Dishes and Drinks to Share on Sweetest Day

A Variety of Venues Offer Cozy Cocktails and Amorous Appetizers

Saturday, October 16, 2010
Times/Prices Vary

Sweetest Day will be celebrated throughout the city and suburbs with just-for-two, tempting drinks and dishes. From rockin’ River North eateries to casual neighborhood gems and a stylish suburban establishment, there are a variety of romance-inducing selections to choose from:

Nacional 27

Adam Seger has created 27 ounce, custom cocktails perfect for sharing over dinner or sipping in the lounge.

“27 Ounces of Fun” served in a 27 ounce cocktails glass with two straws

27 Ounces of Passion $22
a twist on a traditional daiquiri: cardamom- and hibiscus-infused rum, lime juice and passion fruit syrup

Latin Long Island $27
gin, vodka, cachaca, rum, tequila, lime, passion, coca cola

Tiki Punch $21
exotic juices, spices, rum, Spanish gin, little umbrellas

Sangria $17
White / Red / Sparkling / Passion Ginger / Mango Lime

Nacional 27 offers a variety of perfect-for-sharing dishes, such as the N27 Combination Platter, Taco Flight, Caliente Shrimp and Scallop Nachos, Ceviche Sampler, Gaucho BBQ 30″ skewers and Latin Paellas. Plan to double date? The party menu is also a fun option for dinner. Complete the evening with Saturday night salsa dancing!

Zocalo Restaurant and Tequila Bar

“Lovers’ Libations”

Citrus Cazuelas for Two, $14
Cuervo citrus tequilas, aguardiente and white wine with citrus juices and a splash of squirt citrus soda, served in a traditional terra cotta bowl.

“The Date Plate”

Appetizer Sampling Platter, $12
Three signature appetizers: Empanadas (black beans and plantains, tomatillo salsa, fresco cheese); Flautas (Mexico City style taquitos with chicken tinga, tomatillo salsa, red cabbage, fresco cheese, guacamole) and Salpicon de Res (shredded beef tostadas, sherry-chipotle vinaigrette, romaine lettuce, red onion, fresco cheese).

Frasca Pizzeria and Wine Bar

“Fondue for Two”

Fondue Trio, $9
Blue cheese, goat cheese and Italian cheese blend (reggiano and fontina) served with crostini, apples and sopressata for dipping. A hand-selected wine pairing is available for an additional $9.

The Smoke Daddy

“Sweet Treat”

The Famous Skillet Cookie $6.50
Huge chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream and our homemade caramel sauce.

D.O.C. Wine Bar Chicago

“Luscious in Lincoln Park”

Dessert Wine Flight, $16.50
Moscado, sherry and port wines paired with chocolates

D.O.C. Wine Bar West

“Fondue for Two”

Fondue Trio, $9
Blue cheese, goat cheese and Italian cheese blend (reggiano and fontina) served with crostini, apples and sopressata for dipping. A hand-selected wine pairing is available for an additional $9.

Location Information

Nacional 27, 325 W. Huron Street, Chicago. 312.664.2727 http://www.n27chicago.com

Zocalo, 358 W. Ontario, Chicago. 312.302.9977 http://www.zocalochicago.com

Frasca Pizzeria and Wine Bar, 3358 N. Paulina Street, Chicago. 773.248.5222 http://www.frascapizzeria.com

Smoke Daddy, 1804 W. Division Street, Chicago. 773.772.6656 http://www.thesmokedaddy.com

D.O.C. Wine Bar, 2602 N. Clark Street, Chicago. 773.883.5101 http://www.docwinebarchicago.com

D.O.C. Wine Bar, The Shops on Butterfield, 326 Yorktown Center, Lombard. 630.627.6666 http://www.docwinebarchicago.com

Zocalo’s New Daily Dining Deals

Zocalo Restaurant and Tequila Bar, located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, has announced a new daily dining deal line-up that is now available to dining and bar guests. The schedule of offerings is listed below.

Zocalo updates the traditional flavors of Mexican cuisine, through braised and slow roasted meats, Yucatan-style marinades, classic Oaxacan moles and seafoods and ceviches as served on the beaches of Mexico. Tequila is certainly an important element to the restaurant, as over 130 varieties of 100% Blue Agave and Mezcal selections are offered neat, or served in signature margaritas and custom cocktails.

Zocalo Restaurant and Tequila Bar: Modern Taste. Authentic Mexican.

NEW DAILY DINING DEALS

Available Everyday
Hora Feliz  – Happy Hour
Half price appetizers in the bar area 5pm-7pm

Monday
Margarita Madness
Zocalo Margaritas $5
Tropical Margaritas $6 (Pomegranate, Prickly Pear, Passion Mango, Guava)

Tuesday
Mas Tacos y Tequila, Por Favor!
All you care to enjoy tacos $12
(Barbacoa, Chicken Tinga, Yucatan-style pulled pork, Birria)
Half off all tequila, including flights

Wednesday
Wine & Dine
Create your own 3 course dinner $25
Half price (all) bottles of wine

Thursday
Dine at Nine
All food items half price after 9pm (dine-in only, excludes tax and gratuity)
Sangria and Citrus Cazuelas $5

