Weekday Planner: Weekday Specials at Ay Chiwowa, Tastings at Arami, Three Floyds Menu at The Bristol, and Bar Bargain at Sophie's

Weekday Specials at Ay Chiwowa

Each day of the week, Ay Chiwowa features a different menu special, offered in conjunction with the neo-taqueria's monthly featured tacos. The June squid taco special was such a hit it's staying on the menu through July. Along with 50% off tacos, $20 carafes, and $5 sangria cups on Mondays; industry night with guest DJs, an open jukebox, and $5 tortas and margaritas on Tuesdays; $15 buckets of Coronas and $4 chips and guacamole on Wednesdays; Tecate and tequila specials on Thursdays; and $35 party glasses on Fridays as part of the weekly Loco Libre takeover.

Monday Degustations at Arami

Arami is now open on Mondays, supplementing its regular dinner menu with two teishoku tasting menus and optional sake pairings. Guests can select from a five-course tasting menu for $30 per person or an eight-courser for $60 per person. Tastings change weekly, but examples of dishes include sake carpaccio, robata-grilled baby sepia, and unagi donburi. Additionally, Arami features $4 select Japanese beers on Mondays. 

(Sophie's shrimp tempura)

The Bristol Partners With Three Floyds

When one of Chicago's most adored restaurants teams up with one of the Midwest's most revered craft beer breweries, magic happens. Now through July 6, The Bristol and Three Floyds Brewing have teamed up to offer a special beer-paired tasting menu. Dishes include creamed sweet peas with housemade ricotta, Backmasking Oatmeal Stout reduction, toast, and a Groch Frock Lager to match; beer-battered smoked trout fritters with horseradish, dill slaw, and an accompanying War Mullet Double IPA; and chocolate stout cake with braised pineapple, Tepache sorbet, and Backmasking Oatmeal Stout to wash it all down. All in all, the menu is five courses and $44 per person, plus another $15 for beer pairings. 

Cocktails and Appetizers at Sophie's

Round out your week with a wallet-friendly nosh and sip at Sophie's, where drink specials and complimentary bites are on deck at the bar every Thursday and Friday. For $7 a pop, guests get a signature drink and gratis appetizer, which rotates on a weekly basis. Options for cocktails include the Strawberry Caipirinha, Rhubarb Basil Gimlet, and the French 76. Examples of snacks include tuna tataki and shrimp tempura. 

- Matt Kirouac