All posts by Barbara Payne, Editor

appetizers, bars in Chicago, brunch, carryout in Chicago, Chicago restaurants, dinner, food and wine, live music and food, lunch, music and food, seafood, spirits and cocktails

Shaw’s Oyster Fest fun 2017 for TEN days!

October 5, 2017 Barbara Payne, Editor

Shaw’s Crab House Oyster Fest, in its 29th annual celebration, is going all out. Shaw’s much-beloved downtown Oyster Bar is hosting a 10-day party from October 5th through the 15th. Enjoy all-day happy hours, dinners with award-winning oyster purveyors from around the country, special oyster dishes, and more.

EVERYDAY HAPPENINGS:

HAPPY HOUR DAILY. Happy hour (usually 4 – 6pm) is now … ALL DAY! Enjoy half off one east coast and one west coast oyster from open to close in the Oyster Bar!

POP-UP HAPPY HOURS: 50 CENT OYSTERS. In addition to the Oyster Fest Happy Hour specials, we will be offering surprise 50-cent oyster hours throughout the week that will be announced exclusively on social media (@shellyfromshaws) and the Shaw’s mobile club.

SLURP-OFF CONTESTS. Our famous slurp-off competitions will be taking place throughout the week. First round will take place at 6 p.m. on kickoff night, October 5. Or take your shot at the slurp-offs on Monday, October 9th, Tuesday, October 10, and Wednesday, October 11 at 6 p.m. The final will take place during the Grand Finale Event on October 15 with the winner taking away the title of Slurp-Off Winner and $1,000 in Shaw’s gift certificates.

LIVE MUSIC. Blues music will be happening every night of Oyster Fest from 7 to 10pm. in the Oyster Bar. View the band line-up here.

SPECIAL OYSTER-CENTRIC MENU. Come in for special dishes for Oyster Fest including Po’boys, Baked & Grilled Oysters, Pan Roast Oysters, and our house specialty Buffalo Oysters to celebrate the oyster throughout the Shaw’s 10-day party run!

OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDE:

Thursday, October 5: Tap Party with Haymarket Brewery. We’re kicking off Oyster Fest with a tap party in collaboration with Haymarket Brewery. We’re celebrating their first ever tap release outside of their Chicago-based brewery with a brand new Shaw’s beer, Lemon Rye-sing Saison, that was made to pair perfectly with fresh oysters.

Saturday, October 7, Sunday, October 8, Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15: Shaw’s Oyster Fest Brunch. As the weekend draws near, consider indulging yourself with one of the restaurant’s fabulous Saturday or Sunday brunches. Many additional oyster offerings will be on the display at the Grand Shaw’s Buffet that has redefined brunch in Chicago.

Thursday, October 12: From Coast-to-Coast Dinner. Shaw’s and guest chef Leo Waldmeier, of the iconic Drake Hotel and Cape Cod Room, are welcoming oyster growers from each of the coasts to come together for the first ever Coast-to-Coast Dinner. This interactive, four-course dinner with wine pairings will feature Hama Hama, from Washington State- repping the west coast- and Island Creek, from Massachusetts- repping the east coast- along with Chef Waldmeier’s signature Bookbinder soup. The dinner is priced at $89 per guest (exclusive of tax & gratuity) and starts at 6:30 p.m. Buy your tickets here.

Sunday, October 15: Grand Finale. And you definitely don’t miss the Grand Finale Party on Sunday, October 15 from 4 to 10pm. This special ticketed event ($70 exclusive of tax & gratuity) features an over-the-top offering of classic Oyster Festival dishes, wine and beer favorites, specialty cocktails, an Oyster Roast in the Oyster Hall of Fame Room, live music from 4 to 10pm, and of course the oyster slurp-off finale! Tickets for the finale can be purchased here.

lunch

Master Chef author – Cook and book at Macy’s

October 5, 2017 Barbara Payne, Editor

It’s always nice to be able to watch a Master Chef in action. So if you’re free tomorrow at lunchtime, consider going to Macy’s on State Street – (111 N State Street, Chicago, IL), 7^th Floor, Culinary Kitchen at Noon for a cooking demonstration (meet & greet will be on the lower level immediately following)

