Shop . . . Then Drop Into One Of These Delightful In-House Dining Destinations

The Walnut Room's famous chicken pot pie. (Photo: Macy's State Street)

When you're in a zone—a shopping zone in this case—the last thing you want to do is stop and think about where you're going to grab a bite.

Lucky for you, a number of prominent retail department stores, luxury boutiques and others have taken this dilemma into account so that customers don't have to succumb to the evils of fast-food joints.

You can go the "ladies who lunch" route and check out Fred's at Barneys New York or treat some very special little girls to a day they'll never forget at American Girl Café.

Looking for more places where you can drop those bags and chow down in-house?! Here are some of my favorites around town.

Electric Diner—Au Cheval's 'Big Sister'—Opens In London In Early December

Electric Diner, Sodikoff Restaurant Group's first venue outside of Chicago, opens in London in early December. (Photos: Sodikoff Restaurant Group)

Remember way back in July when 312DD revealed that Sodikoff Restaurant Group was opening a restaurant in London?!

SRG CEO Brendan Sodikoff tells 312DD to think of Electric Diner, which debuts in the trendy Notting Hill 'hood on Dec. 3, as "Au Cheval's big sister."

According to Electric Diner's website, the menu will highlight some of Au Cheval's top sellers, including the "fried house-made bologna sandwich, roasted bone marrow with beef cheek marmalade, cheeseburger, and honey-fried chicken with chilli and sesame seeds. There's a dedicated eggs section on the menu, while deserts include toffee date cake and a pie of the day." There's also a number of classic cocktails, including a Hemingway Daiquiri, bloody Mary and Old Fashioned that have been popular at the West Loop restaurant.

Hey, if you're in London anytime soon, check it out. In the meantime, here are a couple of interior shots:

Lite Bites: What Your Favorite Chefs & Mixologists Are Up To Around Town

Happy first anniversary to The Slurping Turtle! (Photo: The Slurping Turtle)

• Chef Takashi Yagihashi celebrates the first anniversary of Slurping Turtle on Nov. 28. They are now making all of their noodles in-house for that extra homemade touch to their Japanese comfort food.

• Bistronomic chef/owner Martial Noguier pays homage to his homeland by celebrating National French Toast Day. That's ummm, on Nov. 28, and he'll have as a special—for one day only—Brioche French Toast (crème brulee batter, orange candied Grand Marnier syrup). The $11 item will be available all day and night; it's usually only served during weekend brunch.

• There's a new restaurant concept coming in June 2013 from chef Chris Curren and the partners of Stout Barrel House & Galley. It'll feature wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas, an on-site brewery and a large outdoor seating area at its West Loop location (840 W. Washington Blvd.). Curren will serve as executive chef at the still-unnamed spot.

• You'll find coffee craft cocktails behind the bar at Hot Chocolate, now that head bartender Alex Gara and head barista Alex McDaniel have collaborated on a few drinks. Look for tasty liquid treats like The Seraph (Benedictine, espresso, cognac, ground nutmeg, pumpkin spice) and The Siren (Rittenhouse Rye 100, espresso, dark chocolate, paprika/cayenne rum).

So Haute, So Fresh: Best Hot Cocoa Around Town

Doesn't this hot cocoa from David Burke's Primehouse look good?! (Photo: David Burke's Primehouse)

Baby, it's cold out there, which means that what you need right now is to get your mitts around a hot cup of cocoa.

But you shouldn't settle for just anyone's hot chocolate, so we sought out some of the most unique offerings around town for your drinking pleasure.

From the hot chocolate pop-up shop from David Burke's Primehouse to the boozy, avant guarde offering from The Aviary, here are the best bets.

When It Comes To Tipping, What Is The Proper Etiquette For Takeout Orders?!

So. A lively debate ensued late Friday afternoon when this question was brought up on Facebook:

Do you guys tip when you order takeout? And, if so, do you tip the full 20 percent?

Now, I'll admit . . .I wasn't too knowledgeable on this subject as I don't do takeout orders often; I get delivery service. And I tend to bypass those little tip jars at the cash registers of my local coffeehouses. Really?! A tip to pour me a cup of tea?!

But from everyday diners to those in the restaurant industry, here's what folks had to say about tipping on takeout orders:

Lite Bites: What Your Favorite Chefs & Mixologists Are Up To Around Town

Carrie Nahabedian (Photo: Carrie Nahabedian)

There's a lot to be thankful for . . .

• Carrie Nahabedian (Naha) revealed that Brindille is the name of her forthcoming French-focused restaurant. She's also shed more than 140 pounds since February. Go, Carrie!

• Scott Malloy is no longer the chef at Arami. There's no word yet on what he's planning next.

• Yusho's Matthias Merges is looking at a mid-December opening for Billy Sunday, his offbeat cocktail lounge in Logan Square with Alex Bachman at the helm.

• Bar DeVille 'tender Seth Feldman gives us the 411 on the Ukrainian Village cocktail lounge's efforts to help fight prostate cancer in his Boozy Beggar blog. Proceeds from the Dick Cancer cocktail (rye, lemon, ginger beer, club soda and bitters with orange oil) benefit the Movember movement throughout the month.

• New Acre Executive Chef Mike Lathrop introduces a raw bar deal on Nov. 21. Get there during the week for "oyster hour" (5-7pm or 10pm-midnight) for $1 on every variety of bivalve.

Feast Your Eyes On Kitsch'n on Roscoe's Decadent 'Twinkie' Tiramisu

(Photo: Kitsch'n on Roscoe)

Have no fear, Hostess fans!

Kitsch'n on Roscoe has had the Twinkie Tiramisu on the menu for 14 years. It's $5.49, and made with fresh Twinkies, mascarpone, ricotta, chocolate and coffee liqueur.

Where To Give Back This Thanksgiving Season

Quite a few restaurants are jumping in to help those less fortunate. Here's where you can also help:

DMK Burger Bar. Each month, the Lakeview burger joint supports a well-known charity by donating a portion of the proceeds from a signature sandwich and drink. This month's organization is Meals on Wheels.

Headquarters Beercade. Through Sunday, customers are encouraged to drop off frozen turkeys to benefit the Lakeview Pantry. Last year they collected 120 turkeys and this year they're looking for kind souls like yourself to donate at least 500 birds.