Weekend Planner: Anniversary Dim Sum, Crawfish Boil, Sake Dinner, and Peruvian Ice Cream

How does free dim sum sound to you this weekend? The answer you're looking for is "perfect." Like the gracious samaritan it is, Koi Fine Asian Cuisine and Lounge is celebrating its 10th anniversary by doling out complimentary dim sum samplers all month long. Seeing as dim sum is a classic weekend repast, you should add this to your itinerary ASAP. Owner Sandy Chen is giving back to the community via dumplings in thanks to her loyal customers over the years. This can easily be enjoyed by claiming an exclusive offer here. Each sampler contains four select dim sum items. Reservations are recommended. 

Crawfish Boil

 

Celebrate summer in style with a crawfish boil this Sunday at Frontier. The bar and restaurant, whose kitchen is headed up by New Orleans native Brian Jupiter, is well-versed in the world of crawfish boils and other Southern delights. Hosted in conjunction with the Who Dat Nation Chicago Chapter, the event takes place from noon until 4:00 p.m., wherein guests can bask in an all-you-can-eat boil brimming with crawfish, potatoes, and corn on the cob. There will also be New Orleans-style music. The cost to attend is $35 per person and tickets can be snagged here. 

(Tanta tantalizes with ice cream)

Summer of Sake Dinner

 

Here's a fun dinner to jump on: Shaw's Crab House is hosting their second annual Summer of Sake dinner on July 20, featuring a four-course spree of seasonal fare seamlessly paired with different sakes. Refreshing, much? And not just any booze dinner, this one teaches guests a lesson in sake lore from expert Lindy Mangubat from Southern Wines & Spirits. Check-in starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. On the docket: farmers' market vegetable maki with Gekkeikan Black & Gold sake; miso-glazed salmon with Suzaki & Yoshinogawa Winter Warrior sake; braised pork belly with G Genshu Joy sake; and chocolate pound cake with ginger ice cream, local berries, basil syrup, and an accompanying pour of Gekkeikan Nigori sake. The cost to attend is $65 per person. Reservations can be made by calling 312-527-2722. 

Celebrate National Ice Cream Month at Tanta

 

With July being National Ice Cream Month, what better time than the present to binge on ice cream? No better time indeed. Tanta offers a unique treat to scream over: their El Queso Helado dessert. This offbeat-by-American-standards confection is a signature at the Peruvian-inspired restaurant, made with four-milk ice cream, cinnamon, coconut, and a rice tuile. 

- Matt Kirouac