Macy’s Culinary Council welcomes Chef Michelle Bernstein for this special event. You’ll learn from the master chef as she shares stories, best kept culinary secrets and techniques on how to prepare some of his favorite award-winning dishes. Plus, with any purchase of $35 or more in the Home department, receive a $10 Macy’s gift card, a special gift and a copy of Michelle’s cookbook, Cuisine A Latina, which she’ll sign for you.

bars in Chicago, spirits and cocktails

How to find a new spirit to love – and 20 bucks off

October 3, 2017 Barbara Payne, Editor

Dozens of new and exciting spirits at Chicago Indie Spirits Expo 2017

Who can afford the expense of buying whole bottles of liquor just to try them out? And even sadder, some of the most interesting and potentially appealing beverages might not even be available to try at your local watering hole. But happily, now you can – in one place. Note: Come with your belly full so you can absorb all these wonderful tastes without going down for the count – and take a bus or hire a driver.

Chicago Indie Spirits Expo 2017 is one of the largest gathering of small, independent, family owned, handcrafted spirits and the distillers, importers, bottlers, distributors and representative under one roof. Sample some of the best of the boutique vodkas, gins, rums, tequilas, mezcals, whiskies and liqueurs from all around the world. Last year, over 140 different exhibitors were featured with hundreds of different spirits. Great way to find new brands to add to your liquor cabinet at home or your portfolio if you’re a pro.

Tuesday, October 3 at 5:00 PM – 9 PM CDT
Hilton Chicago Hotel
720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60613

Tickets here. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-chicago-indie-spirits-expo-tickets-31405877826

USE CODE: Indiedeal – get $20 off the ticket price

appetizers, Chicago chefs, Chicago restaurants, food and wine, spirits and cocktails

Common Threads hosts Cook-Off to help hungry kids

October 3, 2017 Barbara Payne, Editor

Common Threads is hosting its Seventh Annual Cook-Off on Thursday, October 5 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. It’s a culinary showcase with dishes by culinary personalities from some of Chicago’s most celebrated restaurants and a silent auction – all proceeds of which will help bring health and wellness to children, families and communities through cooking and nutrition education.

Eat your way through dishes from 35+ of Chicago’s most renowned restaurants and hot-spots. Each dish will celebrate the garden, the pasture, the barn, the seed or the barrel. Once you eat and enjoy some handcrafted cocktails, you get to cast your vote for a winner in each category.

Hosted at the Revel Fulton Market, the Cook-Off supports Common Threads’ Chicago-based nutrition education and hands-on cooking programs for underserved communities. Look for dishes from Chicago’s top restaurants like: Acadia, Arami, Bad Hunter, Bernie’s Lunch and Supper, The Blanchard, BLVD Chicago, Boleo + Vol. 39, Cindy’s, Eataly, NoMI Kitchen, Sable Kitchen and Bar, Son of a Butcher, Sunda, Travelle Kitchen and Bar and many more!

Common Threads is proud to welcome a host of sponsors including Barilla, Kenmore, Lifeway, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and UnitedHealthcare. Learn more and buy tickets here.

appetizers, bars in Chicago, Chicago restaurants, dinner, food and wine, live music and food, lunch, music and food, seafood

Fall fun at 5 Chicago restaurants

September 22, 2017 Barbara Payne, Editor

Music and good food at Petterino’s Monday Night Live

Petterino’s Monday Night Live (MNL), the impromptu musical showcase hosted by Denise McGowan Tracy and Beckie Menzie, starts celebrating its 10th anniversary Monday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy anniversary specials every Monday including $10/bottle wine specials plus a complimentary slice of birthday cake and champagne toast. Try the $19.95 prix fixe dinner menu and the special anniversary cocktail, or order from the regular menu.

September 25 – The SOLD OUT kick-off event promises appearances by old friends and new from the cabaret community in the impromptu format that has delighted crowds over the years

October 2 – Special guests from the cast of Billy Elliott at Porchlight Music Theatre
October 9 – Special performance to be announced
October 16 – Special guests from the cast of the regional theatre premiere of Fun Home at Victory Gardens Theater

Jake’s fries – or get ’em in the Street version!

Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap, 41 East Superior St.

