


   











Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers opens today

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Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers', known for its cooked-to-order steakburgers; Vienna beef hotdogs; crispy shoestring fries and frozen chocolate or vanilla frozen custard, opens today at 5500 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake. 

The restaurant seats 112 with additional seating on the patio opens March 30. Hours are: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

   











Monday, March 29, 2021

Mercadito five-course dinner and curated cocktails...and more

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Mercadito's, 108 W. Kinzie, Experimental dinners return 7 p.m. March 31; $70.

Chef Marissa Tunon prepares a five-course dinner paired with curated cocktails made with Pierde Almas Mezcal. Book reservation here

Lunch and Weekend brunch returns as well Lunch. Lunch, offered Thursday-Friday, will be available beginning 12 p.m. April 1. Reservations recommended. Book here.

Weekend brunch will be offered 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Reservations, which are recommended, can be booked here.

 


   

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Cupitol Coffee & Eatery serves up Easter Brunch

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Cupitol Coffee & Eatery, Chicago (455 E. Illinois St.) and Evanston (812 Grove St.) locations serve up Easter Brunch on April 4.

Guests can choose from an all day menu that offers a delicious mix of sweet and savory options that include: European breakfast (greek yogurt, homemade almond granola, seasonal berries, local 100% raw honey); CBH & eggs (house made corned beef hash with onions, poached eggs); country Benedict (buttermilk biscuits, pork sausage gravy, poached eggs); buttermilk pancakes (classic, chocolate chip, blueberry lemon, gluten free pancakes); The Number 5 sandwich (fried egg, ham off the bone, Wisconsin cheddar, croissant) and gravlax baguette (house-cured sandwich, herb cream cheese, cucumber, baguette).  Complete all day menu here. 

As a special treat the restaurant is giving a half stack of pancakes to guests purchasing a mimosa during brunch. Call: 312-414-1400 or 847-868-8078.







Saturday, March 27, 2021

Umami Burger's new food and drink menu

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Umami Burgerlaunched a menu of new and returning food items this week. The "Newmami" menu includes old favorites and new surprises. In addition Jason Jeffords, recently added to the team as beverage director, has debuted a created a new drink menu.

While staple items returning, which will have an updated patty recipe and new buns, includes the signature Umami burger (Umami sauce; 4 oz. smash patty; lettuce; pickles; tomato; caramelized onions; American cheese).

New items include: Umami-FRY ME Combo, The OG Umami Sampler, The Umami Deluxe Combo, and All About The Chicken Combo. The new menu items will be available at all Umami Burger locations as well as 24 global ghost kitchen locations.

   




 


Friday, March 26, 2021

Mary DiSomma virtual cooking class from Cheney Mansion tonight

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The Park District of Oak Park hosts a virtual cooking class featuring local chef and baker Mary DiSomma 6:30 p.m. March 26 from the historic Cheney Mansion. 

Chef DiSomma will be demonstrating Spanish torta rustica; honey citrus fruit salad and lemon poppy seed cake.  

DiSomma's book, A Gift of Cookies: Recipes to Share with Family & Friends. Proceeds from all purchases benefits Hephzibah Home and The Infant Welfare Society. Must be 21 and older to join in the cooking class. Register here.

   








Empowering lady's virtual cocktails and conversation session tonight

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Rollingout and Sisters with Superpowers present Seagram's Sip Happiness: Cocktails and Conversation, 6 p.m. March 26.

The program featuring Guests Cynthia Bailey (entrepreneur/actress); Monique Rodriquez (CEO of Mielle Organics) and Khadeen Ellis (actress) participate, is part of the Peace & Purpose Women's Empowerment seminar. 

Actress, author and beauty expert Africa Miranda serves as moderator. Register here.

    



Thursday, March 25, 2021

Sepia Easter bounty to go, plus two exciting virtual events

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Sepia, 123 N. Jefferson St., is offering an Easter meal kit to go. Each kit is enough for two and comes with fresh flowers.

There are four options to select from ($80 each) along with ad-on options such as house granola; Kaluga caviar with chips and French onion dip ($100); smoked salmon rillettes with dill crème fraiche, lemon and toast ($12) house granola (vanilla yogurt with fresh fruit) $8; and Lady Edison ham ($14). View compete menu.

