Category Archives: Restaurants and Dining
Gay Day Brunch with BestGayChicago.com Oct. 21
$30 BestGayChicago.com
Sunday Oct. 21st
$30 cash at the door gets you unlimited mimosas, bloody marys,
coffee, juice, sodas, and an awesome entree from their brunch menu and
soppapillas for dessert. $30 includes tax and tip as well.
Please RSVP ON FACEBOOK (not with the restaurant!) so we can plan a rough head count. You don’t HAVE TO Rsvp –
but it helps the restaurant out.
swag bags to bring!
We make no money from this event – all the
money goes to the restaurant.
restaurants 4-6 times a year.
Gay Forbidden Sushi Night Oct. 20 at Atmosphere
Asians and Friends Chicago
costumed guests. It’s a cultural, decadent take on the Eve of Hallows
celebration. In addition, there will be party food, a 50-50 raffle and
exotic dancers following the tasting.
Admission (Entry, Party Food, Cash Bar) is Free!
Markus Ford of Élever Chicago Presents a Pop Up Restaurant Oct. 13, 2012
By now you are already hip to the trend of
“Pop Up” restaurants. And if not, you have a lot of catching up to do.
For those of you who were in attendance at “Internationale – Spring 2012” you already know the scene – pure decadence. Chef Markus Ford of Élever
Chicago presented foods from his travels through Budapest, Prague and
Vienna.
This fall, he wants to take you again through some of his
favorite savory destinations.
Your
flight departs on Saturday, October 13th, beginning at 5pm CST, and
every hour on the hour thereafter until 9pm CST.
Economy Class will feature four courses from all over the world for $65/person. Book a party of 10 or more and be bumped up to Business Class with a complimentary glass of champagne. BETTER YET, READERS OF THIS SITE MAY ALSO GET BUMPED UP TO BUSINESS CLASS. IN YOUR PAYPAL NOTES, MENTION THIS SITE!
The total flight time should be approximately 2 hours, maybe less with good tailwinds.
passengers will be treated to a dining experience in an open kitchen
atmosphere with foods prepared directly in front of them by Chef Markus
Ford. Guests who choose to fly First Class will enjoy a private hors
d’oeuvre reception in the Admiral’s Club, in-flight snacks served by our
lovely flight attendants, a champagne greet, unlimited drinks, a
7-course meal complete with boutique vintage wine pairings, a table side
visit from the Élever Chicago
Sommelier, specialty cocktails and food that the Chef has personally
experienced from Egypt, Spain, Morocco, Greece, Austria, France and
Italy. The First Class experience is limited to 30 exclusive guests on a
first-come, first-served basis. $160 The total flight time should be a
leisurely 3 hours 30 minutes, cruising at an altitude of maximum
opulence. “Internationale II, First Class” departs promptly at 7pm CST.
Boarding will be at the
Centered Chef, 177 N Ada. Right near Randolph, Lake and Ogden, in the heart of the Randolph restaurant neighborhood.
BOOK NOW ONLINE!
My Private Chef Presents Fall Cooking Class at Treasure Island
OCTOBER 9, 2012
MY PRIVATE CHEF PRESENTS A FALL COOKING CLASS AT TREASURE ISLAND COOKING SCHOOL, CHICAGO
Looking for some new cooking ideas for fall?
Chef Christopher Tong, of the upscale Chicago-based private gourmet dining service, My Private Chef. He has been invited to demonstrate some delicious recipes perfect for Fall entertaining.
This cooking class is at the on-site classroom at the Treasure Island Foods at 2121 North Clybourn, Chicago. It will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 from 7pm-9pm. The cost is $9.00 per person.
Advance registration is requested to reserve your place in the class. To register for the class, visit tifoods.com/cooking_school/class_schedule/
For more information about My Private Chef, contact Event Services at 773.981.8131 or visit our web site: Myprivatechef.net
Chick-Fil-A HAS NOT changed their Policy for Donations
How did this happen??
Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy told Mike Huckabee that contrary to reports announced this week
by Chicago LGBT rights group The Civil Rights Agenda and Chicago
alderman Joe Moreno, Chick-fil-A has NOT agreed to end its anti-gay
donations.
Mike Huckabee writes on his website:
I talked earlier today personally with
Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick Fil-A about the new reports that Chick Fil-A had
capitulated to demands of the supporters of same sex marriage. This is
not true. The company continues to focus on the fair treatment of all of
its customers and employees, but to end confusion gave me this
statement:
“There continues to be erroneous implications in the
media that Chick-fil-A changed our practices and priorities in order to
obtain permission for a new restaurant in Chicago. That is incorrect.
Chick-fil-A made no such concessions, and we remain true to who we are
and who we have been.”
