A Lenten Fast at an LA Steakhouse? Yes, It Can Be Done!
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Feb 26, 2020 06:08 AM
Cleveland Rocks…the Steakhouse
https://www.beststeakrestaurant.com/oh/cleveland/articles/cleveland-rocks-the-steakhouse Cleveland, Ohio, is home to the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, but there are more reasons than just that excellent museum to visit the city. Cleveland has a few steakhouses that are part of larger national organizations but also many that are unique to the area, found nowhere else in Ohio, the Midwest…or […]
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Nov 24, 2019 06:42 AM
Best Veggies at Chicago’s Best Steakhouses
Steakhouses, in any city you might visit, are usually the places you go for premium EVERYTHING. Always a luxe dining experience, a steakhouse dinner in a city like Chicago – with its long history as the place you want to be if you’re in the mood for a good piece of meat – can also […]
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Sep 24, 2019 06:20 PM
The annual Green Tie Ball -- one of the year’s most spectacular charity, dining and dancing events – returns Friday, September13, to Chicago’s Alhambra Palace (1240 W. Randolph). ... 
Acclaimed food and lifestyle photographer Huge Galdones leads a phone photography workshop at Travelle at The Langham on Saturday, August 17 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Galdones – whose clients include Food & Wine, Taste Network, and The James Beard Foundation ... 
Move out of the way, Paris! Chicago is taking over as the city of love this Valentine’s Day. With elegant and decadent dining options like a table at Chicago’s Most Romantic Restaurant, a luxurious staycation at one of the city’s most swanky spots, an interactive mixer at the hottest new year-round rooftop bar and blowouts and bubbly with the girls, this year will be one for the books. Might you be interested in covering these special Valentine’s Day offerings? We’ve rounded up all the sweetest soirees and specials to help make this Valentine’s Day the ultimate evening of love (or just as an excuse to spend the night out admiring our amazing city!).
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Here are seven of the best Chicago restaurants to visit during Restaurant Week:
Coco Pazzo. Coco Pazzo, long a beloved Chicago Italian restaurant, is certain to gain new fans during Restaurant Week. With both lunch and dinner menus, Coco Pazzo is serving up many familiar dishes that have gained local as well as national attention: Ribolitta (the Tuscan vegetable soup), Penne all ‘Arrabbiata (with three tomato sauces) and Agnello al Chianti (braised lamb shank) are just a few of the options on the relatively large Restaurant Week menu.
Boka. For dinner only, Boka is flexing their culinary muscles during Restaurant Week, serving up dishes that reflect the culinary strength of their highly regarded kitchen. There will be hot and cold appetizers, like Shaved Foie Gras and Poached Shrimp, as well as some entrees that will make you want to return for more, including Glazed Pork Neck and Mushroom Bolognese.
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Turns out, there are a lot of chefs and staff working the holidays…which means – good news – you don’t have to! So, leave the mess in the living room, the sink full of dishes, the drunken uncle on the sofa, and head out to one of these Chicago restaurants, open during Christmastime, and ready to serve you something more extravagant than you’d probably ever care to make at home. ... 
Here are six Chicago bar/restaurants where you can have good drinks, good food – and a lot of good fun – during the holiday season. Cocktails, beers, glasses of wine, straight shots, they’re all a part of the Thanksgiving-to-New Year’s holiday season. Though we’ve probably never been so aware of the need to drink and eat responsibly, we all drink and eat a little more than usual mid-November to early January. Of course, there are many fun places in Chicago to both drink and eat. Responsibly, of course.
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It doesn’t seem that Scotch whisky would be a great pairing with food: the spirit is big, sometimes smoky and seems like it could steamroll all but the most powerful flavors. But you might be surprised how well Scotch can pair with foods. We were eager to try pairing Scotch whisky with Scottish-type food. It doesn’t seem that Scotch whisky would be a great pairing with food: the spirit is big, sometimes smoky and seems like it could steamroll all but the most powerful flavors.
