Sneak Previews Of Two New Menus You Don't Want To Miss: Roka Akor, Municipal Bar + Dining Co.

Roka Akor's robata grilled Alaskan halibut with chile miso butter. (Photo: Roka Akor)

Here's a first look at two menus you'll crave this season: the six-course winter kaiseki from Roka Akor and a sampling of what to expect at Municipal Bar + Dining Company when it opens Dec. 15.

Roka Akor Executive Chef Ce Bian unveils the traditional multi-course Japanese menu Wednesday. It's $85 per person and highlights some tasty seasonal, exotic and local ingredients:

First course: oyster trio of Kumamoto with ponzu mignonette, fresh chive, lime; Hama Hama tempura with chile ginger, parsley puree, shaved vegetables; roasted oyster with yuzu koshu soy butter

Second course: flame-seared uni nigiri; truffled hotate nigiri; chef's special sashimi selection

Third course: gobo soup with root vegetables

Fourth course: robata-grilled Alaskan halibut with chile miso butter, parsnip chips and micro green salad

Fifth course: robata-grilled Wagyu confit short rib with truffle maitake mushroom; robata-grilled sweet potato with ginger teriyaki sauce

Dessert: apple tartare with fig puree and sancho pepper cream; toasted rice ice cream

If Roka Akor's menu is a little too out there for you, Municipal Bar + Dining Co.'s might be more up your alley. Executive Chef Jeffery Arasi once cooked for the Queen of England (at The Savoy Hotel in London), but don't expect any fussy fixin's at this upscale sports lounge. Just so you know, I'm particularly excited about the braised lamb shank that comes with truffled white corn grits.

Here's a sampling of what to expect when it opens later this month:

Vegan 'Yelper' Unleashes Fury On Next Restaurant's 2013 Season Of Menus

A little dramatic much?!

Next exec chef Dave Beran recently unveiled to GrubStreet Chicago of what to expect for the 2013 season of menus.

The "Hunt," which launches in early January, focuses on wild game as well as various kinds of plants and vegetables native to the Midwest. Following that will be "Vegan," which Beran says "showcases the flavors of vegetables."

As you can see above, the Yelper, vegan Howard F., didn't like the idea of an all-vegan feast following a game-heavy theme.

Erin Hayes Bids Adieu To Perennial Virant; Joins The Cocktail Program At La Sirena Clandestina

Photo of Erin Hayes via Time Out Chicago.

It's the last week at Perennial Virant for beverage director Erin Hayes, whose last day of work is Saturday.

Next week, she'll start a new gig over at the red-hot La Sirena Clandestina, which is so poppin' right now that it was reviewed by the Chicago Tribune and Time Out Chicago within 24 hours. She'll work on the team with head bartender Justin Anderson.

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: