OK, so this just dropped in my inbox: an invitation for a party for MGD's new beer, The Craft, and it's happening on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Galleria Marchetti (825 W. Erie St., 312-563-0495). Apparently they've been here before for one of these free parties, and they usually get some pretty big-name talent to perform.
This time, Doug E. Fresh is the host, with Black Thought from The Roots and Raekwon from Wu-Tang Clan scheduled to perform. You'd better get there early if you want to get in. RSVP at rsvp.chicago.mgd.com/av.do or RSVP@SLDMarketingGroup.net, and of course there's free beer for all. Doors open at 8pm.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Deal of the day . . .
So what it's Monday.
There's always time to hit a happy hour after work. And you don't have to settle for the usual wings and burgers if you head to McCormick & Schmick's. They've finally updated their popular happy hour menu--and all items are still under $4.
Even though you can still get the steamed black mussels, half-pound cheeseburger and pot roast sliders for $1.95, they've added some $3.95 items like the Mahi Mahi cakes, Asian cross-cut ribs and blackened fish tacos with pico de gallo and sour cream. No drink specials, but with those prices, I'm sure you can spare a few more bucks.
Hours: Happy hour at Loop location, Monday-Thursday 3:30-6pm; night happy hour Monday-Thursday 10pm-midnight; Friday, Saturday 11pm-1am; and Sunday, 9-11pm. The Rush Street location offers happy hour Monday-Friday 3:30-6:30pm, and then again Monday-Thursday 9-11pm. Two city locations: One E. Wacker Dr., 312-923-7226 or 41 E. Chestnut St., 312-397-9500.
There's always time to hit a happy hour after work. And you don't have to settle for the usual wings and burgers if you head to McCormick & Schmick's. They've finally updated their popular happy hour menu--and all items are still under $4.
Even though you can still get the steamed black mussels, half-pound cheeseburger and pot roast sliders for $1.95, they've added some $3.95 items like the Mahi Mahi cakes, Asian cross-cut ribs and blackened fish tacos with pico de gallo and sour cream. No drink specials, but with those prices, I'm sure you can spare a few more bucks.
Hours: Happy hour at Loop location, Monday-Thursday 3:30-6pm; night happy hour Monday-Thursday 10pm-midnight; Friday, Saturday 11pm-1am; and Sunday, 9-11pm. The Rush Street location offers happy hour Monday-Friday 3:30-6:30pm, and then again Monday-Thursday 9-11pm. Two city locations: One E. Wacker Dr., 312-923-7226 or 41 E. Chestnut St., 312-397-9500.
Friday, November 9, 2007
The Friday night special
If you don't know Eric from Wicker Park's Silver Room--the purveyor of cool--then you're missing out.
If you get a chance, check out his stylish jewelry/accessories boutique in the 'hood (1442 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-278-7130), but he's also known for putting his stamp on urban hipster nightlife.
Tonight, he's launching a Friday night party, "Show & Tell," at 343 S. Dearborn St. With DJ Duane Powell, he's spinning a tantalizing blend of nu jazz, soul, rock and whatever. 10pm-2am. $5. Be there, or your ass is square.
If you get a chance, check out his stylish jewelry/accessories boutique in the 'hood (1442 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-278-7130), but he's also known for putting his stamp on urban hipster nightlife.
Tonight, he's launching a Friday night party, "Show & Tell," at 343 S. Dearborn St. With DJ Duane Powell, he's spinning a tantalizing blend of nu jazz, soul, rock and whatever. 10pm-2am. $5. Be there, or your ass is square.
What the critics are saying . . .
. . . about:
The Bluebird (1749 N. Damen Ave., 773-486-2473): "Want some bacon with your porchetta? On the menu at the Bluebird, a late-night lounge/wine bar/gastropub from the owners of Webster’s Wine Bar, it’s hard to find anything not spiked with smoked pig."--Martha Bayne, Chicago Reader
Brasserie Ruhlmann (500 W. Superior St., 312-494-1900): "The steak au poivre was impossibly tender, and the flavors—the bite of the pepper crust, the richness of the sauce—expertly balanced. And while there is no lamb chop on the menu per se, there’s a luscious lamb stew, the morsels of lamb almost as soft as the cheese soufflé we had greedily ordered to eat alongside it."--David Tamarkin, Time Out Chicago
Brunch: "Ruby here. The other day, a friend asked what my favorite weekend brunch spot was, and I realized: I hate brunch. The whole tradition that we follow like robots: rising early on Sunday, packing into a crowded entryway, vestibule, or sidewalk, to wait for a table where an overextended server will bring me an omelet I could’ve made myself? This isn’t dining. It’s compulsory eating, and I want my time and calories back. What is the allure here? Is it the ritual? The camaraderie? The hangover? Nothing against restaurants that provide brunch—nor those that do their best to add a little flair to it, like Orange, M. Henry, and Toast—but I’ll sleep in. And I’ll make my own French toast, thanks." --Jeff Ruby, Chicago Magazine
Old Town Brasserie (1209 N. Wells St., 312-943-3000): "Finesse? I'll say. (Roland) Liccioni knows how to fashion sauces the way Armani does clothes. Sauce merguez. Sauce Perigueux, sauce champignon ... this attention to the food-sauce connection takes years to hone, and Liccioni has never been sharper. If you never got to try his food at Les Nomades or Le Francais, this is your chance, and at easy-to-digest prices." -- Pat Bruno, Chicago Sun-Times