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Summer is the height of tourist season here in Chicago, wherein out-of-towners descend on the city’s most popular — and over-crowded — destinations like Michigan Avenue, the Bean, the Riverwalk and Navy Pier. Naturally, considering how obnoxiously crowded these places tend to get, and their stigmatized lack of quality food options, locals tend to avoid them at all costs. ... 
Forget the “dog days of summer.” The best time of year to feast on hot dogs is the Fourth of July. Because nothing is more all-American than encased meat. And there’s no better place for such a feast than Chicago. Here, good hot dogs are practically a religion, found throughout the city from upscale and contemporary versions to classic dives. In honor of our most patriotic holiday, here’s a roundup of some of the city’s best hot dogs: ... 
It’s no secret that Logan Square is one of the hottest dining neighborhoods in Chicago. With abundant craft cocktail bars, award-winning restaurants and accolades from the likes of Michelin and the James Beard Foundation, the Northwest side enclave is saturated with good food. But there’s always room for more, and Logan Square ... 
It’s hard to believe Piccolo Sogno is already 10 years old. It feels like just yesterday the River West Italian restaurant blessed us all with its presence — and its primo patio. And its Italian wine list. And antipasti. You get the picture. This month marks the decade mark for ... 
Brunch is a booming business in Chicago, with new restaurants and menus emerging seemingly every week. Especially lately, the city has seen a surge in reputable brunches debut, each offering a stylistic and innovative approach to the weekend pastime. ... 
Dining and drinking deals and events in Chicago for May 10-17.
Dinner Specials at Portsmith: One of the most acclaimed new restaurants in River North last year is rolling out a series of weekday specials, which should provide a little added incentive to check it out, revisit, ... 
Easily the buzziest dining addition to Hotel Zachary, the neighborhood’s first boutique property, is Big Star. A new location for the Wicker Park original, this is an even bigger Big Star, with two floors and seating for hundreds for indoors and outside. Considering how endlessly crowded and popular the Wicker Park outpost is, ... 
These beefy newcomers are worth seeking out. When it comes to comfort food, the all-American burger is king. Such a staple is perfect fodder for inventive chefs, as evidenced by the seemingly endless onslaught of new burgers popping up ... 
Class is always fun when you get to eat your work. And you don’t need to worry about detention. Commons Club is in the midst of a cooking class series titled “Cooked!”, with the next event taking place March 30. ... 
One of the coolest (and weirdest, in a good way) events downtown is coming back due to popular demand, as City Winery’s Riverwalk location once again installs its igloo-like “River Domes” for early al fresco dining March 20 through May 6. This provides several weeks for diners to gather their friends and convene underneath transparent heated domes ... 
With St. Patrick’s Day days away, there’s never been a better time to enjoy some good old fashioned Irish coffee. Or perhaps even some new fashioned Irish coffee? Even beyond the holiday, now is a great time to savor warm and cozy sips before the weather takes a warm turn. Throughout the city, bars and restaurants are pouring their own takes on this ... 
Mezcal Dinner at Mi Tocaya Antojeria: Wine dinners and beer dinners are a commonplace occurrence around these parts, but mezcal dinners? That’s something pretty new and enticing. At the buzzy Mi Tocaya Antojeria in Logan Square, chef Diana Davila is hosting a series of mezcal dinners this winter ... 
Winter Beach Vacation Across Mexico at Topolobampo: Hot on the heels of last year’s coveted Best Restaurant win at the James Beard Awards, Topolobampo is keeping things fresh with a new seasonal tasting menu, dubbed “Winter Beach Vacation.” The perfect transportive experience for Chicago’s coldest months, the menu takes guests across Mexico, through several courses inspired by ... 
Wings and the Super Bowl go together like eggnog and Christmas. Which is why now is an appropriate time to round up some of the best wings in Chicago, so you can feast your way around the city preparing for the big game. From classic wings to newfangled, here are some of the best. ... 
One of the best sushi restaurants in Chicago just got even better, with the addition of two new omakase experiences at Arami. The menus, which are tastings that change on a daily basis based on what’s freshest and what the chefs deem best, provide a unique, dynamic approach to the “chef’s choice” template. ... 
