Make L2O Your New Luxe Lounge Hang

One of Chicago's hidden treasures is the L2O Lounge in the Belden-Stratford Hotel. (Photo: L2O)


We're always looking for interesting new places to hang, and with the holidays upon us, that's a difficult task to do. The season's shoppers, out-of-town visitors and the usual suspect barhoppers are in the same mindset, so the hottest places can get pretty, ummmm, swamped.

So we'd like to introduce you to a spot most folks have overlooked as a nightlife destination. L2O's lux-y lounge is not going to be your everyday go-to bar, but it won't hurt to treat yourself once in a while.

The hand-crafted, classic cocktails range $16-$18 in choices like the house aperitif of sparkling wine and raspberry-Rooibos tea cordial; the Navigator (Hennessey VS, bual madeira, pomegranate); or Caipirinha (Leblon Cachaça, Kaffir lime, Kaffir leaves). Plus, you'll have a choice of light nibbles, including a selection of cheeses and small-plate seafood dishes.

Go ahead and treat yourself. After all, Christmas only comes around once a year.

More places to go this weekend . . .

THURSDAY

If $16 cocktails are out of your price range, you might want to check out Flo on Thursdays for drink specials at the bar. They're doing $4 3 Floyds Gumballhead, $3.50 house margaritas, $4.50 mojitos and $16 margarita pitchers. Also, if you get there between 2:30-5:30pm, you can stuff down all the tacos you can for $2.50. Yummy times 10 for shredded chicken, roasted pork and veggie.

DJ Kiss is back! This time, New York's hottest spin star is working the 'tables at Manor for Outfit Events' weekly bash. Get there early for a fashion show by DNA2050. 9pm-2am. No cover.


Traditional Caribbean cuisine sets up shop in Ukrainian Village with Mr. Brown's Lounge. (Photo: Urban Daddy Chicago)


FRIDAY

Mr. Brown’s Lounge debuts today in Ukrainian Village, and Urban Daddy got the scoop first. We're looking forward to heaving plates of jerk chicken, beef patties, plantains, and island mac and cheese keeping us warm all winter. Deejays spin on weekends, too!

Glazed Donuts offers the alternative to the cupcake craze with delightful donut flavors in bourbon pecan pie and chocolate candy cane. And if you want to get a taste before you buy, they're giving away samples 5-7pm this evening at Green Grocer. Nice Cream will also be on hand to unveil winter ice cream flavors, so you can double up on the sweet stuff.

If you've got Top Chef withdrawals already, it's time to check out Sprout, helmed by season three finalist Dale Levitski. A $60 prix-fixe deal allows you to customize your own three-course menu, choosing one each from his first course, entree and dessert selections. We've already got our eyes on the sablefish (fennel, verjus rouge and grape) and the short rib (truffle, mushrooms, chicory, manchego).

The guys behind Genuine Entertainment have done a pretty aggressive job hosting weekly parties at various hot spots during their first year in business, so they're celebrating with a big bash tonight at Mercadito. After dinner, they're transforming the entire space into an all-out nightclub, and things should get really interesting. 11pm-2am. No cover.

SATURDAY

After a hard night out, head to Roof for the Morning After Brunch. The spicy lamb sausage comes with a fried egg and tomato marmalade, and who could resist the PLT—a sandwich of crispy pancetta, cured tomatoes, arugula and lemon aioli. 11am-2pm Saturday, Sunday.

If you're skipping downtown shopping in favor of something more close to home, how about heading to Edgewater for the annual Holidays Around the World?! There's a tree-lighting ceremony, artists' festival, and free goodies at a number of restaurants in the area, including Bananas Foster Cafe (egg nog and mince pie samples noon-3pm) and Metropolis Coffee Company (free baked goods and a holiday drink special). Noon-4pm.

SUNDAY

If you've been a lazy ass lately and cannot make it out of your bed to get to a proper brunch, then this one's for you. Chaise is extending its brunch until 5pm, so now you have no excuses. Executive Chef Cary Taylor's stamped his Southern roots all over the menu in offerings like the shrimp 'n' grits made with Laughing Bird shrimp and Three Sisters Garden grits; a Cuban Croque Madame blessed with smoked and pulled turkey, fried egg on toasted brioche; and Sunday mac 'n' cheese (smoked Gouda, toasted breadcrumbs, garlic sausage and scrambled egg). Also get tableside Bloody Marys for $5 each.