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.

This Thing Could Get Controversial . . .

People all over town are already scratching their heads over the new name for Stephanie Izard's soon-to-be-opened gastropub—Girl & The Goat—which was originally named The Drunken Goat.

Number one comment from bar and restaurant industry types after hearing the news:

"It sounds kinda, ummmm, twisted . . ."

It's scheduled to open next spring.

Related:

Izard, who won the fourth season of Top Chef (and still remains the show's only female winner!), gave her thoughts on the sixth season's finale via Twitter:

"F@"$&d up final call with Padma... But congrats to all the boys for a tasty looking finale! Congrats, Mike!"

Cuna Set to Open Next Week?!

Former Sepia exec chef Kendal Duque will be at helm of the highly anticipated Cuna, set to open next week, according to an Ultimate Insider:

"Word is Cuna will be opening next week, they just passed their inspections today. ... shooting for late next week."

We'll see what happens, but in the meantime here's a sweet interview he did in November with Time Out.

Red-Hot Mixologist Off to Miami . . .

I've got some unfortunate news to report, folks.

Daniel J. Love—one of the city's best and brightest bartenders (who also happens to be one of the hottest eligible bachelors!)—is leaving town.

The Mercadito mixologist's moving to Miami to open a fourth outpost, which is set to debut in mid-January.

This is a big loss for Chicago as Love, who previously worked at Le Bar at Sofitel, brought some well-deserved attention to Chicago's mixology scene by winning a number of national competitions.

He's an innovator and well-respected by his peers, who'll certainly miss his talents. He'll be behind the bar until Jan. 1, so stop by, say hello and grab one of his amazing cocktails.


Mixologist Jennifer Contraveos shaking up cocktails at Double A. (Double A)


In other bar news . . .

Double A, Mercadito's lower-level VIP bar specializing in tequila and tequila-based cocktails, is off to a good start since it opened last month.

We stopped by Friday night to check it out, and while the music was thumping with high-energy dance and hip-hop, the crowd wasn't exactly feeling it as they were cordoned off into their usual little groups.

Props do go out to the four or five guys gathering around the bar, giving the room somewhat of a social atmosphere.

It's not Double A's fault, but seriously what has really happened to Chicago's nightlife?!

I really hate bottle service.

Fall in Love with a Beautiful Bordeaux

Whether you're swinging solo or coupled up this holiday season, Thursday's matchmaking session at Y Bar aims to make you fall in love with the wines of Bordeaux.

All you have to do to attend is fill out your wine preferences here, so they can match you up with vinos based on your tastes. You'll get four full pours of those particular wines as well as heavy passed appetizers. Event also includes a guy playing the sax and a deejay spinning the hits.

They're expecting a nice guest list of Chicago's finest, so who knows?! You just may find the love of your life after all.

Bordeaux Matchmaking goes down 7:30pm-midnight Thursday. Free, but must RSVP here for admission.

What Have They Done for Us Lately?!

Maybe these dudes should come outta retirement and help our pitiful Bears and Bulls.

Just got this from a publicist:

"Two Chicago sports legends dined at District Bar last night. Basketball legend, Michael Jordan, and former Chicago Bear and Super Bowl XX MVP, Richard Dent, brought back a bit of the Glory Days to Chicago as they enjoyed a wide range of the menu.

They drank Heineken, Grey Goose, and District’s specialty cocktail, Ginger Collins.

Jordan and Dent spent the evening watching the Packers take on the Ravens on Monday Night Football in the VIP section at District."

Seriously, get off your asses and play some ball!

Drinking, Eating . . . and Sleeping?!

Soooooo, Time Out uncovered a new bar going into Logan Square from the team behind The Empty Bottle.

Called Longman & Eagle, it aims to be a contemporary Chicago inn concept, offering eats, drinks and beds in the back.

Huh?!

This should be interesting. Late-night drinking+randy young people+beds in a back room sounds like a recipe we don't even want to imagine . . .

Stage Bites: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

"Snow White and the Drag Queen Who Stole X-Mas" is playing at Hydrate through Saturday. (Photo: chicagostagereview.com)


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


Burlesque Is More at Annoyance Theatre. If visions of girls in racy, retro outfits get you in the holiday spirit, you don't want to miss this campy improv show. Modeled after Late Night Tit-Bits. 10pm Saturdays through Dec. 19. Get tickets here.

Marigold: Spicy signature cocktails and microbrews pair well with Naanwiches, an Indian take on classic American sandwiches. How about a Spiked Mango ‘Lassi, made with Marigold’s special Cardamom-infused vodka, Prosecco and mango nectar?!

Wild Pug: You're in luck if you decide to hit up the show on Dec. 19. Head here first for its anniversary and Christmas party and get free drinks and food from 7 to 9pm, plus $1 cocktails and beer all night. If you're going this weekend, get ready for the usual offbeat antics and $4.50 shots of Jager, Bacardi O, Barcardi Razz or Effen Black Cherry.


“Naanwiches” at Marigold. (Photo: Marigold Restaurant)


It's a Wonderful Life: Live at The Biograph! American Blues Theater is behind Frank Capra's timeless masterpiece now playing at Victory Gardens Studio. No intermission. Thursday through Dec. 27. Get tickets here.

Gemini Bistro: A new three-course, prix-fixe menu is offered for $33 ($55 with wine pairings) from 5-6:30pm. That means you'll have to hoof it over there early to get the deals on lobster bisque, Maine lobster ravioli, steak frites and the Gemini signature eight-ounce prime beef burger. It's four blocks away, so luckily they offer valet service.

Ringo Japanese Restaurant: We're not big fans of all-you-can-eat sushi, but Ringo gets a pass because you can always count on their sushi being super fresh. So, go ahead and gorge on the good stuff for $22.50. In order to get the deal, your entire party must participate (go to website for coupon).


Snow White and the Drag Queen Who Stole X-Mas at Hydrate. Leave it to Boystown to twist the classics of our childhood. This time, it's a timeless tale of Snow White, her seven Drag Queens and a vicious Grinch hitting the stage with a bunch of hilarious numbers. 9pm Friday, Saturday. Get tickets here.

Arco de Cuchilleros: The lively tapas bar offers a number of hot and cold selections under $10. We especially recommend Pollo a La Navarra (chicken sauteed with cured ham, sweet red peppers and red wine), Champinones Marinados (mushrooms marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette) and Solomillo De Cerdo Al Jerez (pork tenderloin in a sherry and black olive sauce).

Jack's on Halsted: You'll get a three-course menu for $25.95 at the newly renovated Lakeview landmark, with seasonal bites like butternut squash ravioli, grilled Nova Scotia salmon and Jack's signature bread pudding.

HB Home Bistro: If you're a regular at this popular BYOB, you already know that some of the best items are not even on the menu. Just let your server know you're down, and you'll be in for a treat!