New chef at helm of HotChocolate

Mark Steuer, new executive chef at HotChocolate (Photo: HotChocolate)


Pastry queen Mindy Segal has surprisingly handed over the reigns to her award-winning HotChocolate restaurant to Mark Steuer, who's served as her chef de cuisine for three years.

While Segal's made her mark on the local and national dining scene as a sweets star, Steuer has always balanced her with a well-engineered savory menu. He's reportedly got a "mild obsession with all things pork," which should reflect in his new fall dishes, including local sweet potato gnocchi with braised Berkshire pork cheeks.

Now that's something to squeal about.

Deleece Grill Pub unveils new menu

Deleece Grill's steak salad is one of the new items on the menu. (Photo: Deleece Grill Pub)


As reported here exclusively Sunday, the owners behind Shochu suddenly transformed it into Deleece Grill Pub, offering more approachable fare to the fickle Lakeview diners.

With everyone scrounging for the best deals these days, folks are certain to warm up to the $20, three-course meal every Sunday and Wednesday. Hopefully you'll get to include one of those mouth-watering new steaks on the menu, such as the 10 oz. peppercorn-crusted Hangar, 14 oz. New York strip or 18 oz. ribeye with a garlic porcini ragout.

At the bar: a large beer list of primarily American craft brews and American whiskeys.

Take a bite out of these deals

The new 40-Day, Dry-Aged Hamburger is $5 this week only at David Burke’s Primehouse. (Photo: David Burke’s Primehouse)


There's no need to start hitting up fast-food joints because you're trying to save money. A number of great restaurants are offering deals to take that stress off your wallet:

The "no-tax lunch" continues through Oct. 31 at BIN 36, with the restaurant picking up the tax tab on your meal. There's no dollar limit, but it's only offered 11am-2pm.

If you're looking to nosh right after work, head to Blue Water Grill for the raw bar specials in the lounge. Every day you'll get $1.25 selections (oysters, clams and chilled shrimp), plus maki rolls for $6. That's 5-7pm daily.

To introduce its new 40-Day, Dry-Aged Hamburger, David Burke’s Primehouse is offering it for $5 this week only (regularly $15). The meat is aged alongside the prime steak cuts in the signature on-site Himalayan salt tiled dry aging room, tastes more like a steak, and is topped with smoked bacon mayo, garlicky spinach and crispy, fried onions. And for an additional $5 each, pair it with the truffle Asiago fries and vanilla bourbon shake. Take that, Burger King!

Stylish University Village sushi spot Kohan Japanese Restaurant is a neighborhood delight for its nightly specials. Tonight's steal is the martini and maki combo for $13. Choose from more than 15 maki rolls and pair it with one of their cocktails, including the Asian pear martini, Passion-tini or Saketini.

Tuesdays are also the night to head over to Volo Restaurant & Wine Bar for the $35, three-course prix-fixe dinner. The best part about it?! You get to customize your own menu, and for an additional $15, they'll help you pair each course with wine.