Also, Chef Andrew Zimmerman is hosting two virtual cooking classes Chefstreams, 5 p.m. March 28. Tickets. And, Chicago magazine in the Kitchen Live, a cooking class and dinner party with Emily Johnson, 6:30 p.m. April 1. Register here.



The Goddess and Grocer's Easter offerings

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The Goddess and Grocer serves up a tasty array of Easter items that include: Easter dinner (serves 4): Smoking Goose sliced glazed ham, creamy scalloped potatoes, grilled asparagus, roasted rainbow carrots and four Easter-inspired cookies, $89. 

Easter brunch highlights include: a variety of frittatas; fried chicken and waffles with honey chile butter and maple syrup; smoked salmon platter (salmon served with freshly baked bagels, cream cheese, shaved red onions, tomatoes and capers) and ready-to-bake cinnamon rolls. 

Other a la carte items include: spring pasta salad (bowtie pasta, shrimp, peas, corn, red peppers,  tomatoes and creamy lemon dressing); deviled eggs (traditional, southwest and with salmon); artisanal cheese board (domestic and international cheeses, crackers, bread, relish, chutney dried fruit and nuts); Smoking Goose glazed ham (black pepper maple ham with St., Elmo root beer glaze); Easter inspired cupcakes; carrot cake cheesecake and robin's egg cake (chocolate cake, with chocolate malted buttercream and blue speckled buttercream).

Orders must be placed by 3 p.m. April 1. Pickup is available at all three Goddess and Grocer locations. Delivery is available with fees starting at $20. Delivery is free for orders over $75. View more menu items and place order here. Or, email catering@goddessandgrocer.com. Pictured: (8-inch coconut cream layer cake, white cake, vanilla bean pastry cream, and coconut flakes iced in vanilla buttercream; $60). PHOTO CREDIT: The Goddess and Grocer.

   




Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Elizabeth Restaurant Easter brunch boxes

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Elizabeth Restaurant, 4835 N. Western Ave., is taking orders for Easter Box dinners; $40. Foie gras shaped into an owl (pictured) can be added ($9.95).

At this time the restaurant is unable to accommodate dietary restrictions at this time. Boxes are running low, place orders here as soon as possible. Pickup is April 3.

Menu :

mini umeboshi cinnamon rolls (2)

house brioche
sea buckthorn + vanilla jam | house ricotta

(optional: add foie gras owl $9)

roasted sweet potato crepe cake
chives | crème fraiche

strawberry hand pies (2)
tarragon | cream cheese

asparagus tart
black truffle mornay

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Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Barrio and Paint Palette's sip and paint event

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Barrio and Pinot's Palette partner for Cava & Canvases, a wine sipping painting event, 6:30 p.m. March 24 at Barrio, 65 E. Kinzie St.

The cost ($55), includes bites from Barrio chef Andrew Sikkeleros, bottomless bubbles, paint supplies and Register here.

    



Monday, March 22, 2021

Lou Malnati's opens in Oakbrook Terrace

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Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, 18W080 22nd St., Oakbrook Terrace, opens for dine in service this week. The pizzeria had a soft launch over the weekend and is now ready to go. 

More details, restrictions and hours here. Delivery is available 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Call: 630-912-8300.

   


 



Sunday, March 21, 2021

Chicago Restaurant Week 2021 is under way

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Chicago Restaurant Week 2021 is underway with area eateries offering an array of deals and special menus.

The event continues through April 4. View more details and complete list of participants here.

    



Saturday, March 20, 2021

SESH Seltzer's canned cocktails now in Chicago

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SESH Seltzer's canned cocktails has arrived in the Chicago market, the drinks, available in four varieties (gin and tonic; Paloma; mojito and Moscow mule) is available at Binny's Beverage Depot; Galleria Liquors and Plum Market. More details here.

     








Friday, March 19, 2021

Martyrs' weekend pizza service

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Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln, is now offering New York style pizza available for delivery 4-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday.  Pickup is also available. More details or place order here. Call: 773-404-9494.

