Friday food porn: Beeting it at Gemini Bistro

Tuck into chunks of roasted baby beets, drizzled with white truffle vinaigrette and sprinkled with goat cheese, alongside lamb’s lettuce, $8 at Gemini Bistro in Lincoln Park.
The American restaurant celebrates its first anniversary Sept. 7–12 with a $29.09 three-course prix fixe.

Liberté, égalité, fraternité! Bastille Day Chicageaux-style

On July 14, 1789, revolutionary troops stormed the Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison in Paris, bringing down harsh rule of France’s Bourbon monarchy. The first Fete de la Federation, on July 14, 1790, celebrated the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in France. France — and Francophiles — have been toasting the day ever since. Here are a few events around Chicago.

Hot Chicago hotel menu happenings

Chicago’s hotel restaurants are sizzling this summer. Here’s a sampling:

Stetson’s Chop House in the Loop’s Hyatt Regency Chicago has added a $38 three-course set menu to recently enhanced regular menu. Served daily before 6:30 p.m. and after 8 p.m., the prix fixe offers a choice of French onion soup or caesar salad to [...]

21 freebies for Mother’s Day in Chicago

You could take your mom out for the usual Mother’s Day brunch this Sunday, May 9, but why not go where she’ll get a little something extra?

Very last-minute guide to Easter brunch in Chicago

Hello, procrastinators! Still looking for Easter brunch ideas? These restaurants around the Chicago area are still reporting openings. Call for reservations now!

Leah’s Notebook: Comings, goings, this and that

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MANNY’S! On this day in 1942, Jack Raskin opened what was to become Chicago’s foremost delicatessen, Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli in the South Loop. Going stronger than ever, Manny’s is now run by Jack’s grandson Ken and great-grandsons Danny and Matt Raskin.
PUBURBAN NEWS. Bob McCullough’s Pub & Billiards has opened in Schaumburg [...]

Gung hay fat choy! Chicago Chinese New Year celebrations

With a clash of cymbals and the bang of drums and firecrackers, as well as traditional dragon parades and lion dances, the Asian New Year will explode into the Chicago area on Sunday, Feb. 14, with a variety of events at restaurants and around town.
Chinese legend says the noise and dancing animals chase away evil [...]

Chicago Restaurant Weeks offer dining deals

 
Have you participated in a Restaurant Week? Did you think it was a good deal?
Through Jan. 31, during Chicago Originals Restaurant Week member restaurants offer special three- and four-course menus for $29.10. Participating restaurants include Cafe Bernard in Lincoln Park, Co-Si-Na Grill in Edgewater, Dinotto Ristorante in Old Town
Oceanique in Evanston and others.
During the third [...]

13 top one-liners from ‘The Addams Family’ musical

Don’t go to ‘The Addams Family’ musical expecting ‘Christmas with The Addams Family.’
 
I imagine the conversation:
Producer: So we’re doin’ a new musical based on “The Addams Family.” (Snaps fingers.) What a snappy theme song.

Creative team: Uh, well, we’re basing it on the original Chas. Addams cartoons, not the TV show.
Producer: But we’re gonna use [...]

2009 Beaujolais Nouveau arrives in Chicago Thursday

Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!
Well, nearly. On the third Thursday of each November, the new wine of Beaujolais is uncorked for the world. By French law, Beaujolais Nouveau may be released no earlier than 12:01 a.m. on that date.
More than 65 million bottles, nearly half of the region’s total annual wine production, are [...]