June 7, 2011
Finally, it's time to head outside and enjoy some of Chicago's patios and rooftop lounges. So, where to?
Beauty and Her Feast will definitely be hitting up the highly anticipated opening of Paris Club's rooftop, Studio Paris. This indoor/outdoor lounge features a retractable greenhouse-like roof that covers the outdoor half of the lounge to protect patrons on cold or rainy nights. Order some bites from their late-night menu and enjoy a dinner under the stars.
A few other places to check out:
- Banger’s & Lace: With a small wraparound sidewalk patio, this Wicker Park bar is situated on a lively intersection, resembling a European bistro. The contemporary Midwestern dishes compliment the vast selection of brews, pleasing both beer connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
- Letizia’s Fiore: This Italian bakery adds a European flair to Logan Square with its newly expanded menu. The sidewalk café offers customers a view of the restaurant’s rooftop vegetable garden, while the lounge seating in the back garden is a picturesque place to enjoy a cappuccino and pastry.
- South Branch: Situated along the Chicago River, this waterfront plaza not only boasts a great view but is in proximity to both Ogilvie and Union Train Stations, which is ideal for commuters looking to unwind after work. The modern setting has retractable walls (offering some shade) and features an extensive menu with American favorites and contemporary pub fare.
- Etno Village Grill: Located in the heart of Lincoln Park near DePaul University and the Apollo Theatre, it is the perfect place to stop by for a quick bite to eat or for catching up with friends and family for dinner. Etno offers a wide selection of upscale fast food such as European grilled specialties (like their signature cevap) as well as classic American fare. Enjoy a gourmet Balkan burger with the frosty brew of your choice at this BYOB (and corkage fee-free) hotspot.
June 2, 2011
M Burger’s Special Rainbow Shake Kicks Off Make-A-Wish’s Dining For Wishes Campaign
Start summer off right with a great cause and a delicious Rainbow Shake! Starting this Saturday, June 4, M Burger partners with Make-A-Wish to kick off the inaugural Dining For Wishes campaign, where participating restaurants offer special dishes and host events benefiting the Foundation. As part of raising support and awareness, M Burger has created a special shake flavor chosen by a Make-A-Wish boy named Chance, who was asked what flavor he would prefer for the June shake-of-the-month. The resulting flavor—Rainbow (chosen because Chance loves all different kinds of people)—is a wonderful collaboration and tasty way to brighten everyone’s day. The Rainbow Shake (strawberry and orange blossom) is available at both M Burger locations for $2.99 throughout the month. In turn, M Burger is pleased to make a donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois, which helps grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. For more information on Make-A-Wish, visit www.wishes.org
May 27, 2011
Each Tuesday evening, Prairie Fire invites one or more of its friends to serve as guest bartender, mixing a signature drink for charity. On May 31, the visiting mixologist will be Grant Kessler, a Chicago food photographer with a passion for local, sustainable ingredients. Kessler also writes a food blog called My Food Shed.
From 6:00-8:00 p.m., Kessler will concoct a cocktail made with one of his favorite ingredients: rhubarb. The drink will feature rhubarb mixed with North Shore Distillery gin and soda. A portion of the proceeds will go towards the Academy for Global Citizenship. To accompany his cocktail, Chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris will serve special appetizers of spicy braised pork shoulder on Three Sisters Garden polenta cake with radishes, and spring greens pesto flatbread with spinach, a farm egg and Fayette Creamery Avondale Truckle cheese.
Photo courtesy of Grant Kessler Photography and www.myfoodshed.com
Co-Chef/Owner Sarah Stegner
Co-Chef/Owner George Bumbaris 215 N. Clinton St.
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 382-8300
May 25, 2011
Embracing the bounty of the season, Michelin star-rated Sepia is pleased to introduce a spring menu featuring the freshest ingredients available from local farms and producers. With rising temperatures and sunny days ahead, guests can look forward to Executive Chef Andrew Zimmerman's unique uses of seasonal ingredients such as rhubarb, English peas, and ramps, along with a new batch of handcrafted cocktails from Head Bartender Josh Pearson. Diners who visit Sepia during the warm weather months can enjoy Chef Zimmerman's bold and inventive cuisine and Pearson's cocktails alfresco, on the restaurant's recently upgraded 16-seat patio.