Paramount Room (415 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-829-6300): "Congratulate yourself for being a member of the cognoscenti for finding this hidden boite on Milwaukee Avenue in the shadow of the Blommer Chocolate Co. factory. Chef/co-owner Stephen Dunne (Roscoe Village's Volo) and partner Jon Young (Kitsch'n) have successfully created a solid destination for upscale bar snacking, late-night dining and any-hour grazing that's not too far from the Loop." --Alison Neumer Lara, Crain's Chicago Business
The Bluebird (1749 N. Damen Ave., 773-486-2473): "Want some bacon with your porchetta? On the menu at the Bluebird, a late-night lounge/wine bar/gastropub from the owners of Webster’s Wine Bar, it’s hard to find anything not spiked with smoked pig."--Martha Bayne, Chicago Reader
Brasserie Ruhlmann (500 W. Superior St., 312-494-1900): "The steak au poivre was impossibly tender, and the flavors—the bite of the pepper crust, the richness of the sauce—expertly balanced. And while there is no lamb chop on the menu per se, there’s a luscious lamb stew, the morsels of lamb almost as soft as the cheese soufflé we had greedily ordered to eat alongside it."--David Tamarkin, Time Out Chicago
Brunch: "Ruby here. The other day, a friend asked what my favorite weekend brunch spot was, and I realized: I hate brunch. The whole tradition that we follow like robots: rising early on Sunday, packing into a crowded entryway, vestibule, or sidewalk, to wait for a table where an overextended server will bring me an omelet I could’ve made myself? This isn’t dining. It’s compulsory eating, and I want my time and calories back. What is the allure here? Is it the ritual? The camaraderie? The hangover? Nothing against restaurants that provide brunch—nor those that do their best to add a little flair to it, like Orange, M. Henry, and Toast—but I’ll sleep in. And I’ll make my own French toast, thanks." --Jeff Ruby, Chicago Magazine
Old Town Brasserie (1209 N. Wells St., 312-943-3000): "Finesse? I'll say. (Roland) Liccioni knows how to fashion sauces the way Armani does clothes. Sauce merguez. Sauce Perigueux, sauce champignon ... this attention to the food-sauce connection takes years to hone, and Liccioni has never been sharper. If you never got to try his food at Les Nomades or Le Francais, this is your chance, and at easy-to-digest prices." -- Pat Bruno, Chicago Sun-Times
Paramount Room (415 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-829-6300): "Congratulate yourself for being a member of the cognoscenti for finding this hidden boite on Milwaukee Avenue in the shadow of the Blommer Chocolate Co. factory. Chef/co-owner Stephen Dunne (Roscoe Village's Volo) and partner Jon Young (Kitsch'n) have successfully created a solid destination for upscale bar snacking, late-night dining and any-hour grazing that's not too far from the Loop." --Alison Neumer Lara, Crain's Chicago Business
A healthy approach to the holidays
John Abels, manager of education & culinary programs and National Restaurant Association Show chef
If you're hosting a holiday party this season, why not get some tips from the experts on how to do it right?
John Abels, manager of education & culinary programs and National Restaurant Association Show chef, and Renee Zonka, associate dean of the culinary arts program and registered dietician for Kendall College, lead a special holiday cooking class for the CCFA Illinois Chapter Young Professionals Group. And they'll demonstrate with healthy, yet yummy recipes so you can impress your guests.
The event takes place on Thursday, Dec. 6, 7-9pm, at Kendall College (900 N. North Branch St.). Tickets are $20 and includes food and drink. Interested? Get tickets soon because this thing will sell out. Call 800-886-6664 for more info.
Japanese pizza?
Do something completely out of your comfort zone tonight and indulge in Executive Chef Ozzie's Okonomyaki, or authentic Japanese pizza. Served every Thursday and Friday at University Village's Japonica (1422 W. Taylor St., 312-421-3288), the delicacy is made with eggs, leeks, onions, carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, seaweed, shrimp and chicken on a vegetable-infused, fried flour dough pie-base.
Oh, and it's BYOB, so bring on those sweet sakes or a bottle of bubbly.
Pinot Days are here . . .
Wine lovers should head to Navy Pier this weekend for the kickoff for the touring Pinot Days. It occurs at the Lakeview Terrace, Saturday, Nov. 10 1-4pm. This will be Chicago's largest single gathering of pinot producers ever. For $50, you'll sample more than 150 pinots from every important region in California, Oregon, New Zealand and Burgundy, and meet the winemakers who create them. You even get to take the Bormioli Burgundy crystal glass when you leave. Also, sample a variety of artisan cheeses and other specialty foods. For more information, contact 415-408-3360.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Deal of the day . . .
It's one more day before the official weekend, but you need to unwind tonight. Head to Zocalo Restaurant & Tequila Bar (358 W. Ontario St., 312-302-9977), the fancy, yet traditional Mexican eatery in River North where creative Executive Chef Dudley Nieto is blending classic and contemporary preparations of the regional dishes of Mexico.
While you're at it, order their Thursday night special cocktails: the Citrus Cazuela has Milagro citrus tequilas, aguardiente and white wine with grapefruit, orange, lemon and lime juices and a splash of Fresca soda, while the Sangria Roja is a mix of red wine, Presidente brandy, triple sec, mango and guava juices. Both are $5.
Get on it.
While you're at it, order their Thursday night special cocktails: the Citrus Cazuela has Milagro citrus tequilas, aguardiente and white wine with grapefruit, orange, lemon and lime juices and a splash of Fresca soda, while the Sangria Roja is a mix of red wine, Presidente brandy, triple sec, mango and guava juices. Both are $5.
Get on it.
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