Mardi Gras at The Red Canary

An All Day Affair Featuring Hurricanes and Cajun Fare

Saturday, February 18
10 a.m. – 3 a.m.

Free Hosted Bar 9 p.m. – 10 p.m.
$25 Party Package 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Tune up the tuba and break out the beads – Mardi Gras is coming to The Red Canary. On Saturday, February 18, the River West restaurant and lounge will offer a number of ways to celebrate the raucous and gluttonous holiday.

The day will begin with brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and continue through with dinner (3 p.m. to Midnight) and lounge service until 3 a.m. Chef Tolentino’s featured fare will be Cajun Gumbo ($8) and Cajun Chicken Pasta ($10) and drink specials include $4 “big ass” beers, $8 hurricanes and $8 hand grenades.  To kick off the late-night fete, The Red Canary will offer a complimentary hosted bar from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., followed by a three hour drink package option from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. ($25 per person).

The Red Canary
695 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60642
312.846.1475
TheRedCanaryChicago.com

Crawfish Eating Contest for Charity at Cactus

Second Annual Fat Tuesday Event in the Financial District

Fat Tuesday, February 21
6 p.m.

Contestants: $25 entrance fee (will be donated to Habit for Humanity)

Cheer Them On: event is free to attend

Cactus Bar and Grill will hold their second annual crawfish eating contest for charity on Tuesday, February 21. This Fat Tuesday event, taking place in the Financial District, will encourage competitors to consume three pounds of crawfish in the fastest amount of time possible. All proceeds, including the $25 entrance fee, will benefit Habitat for Humanity of New Orleans.

Contestants will be divided into four heats, and the winner of each heat will compete in a final round. All competitors will receive a Cactus t-shirt. First place will be awarded a $50 gift certificate to Cactus Bar and Grill, second place a table top grill, and third place a Corona metal beer cooler. Plenty of Mardi Gras accessories, such as beads and masks, will be delved out to the crowd.

Cactus will offer a variety of specials throughout Fat Tuesday week (February 20, 21 22, 23, 24):

$5 pints of Louisiana’s local beer, Abita Purple Haze – $1 from each Purple Haze sold will be donated to Habitat for Humanity NOLA;

$5 Hurricanes;

$5 SoCo Lime shots;

$4 cup, $6 bowl Shrimp and Crawfish Gumbo;

$10 Shrimp Po Boy with side;

$12 Crawfish Boil Platter.

To reserve a spot in the crawfish competition, please visit DontDrinkAndTrade.com. For more information, call Cactus’ event line at 312.922.8025.

Since its inception in 1983, NOAHH has been working in partnership with hard working, low-income families in New Orleans to build and finance new, safe, affordable homes. The program makes homeownership possible for families who are unable to qualify for traditional home loans but have a stable job, good or no credit, and the willingness to contribute 350 hours of sweat equity to the building of Habitat homes.New Orleans continues to rebuild housing that was destroyed by the devastating flooding of Hurricane Katrina. NOAHH has become a beacon of hope in this rebuilding process by recruiting and deploying tens of thousands of volunteers to construct new homes in damaged, blighted neighborhoods. With the support of our volunteers, donors, and partners across the country and even the world, NOAHH’s homebuilding capacity has increased annually since 2005. New Orleans is a city with historically low rates of homeownership and high levels of poverty, yet it is a place of resiliency, hope, and cultural vibrancy.With a spirit of renewal, NOAHH is rising to the challenges presented by a substandard housing stock and is helping many to realize their dream of homeownership. http://habitat-nola.org

Cactus Bar and Grill
404 S. Wells
Chicago, IL
312-922-3830
DontDrinkAndTrade.com

“Mardi Gras Madness”

Festive Fat Tuesday Party at Kit Kat

Tuesday, February 21
5:30 p.m. – midnight

Free to attend

Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club will create their own “carnival” this Fat Tuesday. On February 21, indulge in Chef Mark Kasper’s special Kit Kat Gumbo (tiger shrimp and Amish chicken with okra, rice and buttermilk biscuit, $17) as well as a bevy of half-price, Cruzan rum cocktails ($5 each, listed below).

Diva Tracy Ross will perform a variety of songs starting at 7:30 p.m. and will distribute beaded necklaces, hats and other giveaways courtesy of Cruzan Rum. 

Table reservations are welcome, please call Kit Kat at 773-525-1111.

