“The Big Easy“

Thursday, February 18th
4:30pm to 6:30pm

About The Big Easy:
Located in the heart of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, The Big Easy offers a menu filled with authentic Cajun, Creole and Southern BBQ flavors. Inspired by the culture of New Orleans, The Big Easy is the perfect atmosphere for guests to indulge in great Southern cuisine while enjoying the sounds of jazz, blues and boogie.  From fresh fried green tomatoes drizzled with a creamy remoulade to a new twist on jambalaya that combines sweet shrimp, spicy sausage and a plethora of vegetables in a crisp, crunchy chicken breast, The Big Easy has something for everyone.  The Big Easy also boasts a first-class bakery as well as a full service bar that serves up local micro-brews.  This number one stop for fresh, homemade southern cooking and baking is located at 55th & Hyde Park Blvd.

The Big Easy
55th and Hyde Park Blvd
Chicago, IL
(773) 330-0440

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The Hitachino Next Espresso Stout combines the rich and bitterness of espresso with robust flavor of stout beer. This beer compliments many of the hibachi items that are served on the menu. Menu items like: steak, swordfish and scallops blend wonderfully with the rich flavors of the beer.

Shinto Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar: Located in Strongsville, OH and now in Naperville, IL, Shinto means “The Way of the Gods”. At Shinto you will receive an entertaining Hibachi experience that features USDA choice steaks, South African Lobsters and the freshest seafood; award-winning sushi with daily specials and original creations; innovative cocktails and martinis and an eclectic wine list showcasing unique wines from around the world.

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Executive Chef Jaysen creates masterful specials every Thursday and Saturday that are far beyond what you would expect at a Southern-style comfort food restaurant. With specials such as Duck Confit Shepherd’s Pie (my favorite) or the Elvis Burger (attached above, I have a larger res photo if needed) with house made pimento cheese dripping over a 1/2 pound angus burger with onion rings, applewood bacon, lettuce and tomato — they sell out of them almost every time.

I invite you to try for yourself the surprisingly amazing food served everyday at Stanley’s Kitchen and Tap.

Stanley’s Kitchen and Tap
1970 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312/642-0007
Fax: 312/642-0008

http://www.stanleyskitchenandtap.com
@StanleysChicago

Monday
Monday Night Football with an unbeatable $5 Build-Your-Own Burger Bar –– ½ Angus beef, turkey or chicken breast. It includes fries, a fried dill pickle, all-you-can-eat Caesar salad and tomato basil soup, and enough burger toppings to entertain the taste buds of even the most adventurous eater. $5 vodka lemonades and spiked milkshakes.

Tuesday
$3 drafts, $6 Texas Tea, $5 Jack, Jameson, Jose and Jim all night and Honky Tonk Bingo from 6-11 p.m. with famed bingo callers and prizes, as well as lots of food specials including fried chocolate chip cookies and frito pie.

Wednesday
$6.95 All You Can Eat pizza, pasta, minestrone soup and Caesar salad or $14.95 All You Can Eat and Drink Bud Light draft, red and white wine. There is also a deejay playing later on. Kids Eat Free!

Thursday
$3 draft beers and is one of the best nights to try Chef Jaysen’s daily specials while watching a hockey game with a free bowl of Cheli’s Chili.

Friday
All Stoli cocktails are $5 and Fish Fry Fridays with all-you-can-eat-catfish, fish and chips, and popcorn shrimp.

Saturday
Brunch Buffet and Bloody Mary Bar 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Chef Jaysen’s choice for dinner and a Deejay at night.

Sunday
Brunch Buffet and Bloody Mary Bar 10 a.m.-4 p.m., roasted turkey dinner $8.95 with stuffing, peas & carrots, and mashed potatoes, and famous Live-Band Karaoke from 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m.

Few quotes we found about Stanley’s… mmhmmmm

“Staying true to the neighborhood bar formula, Stanley’s has built its longstanding reputation on providing a comfortable atmosphere and good food for its loyal patrons,” said Arthur Frommer, The New York Times.

“The food is good; the service always friendly. Stanley’s is the only place I feel at home,” said Cornelius Lee, a Stanley’s regular. “There is a reason I have been coming here for the past 15 years.”

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Still looking for that New Year’s resolution? Why not vow to try all things new and in Chicago there is no better place to start then the ever evolving nightlife scene. From swanky hotel hotspots to dark wooden bars, the top 10 newcomers of last year’s bar scene are not to be missed in 2010.

1. Bar Novo –With a large selection of inventive hand-crafted cocktails and small plate menu items from the interactive chef station in the middle of the bar, Bar Novo is the perfect Downtown location to chill on the communal couches or belly up to the 32 seat bar.

