Monday, December 14, 2009

Stage Bites: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

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Sultry soulman Robin Thicke performs at The Riv on Friday.


Every Monday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before and after the show:


The David Bowie Hepzikat Velvet Flarney Solstice Spectacular...Live From Space! at National Pastime Theater. Let's take a moment and travel back to the 1970s for this star-studded celebration featuring the likes of Annie Lennox, Mick Jagger, Charo, The Ghost of Freddy Mercury and Ziggy Stardust. What could possibly go wrong?! Presented by New Millennium Theatre Company. 11pm Friday, Saturday. Get tickets here.

Holiday Club: You're certain to be worked up after the performance, so blow off steam here with specials on sweet tea vodka and beer on Fridays; shots of tequila and more beer on Saturdays as deejays spin 1990s hits. Most menu items are under $10.

Nick's Uptown: The rowdy after-hours bar features live blues, soul or R&B every Friday and Saturday. Sadly, no drink specials.


The Nutcracker at Auditorium Theatre. Toys come to life. Glittering snow's falling everywhere. The Sugar Plum Fairy! And dancers in skimpy, shimmering outfits float through The Joffrey Ballet's glorious rendition of the classic Christmas tale. Through Dec. 27. Get tickets here.

Atwood Cafe: Through Dec. 30 you can give something back to help those less fortunate. Donate non-perishable organic or special dietary food items to Lakeview Pantry, and you'll be entered into a contest for a chance to win dinner for four at the restaurant. You can also head here before or after The Nutcracker for tea; make a reservation for 2pm or 4pm service and nosh on tiny tasty sandwiches, pastries and desserts paired with Mighty Leaf Tea. $25 for adults; $18 for children 12 and under.

Lockwood: The lobby bar transforms into the Blommer Chocolate Lounge every Saturday through Dec. 26. Pastry chef Fabrice and students from the French Pastry School create signature desserts for your eating pleasure, so you can dig into unlimited sweets (plus coffee, tea, cappuccino, espresso, a glass of wine, champagne or a beer). 9-11pm. $35 for full chocolate experience or $5 for individual desserts.

The Wine Bar at the Walnut Room: Small plates of cheese, olives and candied walnuts are perfectly paired with various vino. No reservations accepted ever, and since we're in the throes of holiday hell, get there as early as possible to nab seats.

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The iconic Walnut Room at Macy's.


Robin Thicke at Riviera Theatre. The sexy soulman heats up the stage in Uptown, with opening performances by Ryan Leslie, Laura Izibor. 8pm Friday. Get tickets here.

Demera: Dine messob, the traditional Ethiopian communal dining experience, in order to sample several items from the menu, including lamb, beef, chicken and salmon. Choose from vegetarian messob ($25.95 for six portions for two); meat massob ($28.95 for six portions for two); or family style so four to five people can chow down for only $14.50 per person.

Fat Cat: Fridays wouldn't be the same without at least one fish fry, right?! They're doing an all-you-can-eat deal that comes with Icelandic cod dipped in Rogue Dead Guy Ale beer batter and served with a baked potato or hand-cut fries and slaw. $9.95.

Fiesta Mexicana: Most items are under $10 at this Uptown fave, but we especially love the idea of Super Tacos in a double tortilla. Choose from chunks of pan-fried pork, grilled skirt steak, or steamed pot roast with guacamole and pico de gallo.