The Return of Monday Night Football – Boulevard American Kolsch Pitchers are now $20. Share a pitcher or two with your favorite Jake’s wings. Read the whole deal HERE.
National Drink Beer Day September 28 – specials on 3 Sheeps Water Slides (Sheboygan, WI) and Goose Island OMG “Old Man Grumpy” (Chicago). Stay tuned for details on a special event!
Limited-time September dishes to try: 4 Cheese Cheeseburger with fries: Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Provolone and Spicy Parmesan Butter on a grilled ciabatta bun. Smoked Apple BBQ Wings: crispy jumbo wings tossed in Jake’s house made smoked apple bbq sauce. Chimichanga Time!: house-made creamy mac and cheese with smoked chicken in a flour tortilla , deep fried until crispy. Top with roasted serrano aioli and more.

Chiya Chai, 2770 N. Milwaukee in Logan Square – Chicago Reader’s Best Indian Restaurant – adds fall flavors to its house-brewed chai program:

Pecan Maple – Distinct flavors of nutty autumn pies with a toasty Chiya Chai sweetness.
Apple Pie – Reinterprets a seasonal dessert staple into a sippable fall classic.
Pumpkin Spice – Combines two classic fall flavors.
Pear and Ginger – A refreshing tea sweetened with pear notes with a ginger-driven edge.

Psst! Chiya Chai also has a secret full-service dining room that features world-class Indian and Nepalese cuisine. From-scratch fiery curries and and more in this vibrant dining room.

Shaw’s Chicago Oyster Fest 2017 is 10 whole days long this year! Shaw’s annual fall time festival is kicking things off on Thursday, October 5th with a Tap Party with special guest, Haymarket Brewery. In honor of Oyster Fest, Haymarket has teamed up with Shaw’s for a beer collaboration, the very first time they’ve released a beer outside of their Chicago-based brewery. Named Lemon Rye-sing Saison, this brew pairs perfectly with fresh oysters and will officially debut the night of the Tap Party that starts at 4pm.

The Patio at Cafe Brauer, 2021 N. Stockton Dr., celebrates fall with a special Harvest Dinner on Friday, October 13, 6 to 9pm. Locally sourced ingredients, seasonal fruits, vegetables, whole roasts and wine under the harvest moon priced at $65 for adults and $30 for children. Think: Roasted Assorted Fall Squash and Pear Salad, Roasted Amish Chickens with Natural Au Jus and Charred Peach Trifle. Tickets here.

bars in Chicago, Chicago restaurants

Tomorrow – Bar Louie program aids Red Cross Hurricane Harvey

September 13, 2017 Barbara Payne, Editor

Bar Louie has launched a ‘Louie Loves’ fundraiser. Anytime a patron eats or drinks at one of Bar Louie’s 15 Chicagoland locations on Thursday, September 14th, 10 percent of sales up to $50,000 will benefit The Red Cross. It’s a way for guests and staff to support the communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey, the category 4 hurricane that recently crashed into the Texas coast.

“Texas is our home turf and we care deeply about our community all across the Gulf coast,” said Bar Louie CEO John Neitzel. “By declaring September 14th a Louie Loves day at all of our bars, we can give our communities a simple way to help Houston, the Gulf coast and the surrounding areas rebuild and restore. The Red Cross offers critical infrastructure support immediately following any natural disaster and we’re very supportive of their efforts.”

Louie Loves efforts have been around for 10 years. This Dallas-based Bar group helps the Red Cross mobilize hundreds of trained Red Cross disaster relief workers, truckloads of kitchen supplies, and tens of thousands of ready-to-eat meals to support the response effort.

As Bar Louie’s fundraising program, Louie Loves is tailored specifically to restaurant locations and their surrounding communities.

For more information about Bar Louie and to find information about participating Bar Louie locations including hours, visit www.BarLouie.com.

Chicago restaurants, dinner, food and wine, holidays, lunch, music and food

4 Chicago places to eat and drink for September celebrations

August 30, 2017 Barbara Payne, Editor

Sepia, 123 N. Jefferson St., over the years has become a popular venue for discerning Chicagoans celebrating milestones. Now, you are invited to celebrate a milestone with them – their 10th anniversary. From September 8 to 17, they will feature a special commemorative tasting menu, older-vintage wine pairings, and cocktail selections from among past stars of their acclaimed bar program. Book your reservation today on OpenTable or by calling 312-441-1920.

Attention, beer lovers! Vice District Brewing in the South Loop is celebrating its 3rd anniversary over Labor Day weekend with three days of Beer and swag and music.