With pioneers like Rick Bayless in our corner, Chicago has long been at the forefront when it comes to world-class Mexican cuisine in the U.S. In the past few years, however, the city’s Mexican dining scene has really hit hyper drive, beckoning a bold new era that not only saw the emergence of a new generation of talented chefs, but cemented Chicago as the Mexican food capital of the U.S. ... 
’Tis the season for festive activities and booze aplenty, and no single event captures both of those sentiments quite like the upcoming Sip & Paint Party at Shaw's Crab House in Schaumburg. In partnership with SIP Parties, the restaurant is hosting a very special, very merry event on Monday, ... 
Chicago winters can be a brutal time, and such frigid days necessitate the nourishing solace of fireside dining and drinking. Embrace the hearty vibes and fireside delights at one of these cozy Chicago spots. Scofflaw: A gin-centric bar may not be the first place that comes to mind when craving cozy bars, but Scofflaw merits a visit this season thanks largely to its second room located around the corner from the main bar. ... 
Monday Griddle Burgers at Bite Cafe... You know what pairs perfectly with the Empty Bottle’s Free Monday live music? Griddle burgers, of course. The Bottle’s adjoining neo-diner, Bite Cafe, fits the bill nicely with its Monday night burger special, wherein these griddled beauties come with special sauce, shredded lettuce and American cheese. The best part? ... 
Summer isn’t just blockbuster movie season, it’s also prime time for hit after hit of big restaurant and bar openings, each one clamoring for the spotlight with sprawling patios, rooftop views, shareable plates and rosé menus. Between all the heavy-hitters of late that have been dominating headlines, the quintessential restaurant of the season quietly opened atop Soho House ... 
Between the burger and the new lineup of daily specials at Pleasant House Pub in Pilsen, there’s plenty of reasons to revisit this neighborhood favorite these days. For starters, the award-winning pub burger is now available every day, including during lunch. And then there’s new dishes joining the lineup, like the Pleasant Ploughman Scuffler, the pub’s riff on a ... 
New happy hours are a dime a dozen these days in Chicago, but the version taking place at the Broken Shaker may be the coolest (and most irreverent) yet. It’s called the “Happy Hipster,” and it’s a playful, nostalgia-inspired combo that features a secret recipe burger with fries and a domestic beer for $14. It’s sort ... 
One of the city’s quintessential and most endearing family-run restaurants, Nana is celebrating its 8th anniversary August 24 with a special evening filled with food and entertainment. The Solis family are celebrating their Latin-influenced Bridgeport restaurant from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on August 24, featuring live salsa music and a multi-course buffet. It starts with a welcome cocktail reception from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., ... 
Half-Priced Wine at Acanto’s Weekend Brunch: One surefire way to make brunch even better? Wine that’s 50% off. So much more fun than coffee! Each weekend for brunch, Acanto is upping the ante on its brunch program with half-priced bottles of wine. Considering Acanto has been named one of the top 100 wine lists ... 
Raise a cocktail glass to oysters on National Oyster Day: When it comes to beating the summer heat, you could go the usual ice cream route of course. But equally curative for the summer months are slurping down some fresh oysters. We may not border an ocean, but our restaurants are certainly filled with bounteous ... 
National Oyster Day at Frontier: August 5 marks National Oyster Day, as all you bivalve-lovers surely already know. To celebrate in true summer style, Frontier is hosting an oyster and rosé patio soiree all weekend long, from Friday, August 4, through Sunday, August 6. On Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. ... 
Some of Chicago’s most talented chefs come together for a collaboration dinner on July 27, as Ricardo Jarquin of Travelle Kitchen + Bar welcomes Boeufhaus’ Brian Ahern and Jamie Finnegan for the next round of the restaurant’s “Chef Collab” dinner series. Altogether, the chefs are joining forces for a family-style ... 
In its 10th year in business, Sepia has entered a rare restaurant club in Chicago, among the uppermost echelons of destinations that are an indelible part of the city’s dining DNA. In line with other game-changers and industry-shapers like Blackbird, BOKA, NAHA and Topolobampo, Sepia is a timeless gem that somehow ... 