[View with PicLens]

www.barnovo.com
1 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 372-7200

2. Cuvee – Get your champagne fix at Chicago’s newest bubbly bar. This River-West hotspot offers a swanky club atmosphere and serves up delicious champagne cocktails, giving you reason to pop bottles every night of the week.

http://www.cuveechicago.com/ (Awesome animated intro on their website! )

308 WEST ERIE – BACK ALLEY ENTRANCE

3. Roof at the WIT – With amazing city views and a DJ spinning the beats, this new high-rise hotspot has Chicagoans looking forward to warm weather more than ever before.

201 North State Street,Chicago, IL‎ – (312) 239-9501‎

4. The Red Canary – A sexy 1920’s vibe lends itself the River West watering whole that offers gourmet cocktails and small dishes that incorporate everything from southern style grits to sushi.

695 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL‎ – (312) 846-1475‎

5. Rootstock Wine and Beer Bar – This quaint Humboldt Park haunt features local artwork and a long list if artesian beers and wines.

954 North California Avenue, Chicago, IL‎ – (773) 292-1616‎

6. Big Star – Wicker Park’s newest bar serves up trendy tex-mex one taco at a time. Featuring lesser known libations, Big Star is a great time if you are looking for something a little south of the border.

1531 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL‎ – (773) 252-7767‎

7. Bernard’s Bar – Located in the Elysian Hotel, this cozy second floor den turned bar is the perfect spot for a beer and delicious bites.

11 East Walton Street, Chicago, IL‎ – (312) 646-1300‎

8. Old Town Social – An antique parlor feel complete with a dark wood bar, makes this Old Town hangout feel a little more sophisticated than the average watering hole.

455 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL‎ – (312) 266-2277‎

9. Sweetwater – An instant Michigan Avenue favorite that boasts over 50 craft beers and a sleek atmosphere perfect for a casual lunch or after work drink.

225 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL‎ – (312) 698-7111‎

10. New Line – A former powerhouse, New Line Tavern offers a truly unique atmosphere for that after work cocktail. Staple bar dishes done right and well priced drinks make, New Line Tavern an instant favorite.

201 North Clinton Street, Chicago, IL‎ – (312) 212-5463‎

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Francesca’s Restaurants Chef Shares His Eggplant Secrets

When it comes to well-rounded Italian menus, good eggplant is a must. But making the perfect eggplant requires skill and a few tricks of the trade – fortunately, Chef Massimo of Francesca’s Restaurants has expert tips for any chef.

“The main thing to remember is that eggplant is extremely absorbent, so you must be careful when it comes to the sautéing; use only a small amount of extra virgin olive oil,” says Francesca’s Restaurants Corporate Chef Massimo Salatino. “I prefer to cook eggplant in the Sicilian-style where you sauté only lightly and then bake the eggplant in the oven at 400 degrees for about 12 to 15 minutes.”

There are dozens of ways to serve your finished product. One of Chef Massimo’s favorite ways to serve eggplant is in a salad with aged balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, arugula, beefsteak tomatoes, grilled onions and fresh crumbled blue cheese. The dish is so popular that it was added to the Francesca’s Restaurants menu, called Insalata Massimo.

Chef Massimo learned this style of cooking from his days in working at Il Passatore (The Traveler), a small pizzeria on the Lake of Varese in Italy’s Lombardy region. You won’t find a stove in a classic Italian pizza restaurant, so chefs find themselves using the oven.

About Francesca’s Restaurants: Since 1992, the family of Francesca’s Restaurants has grown from a single location on North Clark Street to 19 locations throughout Chicagoland. With a focus on exceptional service and quality ingredients, Francesca’s consistently changes the menu to offer the freshest, seasonal rustic Italian dishes. Touted as casual dining in a sophisticated, trattoria ambiance, each individual Francesca’s restaurant has become ingrained in their community, and tailor both their menu and special events such as exquisite wine dinners to match the tastes and energy of their guests. The consistency is in the amazing food, great service and even better prices. For more information, please visit www.miafrancesca.com.