Thursday, Aug. 31, three breweries (Pollyanna, One Trick Pony and Twisted Hippo) will pour three of their own beers from 7 to 9:30pm. There will also be someone onsite to talk about each of the beers and to hand out some swag.

Friday, Sept. 1, Vice District will release a new beer in the Kitchen Sink Series, a Belgian Black IPA called Unforgivably Black. Groove to Vibing with Vice, which features both old school and modern day hip hop music.

Saturday, Sept. 2, Vice District will open at 10 a.m. to kick off the first day as the official Iowa Hawkeyes game watch location for the South Loop. The party will also celebrate co-owner Curtis Tarver’s birthday and Vice District Brewing’s third anniversary.

Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash, is offering for Rosh Hashanah a special menu that features a delectable assortment of French-inspired dishes featuring seasonal, local and sustainable ingredients. From Wednesday, Sept. 20 through Friday, Sept. 22, enjoy a three-course, prix fixe menu for dinner from 5 to 10:30 p.m. for $39 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are recommended and may be made via OpenTable on the website.

Skydeck Chicago on the 99th and 103rd floors of Willis Tower, not only provides breathtaking views of 50 miles and 4 states, but also offers 3 different party packages:

1) Pie in the Sky VIP Dinner. Guests will essentially have the Skydeck to themselves with an exclusive dining experience at 10:30pm, after the after Skydeck Chicago closes to the public. At $100 per person, this three-course meal is catered by Giordano’s Pizza. Only nine reservations are available to ensure a VIP experience.

2) Pie in the Sky VIP Lunch. The Pie in the Sky VIP Lunch is the perfect way to close out summer. At $80 per person, guests can enjoy lunch at 12pm on the 99th floor, experiencing a spectacular view of four states. Pricing includes Fast Pass entry, a visit to the 103rd floor Ledge, and a three-course lunch. A maximum of ten reservations are available.

3) Breakfast in the Sky for those looking to elevate their brunch experience. Catered by The Metropolitan Club at $125 per person, breakfast is available Monday through Friday. A full menu is available here.

appetizers, bars in Chicago, brunch, burgers, carryout in Chicago, Chicago restaurants, dinner, food and wine, lunch, sandwiches, seafood, spirits and cocktails

3 Chicago restaurants kickstart September 2017

August 29, 2017 Barbara Payne, Editor

Weber Grill Restaurant, 539 N. State St. Friday, Sept 1 – Saturday, Sept 30, they’re celebrating their 15th anniversary. For only $15, Executive Chef Jason Friedland’s giant burger (a Certified Angus Beef® patty, hickory smoked beef brisket, Merkt’s cheddar cheese, bread and butter pickles, and brisket mustard aioli) and a Weber Backyard Brew (a Goose Island wheat ale) draft beer. (Burger only $11). @thewebergrill

Maggiano’s, 516 N. Clark St., is bringing back a feature favorite – mac n’ cheese adults will love! Langostino lobster mixed in with pasta and a rich, white wine truffle cream sauce. Baked with fontina cheese, fresh dill, and herb breadcrumbs. Make it your entrée or share with everyone as a perfect side. Only until September 27, so hurry in.

River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle St., has a new beverage program led by beverage manager, Ken Pritz – classic cocktails with a fresh, innovative twist. Look for local Midwestern beers in River Roasts’ 13 rotating taps along with classic wines from France, Italy and Spain, as well as Argentina and Chile. Check out the new Happy Hour Package: two hours of passed hors d’oeuvres and a beverage package including local beers, red and white wines, and a selection of spirits for $35 per person. Hors d’oeuvres include a Slider Station – burger, pulled pork and coleslaw, and crispy chicken – all served with house made chips; Golden Gobbets, seasoned chicken with honey; BBQ Chicken Quesadillas with ancho chile cream; Preserved Fruit & Goat Cheese on walnut crostini; and Tomato Bruschetta with spiced ricotta and French bread.

Chicago restaurants

Chicago restaurant news – today and more

August 28, 2017 Barbara Payne, Editor

Dos Toros Taqueria opens its new restaurant today, August 28, at 1 N Dearborn St. and hosts $1 Burrito Day in stores and #DosTorosChi on social media today! For each image under the hashtag #DosTorosChi and every meal sold at our Chicago location that day, they’ll donate a meal to the Greater Chicago Food Depository AND The Food Bank for NYC!