In part, the press release from CRA states: September 18, 2012 – Chicago, Illinois – The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA),
Illinois’ leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil
rights advocacy organization, has learned that Alderman Moreno has
finalized his negotiations with Chick-Fil-A. Alderman Moreno has
confirmed that Chick-fil-A will no longer give money to anti-gay
organizations and that they have clarified in an internal document that
the company will treat every person equally, regardless of sexual
orientation. The Civil Rights Agenda worked closely with the Alderman in
an advisory role as he negotiated these concessions with the executives
at Chick-fil-A. Additionally, members of TCRA spoke directly with
executives at Chick-fil-A during negotiations to aid in educating their
decision makers about anti-discrimination policies and issues affecting
the LGBT community.
We have called both Alderman Moreno AND The Civil Rights Agenda –
Anthony Martinez from TCRA said, “We
would like clarification from Mr. Cathy and Alderman Moreno on this
matter. Chick-fil-A either lied or they are being very stealth about how
they characterize this matter with their base.”
Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno is confused, and rightfully so.
Thanks in part to Moreno’s efforts, fast food franchise Chick-fil-A last week vowed to stop funding any political groups, especially anti-gay groups it backed in the past. Then, two days later, homophobic company CEO Dan Cathy tweeted support for a discriminatory group, a move Moreno says “muddied” the debate.
“[That
tweet], at the least, muddied the progress we had made with Chick-fil-A
and, at the worst, contradicted the documents and promises Chick-fil-A
made to me and the community earlier this month.”
More from CNN:
[Moreno] said the executives confirmed to him that both the
foundation and the company in 2012 has not given money and will not give
money to those groups.Cathy’s conflicting statement, Moreno said Sunday, is “disturbing.”
“I
am simply asking Mr. Cathy to confirm statements and documents that HIS
company executives provided to me,” Moreno said in a written statement,
capitalizing “his” for emphasis.“It’s pretty simple, Mr. Cathy.
Do you acknowledge and support the policies that your executives
outlined to me in writing or do you not? Yes or no?” the statement
added.
Complimentary Tequila Tasting at El Mariachi Saturday Aug. 11
While out at Market Days, escape the crowds for a bit.
Stop by El Mariachi 3906 N. Broadway,
for a complimentary tequila tasting!
Grab a bit and drink! 6-8pm.
Saturday Aug 11th, 2012
Rahm Emanuel Say he will Block Chick Fil A From Opening any More Stores in Chicago
Chick Fil A backlash continues!!
Chicago Alderman
Proco “Joe” Moreno says he won’t allow Chick-Fil-A to open a restaurant
in his Northwest Side ward because of the company’s anti-gay worldview,
and Mayor Rahm Emanuel is offering his support, the Chicago Tribune reports:
“If
you are discriminating against a segment of the community, I don’t want
you in the 1st Ward,” Moreno told the Tribune on Tuesday.
Moreno
stated his position in strong terms, referring to Cathy’s “bigoted,
homophobic comments” in a proposed opinion page piece that an aide also
sent to Tribune reporters. “Because of this man’s ignorance, I will now
be denying Chick-fil-A’s permit to open a restaurant in the 1st Ward.”
The alderman has the ideological support of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
“Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago
values,” the mayor said in a statement when asked about Moreno’s
decision. “They disrespect our fellow neighbors and residents. This
would be a bad investment, since it would be empty.”
The proposed restaurant, in the Logan Square neighborhood, would be the second to open in the Windy City.
Margaritas on Memorial Day at El Mariachi
Memorial Day! May 28th!
Experience one of the hottest up and coming brunch spots in
the boys town/east Lakeview neighborhoods.
Great place to enjoy with family & friends. An amazing expansive brunch menu.
Secluded and Private patio with no buses zooming by your table!
Brunch Done With A Mexican Twist!!! Saturdays and Sundays
We Will Be Open From 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Memorial Day Monday with 1/2 price margaritas all day long!
El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill
3906 N. Broad
Cinco de Mayo at El Mariachi Saturday
Historically the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates the victory
of a heroic people and their struggle for freedom. On May 5, 1862 the
outnumbered State of Puebla, Mexico defeated French forces which fueled
the momentum and national confidence to ultimately drive foreign power
completely from the country.
The reason for this celebration is
to foment the Mexican history, rich traditions and maintain our roots
present in our younger generations.
Today fiesta lovers across
the United States will gather to celebrate the Mexican holiday. Cinco de
Mayo is now celebrated in towns across the U.S. that are predominately
non-Hispanic!
It’s becoming more popular than St. Patrick’s Day, in some cities!
WE’LL be at El Mariachi!
Dining Out for Life Chicago April 26th
On Thursday, April 26, 2012 EdgeAlliance presents its 19th annual Dining Out for Life event, benefiting children and adults living with HIV/AIDS on Chicago’s West Side. Chicago is one of 60 cities across the United States and Canada participating in the event, making Dining Out for Life the single largest HIV/AIDS benefit in the country! Last year more than 80 Chicago restaurants pledged a portion of the night’s proceeds to EdgeAlliance raising more than $125,000!
