ZED451 Adds Live Music Line-Up

Acoustic Sounds Every Wednesday in the Fireside Lounge

Starts Wednesday, January 11
Live music featured every Wednesday evening
7-9 p.m.

Free to Attend

Starting Wednesday, January 11, the sounds of acoustic songs will fill the Fireside Lounge at ZED451. Each week, on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m., the cozy, ski lodge-like setting will welcome a variety of live, local acts to the River North restaurant’s bar area. The performances (schedule below) are free to attend.

ZED451′s Fireside Lounge offers a large variety of creative, liquid market cocktails, craft brews and hand-selected wines, in addition to a full a la carte “Cravings” menu (pad Thai tacos, char-grilled sirloin salad, calamari fries, house-cured duck pastrami Reuben sliders, maple Cajun BLT, spiced chicken samosas, Aegean flatbread and more) from 4:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Wednesdays.

Fireside Lounge, Live Acoustic Line-Up
Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m.

January
1/11 Scottie Long
1/18 Marlon Longid
1/25 Seth Bradley

February
2/1 Chris Buehrle
2/8 Scottie Long
2/15 Danny May
2/22 Marlon Longid
2/29 Seth Bradley

ZED451
739 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.266.6691
ZED451.com

New Fall Menu at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club

“Opening Act” Appetizers and “Show-Stopping” Entrees by Chef Mark Kasper

New menu, now available
Dinner service, seven nights a week starting at 5:30pm

The new dinner menu for the fall season has been set at the Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club. Executive Chef Mark Kasper introduces new “opening act” appetizers and “show stopping” entrees. The chef-driven fall menu paired with Kit Kat’s parade of extravagant live entertainment divas makes the Kit Kat a fabulous one-stop night on the town. Dinner and brunch is offered indoors in the sleek main dining room, or outdoors, on the stylish, South Beach-inspired, living room lounge patio. (Kit Kat’s patio, featuring outdoor heaters, will be open until December 1, weather permitting.)

Starters and first courses include the Kit Kat salad (Saturn peaches, spiced pecans, cream drizzle), jumbo Alaskan king crab cakes, Texas toast and brie grilled cheese, coconut-marinated Thai calamari, bacon truffle mac ‘n cheese, shrimp cocktail and pork spare ribs.

Entrees, named after Hollywood legends, include Marilyn Monroe (sriracha peanut-encrusted salmon with sweet potato mash and roasted brocolini); Doris Day (seared scallops with roasted sea beans, crisp pancetta, parsnip puree and wild mushrooms); Cary Grant (truffle wagyu burger with applewood smoked bacon, gruyere cheese, french mustard, with an egg over easy and parmesan truffle tries) among other exceptional dishes (sausage and brocolini ravioli, spiced chicken breast and maple brined, braised berkshire pork belly).

Four “grand finale” sweet treats are the perfect ending to Kasper’s dinner menu. The classic and comforting desserts include carrot cake, turtle lava cake, red velvet cake and key lime pie.

The complete menu is outlined below. Kit Kat is open Monday-Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Nightly “Diva” performances take place starting at 7:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m. during Sunday Brunch).

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club
3700 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60657
773.525.1111
http://www.KitKatChicago.com

New Menu: Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club

“OPENING ACT”

ROASTED POTATO AND TRUFFLE SOUP 7

KIT KAT SALAD
saturn peaches, spiced pecans and a cream drizzle 8

JUMBO CRAB CAKE
Alaskan king crab, sicilian pistachios, fine herb broth and a micro green salad 9

GRILLED CHEESE
grilled Texas toast, french brie, roasted heirloom sauce 9

KIT KAT CALAMARI
coconut marinated Thai squid with fresno peppers and a sweet chili sauce 9

CHICKEN SATAY
coriander cardamom marinade, spicy coconut peanut sauce with a wasabi cream 9

BACON TRUFFLE MAC’N CHEESE
applewood smoked bacon, swiss parmesan blend, truffle essence 10