For Location Info here is a link to Google Maps

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Paradise Pup’s: The bacon cheddar burger was GREAT, as were the 3 layer fries, which include cheddar cheese, sour cream and REAL bacon bits, and the onion rings. Can have quite a wait but it is worth it! $ http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3449406/des_plaines_il/paradise_pup.html

Charlie Beinlich’s: Their menu may be microscopic, but once you bite into its cheeseburger (made from cheese and meat culled from local distributors), you’ll swear off all other versions for good. $$ http://www.charliebeinlichs.com/ http://www.centerstagechicago.com/restaurants/beinlichs.html

Moody’s: Their burgers are a real treat–big without being gargantuan, cooked to perfection, full of flavor and served with deliciously greasy fries, long-cut and with the skin on. $ http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3739359

Sweets and Savories: Frequently named the best value in the city, fine dining in a casual setting makes Sweets & Savories perfect for a light dinner, the famous American Kobe hamburger or an elegant chef’s tasting menu. $$$ http://www.sweetsandsavoriesrestaurant.com/

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The sexy lounge in the sky wants to give its patrons a swanky celebration this year

Whiskey Sky (644 N. Lake Shore Drive) is wishing their patrons an extra special Happy Birthday this year with a complimentary bottle of bubbly!

GM of Whiskey Sky Kyu Hwang states, “With the economy around us not budging, we realized many of our customers are opting not to have a bottle of celebratory champagne on their birthdays, and we wanted to give it back to them! Everyone deserves a swanky birthday and at Whiskey Sky that is exactly what we provide!”

Patrons can come in to Whiskey Sky or Living Room (172 W. Adams) any day during the month of their birthday and redeem this offer for a complimentary bottle of champagne. Limit one bottle, per person, per year

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Living Room: Living Room (172 W. Adams) is a hidden gem in Chicago’s nightlife scene. Gerber bars are known for their creative concepts, outstanding drinks and fun atmospheres. It comes as no surprise that the Living Room possesses all of these great attributes and more. The lounge is designed for patrons to enjoy an exciting night out while still being able to relax and unwind in a space like their own living room. The space is appointed with lush couch seating and tucked away nooks that are perfect for enjoying a cocktail. While the lounge is as inviting as an actual living room at home, the upbeat music and subtle lighting cues set the mood for a night out.

Bull & Bear: Bull & Bear (431 N. Wells) themes the fast paced life of Wall Street with a contrast of an “Everybody knows your name” sort of feeling with their sports bar atmosphere. The state of the art Self Serve Table Tap system is a real attraction for any beer drinker! This already famous spot has become the go-to destination for business professionals and stock-brokers who want to grab a drink and unwind following the closing bell. Another reason why people can’t get enough of Bull & Bear is the plethora of flat screen TVs, sports games and the Xbox gaming menu that allows patrons to sit around and play their favorite Xbox games! But ladies- don’t be afraid to ask for a channel change! Bull & Bear is glad to serve up a side of Desperate Housewives with your Kobe sliders!

Bull & Bear
www.bullbearbar.com
431 N. Wells, Chicago
(312) 527-5973

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District Bar: District Bar (170 W. Ohio) is designed as a contemporary interpretation of a classic bar, integrating divergent features such as a Zebra wood bar top, leather walls and a revolving bookshelf passageway to a private party room resembling the 1920’s look of a speakeasy. The private party room is encompassed with oversized flat screen TVs and a sleek wood and leather finish that completes the look. For a taste of the South right here in Chicago, try the Peach Julep with Jim Beam Black Bourbon, peach schnapps muddled with mint leaves and brown sugar. Snack on mushroom or proscuitto flatbread, or for something heartier, try the Surf and Turf Dumpling or the Bacon and Pancakes-BBQ braised pork shoulder with scallion pancakes!

District Bar
http://www.district-bar.com
170 W Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 337-3477

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Adobo Grill: Has a special Cinco de Mayo Menu

1610 N Wells St, Chicago
(312) 266-7999
http://www.adobogrill.com/oldtown/events.aspx#e604

Don Juan: Great traditional Mexican food. This is a great place in Chicago to get Baja style fish tacos.

6730 N Northwest Hwy, Chicago
(773) 775-6438
http://donjuanschicago.com

Café 28: Great food for the price.

1800 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60613
www.cafe28.org

Frontera Grill: Known for their fresh, organic ingredients and delicious flavors.

449 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 661-0381
http://www.fronterakitchens.com/

Mississippi Delta Hot Tamales: Great homemade tamales!

(773) 287-3663
5615 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60644
http://www.tamaletrail.com/chicago_connection.shtml

Julio’s Cocina Latina: Beautiful gourmet Mexican food.

(847) 438-3484
95 S Rand Rd
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
http://www.julioslatincafe.com/

Maiz: Homemade corn tortillas at an affordable price

(773) 276-3149
1041 N California Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Salpicon: Great upscale Mexican food!

(312) 988-7811 Make a reservation
1252 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610

Tecalitlan: Awesome authentic food, low price, and great margaritas!

(773) 384-4285
1814 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Topolobampo: This is rumored to be Barak Obama’s favorite Mexican joint when he’s in town.

(312) 661-1434 Make a reservation
445 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60610
http://www.fronterakitchens.com/

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