Cruzan Rum Carnival Cocktails
$5 each

The Zombie – Cruzan light rum, Cruzan dark rum, pineapple, orange, lime and apricot brandy
The Hurricane – Cruzan light rum, Cruzan dark rum, passion fruit, orange, lime and grenadine
The Acapulco – Cruzan light rum, triple sec, lime, mint and 1 egg white
The Hawaiian Screwdriver – Cruzan guava rum, fresh pinapple, orange and spash of grenadine
The Tropical Itch – Cruzan Cherry rum, Cruzan dark rum, pineapple, splash of orange
The Rum Runner – Cruzan gold rum, orange, blackberry brandy, creme de banane and grenadine
Strawberry Daiquiri – Cruzan light rum, triple sec, lime ice and strawberries all blended
The Mai Tai – Cruzan light rum, Cruzan dark rum, lime, orange curacao

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

“Be My Valentine” at Nacional 27

Four Course Menu with Creative Cocktail Pairings 

February 10, 11, 13, 14

$49 four course menu
$35 cocktail pairings

Heat up your winter holiday at Nacional 27, where drinks, dining and dancing make for a great date night. This Valentine’s Day weekend (February 10, 11, 13, 14), the River North restaurant and lounge will offer a special “Be My Valentine” menu.  Chef Chico Vilchez’s four courses include a selection of tapas, choice of soup or salad, entree and dessert for $49 per guest. Nacional 27’s mixologist, Liz Samples, has created four cocktails that may be paired with dinner for an additional $35.

After dinner, linger in the lounge or dash to the dance floor to experience a complete evening on the town, all under one roof.  Reservations are recommended, please call Nacional 27 at 312-664-2727 or visit N27Chicago.com.

“Be My Valentine” Menu

TAPAS

Shrimp Adobado Skewer; Agave BBQ’d Lamb Taco; Crab Cake with chipotle tartar; Pepper Jack Cheese, Boniato and Plantain Empanada

Cocktail Pairing: POW! Punch
Myers rum, rhum creole clement, ginger-habenero, pomegranate, orange juice, passion fruit, sparkling wine

SOPA OR ENSALADA

(select one)

Shrimp Chowder, red & yellow peppers, red bliss potatoes, jalapeno, ginger

Hearts of Palm Salad, salsa cruda, avocado, papaya, olives

Cocktail Pairing: N27 Mojito
Bacardi rum, lime, mint, sugar, soda water

ENTREE

(select one)

Surf & Turf, 5-oz filet with malbec reduction and Langostinos with citrus butter, served with herb roasted potatoes, leeks and red peppers

Seared Ahi Tuna, Latin spiced, served with a jicama, grapefruit & pomegranate salad

Cocktail Pairing: Martini #27
Bacardi anejo, housemade falernum, guava puree, soda water, fresh herbs

POSTRE

Cinnamon Churros, dulce de leche; Chocolate Sponge Cake, strawberry crema

Cocktail Pairing: Good ol’ glass of bubbly 

Nacional 27
325 West Huron
Chicago, Illinois 60654
312-664-2727
n27chicago.com

Valentine’s Day Dining at III Forks

Special Menu, Sweetheart Selection and Sparkling Wine

Special Menu Offered February 14
Sweetheart Selection Offered February 10-14

III Forks Prime Steakhouse will welcome Valentine’s Day dining guests with a special menu on Tuesday, February 14. Chef Tommy Nevill will feature starters, USDA Prime beef, seafood and sides (menu outlined below). Nevill’s “Sweetheart Selection,” filet mignon with cold water lobster tail, will be available throughout the weekend (February 10-14). III Forks will also feature four sparkling wine selections, chosen for the romantic holiday.

Reservations are encouraged. Please call III Forks or visit OpenTable.

Valentine’s Day Menu 

Beginnings
Seafood Medley 17.95
Shrimp Cocktail 15.95
Ahi Tuna 14.95
III Forks Salad 9.95
Wedge Salad 9.95
Lobster Bisque 11.95

Sweetheart Selection 
USDA Prime Filet Mignon with Cold Water Lobster Tail 69.95

Beef Market
USDA Prime Filet Mignon 8oz 34.95
USDA Prime Filet Mignon 12oz 42.95
USDA Prime New York Strip 16oz 44.95
USDA Prime Bone In Ribeye 18oz 42.95
USDA Prime Porterhouse 24oz 59.95
Prime Rib 16oz 34.95
Rack of Lamb 42.95

Fish Market
Atlantic Salmon 29.95
Chilean Seabass 35.95
Cold Water Lobster Tail Market

Sides
Off-the-Cob Cream Corn 8.50
Fresh Asparagus 9.95
Sauteed Spinach 9.50
Sauteed Mushrooms 9.50
Mashed Potatoes 6.95
Baked Potato 8.50
Six Cheese Potatoes 9.50
Sweet Potato Hash 8.50

Featured Sparkling Wine Selections
Mumm, Napa, NV 187ml 12.00
Chandon Brut Classic, California, NV 187ml 15.00
Domaine Chandon “Etoile” Napa, NV 750ml 81.00
Veuve Clicquot “Yellow Label” Reims, NV 750ml 126.00

III Forks Prime Steakhouse
333 East Benton Place
Chicago, Illinois 60601
312.938.4303
www.3Forks.com

Valentine’s Day at Due Lire

Italian Fare Set in an Intimate Atmosphere

Tuesday, February 14
5-10 p.m.