SHRIMP COCKTAIL
shrimp cocktail with a sweet and spicy horseradish cream 10

RIBS
pork spare rib tossed in an Oxacan mole sauce served with Mexican helote (Mexican style corn with mayonnaise chile lime and parmesan cheese) 10

“SHOW STOPPERS”

CHARRO
8oz prime marinated skirt steak, with chimichurri accompanied with fajita style pomme frites 23

MAE WEST
authentic southern style fried chicken, braised collard greens, banana horseradish puree, cayenne maple glazed waffle 19

MARLON BRANDO
steak frites, grilled 8oz. new york strip steak with bleu cheese butter and truffle fries 23

MARILYN MONROE
sriracha peanut encrusted salmon with sweet potato mash and roasted brocolini tops 23

DORIS DAY
seared sea scallops with roasted sea beans, crisp pancetta, parsnip puree and wild mushrooms 22

SHIRLEY MACLAINE
sausage and brocolini ravioli in a spicy bacon cream sauce with spinach and peppers 18

CARY GRANT
truffle waygu burger, with applewood smoked bacon, gruyere cheese, french mustard, with an egg over easy, and parmesan truffle fries 17

KIRK DOUGLAS
maple brined, braised berkshire pork belly with fresh ricotta sage gnudi, stuffed squash blossoms, a red pepper gastrique with belgium white asparagus 22

RITA HAYWORTH
grilled vegetable rissotto with creamy goat cheese 17

AVA GARDNER
vegetable lasagna, fresh ricotta, with grilled vegetables in a basil cream sauce 17

GRACE KELLY
blackened, seared ahi tuna with cajun rice and cajun stir fry vegetables with a romesco sauce 19

ROCK HUDSON
spiced chicken breast with Moroccan infused vegetables, Israeli cous cous with golden raisins and fennel with a preserved lemon fennel salad 19

“GRAND FINALE”

CARROT CAKE
homemade carrot cake with spiced pecans and a cream cheese frosting with a salted caramel drizzle 9

TURTLE LAVA CAKE
molten lava cake with a caramel and dark chocolate, served with french vanilla ice cream 8

RED VELVET CAKE
southern style red velvet cake with homemade cream cheese frosting 9

KEY LIME PIE
key lime curd with whipped chantilly cream and an almond crust 8

Goose Island Beer Tasting at Franklin Tap

Meet the Brewers, Sample Suds and Chat about Chicago’s Craft Beer Scene

Wednesday, August 24
5-7 p.m.

Free to attend

Franklin Tap, the urban neighborhood tavern located in the loop, will host a “Meet the Brewers” event on Wednesday, August 24 from 5-7 p.m. Brewers from Chicago’s own Goose Island will be on hand to meet and greet with guests. A selection of Goose Island’s classic, seasonal and premium beers will be specially priced at $3-$5 per pint. Participants will have a chance to win raffle prizes and giveaways, including brewers jerseys, glassware, t-shirts and more. Local craft beer enthusiasts will be able to chat with the brewers about what it’s like to be at the forefront of Chicago’s craft beer scene.

Franklin Tap is located in the loop, just seconds away from Willis Tower, Union Station and The Board of Trade. The diverse menu offers premium sandwiches, homemade soups and comfort food favorites along with an extensive selection of craft beer, including 12 brews on draft. Franklin Tap is a great spot to grab lunch on the patio or an after work beer with friends.

Franklin Tap
325 South Franklin
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 212-3262
http://www.FranklinTap.com

The Red Canary Celebrates Two Year Anniversary with Week-Long Celebration

Chicago “Gastro-lounge” Offers $2 Deals Each Day

Monday, August 22 – Saturday, August 27

Monday through Wednesday: 5 p.m.-12 a.m.
Thursday and Friday: 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-3 a.m.

The Red Canary will fete two great years in Chicago with a different $2 offering each day. The celebratory week will culminate with a two-hour hosted bar and appetizer reception on Saturday, August 27 ($20 per person).

