Freebie Alert: Mercadito!

Party all night at Mercadito, then return for brunch the next day, and they'll treat you special.

Through April, the trendy Mexican restaurant's offering complimentary chilaquiles (strips of fried corn tortillas simmered in salsa, and served with cheese, eggs, or beans) for those who bring a receipt from the night before.

Trust us when we tell you that it's the perfect hangover cure . . .

5 New Brunches That Rock!

The Four Seasons' Allium restaurant features this sinful display of desserts during brunch. (Photo: Allium)

If you ask me, brunch should be an all-day occasion instead of a few hours.

And while we all have our favorite go-to spots, it's always good to see what else is out there. To give you an idea of what's hot and new, I stopped by You & Me This Morning to chat with host Jeanne Sparrow about my favorite new brunch destinations in Chicagoland.

Yes! That means we even featured the 'burbs, this time highlighting acclaimed chef Dan Pancake's Autre Monde Cafe & Spirits in Berwyn.

Also getting props were the Four Seasons' Allium, Storefront Company in Bucktown, Logan Square's Jam, and BLT American Brasserie in River North.

Happy eatin'!

A Recipe For . . .

. . . Linguini with Black Pepper, Fava Beans and Bacon Cream.


Instead of cracking open a can of chicken noodle soup to celebrate these last days of National Noodle Month, you should do it up in high style.

We tracked down NoMI Kitchen chef Sean Pharr for his ridiculously decadent recipe for Linguini with Black Pepper, Fava Beans and Bacon Cream:

Brasserie by LM Opens Wednesday

Brasserie by LM interior via Urban Daddy Chicago

Acadia paved the way for the type of cuisine and cocktails South Loop foodies were looking for in their neck of the woods.

And now the team behind LM Le Restaurant hopes to ride that wave with Brasserie by LM, opening Wednesday in the Essex Inn.

Helmed by chef Brad Phillips (most recently of The Pump Room), the brasserie will highlight casual French- and American-inspired dishes ranging $12-$16, as well as a $25 three-course prix-fixe deal. Here's the entire menu.

Bang Bang Pie Shop Opens Thursday

Bang Bang Pie Shop's Lavender Coconut Cream Pie. (Photo via instagr.am.)

This news should put a smile on your face.

Bang Bang Pie Shop, a gourmet sweets spot co-owned by former Tru pastry chef Michael Ciapciak, opens Thursday in Logan Square.

Feast your eyes on some of the menu items below. Damn, is all I gotta say . . .

Freebie Alert: GT Fish & Oyster!

To celebrate its first anniversary, GT Fish & Oyster is giving away free oysters.

Yes, you read that right. FREE.

G.E.B. Finally Follows on Twitter

"I turned a new leaf!" Graham Elliot exclaimed Sunday after he started randomly following the more than 17,000 people who follow him on Twitter @grahamelliot. (Right now, he's up to about 217.)

It's been three years since the popular chef of graham elliot, grahamwich and the forthcoming G.E.B. joined Twitter, and he's been vehemently against following anyone. He told those who inquired that at some point he'd start following people, but for some charity cause.

Not sure what he's got up his sleeve, but welcome to the real Twitter experience, G.E.B.!

Your Alternative to 'BaconFest' . . .

(Photo via The Bacon Games)

Missed out on getting tix to the sold-out Baconfest, happening April 12 at the UIC Forum?!

Park Grill, one of the participants in that all-day, offbeat swine scene, plans its own BACONfest as soon as the main event is over. From April 15-20, new Executive Chef Alex Shalev will rock 11 bacon-centric specials on his menu, including a cocktail, appetizers, entrees and dessert.

Check below for a menu certain to make you squeal, including the dish he'll serve at Baconfest: