Oak Park's Marion Street Market, 100 S. Marion St., reopened March 7. A press release says that the restaurant now has "a new social atmosphere with tasting tables, grab-and-go items and intricate dining and drink menus with a sizable emphasis on local purveyors and farmers." See MarionStreetMarket.com .
In honor of March Madness, Zoom Pizza Factory, 2156 N. Clybourn Ave., will be offering 10 percent off to those diners who wear their college gear to the restaurant. The offer is valid March 17-April 4. See ZoomPizzaFactory.com .
At Kinfork ( 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg ) guests who dine during March Madness will enter to win a complimentary national-championship watch party on Monday, April 4, for them and 10 friends. The restaurant will also be offering $4 IPL Kinfork beer during the games. See KinforkRestaurant.com .
Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, 41 E. Superior St., will launch a Final Four specialthe Final Four Beers, kicking off April 2. Jake's will offer four Stone Brewing Company beers on special, including the Stone Delicious IPA, Stone Cali-Belgique, Stone Pataskala Red X IPA and the Stone Enjoy 4.20.16. Guests can catch the final games on more than 35 flat-screen TVs at Jake's while indulging in its infamous March Madness Burger, a nine-ounce beef burger topped with pepper jack cheese, bacon and a fried egg stacked between two grilled-cheese sandwiches.
Rockit Bar & Grill, 22 W. Hubbard St., will offer "Mac Madness" on March 21-25. Items include steakhouse mac ( March 21 ), truffled mac ( March 22 ), lobster mac ( March 23 ), carbonara mac ( March 24 ) and crab cake mac ( March 25 ). Each dish is $16 and will be offered all day long. See rockitbarandgrill.com .
Ty Fujimura, owner of Ani ( 3056 N. Lincoln Ave. ) and a certified sake professional, will lead an introduction to sake class on Thursday, March 24, at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $25, plus tax and gratuity; a credit card is required to hold all reservations. Call 872-206-8553.
In celebration of 312 Chicago's 18th birthday this March, Chef Luca Corazzina will be offering a special "Get Smoked" three-course pre-fixe dinner menu for $18 per person on March 21-31. Items will include smoked caprese salad, spruce-smoked pasta and smoked Italia ( torched chocolate sponge cake, meringue and lemon gelato ). See 312Chicago.com .
ZED451, 739 N. Clark St., will offer an Easter Bunny Brunch March 19-20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Items include a DIY pancake station, housemade cinnamon buns, buffalo chicken and waffles, and seasonal salads and harvest tables. There will also be an Easter bunny meet-and-greet as well as complimentary photos Call 312-266-6691 to RSVP.
Japanese restaurant Izakaya Mita, 1960 N. Damen Ave., is hosting a "Temple Food" vegan dinner on Tuesday, March 22, at 6 p.m. The six-course event will include dishes such as burokori goma-ae ( steamed broccoli in sweet black sesame saude ), kara-age modoki ( soy ginger garlic marinated deep-fried tofu ) and zukkini-katsu ( katsu-style deep-fried zucchini with tonkatsu sauce ). The dinner is $45 ( including tax, excluding gratuity ), and reservations ( which can be made at any time ) are strongly recommended; call 773-799-8677.
On Thursday, March 24, Sepia, 123 N. Jefferson St., is hosting an event with Avion tequila, at 6:30 p.m. The four-course dinner ( following hors d'oeuvres ) will offer items such as cobia ceviche, achiote-rubbed redfish, pork tenderloin and chocolate marquise, all paired with various tequilas. Tickets are $105 per person; call 312-441-1920.
Lent ( which runs through March 24 ) may be the ideal time of year to enjoy one of Chef Ryan McCaskey's signature lobster rolls ( $18 ) at Acadia, which has received two Michelin stars. Packed with lobster meat from Stonington, Maine, and served on classic lobster rolls, this seafood favorite can also be ordered Connecticut-stylewarmed in butter. For more information, call 312-360-9500.