Monday, 8/22 $2 Burgers
Canary Burger on Brioche, Horseradish Cream, Watercress, Roma Tomatoes & Fries
Bacon Cheeseburger on Pretzel Bun Canadian Bacon, Grilled Pineapple, Jalapenos, Chihuahua & Onion Rings

Tuesday, 8/23 $2 Fish Tacos
Seared Ahi Tuna, Watermelon Relish, Avocado Spread, Flour Tortillas

Wednesday, 8/24 $2 House Wine; $2 Cheese Plate

Thursday, 8/25 $2 Domestic Beer, $2 Bites
Deviled Eggs; PB&J Medallions; Chi-Talian Bruschetta; Corn Dogs; Corn Bread; Onion Rings;House Cut Fries; Corn on the Cob

Friday, 8/26 $2 Flutes of Champagne; $2 Oyster Trio (Raw, BBQ, Baked)

Saturday, 8/27 $2 Red Velvet Cupcakes
$20 two-hour hosted bar with appetizers, 10 p.m.-12 a.m.

*Note: Dine-in only

The Red Canary, named after legendary female jazz vocalists from the Harlem Jazz Movement of the ’20s and ’30s, offers “Real. American. Comfort.” fare in Chicago’s River West neighborhood. Stop in for dinner or enjoy a leisurely weekend brunch while sipping bottomless mimosas and bloody marys. The lush, 2,000 square foot enclosed garden patio offers the best outdoor dining in the city, complete with ivy-clad walls, imported olive trees, lounge furniture and table seating for up to 130 guests. Relax and dine alfresco while sipping custom-made cocktails, local craft beer or a chilled glass of summer white from the approachable American wine list.

The Red Canary
695 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60642
312.846.1475
http://www.theredcanarychicago.com

Free Bears Shuttle Bus to Soldier Field

Cactus Offers Free Parking and Free Transportation

Bears Home Game Days
No fee

Cactus opens at 11 a.m. everyday

Bears season is almost here! Cactus Bar & Grill offers game day ticket holders (or anyone that wants to get closer to the action) complimentary transportation to and from Soldier Field on the Cactus Shuttle. Continuous, round-trip bus service will be available 90 minutes before the game starts until 60 minutes after the game ends.

Free Parking will be offered to all football fans (with any $25 purchase). This offer is valid at the Traders Park Garage, 326 South Wells.

Don’t have tickets to the game? Cactus Bar and Grill features the NFL Ticket and all games will be shown on ten 42″ screens and three 10 foot projection screens. There is not a bad seat in the house. In addition to Cactus’ full menu offering, Saturday and Sunday’s football food special is $5 half-pound burgers and fries. Bar specials include a $5 Bloody Mary Bar and $16 Miller Lite buckets.

BEARS HOME GAME SCHEDULE
Aug 13: Bills at Bears, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: Browns at Bears, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: Falcons at Bears, 12 noon
Sept. 25: Packers at Bears, 3:15 p.m.
Oct. 2: Panthers at Bears, 12 noon
Oct. 16: Vikings at Bears, 7:20
Nov. 13: Lions at Bears, 12 noon
Nov. 20: Chargers at Bears, 3:15 p.m.
Dec. 4: Chiefs at Bears, 12 noon
Dec. 18: Seahawks at Bears, 12 noon

Metra Riders:Cactus is two blocks from the LaSalle Station, three blocks from Union Station and six blocks from Ogilvie.
“El” Riders: LaSalle (Blue, Orange, Red, Purple and Brown lines).

Cactus Bar and Grill
404 South Wells
Chicago, Illinois 60607
312-922-3830
DontDrinkAndTrade.com

Monsters of the Midway Shuttle at Timothy O’Toole’s Pub

Chicago “Bears Bus” Schedule Starts August 13

All Bears Home Game Days
$10 Fee

Chicago Bears ticketholders: for all home games, including pre-season,Timothy O’Toole’s “Bears Bus” will be available to transport you to and from Soldier Field.  The Miller Lite Monster’s of the Midway shuttle bus leaves Timothy O’Toole’s Pub in Streeterville one hour and fifteen minutes before kick-off.  A $10 fee includes beverages on the bus.

