Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Dining news: Cocoa + Co., Filini's cocktails, Primehouse closing
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times
by Andrew Davis, Windy City Times
2017-11-28

This article shared 555 times since Tue Nov 28, 2017
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


—Cocoa + Co., 1651 N. Wells St., has a new cafe menu in partnership with Naha Pastry Chef Craig Harzewski. The Old Town cafe now has savory items on its menu, including empanadas (duck/squash/cannelloni bean; ratatouille), quiche tart and gluten-free baked oats. Also, Harzewski will take over crafting Cocoa + Co.'s signature items such as salted caramel brownies and chocolate-chip walnut banana bread. See cocoaandco.com .

—Filini (located in the Radisson Blu Aqua hotel) has unveiled its winter beverage lineup. The program has rolled out options such as Tea for Two, featuring Few Breakfast and Death's Door gins, raspberry mint and fresh lemon juice served in a teacup; and Gone Campin', featuring Redemption Rye, green chartreuse, Zirbenz Pine liqueur, applewood smoke syrup and black walnut bitters, topped with a toasted marshmallow.

—After 11 years, the steakhouse inside The James Hotel—the restaurant that once employed celebrity chef David Burke—is closing, Eater Chicago noted. Primehouse (which opened in 2005 as David Burke's Primehouse) will serve its last steak Saturday, Dec. 9, in River North. The James is reportedly shutting down the steakhouse to make room for a new restaurant at 616 N. Rush St.

—Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, 58 E. Oak St., has announced a contemporary redoing of its main dining room and newly added private dining offerings. Additions/makeovers include new banquette and booth seating as well as a new marble table and even a new private dining room that accommodates up to 10 people. An additional semi-private dining space will be announced later this winter.

—Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, 63 W. Ontario St., is hosting the regional BARocker event that's part of Hard Rock's fifth annual global BARocker competition on Thursday, Nov. 30, 7-10 p.m. Bartenders from Hard Rock Cafes in Honolulu, Seattle, Detroit, San Antonio, Universal City and Chicago will be competing in the regional round, which will be judged by a panel of industry experts. See HardRock.com/chicago.

—Vanille Patisserie—specializing in authentic French macarons, French pastries, desserts and cakes—is opening its fourth location, this time in Hyde Park in the Harper Court, University of Chicago officer tower on 53rd Street. The grand opening weekend will be held in the 900-square-foot Hyde Park Vanille Patisserie, 5229 S. Harper Ct. Dec. 1-3. See VanillePattisserie.com .

—Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas has opened his latest venture, 35 Sports Bar & Grill. The expansive bar and restaurant is located iR at 6801 Cermak Rd. in downtown Berwyn. The spot celebrates Thomas' performances as number 35: The venue features 35 beers on tap (including a variety of local craft selections, many of which are rotated seasonally) and 35 state-of-the-art TVs with zoned sound broadcasting sporting events from every corner of Chicago and the globe. Menu items include donut-ice cream sandwiches and, of course, The BIG HURT Burger. See 35SportsBarAndGrill.com .

—On Dec. 1-12, Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, 41 E. Superior St., will offer a different special wing of the day. Chef Nick Santangelo has come up with flavor combinations such as apricot siracha, Aaron's coconut red curry and grilled maple mustard wings ($13.95).

—Mon Ami Gabi, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, will host a Veuve Clicquot holiday dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Executive Chef Nelli Maltezos will serve a four-course dinner paired with Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and more. The event is priced at $75 per guest plus tax (gratuity not included). Space is limited; call 773-348-8886 for tickets.

—After dinner service on Thursday, Dec. 14, South Water Kitchen (225 N. Wabash Ave.) will close its doors for good—but not before draining its liquor cabinets, clearing off their shelves and turning up the music. On Saturday, Dec. 9, the Loop restaurant will host a Drink Us Dry! party at 5 p.m. until closing to celebrate the guests and employees who have contributed to South Water Kitchen's 15 years. (It was originally scheduled for Dec. 2.) The party will feature heavily discounted wines by the glass and bottle—including rare bottles normally not offered by the glass, heavily discounted rare spirits, discounted beer as well as a "kick the keg" with $5 drafts after 10 p.m. and complimentary bites of Chef Roger Waysok's greatest culinary hits.

—Mexican restaurant Mi Tocaya Antojería, 2800 W. Logan Blvd., is hosting a series of mezcal dinners this winter, starting Thursday, Dec. 14 (at 6 and 8 p.m.), in conjunction with Mezcal Union, a mezcal producer from the Oaxaca region of Mexico. For $95 per person (inclusive of tax and gratuity), diners can indulge in a four-course meal. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mi-tocaya-mezcal-dinner-featuring-mezcal-union-tickets-40102264954.

—Cafe Spiaggia, 980 N. Michigan Ave., will host its Feast of the Seven Fishes on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Chef Tony Mantuano and Executive Chef Joe Flamm will bring their Italian grandmothers' tradition to the table with a six-course sharable feast that will include steelhead tartar, fluke crudo and Italian Christmas cookies, among other items. Tickets can be purchased for $75 per person, with wine pairings available for an additional $25; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feast-of-the-seven-fishes-tickets-39016356974.

