Monday, March 29, 2010

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

Photobucket
Up-and-coming soul star Janelle Monáe performs at Schubas Tuesday.


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

Cougars! The Musical at Greenhouse Theater Center. Don't let the white hair and church clothes fool you. These grannies can git down with the best of them, sip Cosmos faster than any of those chicks on "SATC," and hunt down fresh young meat. This is obviously a comedy. 10:30pm Saturdays through May 22. Get tickets here.

Gemini Bistro: A $31 three-course, prix-fixe menu is 5-6:30pm nightly at this trendy neighborhood joint. Must-gets include the risotto with roasted mushrooms, signature burger, and Amish chicken that comes with crispy breast, braised thigh and mashed potatoes.

Liar's Club: You're certain to be revved up after the show's over around midnight, so we suggest hanging out here for a few cheap cocktails and dancing to music you haven't heard in years.

Kingston Mines: If you're in the mood for the blues, Larry McCray is the headliner Saturday. Plus, the bar's open until 5am so you can wiggle your hips until they almost fall off.

Photobucket
Tank Sushi in Lincoln Square offers half-price sushi every weekend.


Janelle Monáe at Schubas. It's no surprise Andre 3000 is behind one of the most fierce forces we've heard in years. Monáe first emerged during OutKast's "Idlewild" days, and shows no signs of slowing down. If Sly Stone and Erykah Badu had ever mated, out would've sprung Janelle Monáe. She's a beast on the dance floor, too! 7:30pm Tuesday. This show is SOLD OUT.

Harmony Grill: Guests get a free mini mac 'n' cheese when they show ticket stubs at Schubas's adjacent restaurant.

Sapore di Napoli: It's not only BYOB (also no corkage fee!), but the authentic Neapolitan pizzas are definitely on point. Highly recommended are the traditional Margherita and Quattro Stagioni (tomato sauce, mozzarella, artichokes, Kalamata olives, mushrooms, prosciutto).

Photobucket
Gillian Bellinger (from left), Madeline Wager and Monique Madrid in "Cougars! The Musical" at Greenhouse Theater Center. (Photo: Greg Inda)


Wild Nights with Emily at Lincoln Square Theater. If you ever thought iconic poet Emily Dickinson was a prude, think again. This production shows the artist as she's never been shown before, from her "forbidden" love to adventures that just may have inspired a poem or two. 3, 8pm Saturdays; Sundays 7pm; 8pm Friday, April 9. Through April 11. Get tickets here.

Bistro Campagne: A bistro menu offers a number of delish budget-friendly dishes, from a classic Salade Lyonnaise to the Croque Monsieur and Madame. All are under $15.

Chalkboard: If you plan on hitting up one of the early shows, make your way here first for their take on afternoon tea service from 2-4pm Saturdays and Sundays. The $19 deal gets you a personal pot of tea, finger sandwiches, pastries, and scones with Devonshire cream and organic fruit spread. Add a glass of sparkling wine for $8 or Champagne for $15.

Tank Sushi: You'll find tasty maki on the menu at this highly recommended area fave, but also great is that you can get it half-price 1:30-6pm every Saturday and Sunday.

No comments: