Sable Kitchen & Bar, 505 N. State St., has announced the addition of Executive Chef Shane Graybeal. Among other accomplishments, Graybeal moved through kitchens in Washington, D.C., and Virginia, dabbling in a variety of European cuisines like Nordic, modern German and Bistro, before heading to Chicago and assuming his first executive chef role at BIN 36.
Six months after federal authorities charged Tony Hu with a battery of tax fraud-related crimes, Judge Amy J. St. Eve sentenced the Chinese restaurant owner was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and fined $100,000, Eater Chicago noted. The sentencing marks the end of an investigation that started four years ago. The public became aware of the legal problems back in October 2014 when FBI and IRS agents raided Hu's 10 Chinatown restaurants. Hu's most famous restaurant brand was Lao Sze Chuan, which opened in 1998 in Chinatown before expanding.
Belly Up Smokehouse, 1132 S. Wabash Ave., is closed on Thanksgiving Day but will offer guests the option to order Thanksgiving dinner to go. The dinner will be available for pick up on Thanksgiving Day 9-11 a.m., and serves 10-15 people, with a 20-to-24-pound turkey and sides ( $175 ). Also, the turkey without the sides is $90. Call 312-929-3856 or email catering@bellyupchicago.com .
Headquarters Beercade, 213 W. Institute Pl., celebrates Black Wednesday by partnering with Forbidden Root Brewing for a Drinksgiving dinner from 8-10 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 23, Forbidden Root Brewery reps will be on-site to co-host the $35 ticketed dinner, which features a beer-paired Thanksgiving inspired menu from Chef Scott Donaldson. See HQBeercade.com .
Globally influenced cocktail lounge Arbella, 112 W. Grand Ave., goes Brazilian for Black Wednesday, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., with a special carnivale-themed bash. DJ Madrid is spinning and samba dance troupe Bossa Tres will perform live. Drink specials include $7 caipirinhas, Brazil's signature cocktail.
French bistro Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., will offer a Thanksgiving prix fixe menu. This year, Executive Chef/Owner Martial Noguier will offer a three-course Thanksgiving prix fixe menu on Thursday, Nov. 24, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., for $57 per adult and $20 for children 12 and younger ( excluding tax and gratuity ). Some of the planned menu items include house-cured duck confit, Belgium endive salad, roasted farm turkey breast and stuffed leg, jumbo walleye pike and chocolate "Kit Kat" bars.
A Church 4 Me MCC, 7366 N. Clark St., will hold its second annual free Thanksgiving Community Meal on Thursday, Nov. 24, at noon. To reserve a place at the meal, contact Mike Schuppe at 847-529-8440 or mike123ptr@gmail.com .
Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, 63 W. Ontario St., is kicking off the holiday season with a traditional Thanksgiving Day prix fixe menu available at 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24. The menu costs $27 ( plus tax and gratuity ) and features roasted farm-raised turkey, garlic smashed potatoes, harvest stuffing, assorted fall vegetables and New England cranberry jam and your choice of coffee, tea or soft drink along with cinnamon pumpkin pie topped with a root beer caramel sugar crisp. Also, children of all ages are invited to pose for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the free Meet n' Greet at 1-3 p.m. ( Attendees should bring their own cameras. ) Reservations are recommended; visit HardRock.com/Chicago.
Devon Seafood Grill, 39 E. Chicago Ave., is offering a traditional Thanksgiving prix fixe menu at 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Some of the culinary items include Maine lobster bisque, butternut squash soup, roasted turkey, cranberry orange relish, pumpkin pie and mixed berries. The menu is $40 for adults and $20 for children 4-12, excluding tax and gratuity. ( Children under 4 eat free. ) Reservations are recommended; call Tim Sherlock at 312-440-8660 or visit DevonSeafood.com/chicago.
Tortoise Supper Club, 350 N. State St., will have a grand Thanksgiving buffet on Thursday, Nov. 24, 12-8:30 p.m. There will Thanksgiving favorites, ice seafood bar, carving station, a sweets table and more. Entrance is $75 for adults and $25 for kids 5-10. See TortoiseSupperClub.com .
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, 58 E. Oak St., is hosting Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 24, 12-8 p.m. The menu ( $52, excluding tax and gratuity ) includes butternut squash soup, slow-roasted turkey breast ( with sweet onion apple-sausage stuffing ) and dessert ( pumpkin cheesecake or pecan pie a la mode ), and a children's turkey dinner ( $19 ) is also available. Visit https://delfriscos.com/reservation.
Sullivan's Steakhouse, 415 N. Dearborn St., will offer Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 24, for $39. Enjoy hand-roasted turkey with your choice of a starter, two side dishes and a dessert. In addition to serving Thanksgiving dinner, Sullivan's will offer a limited menu featuring signature steaks, seafood and more. Visit https://sullivanssteakhouse.com/chicago/promotions/thanksgiving-dinner.
