OK, not really, but hey it's close enough at a record 50 degrees this weekend. But let's not get carried away and try to do alfresco, OK?!
And you have absolutely
no excuse to stay indoors . . .
THURSDAYHead to Edgewater for the $23 prix-fixe deal at
Broadway Cellars. For an additional $5, they'll throw in three ounce wine pairings. That's
every Thursday.
Get a jumpstart on your
Valentine's Day festivities with a
Wines for your Valentine tasting at
WineStyles. Sample various vino (including sparkling!) that should get your sig other in the mood for
amour. 6-8pm. Free.
Simply sexy sounds will be the focus during
Funk Du Monde, featuring offbeat
DJ Madrid & Friends. Held at
Cat's Meow, get ready for exotic beats and $5 Effen cocktails. 9pm-2am. No cover.
FRIDAYThe annual
Starlight Children's Foundation's Dream Date returns to the
Park West. This is the premier live auction event with packages presented by Chicago's most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Also, open bar, buffet, live entertainment. Sells out every year, so you may or may not get tix. Doors open at 6pm. $55 in advance; $65 at door. Get 'em
here.
Specials galore at
Between—the restaurant where
"Top Chef: New York" contestant
Radhika Desai is the queen of cuisine. Indulge in the $30 trio special, which includes three sharing plates (offered from 6-7pm) or a $5 Hot Buttered Rum Pot for two served with tea cookies, $25 single-malt scotch flights and $30 tequila flights.
Whimsical deejay/emcee
Biz "Just a Friend" Markie rocks
Rednofive at 11pm. $20.
SATURDAYHead to
Pops for Champagne for a special
Egly-Ouriet Champagne tasting. You'll get to sample three cuvées from this house that was one of the first grower champagnes to be distributed in the United States. 3-5pm. $20.
We've got the vegans covered too this weekend with an event happening at
Trotter's To Go. Chef
Charlie Trotter will sample dishes from
Linda Long's
Great Chefs Cook Vegan! cookbook. They'll pair each bite with wines. 2:30-3:30pm. Free.
It's the perfect evening to
TOAST on The Magnificent Mile, the month-long,
Moët & Chandon-sponsored event celebrating Michigan Avenue and all its luxury shops, night spots and restaurants. Peep all the events happening right
here, which include 6:30pm fireworks at Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River (with viewing at 401 N. Michigan Ave.),
Bistro & Bubbles at
Bistro 110 and 25 percent off Moët & Chandon bottles all month at
China Grill.
Choco-holics, please remain calm.
The French Pastry School is hosting its annual fundraiser
For the Love of Chocolate, where everything in the room is made of chocolate (just try not to eat the servers and bartenders!). Several rooms feature spectacular sweets in every type, so you can go completely nuts. 6:30-10pm. Get the $95 tix
here. 226 W. Jackson Blvd., 312-726-2419, ext. 211.
SUNDAYSushi Samba has changed its brunch program so many times that it makes our heads spin. This time, they've managed to get it right with a $16 deal that includes
three cocktails.
Sunday Funday dishes: South American frittata, Doce de Leite French Toast, raw bar selection and Sunday Morning Sushi.