There’s a new crop of daily lunch specials on deck at Cantina Laredo, sure to spice up your weekday dining routine for all those downtown denizens and travelers. Along with an expanded selection of shareable small plates, the restaurant focuses on a different lunch special each weekday, with a lineup that includes crispy carnitas bowls, taco salads, quesadilla and avocado tostadas, manga ensaladas and stacked pollo tinga enchiladas. As for the tapas, new items like chicken tinga flautas with poblano sauce, shrimp and chorizo empanadas and carnitas sliders. ... 
Dining and drinking events and specials in Chicago for October 28-November 3. One Off Hospitality Group Cookbook Dinner With Marcus Samuelsson. One of the most famous celebrity chefs in the country ... 
Argyle Street became Chicago's first "shared street" with the recent completion of a courtyard-like overhaul to make the Vietnamese enclave more walkable and interactive: The Argyle St. area of Uptown, home to the city’s largest Vietnamese population ... 
Make it a Mother's Day to remember with one of Harry Caray's decadent brunches! From lavish, all-you-can-eat buffets at our suburban locations, to a selection of brunch favorites and breakfast cocktails at our River North flagship, to sipping mimosas and enjoying BBQ at our Navy Pier location, Harry's has something for every mom-figure in your life. ... 
A day of Southern fare, mint juleps, wagering & the greatest two minutes in sports. Makers Mark Mint Juleps, Bee's Knees, 50/50 Martini, Tommy's Margaritas, Kentucky Grazer & more!
Make your reservation now. RSVP 312-938-4303 ... 
Seven MORE of the Best Chicago Restaurants to Visit During Restaurant Week: There are over 400 restaurants participating in Chicago’s Restaurant Week, and this is the second – and last – listing of seven restaurants that we at Chicago’s Best Restaurants will be providing. We could go on, of course, but we want to give you just one more taste of what’s in store for you between January 25 and February 7, 2019.
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Lindsey Marks – who performs burlesque as Lady Jack – is chatting in front of a large Alice in Wonderland painting in the downstairs dining room at The Darling, at 905 W. Randolph . This new space, owned by Sophie Huterstein, who also owns L.A.’s The Wellesbourne, is next door to J.P. Graziano, purveyor of exceptional Italian sandwiches since long before the Randolph Corridor became the most happening restaurant strip in Chicago. ... 
This Harry Caray's location sets itself apart from the others--and it's not just because it's located on the seventh floor of Water Tower Place. Half of the venue is dedicated to the Chicago Sports Museum--the first of its kind in Chicago.
Guests are encouraged to grab a bite inside the restaurant before or after viewing the Chicago-focused exhibitions in the museum. The menu is completely different from what you'll find at the other Harry Caray's establishments, with mac 'n' cheese muffins, a skirt steak pizza and the Tipsy Tallgrass burger (topped with tomato jam) as some of the highlights. ... 
Fasten those bibs, because brunch is served at Lowcountry. The South Loop outpost of the boil-in-a-bag seafood concept, which specializes in Cajun-style shellfish, has added weekend brunch to its popular portfolio. A slight departure from its usual eat-with-your-hands bag-centric menu, the brunch offerings span a spectrum of Southern comforts, ... 
With June being Pride Month, there’s no better time of year to spend dining and drinking in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood. The vibrant Lakeview area enclave is best known perhaps for its clubs, drag brunches and rainbow pylons, but the neighborhood is becoming a serious dining destination in its own right, thanks to restaurants like these: ... 
Taco Joint’s Daily Specials: Speaking of deals, Taco Joint has a slew of them as part of its new series of daily specials. Both Lincoln Park and River North locations of the popular crowd-pleaser are participating, offering bargains like $6 margaritas on Margarita Mondays, $12 Tecate and taco combos on Tuesdays, 50% discounts on full pours of tequila, mezcal and sotol flights ... 
Now that those pesky New Year’s resolutions are a distant memory, it’s safe to say that cravings for pastries are back in full-force, and Chicago’s got a slew of recent bakeries and sweet spots to satisfy that itch. From impeccable croissants to pie shop expansions, here’s the low-down on the freshest pastry shops and dessert destinations in town, and what to eat when there.