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Thursday, March 18, 2021

Rewired's March Madness matcha tips off today

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Rewired Pizza Cafe and Bar, 1100 W. Thorndale, brews up a host of March Madness magic March 18-April 5. Drink specials include the Matcha Madness (white rose tea; orange syrup with matcha, milk and orange zest. Available in a small, medium or large variety $4-5. 

Other specials ranging from $4-20 will be available during the March Madness event. Call: 773-360-1621.

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Wednesday, March 17, 2021

The Capitol Theatre and Captain Lawrence Brewing Co. collaborative product

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The Capitol Theatre and Captain Lawrence Brewing Co. raise a glass in support of the music industry with the collaborative brew, We Will Get By Hazy IPA. More details here.

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Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Kennedy Rooftop's JFK cocktail for St. Patrick's Day

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Kennedy Rooftop, located atop Hyatt Place Wicker Park, 1551 W. North Ave., has launched a special cocktail paying homage to John F. Kennedy, the first Irish-Catholic President and rooftop's namesake. 

The "OG Irishman," available through the end of March, features Ketel One Mint Cucumber vodka, Green Chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino, ginger beer and fresh lime; $14. Reservations highly recommended. Call: 773-270-6770.

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Chicago Firehouse Restaurant double Rewards Tuesday

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Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, 1401 S. Michigan is featuring double reward points on Tuesday when dining in or on carry-out (supply your rewards account number when placing order). Call: 312-786-1401.

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Monday, March 15, 2021

"Operation Let's Get Cookin' " 12-hour virtual food telethon, March 21

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Operation North Pole switches gears to help support Chicago's restaurant community with a 12-hour fundraising marathon "Operation Let's Get Cookin'," 9 a m. to 9 p.m. March 21.

The food telethon, hosted by Marley Kayden (Chicago’s Best), Aaron May (Food Network) and former Chicago Tribune food critic, will feature 24 Chicago-area chefs demonstrating their culinary skills.

Celebrity guests popping in to join in the festivities include: Nigel Barker  (British TV personality and fashion photographer), Maneet Chauhan (chef and Chopped judge), Torrey DeVitto (American actress), Beni Cwiakala (MasterChef Junior season 6 winner),  Che Spiotta (MasterChef Junior season 7 winner), and Fox 32’s Lou Canellis and Corey McPherrin. Register here.

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Saturday, March 13, 2021

Chiya Chai salutes Pi Day with a host of savory pies priced, $3.14

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Chiya Chai2770 N. Milwaukee Ave., celebrates Pi Day with a host of savory pies priced, $3.14 savory pies. 

Options include: Masala chicken with local free-range chicken, signature masala curry with cream, yogurt, spices, peas and carrots; curried kale and potato with curried kale, red onions, cumin seeds, spices, potatoes, carrots and peas; and spicy minced pork with minced Iowa pork, crushed pepper, hot chili, red and green peppers, garlic and spices. 

The special will be available March 14 while supplies last. Available for dine-in or carryout. For more information, visit chiyachai.com.

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Friday, March 12, 2021

Uvae's March wine tastings will all be virtual

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Uvae Kitchen and Wine Bar's, 5553 N. Clark St., March virtual wine tasting schedule for 5 p .m. Wednesday at 5 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday through March 31.


The tastings ($30 per person) features 4 four-ounce pours, interactive Zoom tasting led by Uvae Sommeliers and guest wine makers.


Small bite add-ons include a Cheese Plate ($15), Cheese & Charcuterie Plate ($20) and Duck Pâté ($12). Find more information or register here.


Upcoming Schedule: 


Wednesday at 5 p.m.


3/17: Wines of Bordeaux

3/24: Spain

3/31: “Soil” Tasting

Saturday at 3 p.m.

3/13: The "Blancs"

3/20: Orange Wines

3/27: Women Winemakers

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Thursday, March 11, 2021

Elizabeth Restaurant is giving Truffles away with orders

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Elizabeth Restaurant, 4835 N,. Western Ave, Apt. D, is giving truffles away with orders through midnight or, until they run out. Place order here.

In addition there's still time to sign up for the restaurant's four-week cooking/wine course that begins March 14. Register here.

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