A peek at some of the new dishes that sound fantastic:
English pea and mascarpone agnolotti
pickled shallot, radish, mint
Halibut, fava beans, ramps, asparagus, Montpellier butter
Braised and chicken fried rabbit, buttermilk biscuits, soubise
and new spring Cocktails:
Cocoa Old Fashioned
Cocoa nib infused Old Overholt rye whisky, sherry vanilla bitters, muddled orange and brandied cherries
The Goods Are Odd
Ron Zacapa rum, St. Germain, tangerine tea syrup, lime, orange bitters, sparkling wine
Something Dutch
Bols Genever gin, Pineau des Charentes, rhubarb shrubb, lemon, orange bitters
Sepia
123 N. Jefferson, Chicago
312.441.1920
May 23, 2011
As part of DMK Burger Bar’s 365 Days of Giving Program, DMK has partnered with Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant 14-year-old Tyler McCoy’s dream to travel to the Mediterranean.
Tyler was diagnosed with renal failure, a condition in which the kidneys are unable to adequately filter toxins from the blood. Tyler has a very special relationship with her sister Lauren who is her kidney donor. Though Tyler has been through so much, she is doing very well and looks forward to a positive future! Tyler lives with her mother and sister in Chicago, Illinois and loves to hang out with her friends, dance and explore downtown Chicago.
When Tyler was asked to wish big, she asked to go on a cruise to the Mediterranean because she loves adventures and traveling. This year DMK is committed to giving big and is donating $5,000 to help realize Tyler’s dream so she can go on her trip this summer! DMK is also hosting a special lunch for Tyler and her friends and family and is giving her a special care package for her trip.
To help fulfill Tyler’s wish, DMK has partnered with Gilt City Gives and Half Acre Brewery to create an English- inspired $20 burger, beer and fry package. Half Acre has generously donated their rare, earthy and hoppy Meat Wave English style IPA and glassware for this package. DMK will be the only place offering this rare and unique beer outside of the Half Acre brewery. Keeping with the English theme, the 22 oz. Meat Wave will be paired with DMK’s Bangers and Mash burger that contains an all grass-fed beef patty, creamy mashed potatoes, aged cheddar cheese, a split sausage and is topped with a little gravy. Malt vinegar fries with a side of curry mayo will round out the meal. This package can be purchased at Gilt City Gives’ website from May 25th to June 1st and can be redeemed at DMK throughout June. All proceeds will benefit Tyler and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
DMK will also be accepting donations for Tyler’s wish throughout the month of June and will be selling the Bangers and Mash burger from June 20-23rd for $10. Proceeds from the Bangers and Mash Burger will go towards fulfilling Tyler’s wish.
For more information, please contact DMK at 773.360.8686
May 17, 2011
The popular restaurant and sports bar, Market is celebrating their two year anniversary! In honor of this milestone, Market will hosts a variety of deals and parties from May 19th – 21st in lieu of the celebration. Luxury cars provided by Bentley Gold Coast will be on display, enjoy complimentary beer tastings as part of Chicago Craft Beer Week, a unique patio party with free food and drink, are all in store and even more. The famous rooftop deck with spectacular views of the city is officially open!
Thursday May 19th
Market Launches Craft Beer Week
Complimentary local craft beer tasting through Louis Gluntz starts at 6 PM
Friday May 20th
Ketel One "Paint the Patio" party
Open hosted bar starts at 6pm and complimentary passed hors d'oeuvres
Saturday May 21st
Garden Party hosted by Svedka starting at 6 PM
Market Bar is located at 1113 W. Randolph, Chicago
May 10, 2011
I am horrible about entering contests because I never win. But this one that I just got word about may be worth a try:
Do you have a special grilling recipe that incorporates a Dole product that you’re proud of and has your family and friends drooling over? If so, Dole wants to know about it! Submit your great grill creation to the Dole 2011 California Cook-Off recipe contest at www.facebook.com/dole <http://www.facebook.com/dole> and if you’re chosen as one of the 3 finalists, pack your swimsuit and shades and head for an all-expense paid trip to sunny L.A.! As a finalist, you’ll enjoy 3 days/2 nights in Hollywood where you’ll prepare your delectable Dole dish with other finalists at celebrity haven The Grove and meet celebrity Chef Ben Ford.
To participate is easy - you must be 18 years old or older and visit Dole on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dole <http://www.facebook.com/dole> to “like” the page and then enter your recipe under the “Enter to Win” tab for a chance to win. You can even submit a new original recipe once each day for more chances to win.
The contest begins April 10, 2011 at 12 a.m. ET and closes on May 15, 2011. The finalists will be announced June 1, 2011 and the Dole 2011 California Cook-Off event will take place live at The Grove in L.A. on Sunday, June 26.