Friday and Saturday
Live Music and late night Tequila Lounge
Live music and DJ after 8pm (Latin funk, global beats, deep house)
Late night menu offered; Half price appetizers 10pm-Midnight
Bottle service and tequila locker service available

Sunday
Dine with me!
Buy one entree, receive one free (with purchase of an appetizer and dessert)
Cerveza Victoria $3, Modelo Especial $3

Lunch Service: Monday-Friday, 11:30am-2:30pm

Dinner Service: Sunday-Tuesday, 5pm-10pm; Wednesday-Thursday 5pm-11pm;
Friday-Saturday, 5pm-Midnight

ZOCALO Restaurant and Tequila Bar
358 W. Ontario
Chicago, IL 60610
312.302.9977
www.zocalochicago.com

Tequila Ocho Tasting at Zocalo

Tequila Distillery Events Held Monthly in River North

Thursday, August 12
6:30pm – 9:00pm

$20 per person

Mexico’s national spirit will get the attention it deserves during Zocalo Restaurant and Tequila Bar’s monthly tequila distillery events. Taking place on the second Thursday of every month, these spirited soirees will highlight different tequilas through informal tastings, specialty cocktails and Zocalo’s flavorful Mexican fare.

Tequila Ocho will be in the spotlight on Thursday, August 12 from 6:30-9 p.m. Passed appetizers from Zocalo’s menu will keep tequila tasters in the game, while live Latin music will set an upbeat vibe. The cost to attend Zocalo’s Tequila Ocho tasting is $20 per person, which includes two specialty cocktails, the tequila tasting, passed appetizers and a raffle ticket for a chance to win Zocalo gift cards, bottles of Tequila Ocho and more.

Zocalo’s weekly “Dine at Nine” promotion will also be in effect, offering half off all food items after 9 p.m. (must make a reservation and mention offer), as well as pitchers of Zocalo Margaritas frozen or on the rocks for $20 and pitchers of Tropical Margaritas (Blood Orange, Prickly Pear, Passion-Mango, Blueberry) for $25.

Tequila Ocho

Tequila Ocho is made by Felipe Camarena, a third generation Tequilero, in partnership with Tomas Estes, the “Ambassador of Tequila to the European Union.” This is a potent combination that delivers heritage and tradition coupled with innovation. Felipe and Tomas produce a tequila that is made slowly in the old-fashioned way. The result is a fine quality spirit that accentuates the agave flavor. It is concentrated and complex while remaining balanced and easy to drink. Tequila Ocho demonstrates that “terroir” exists in agave. We demonstrate this annually with new vintages drawn from our single estates at varying altitudes in Arandas, Jalisco, ensuring each vintage is distinct in aroma and flavor. Since each estate, or “rancho,” produces a limited amount of agave, each vintage of Ocho is both rare and collectible. Every bottle is hand numbered. Tequila Ocho is the first tequila to designate both the year it was produced and the precise field from which the agave was sourced. Each is noted on the front label to confirm their authenticity. Tequila Ocho “opens up and develops” in the glass the same way a fine wine does.

ZOCALO Restaurant and Tequila Bar
358 W. Ontario
Chicago, IL 60610
312.302.9977
www.zocalochicago.com

“Taste of Mexico City” Prix Fixe

ZOCALO Restaurant and Tequila Bar will offer a special “Taste of Mexico City” three course couple’s dinner menu for $30, October 12 through  October 15. Reservations (not required) may be made by calling ZOCALO.

Taste of Mexico City Menu

Antojitos / Appetizers, select one to share

Guacamole del Dia- Freshly diced avocado mixed with tomatoes, red onion, basil, fresh Oaxaca cheese and an arbol chile-balsamic reduction; served with homemade crostinis

Huaraches con Carnitas- Two homemade sandal-shaped masa boats topped with refried black beans, pork carnitas and pork crackling; garnished with pico de gallo, fresco cheese and “molcajete” salsa

Sopa de Fideo- A very traditional soup made with vermicelli noodles and a delicious tomato broth; garnished with sour cream and cotija cheese

Platos Fuertes / Main Course, select two

Milanesa de Res- Pan fried breaded rib eye topped with a spicy serrano-avocado salsa; served with “charro” style beans, roasted potatoes and a fresh cucumber salad

Pechuga Azteca- Pan seared chicken breast stuffed with sautéed mushrooms and Chihuahua cheese; served over a creamy poblano sauce with Mexican rice

Flautas de Papa- Three crispy taquitos filled with garlic mashed potatoes and cotija cheese; garnished with pico de gallo, fresco cheese and tomatillo salsa.  Served with a side of refried black beans and white rice

Postres / Desserts, select one to share

Flan de Chocolate- Chocolate flan infused with Kahlua Coffee Liqueur and garnished with fresh raspberries, whipped topping and chocolate shavings

Sopapillas con Helado- Traditional fried-dough pastry snacks tossed in cinnamon & sugar and drizzled with an agave-guava nectar; served with vanilla ice cream

Sunday-Tuesday, Dinner 5pm-10pm
Wednesday-Saturday, Dinner 5pm-11pm
Lounge open ’til 2am

ZOCALO Restaurant and Tequila Bar
358 W. Ontario
Chicago, IL 60610
312.302.9977
zocalochicago.com