Weekly Planner: Burger Specials, Moules Fest, Paella Cook Off and More
Burgers and Specials at Pleasant House Pub
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 traditional Yorkshire sandwich that features aged cheddar, housemade carrot chutney, arugula and pickled onions on a buttered roll. As for new specials, come by on Wednesdays for the “cask and curry” special, which consists of a new curry entree along with one of the pub’s cask-conditioned beers. And on Tuesdays, it’s special burger day, wherein the kitchen augments the regular pub burger with a different rotating variety each week.
Moules Fest at Chez Moi
In case you can’t make it to France, Chez Moi is your next best bet during the month of September. Inspired by “Le Festival de la Moule,” chef Dominque Tougne is hosting his very own “Moules Fest” from September 8-17, featuring four original recipes of the classic French creation. Chez Moi’s version is an all-you-can-eat menu that runs for $25 per person, served with frites. Options for the fest include lobster bisque mussels; marinieres mussels with white wine, parsley, butter and lemon; Belgian mussels with beer, leeks, cream and bacon; and Mediterranean mussels with chorizo, tomatoes, saffron rice, onions and basil.
Paella Cook Off at Mercat a la Planxa
From France to Spain, another European classic is taking the spotlight this month courtesy of Mercat a la Planxa’s fourth annual Paella Cook Off. The crowd-pleasing affair brings together some of the city’s best chefs for an evening of inventive and contemporary Spanish cooking. This year, Mercat welcomes guest chefs from Animale, Black Bull, Park Grill, Travelle, TWO and Vie, each one cooking up their own riff on paella, to be judged by a media panel and other industry members, including last year’s winner: chef Ashlee Aubin from Salero. The cook off takes place on September 7 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., with festive music and flamenco dancers to add to the vibe. Attendees get to taste samples from each chef and cast their vote for “People’s Choice Award.” Tapas, wine and sangria will also be offered. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased here.
Pickle Tasting at Big Jones
If your taste preferences skew acidic, swing by Big Jones for one of the most original tasting options in town. The Andersonville restaurant is currently offering a pickle tasting, designed to showcase fresh, sustainable and seasonal ingredients in a bold and flavorful new way. Similar to a cheese plate or a charcuterie platter, the pickle tasting puts produce in the spotlight with housemade pickles like asparagus, ramp bulbs, chow chow and okra.