Weekly Planner: City Winery River Domes, Nonna's New Menu Items, Saint Lou's Happy Hour and More

City Winery River Domes Return to the Riverwalk

One of the coolest (and weirdest, in a good way) events downtown is coming back due to popular demand, as City Winery’s Riverwalk location once again installs its igloo-like “River Domes” for early al fresco dining March 20 through May 6. This provides several weeks for diners to gather their friends and convene underneath transparent heated domes, providing a front-row private seat to views of the river and skyline. Reservations are hot tickets, so be sure and snag yours asap, with seatings available between 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily. Each dome comes stocked with a Bluetooth speaker, heater and seating and furniture outfitted by Wayfair Professional. There are also two dome sizes: small domes can seat two to eight people, while large domes can fit up to 14 diners. All domes can be left partially open or completely enclosed, depending on weather. And all reservations are good for two and a half hours at $85 per person, which includes a $60 food and beverage minimum. Reservations can be made here

New Menu Items at Nonna’s

In case you needed an excuse to return to Nonna’s in the West Loop, chef Todd Stein has a few good reasons for you. The casual Italian sandwich spot is now serving tomato basil soup, pork belly porchetta sandwiches and Sicilian-style pizza. That porchetta is really something special, in particular. Made in-house, the pork belly is rubbed with roasted garlic, rosemary, orange zest, fennel pollen, salt and cracked black peppercorns before getting rolled, trussed and roasted. It’s served on a toasted baguette with garlic mayo, arugula and pickled red onions. Additionally, Nonna’s has introduced a rotating mural series on its exterior wall, featuring work from different local artists. The latest installation is a large-scale portrait of Charles Bradley, by artist Joe Miller. 

 

City Winery
City Winery

Happy Hour at Saint Lou’s Assembly

Another week, another new happy hour incentive. It’s particularly nice to see more of these promos pop up in the restaurant-saturated West Loop, an area not especially known for its bargain dining. But Saint Lou’s Assembly has always been a good bet for affordable fare, and they’re keeping that track record going with its new weekday happy hour from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Also available at adjoining sister bar MONEYGUN, the happy hour features dollar oysters, and on Tuesdays specifically wine bottles are 50% off from 5:00 p.m. until midnight. 

Sip Into Spring with Beatrix

Speaking of wine, Beatrix is raising a glass to spring with a new limited wine series taking place at each of its three locations. The three-part series consists of three consecutive events of passed appetizers and drinks every Wednesday from March 21 through April 7. The Streeterville location is first, followed by Fulton Market on March 28 and River North on April 7. Each one is $30, and weather permitting, guests will be able to sample new rosé pours on the patios, along with snacks and light bites. 

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