$45 four course menu

Due Lire Vino & Cucina has the perfect atmosphere, ambiance and cuisine that diners’ seek out on Valentine’s Day. This cozy, Lincoln Square contemporary Italian restaurant will offer a special four course, prix fixe menu on Tuesday, February 14. From 5-10 p.m., guests may enjoy Chef Kevin Abshire’s multi-course meal for $45. The Valentine’s Day menu includes an appetizer, pasta, entree and dessert, with such selections as sunchoke and toasted hazelnut puree soup; creamy gorgonzola polenta with wild boar ragu and shaved horseradish; homemade celery root-filled pasta with caramelized wild mushroom and truffle butter; roasted pork loin with roasted potatoes and brussels sprout in a red wine demi; and homemade pear tart with hazelnut gelato and shaved dark chocolate.

Due Lire’s regular dinner menu will also be available in addition to the prix fixe. Proprietor Massimo Di Vuolo is happy to pair each course with wine, upon request. Reservations are recommended, please call the restaurant at 773-275-7878.

Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Menu

First Course
choice of:

Zuppa di Rape
sunchoke and toasted hazelnut puree soup

Polenta al Cinghiale
creamy gorgonzola polenta with wild boar ragu and shaved horseradish

Second Course
choice of:

Gnocchi di Barbabietole
homemade beet gnocchi with watercress pesto and ricotta salata

Caramelle ai Funghi di Bosco
homemade celery root-filled pasta with caramelized wild mushroom and truffle butter

Third Course
choice of:

Razza con Asparagi e Finocchio
pan roasted skate with grilled asparagus and fennel in a balsamic brown butter

Maialino con Cavoletti e Patate
roasted pork loin with roasted potatoes and brussels sprout in a red wine demi

Fourth Course
choice of:

Crostata di Pere
homemade pear tart with hazelnut gelato and shaved dark chocolate

Croccantino di Pistacchio
caramelized pistachios mousse with a shot of hot espresso

Due Lire Vino & Cucina
4520 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
(773) 275-7878
www.Due-Lire.com 

Valentine’s Day at The Red Canary

Aphrodisiac Menu for Two

February 10, 11, 13, 14

$90 per couple

The Red Canary, located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, is a perfectly sexy spot for Valentine’s Day dining. The decadent parlor room features a vaulted ceiling, stunning chandeliers, exposed brick and damask fabrics. Named after legendary female jazz vocalists from the Harlem Jazz Movement, the restaurant and lounge offers “Real. American. Comfort.” fare, along with an impressive selection of classic cocktails, wine and craft beer.

Chef Daniel Tolentino has crafted a special menu for two that incorporates appropriately themed, aphrodisiac-inspired dishes. The menu, offered during dinner service February 10, 11, 13 and 14, is priced at $90 per couple and includes a champagne toast, starter course, shared bite, soup or salad, entree and dessert. The selections are outlined below.

Reservations are encouraged (tip: request one of the red velvet booths). Tax and gratuity is not included in the dinner. The Valentine’s weekend menu for two will be offered Friday 2/10 and Saturday 2/11 from  5-11 p.m. and Monday 2/13 and Tuesday 2/14 from 5-10 p.m.

Valentine’s Day Menu

Shared Starter

Artisan Cheese Platter – assorted cheeses – fruits – compotes – house crackers

Shared Bite

Oysters Canary – broiled oysters – fresh spicy crab mayo

Valentine’s Toast

Champagne – fresh raspberries

Intro (select one)

Asparagus Salad – prosciutto wrapped asparagus – fennel – toasted almonds – shaved asiago – vanilla vinaigrette

Soup – wild mushrooms – white asparagus dumpling consommé

Main (select one)    

Sauteed Grouper – peach arugula salad – plantain puree – fried shallots

Grilled Lamp Chops – roasted fingerling potatoes – cran-cherry coulis

Steak Gnocchi – flat iron steak – housemade gnocchi – roasted tomato and basil sauce

Shared Sweet

Chef’s Chocolate Sampler Platter

The Red Canary
695 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60642
312.846.1475
TheRedCanaryChicago.com