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In Chicago, dining and drinking is a full-fledged tourist attraction in and of itself, right up there with other world-famous institutions like the Bean, the Willis Tower and Navy Pier. Considering this, strategy is important when planning out a day of dining in the big city, as coordinated restaurant and bar stops are pivotal. ... 
One of the liveliest and most colorful food- and drink-filled holidays of the year is almost here, and all over Chicago, restaurants and bars are gearing up to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. From cocktail specials to full-blown parties, here’s where to toast the Mexican-inspired holiday in style.
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Considering that Chicago has the largest Mexican population of any city in the U.S. aside from Los Angeles, it’s no surprise that it’s got top-tier Mexican restaurants. This is certainly true of the city's taco scene too, from chef-driven creations to simple street eats and everything in between. With Cinco de Mayo upon us, it’s an apt time to highlight some essential tacos.
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It’s no surprise that burgers dominate the comfort food landscape during lunch and dinner, but why wait more than an hour after waking up to indulge your cravings? Breakfast burgers have been on the rise in Chicago lately, and we’ve mapped out several spots where you can scratch that itch in the a.m. ... 
There’s a new happy hour downtown, perfectly positioned to become an after-work hot spot on the Chicago River. Porter Kitchen & Deck, located overlooking the water in the 150 N. Riverside Plaza building, is now offering weekday happy hour from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. During this time, guests can snag $8 Old Fashioneds, $5 select glasses of wine, $6 Absolut cocktails and $4 draft beers.
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Raise a mimosa to the best boozy brunches in the city. What is brunch without a little booze? And this being winter, a little booze is always a welcome distraction from the season. When it comes to imbibing at brunch, you could stick with coffee and orange juice, but the weekend repast is just so much more satisfying with a brunch cocktail or two. From inventive Bloody Marys to coffee-infused cocktails, here are our picks for Chicago's most essential boozy brunch beverages. ... 
Chicago winters can be a brutal time, and such frigid days necessitate the nourishing solace of fireside dining and drinking. Embrace the hearty vibes and fireside delights at one of these cozy Chicago spots. Broken Shaker: At the risk of spoiling the bar’s coziest little secret, a favorite place to sit and sip in the lobby of the Freehand Hotel are the fireside nooks tucked away on either side of the bar entrance. It's a quiet little area alongside a small set of stairs in the back of the lobby, and most people don't seem to know it's there. Along with a fireplace, ... 
Thanks to the surplus of sparkling wine that precedes it and the late-night hours of drinking and eating, New Year’s Day may very well be nicknamed National Hangover Day. But fear not, because you’ve got Bloody Marys to look forward to, thanks to the convenient fact that January 1 also happens to be National Bloody Mary Day ... 
Get ready for a culinary smackdown for the ages, because TWO is gearing up to host its first annual Restaurant Royale on December 13 at The Ivy Room (12 E. Ohio St., #100). In conjunction with Terlato Distell Artisan Spirits, the competition is a bit of restaurant vs. restaurant and bar vs. bar, featuring holiday-inspired dishes and drinks by 10 local chefs and bartenders. ... 
With Halloween on the horizon, it’s undoubtedly the season for candy, but rather than spend all your time lingering in the convenience store sussing through pumpkin-shaped chocolates, you’re much better off visiting a local sweets shop to get your housemade candy fix. ... 
With its equal-parts proclivity for both savory and sweet applications, foie gras is one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen, a sentiment that Chicago chefs and pastry chefs have taken to heart in recent years. Especially lately, foie gras has really been lighting up menus all over town in novel new dishes that span not only savory to sweet, but breakfast to dinner. From decadent morning sandwiches to gourmet fudgesicles, here are eight new foie gras dishes to try right now in Chicago. ... 
The West Loop is hotter than ever, with new restaurants, bakeries, bars and hotels opening at a rapid clip. The West Loop has been a red-hot dining destination for years now, but the neighborhood has kicked into hyper-drive lately, with rampant new construction ...