Pre and post-game dining is available, including weekend brunch with bottomless mimosa bar ($16), bottomless bloody mary buffet ($20), lunch, dinner and late night eats.

Please call Timothy O’Toole’s Pub for shuttle seat reservations. Reservations are recommended, but not required for transportation.

Sunday’s specials include Miller/Coors family buckets (5 beers) for $16 and Jack Daniels/Jack Daniels Honey cocktails for $5. No game ticket? O’Toole’s has over 60 large screen televisions that will tune in to cheer on Chicago’s blue and orange.

SCHEDULE

Aug 13: Bills at Bears, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: Browns at Bears, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: Falcons at Bears, 12 noon
Sept. 25: Packers at Bears, 3:15 p.m.
Oct. 2: Panthers at Bears, 12 noon
Oct. 16: Vikings at Bears, 7:20
Nov. 13: Lions at Bears, 12 noon
Nov. 20: Chargers at Bears, 3:15 p.m.
Dec. 4: Chiefs at Bears, 12 noon
Dec. 18: Seahawks at Bears, 12 noon

Timothy O’Toole’s Pub Chicago
622 N. Fairbanks Court
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 642-0700
www.timothyotooles.com 

Ab Fab Marathon at Blokes & Birds

Weekly Viewing Party Features British Cult Series “Absolutely Fabulous”

Wednesday, August 3
continues every Wednesday evening thereafter

8 to 11 p.m.
Free to attend

Pass the bubbly! Blokes & Birds will hold an absolutely fabulous mid-week evening starring the hilarious duo of Patsy and Edina. On Wednesday nights at 8 p.m., the English gastropub Blokes & Birds will screen back-to-back episodes of the British sitcom “Absolutely Fabulous” on mounted flat screen televisions in the lower level. The show, which has a cult-following, regularly features cocktail consumption and cut-downs, which will pair well with Blokes & Birds’ menu of signature craft cocktails (Queen’s Jubilee, Mind the Bollocks, Ol’ Chum and more) and over-the-pond fare. Each guest will receive a complimentary flute of champagne to properly toast the twosome.

Craft Cocktails, Sample Menu $10
*full signature cocktail menu available upon request

Queen’s Jubilee
Belvedere pink grapefruit, Aperol, Pama, house-made lemon juice, simple syrup and Fee Brothers grapefruit bitters

Mind the Bollocks
Evan Williams bourbon, Navan liqueur, Peter Heering cherry licquore, Perfect Puree sour cherry puree, lime juice, demarera syrup and egg white

Ol’ Chum
Bernheim original whiskey, Hennessy VS cognac, Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, Benedictine liqueur, angostura and peychaud’s bitters

Absolutely Fabulous, also known as Ab Fab, is a British sitcom. The series features Saunders as Edina Monsoon, an alcoholic, drug-abusing PR agent who spends her time chasing bizarre fads in a desperate attempt to stay young and hip. Edina is joined in her quest by magazine editor Patsy Stone, her best friend and enabler, whose drug abuse, alcohol consumption, and promiscuity far eclipse Edina’s comparatively mild self-destructive behavior. Despite being a middle-aged, twice-divorced career woman, Edina is reliant upon the support of her daughter, Saffron, a secondary school pupil (and later university student) whose constant care for her mother has left her a bitter cynic. Absolutely Fabulous is ranked as one of the greatest British TV Show of all time.

Blokes & Birds
3343 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60657
773.472.5252
BlokesAndBirdsChicago.com

Michael Diversey’s Grand Opening Party

Ribbon Cutting, Live Music, Complimentary Bubbly and Cake

Friday, August 19
7 p.m.

Free to attend
Open to the public

Michael Diversey’s, the newly opened Chicago tavern in the former Firkin and Pheasant building, is throwing a grand opening party on Friday, August 19 at 7 p.m. The event will begin with a celebratory ribbon cutting by representatives from the Lakeview East chamber of commerce, followed by a complimentary hors d’oeuvres, champagne and cake reception.