La Barra Ristorante has opened its second location, this time in Riverside, Illinois, at 2 E. Burlington St. La Barra's menu is known for its sharable Italian small plates, pastas, pizza and neighborhood-bar atmosphere. See LaBarraRistorante.com .
To officially kick off the holiday season The Dearborn, 145 N. Dearborn St., will help shoppers with a special brunch on Black Friday, Nov. 25. Beginning at 9 a.m., patrons can settle in for a selection seasonal offerings from Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri. And for those with a morning sweet tooth, Pastry Chef Courtney Joseph offers an array of handmade pies in festive varieties like sticky pecan, crusty apple and more.
The Signature Room, 875 N. Michigan Ave., invites guests to usher in the holiday season with its annual Brunch With Santa event on Saturday, Nov. 26, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The dining room atop the John Hancock Tower is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with Christmas trees adorned with colorful ornaments and tinsel, as attendees are welcomed by Santa Claus and a gourmet brunch spread from Executive Chef Cardel Reid. Tickets are $55 per adult and $25 per child under age 12; to reserve, call 312-280-0465.
Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, 63 W. Ontario St., will introduce its Bites, Brews & Beats menu on Monday, Nov. 28. The limited-time bar offerings include harissa wings, soft pretzel, house-fried potato chips, blue cheese potato chips and homemade tater tots. Also, to pair with the bar bites menu, Hard Rock Cafe Chicago is now offering four-ounce beer flights with rotating collectable cityscape glassware from cities including San Diego, Denver, St. Louis, Chicago, Boston and Miami. See HardRock.com/Chicago.
Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, 41 E. Superior St., will have a "Taco in a Bag Takeover" on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 5-8 p.m. Some of the options will include The Truffinator, Pitmaster Pete, The BBQ Beast and The Meatloaf Mac Daddy. See JakeMelnicks.com .
Louis Glunz Beer, Inc. and Lincoln Park Zoo's Auxiliary Board are hosting the third annual BrewLights on Thursday, Dec. 1, 5:30-9:30 p.m. The festival features a dozen local craft, seasonal and import beers on tap throughout the zoo during ZooLights. Tickets are $49-$60 each; visit http://bit.ly/2dn8mho.
Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Dr., is kicking off the 2016 holiday season with its third annual Cookies and Cheer Luxury Cookie Exchange on Thursday, Dec. 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m. During the event, guests will have the opportunity to sample unlimited cookies from the wide variety of unique seasonal offerings including chai snickerdoodles, double-fudge oatmeal stout cookies and orange walnut spice logs. Tickets for the Cookies and Cheer event are $60 per person and on sale now; space is limited and reservations are required by visiting Eventbrite.com, event name "Cookies & Cheer."
Japanese restaurant Arami, 1829 W. Chicago Ave., has debuted several new menu items after a fire temporary halted service. New items include a shortrib donburi, kinoko gohan ( Japanese mushroom risotto with crispy maitake ) and Karai mussels ( with chili dashi broth and satsumaimo fries ). The neighborhood spot was recently awarded a Bib Gourmand, for the fifth year running. See AramiChicago.com .
Animale, 1904 N. Western Ave., has a new breakfast menu ( weekdays 7-10 a.m. ) filled with hot sandwiches and pastries. Some of the items include a sausage, egg and mozzarella panini; lemon-and-ricotta pancakes; Greek yogurt; 12-hour steel-cut oatmeal; and lemon poppyseed muffins. See AnimaleChicago.com .
Schaumburg's Shaw's Crab House, 1900 E. Higgins Rd., is offering a variety of sides and sweets currently available for order through New Year's Day. Some of the items include creamed and sauteed spinach, mashed sweet potatoes, lobster mac 'n' cheese, mini-crab cakes, lobster bisque and chocolate cake. Call 847-517-2722.
Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market, will host "Brunch with Santa" on Sunday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Brunch with Santa Kids Specials include chicken fingers, grilled-cheese sandwiches and brioche French toast, among other items, and there will be specialty brunch cocktails for the adults. Reservations are required; call 312-850-5005.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has announced the 20th anniversary of the Grand Chef's Gala, the organization's annual black-tie event. Presented by the Greater Illinois Chapter of The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the event will take place Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, 6 p.m.-12 a.m., at Navy Pier's Grand Ball Room. Emceed by The Food Network's, Jeff Mauro, 50 elite chefs and mixologists will provide guests with signature dishes, desserts and cocktails. Richard Melman, founder and chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, will be honored with the "Chicago Classic Award." See GrandChefsGala.com .
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