—Geja's Cafe, 340 W. Armitage Ave., will offer New Year's Eve guests fondue and champagne along with classical/flamenco guitar music. Geja's will feature three special reserved seatings on Sunday, Dec. 31, at 5, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Seatings will be $95-$130 each; visit GejasCafe.com .

Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com or follow on Twitter @Azygous60610.


This article shared 555 times since Tue Nov 28, 2017
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

SAVOR Easter roundup for 2024
2024-03-24
Easter is a time to celebrate rebirth, spring, life—and brunches. Chicagoland restaurants will be out in full force on Sunday, March 31, offering Easter meals—some with their own twists (including ...


Gay News

SAVOR WhiskyX, an Easter soiree, a pizza-making class and more
2024-03-24
I'll drink to that: On March 21, I was invited to check out dozens of whiskeys, rums, tequilas and other spirits at WhiskyX, which took place at the Chicago venue Morgan MFG and which hundreds of ...


Gay News

SAVOR REVIEW Sushi By Bou
2024-03-19
Going into a sushi restaurant, I didn't expect to hear a 1920s version of the Carly Rae Jepsen hit "Call Me Maybe" emanating from the speakers. However, that and other Great Gatsby-like flourishes can be found ...


Gay News

SAVOR Gemini Grill opens, 'Rick Bayless Day' and more
2024-03-17
—And I quote: I'm not crazy about reality, but it's still the only place to get a decent meal."—Groucho Marx —Pop life: Don't forget my other Substack: "Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture." Thank you so ...


Gay News

SAVOR REVIEW La Grande Boucherie
2024-03-14
Just a few months ago, The Group NYC—a hospitality consortium based in you-know-where—opened the Italian restaurant Olio e Piu in Chicago's River North neighborhood. You can read my review of ...


Gay News

SAVOR Let's Talk Womxn's 'More Than March'; Adobo Grill's tequila dinner
2024-03-06
I was fortunate enough to be invited to a culinary event that celebrates the achievement of women—and, fittingly, it happened during Women's History Month. On March 1, Let's Talk Womxn Chicago held its annual "More Than ...


Gay News

SAVOR James Beard contest, a new Publican opens and a PAWS event
2024-02-25
Contest: You have a chance to be in on all the action during the chef-studded James Beard Award weekend of June 8 in Chicago. Among other things, the grand prize winner will get a three-stay in ...


Gay News

SAVOR Green City Market; Sofitel's 'Un-Tea' time
2024-02-24
For those who wonder about the lack of a farmers' market in Chicago during the winter months, I point you toward Green City Market (GCM) Avondale, taking place on Saturdays at 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through March ...


Gay News

SAVOR A new Sushi By Bou, a seafood boil class and James Beard scholarships
2024-02-18
Pop life: Don't forget my other Substack: "Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture." Thank you so much to the people who've already subscribed. The latest entry (Feb. 17) features Beyonce, Zendaya and my Oscar predictions. Subscribe ...


Gay News

SAVOR At Willies 'n Waffles, sexuality is on the menu
2024-02-12
Having written about Chicago's culinary scene for at least 15 years, this writer has covered all sorts of spots—from Michelin-starred upscale establishments to those so-called "holes in the wall" that can serve some of the best ...


Gay News

SAVOR 'The Bear,' new pizza lounge, Chicago Black Restaurant Week
2024-02-11
"Bear" necessities: The third season of the Chicago-set series The Bear will debut in June, per Variety. FX chairman John Landgraf made the announcement during the network's presentation at the Television Critics Association's winter 2024 press ...


Gay News

SAVOR Taylor's Tacos' Chef Taylor Mason on being part of the Vegas event 'Pepsi Dig In'
2024-02-08
On Feb. 8-10 (Super Bowl weekend), Taylor's Tacos Chef Taylor Mason and wife/co-owner Maya Mason will be showcasing two exclusive dishes at the Pepsi Dig In: Brunch with the Best takeover at Delano Las Vegas, giving ...


Gay News

SAVOR Jean Banchet Awards, new Black-owned spots and free pizza
2024-02-04
Congrats!: The winners of the Jean Banchet Awards—which honor Chicago cuisine—were recently announced at Venue Six10. Longtime Chicago Tribune critic Phil Vettel was (justifiably) honored with the Culinary Excellence of ...


Gay News

SAVOR Chocolatier Uzma Sharif on being part of World of Chocolate
2024-02-03
AIDS Foundation Chicago will hold its annual World of Chocolate event on Friday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. at Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Blvd. Attendees will embark on a global tour of chocolate—but there will ...


Gay News

SAVOR Valentine's/Galentine's Day offerings for 2024
2024-02-01
Love is in the air—until it isn't. While some couples will be getting ready to celebrate their closeness (and all that other mushy stuff) on Valentine's Day, others will get together to celebrate Galentine's Day (celebrating ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.