Epic Burger, River North location ONLY (407 N. Clark Street), announces extended late night hours (11pm-4am) for THURSDAY nights as well as Fridays and Saturdays. Consider a #HangoverHelper meal = a classic Epic Late Night Burger plus fresh-cut fries. Even when you can’t come out, order online from Epic Burger’s full late night menu and have it delivered through the UberEats App.

Gene & Georgetti, 500 N Franklin St., an original Chicago steakhouse since 1941, introduces Saturday Brunch for the first time in more than 76 years in its downtown location in River North. Brunch selections include a frittata, an omelette and other 3-egg dishes plus signature Bloody Marys that are practically mini-meals in themselves. Gene’s Bloody Mary: Gene & Georgetti Vodka, garnished with thick cut bacon, salami, mozzarella cheese, lemon and lime, $13 . Georgetti Bloody Mary: Gene & Georgetti Vodka, garnished with jumbo shrimp, olives, mozzarella cheese, lemon, lime and celery, $15. Saturdays, 11am to 3pm.

Social Circle, inside the Cambria Chicago Loop – Theatre Distric t, 32 W. Randolph, introduces new Happy Hour specials. 5–7 p.m. Monday – Friday, where both hotel guests and locals can enjoy:

* $6 Pints of Haymarket Brewery’s Speaker Wagon Czech Pilsner

* $6 Cambria Featured Cocktails: The Cambria Margarita and Strawberry Fields Forever

* $6 Buy-One-Get-One House Vodka Drinks

* $6 Wine: All wine, every wine, any wine!

* $6 Appetizers: Pretzel Lollipops, Chicken Lollipops and Bacon wrapped Italian Sausage

Smoke Daddy, 1804 W Division St. Saturday September 16 to Tuesday October 3. Enjoy 4 Star Restaurant Group’s “Smoketober Fest” in honor of the world’s largest beer festival and to kick-off the fall season. Menu items include the Smoked German Sausage Sandwich served with potato salad ($10); the Smoke Corned Beef Sandwich with potato salad ($10); the Giant Pretzel served with beer cheese and caramelized onion mustard ($13.95); the Smoked German Sausage Platter with sauerkraut, potato salad, and brisket ($15.95); and the Smoketober Giant Pretzel Platter served with beer cheese, smoked German sausage, smoked brisket, sauerkraut, potato salad, and caramelized onion mustard (24.95). Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest pints will be available for $5 and Two Brother’s Atom Smasher pints for $7.

The Kimpton Gray Hotel, 122 W. Monroe, the 4,000 square foot rooftop bar Boleo complements its South American street food inspiration with all new East Asian-inflected midsummer cocktails from acclaimed Head Bartender Jess Lambert and her beverage team. The cocktails integrate Peruvian and Japanese ingredients as in the Nikkei cuisine found throughout South America.

Down on the second floor of The Gray, Jess Lambert’s Vol. 39, 39 S. LaSalle, bar team simultaneously unveils new cocktails that pay homage to 20th century American novelist Ernest Hemingway (himself an Oak Park native) and his time spent in Cuba where he tended his jetsetting soul at the Latin Caribbean island’s famed Hotel Sloppy Joe’s and La Floridita bar.

Chicago restaurants

2 in Chicago make Bon Appetit’s Top 10 Restaurants 2017

August 15, 2017 Barbara Payne, Editor

In our last post we noted that the star culinary publication Bon Appetit just named Chicago the Restaurant City of the Year 2017. And now they’ve just issued their Top 10 New Restaurants 2017 and, we’re delighted to see, two Chicago restaurants made this list: Giant Restaurant in Logan Square, and Elske Restaurant in West Loop, each located in one of the hottest ‘hoods in the city these days.

The Bon Appetit judges spent almost three months on the road. “This year’s list is the most eclectic and culturally diverse one we’ve ever compiled,” says special projects editor Julia Kramer. The 10 they picked were the ones whose ” meals stuck with us the longest. These are the places you want to go back to multiple times.”

Both Chicago winners have been put together by Chicago chefs with experience in some very high profile restaurants. Here’s what Bon Appetit has to say about Giant and about Elske.

Consider putting these two on the top of your must-hit list.

*Photo credit: Wikipedia

Chicago Restaurant Examiner