Also through Lent, Osteria Langhe, 2824 W. Armitage Ave., has a menu filled with dishes inspired by the Piedmont region of Italy, including the Pesce ( $27 ). Chef Cameron Grant prepares this pan-roasted mahi mahi with grape tomatoes, snap peas, Calabrian peppers, fragile and browned butter vinaigrette. For more information, call 773-661-1582.
For Easter ( March 27 ), Enolo Wine Cafe, 450 N. Clark St., will present a seasonally driven three-course prix fixe menu inspired by French classics on Sunday, March 27, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Items will include salad Nicoise, cassoulet ( with pork belly, merguez sausage, chicken confit, northern beans and crostinis ) and a fromage board. The menu is $35, and an optional wine pairing selected by Sommelier Anthony Rossi is available for an additional $15. Each guest can enter to win a special Easter basket filled with wine, chocolates, cheese and charcuterie that's valued at $200. See EnoloWineCafe.com .
At Weber Grill restaurants, guests can feast on Corporate Chef Larry Donahue's holiday specials from the smoker and grills while kids can enjoy the "bento box style" brunch plate and Easter eggs filled with treats. See WeberGrillRestaurant.com .
Acadia, 1639 S. Wabash Ave., will offer an a la carte menu of delicate starters and entrees await guests including a selection of fresh oysters, cured salmon, peekytoe crab hash, "green eggs and ham," Maine lobster Benedict, Southern fried chicken, Maine blueberry pain perdu and more. Reservations can be made by calling 312-360-9500 or visiting AcadiaChicago.com .
Earls Kitchen + Bar, 1538 N. Clybourn Ave., is offering an Easter brunch with items such as croque madame ( with grilled sourdough, poached egg, white cheddar, Virginia ham and roasted serrano cream ), goat-cheese frittata and sweet Virginia benny. See earls.ca/locations/lincoln-park .
This Easter, Filini Bar & Restaurant ( 221 N. Columbus Dr. ) will offer a special brunch at 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The contemporary Italian restaurant offers an array of brunch and Italian menu items from espresso bourbon French toast and eggs Benedict to decadent seafood options including oysters on the half shell and seafood pasta. Other dishes include a create-your-own omelet station, carving station with rosemary-crusted leg of lamb, and a dessert station with an assortment of pastries and other sweet treats. Brunch is $65/person; call 312-477-0234.
Easter brunch ( $65 for adults; $25 for children ) at The Tortoise Club, 350 N. State St., will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Classic brunch items and signature holiday favorites will feature everything from eggs Benedict florentine and Belgian waffles to bone-in ham and prime rib carving stations in addition to an iced seafood bar. In addition, complimentary family portraits will be taken. See TortoiseClub.com .
This Easter Sunday, March 27, Shaw's Crab House in Chicago is offering a Sunday-brunch buffet priced at $75 for adults and $20 for kids 12 and younger. Items will include a grand hot buffet line, omelet and waffle station, cold seafood bar, a surf-and-turf station and Shaw's Sweet Table. The buffet will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; an a la carte dinner menu will be available 4-9 p.m. Call 312-527-2722.
For Easter Sunday, March 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Lucille at Drury Lane ( 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace ) is hosting a special brunch. Menu highlights include omelet, savory and carving stations as well as a seafood bar and a dessert table. Mimosas and bellinis are complimentary throughout the meal, and there's a Bloody Mary bar. The cost is $10-$45; call 630-530-8300.
For Easter, March 27, R.J. Grunts will offer brunch at 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy its famous "All U Can Eat Weekend Brunch," with items ranging from Pecan bread pudding french toast and mini belgian waffles to grunts' thick-cut bacon, scrambled eggs, and yogurt and granola for $15.95. Visit rjgruntschicago.com or call 773-929-5363 to make reservations.