The party will continue into the night with discounted drink specials, such as $4 drafts of local and regional craft beer, $5 Kettle One vodka cocktails and a menu of canned beer specials (craft and classic $3-$5). Party guests will enjoy live, acoustic musical entertainment and raffle prizes will be awarded throughout the evening (Blackhawks tickets, Bears tickets, restaurant gift certificates and other merchandise).

Michael Diversey’s tavern (and street) are named in honor of Michael Diversey, the dairy man, brewer, philanthropist and alderman that started Lill & Diversey Brewery in 1841, widely known as The Chicago Brewery. St. Michael’s Church sits upon land that Diversey once donated to fellow German immigrants. Diversey’s story may be found at MDTavern.com.

Michael Diversey’s
670 West Diversey Parkway
Chicago, Illinois
773-327-7040
MDTavern.com

Tapping Party at Rock Bottom Brewery Chicago

Brewmaster Chris Rafferty Releases Saison Jonquille – Farmhouse Ale

Thursday, August 18
6-7 p.m.

No cost to attend

Brewmaster Chris Rafferty will give craft beer fans the opportunity to be the first to try his newest brew. Rafferty and Rock Bottom Brewery Chicago will hold a tapping party from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, August 18 to release his “Saison Jonquille” farmhouse ale. The Saison Jonquille is a light bodied, crisp, effervescent farmhouse ale with slight tart characteristics accented by spicing with lemongrass.

Rafferty has been making beer since 1994, when he got his start at Tennessee’s first microbrewery in Nashville. Since then, he has worked at various microbreweries and joined the Rock Bottom team in 2006. His beers have been awarded several gold medals at the Real Ale Festival, Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup competitions.
Rock Bottom’s monthly tapping parties are open to all, simply become a member of the “Mug Club” (anyone 21 and over will quickly be signed up in the brewpub prior to the tapping party).

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60654
312.755.9339
www.rockbottom.com

Dudley Nieto Introduces New Dishes at Totopo Mexican Grill

New Menu Items Now Available

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Chef Dudley Nieto has recently added ten new dishes to his menu at Totopo Mexican Grill, located in Oak Brook. Totopo is an authentic Mexican eatery with convenient counter-service. Each of the items may be enjoyed in the main dining room (with delivery and assistance by servers), outdoor patio or packaged to-go. Nieto has included sharable items, such as tostaditas and queso fundido, as well as entrees: carne oaxaca and asada (steak); camaronesen pipian rojo and tacos de tinga de camaron (shrimp) and by popular demand, fajitas tejanas. The sweet treat is tres leches cake with raspberry sauce and shaved coconut.

Totopo is open daily for dining. A full bar includes house-made margaritas, sangria and imported/domestic beers.

TOTOPO
New Menu Items
Chef Dudley Nieto

Tostaditas
Small tostadas topped with queso fresco and sour cream: two with tinga de pollo, two with black bean and cochinita, two with guacamole and barbacoa $4.95

Tinga de Pollo Flautas
Rolled-up, crisp tortilla filled with braised chicken and asadero cheese $5.75

Queso Fundido
Chihuahua cheese and chorizo choice of chips or tortillas $6.95

Fajitas Tejanas
Marinated and broiled steak or chicken with sautéed garlic, green peppers, onions and tomatoes
Steak $13.95 or Chicken $13.45

Carne Oaxaca
Grilled hanger steak with smoky morita salsa, asadero cheese, black beans and rice $13.95

Carne Asada
Grilled skirt steak with rustic salsa, scallions, black beans and rice $14.95

Camarones en Pipian Rojo
Grilled shrimp with red pipian mole sauce served with grilled zucchini, carrots and sautéed spinach with garlic and rice $14.95

Tacos de Tinga de Camaron
Shrimp tacos with pasilla salsa, topped with queso fresco, cilantro and avocado $8.50

Tres Leches
Three milks cake served with raspberry sauce and shaved coconut $3.95

Totopo Mexican Grill
Oak Brook Promenade
3041 Butterfield Road, Suite 117
Oak Brook, IL 60523
630.573.8686
http://www.TotopoMexicanGrill.com