The Bristol, 2152 N. Damen Ave., will celebrate Easter Sunday with a pastry board along with a range of pates, terrines and spreads for the table. Diners then choose an entree, from braised pork chilaquiles to French toast with apple compote to the classic Hangover Breakfast. Brunch is $35 per person and includes coffee or tea. To make a reservation, call 773-862-5555 or visit www.thebristolchicago.com .
Mon Ami Gabi, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, is offering a sweet brunch with dishes like the creme brulee French toast and chocolate waffles with homemade fudge and whipped cream. There will also be savory items such as beef bourguignonne Benedict or the smoked salmon and homemade blinis with chive cream cheese and capers. See MonAmiGabi.com .
Catalan restaurant Mercat a la Planxa, 638 S. Michigan Ave., commemorates National Paella Day on March 27 with specials throughout the week. On March 27-31, guests can order Mercat's paellas at half the price. Visit MercatChicago.com .
In Logan Square, De Noche Mexicana will welcome neighbor Pinot's Pallette by teaming up with the new spot for a preview event at De Noche, 2710 N. Milwaukee Ave., on Tuesday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m. with "Sip Your Way to a Mexican Sunset." For $45 per person, patrons will be led by an instructor from Pinot's Palette on how to paint a sunset on a keepsake canvas as they enjoy Mexico's oldest beer, Victoria, along with fresh salsa and tortilla chips from De Noche Mexicana. Space is limited; visit denocheevents.eventbrite.com .
Robert's Pizza Company will open its doors Wed., March 30, in Streeterville at 355 E. Ohio St. Robert's Pizza Company will offer a rotating lineup of up to 15 gourmet brick-oven pizzas, "create-your-own" pizzas with toppings from select ingredients and the signature Robert's Pizza Flight. Similar to a four-course meal, pizza flights include a salad pizza, white pizza, entrée pizza, and finally, Robert's original dessert pizza. See RobertsPizzaCompany.com .
On March 31, White Oak Tavern & Inn, 1200 W. Webster Ave., will launch its Chef in Residence series with Chef Andrew Little of Josephine, a contemporary restaurant featuring American farmhouse cuisine located in Nashville. Chef Tom Van Lente and the White Oak Tavern & Inn team will host a collaborative meal with Little on Saturday, April 2. On April 3, Little will offer a five-course meal with dishes such as Nashville hot scrapple with frisee and pickle vinaigrette; and rabbit dumplings with asparagus, morels and radish. Tickets for Chef in Residence: Andrew Little at White Oak Tavern & Inn are $65 per person; call 773-248-0200.
Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, 63 W. Ontario St., is offing a Guinness and Jameson bacon cheeseburger, paired with a Guinness stout, through Sunday, April 10. The burger will be served alongside Hard Rock's seasoned fries with the option to add a topping of Guinness cheese sauce and bacon, allowing guests to experience Irish stout flavors with every bite.
Mezcaleria Las FloresChicago's first mezcaleria, created by Rick Bayless' former mixology chief Jay Schroeder and chef/owner of Johnny's Grill, Sarah Jordanis now open at 3149 W. Logan Blvd. Highlighting a few different Oaxacan mezcales as well as bacanora from Sonora, sotol from Chihuahua and raicilla from the south of Jalisco, guests can navigate Schroeder's seven-cocktail opening menu by each drink's Fresh, Smoky and Adventurous qualities. Mezcaleria Las Flores guests will also be able to dine with menu items from Johnny's Grill.
Buona: The Original Italian Beef, has announced its first official location within Chicago's city limits. The restaurant group, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, opens its 17th location on March 22 at 10659 S. Western Ave. Also, 100 social-media participants will receive an exclusive invite to be one of the first customers and receive "Free Beef For A Year." For more info, see Buona.com .
Brasserie by LM ( in the Essex Inn, 800 S. Michigan Ave. ) will close temporarily for business after service on Sunday, March 20, following dinner service. This is prompted by the planned renovation and repositioning of Chicago's famous Essex Inn as well as the development of the 55-story Essex Tower residential building next door. The extended hiatus is expected to last between 24 and 30 months.
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