With the generous support of this year’s Diamond Sponsors – Broadway Cellars, Connies Pizza, Crew Bar and Grill, Nookies Edgewater, The Signature Room on the 95th and Zapatista – Cuisines of Mexico – this year, EdgeAlliance hopes to raise $150,000 for Chicagoans living with HIV/AIDS!
“Just as Chicago is synonymous with good people and great food, Dining Out for Life has become a symbol of hope for our clients impacted by HIV/AIDS and homelessness. I hope you will join us in making 2012 further proof of Chicago’s appetite for great food and doing good.” said Jim Flosi, EdgeAlliance Founder, President and CEO.
EdgeAlliance is committed to providing housing, supportive services and peace-of-mind to those affected by HIV/AIDS. Their North Lawndale campus serves more than 125 individuals, offering supportive housing and comprehensive services.
You can visit the official Dining Out for Life website at www.diningoutforlife.com for full details! Dine Out. Fight AIDS!
Participating Restaurants
312 Chicago • Acre • Andies Restaurant • Angelina Ristorante • Ann Sather Restaurant • Anna Maria Pasteria • Anteprima • Atwood Café • Avenue Tavern • Baker & Nosh • Berghoff Restaurant • Big Jones • Bite Café • Bistronomic • Blackbird • Bluegrass • Broadway Cellars • Browntrout • Carnivale • Ceres’ Table • Club Lucky • Connie’s Pizza • Crew Bar & Grill • Cucina Paradiso • Custom House Tavern • D.S. Tequila Co. • Deleece • Deleece Grill • Fiorentino’s • Fiorenza Ristorante • Francesca’s Bryn Mawr • Francesca’s Forno • Francesca’s on Chestnut • Francesca’s on Taylor • Growling Rabbit • Halsted’s Bar & Grill • Hamburger Mary’s • HB Home Bistro • Hearty Restaurant • Horizon Café • Jin Ju • Kilwin’s Chicago • Lady Gregory’s • Las Mananitas • Leopold • Longman & Eagle • Magnolia Café • Mia Francesca • Minibar • Nookies Edgewater • Ombra • Pars Cove Restaurant • Palette Bistro • Ping Pong • PROSECCO • Sable Kitchen & Bar • Salpicon • Silver Cloud • Sola • South Water Kitchen • Southport and Irving • Spacca Napoli Pizzeria • Stella’s Diner • Tank Sushi • Taverna 750 • The Bagel Restaurant & Deli (Lakeview) • The Bagel Restaurant & Deli (Skokie) • The Chicago Diner • The Signature Room at the 95th • Toppers Pizza • Tuscany OakBrook • Uncommon Ground • Via Veneto • Vincent • Vivere • Wakamono • Wilde Bar & Restaurant • Zapatista – Cuisines of Mexico •
El Mariachi Special Dinner April 25th
Our friends at El Mariachi, 3906 N. Broadway Chicago IL. 60613
Have put together this wonderful evening, April 25th @ 7pm.
Experience a 4 course special dinner menu paired with
4 cocktails and full flight of tequila! For $39 per person!
This is event is ALMOST SOLD OUT.
The owners said they have about 10 seats left.
Call now to reserve a spot! 773-549-2932
FYI – their new restaurant,
Revolucion Mexican Steak House is moving along –
they hope for a late May opening date!
I have seen the inside and is going to be very, very nice!
Elever Chicago Pop Up Restaurant April 21
‘Internationale:
An Evening of Food, Fashion & Art’
From a Party to an Event, From Food to Cuisine, From a Look to a Style:
Ladies and Gentlemen of Chicagoland,
It’s time to elevate!
Élever Chicago is transforming dining from simply a meal to a sensory experience with its second underground dining event, Internationale: An Evening of Food, Fashion & Art. On Saturday, April 21, 2012, the Chicago Artist Coalition will host this upscale dining affair with reservations each hour between 5 PM and 10 PM. Haute cuisine is a standard for the evening, as it is always, when prepared by Chef Markus Ford.
Hosted in a lovely West Loop art gallery at 217 N. Carpenter.
For the fashion-forward diners, designer Sujata Gazder will lend her bold and classic wearable art to the hostesses. There is something for everyone; a night filled with food, fashion and art.
As with the premiere Élever Chicago underground dining event, Internationale promises to be an event attended by Chicago socialites, business entrepreneurs, the beautiful and fashionable of the city, and those who wish to raise their dining experience from the commonplace. Sponsors will have the opportunity to brand their products and services to hundreds of guests and potential clients. Élever Chicago will also be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Chicago Artist Coalition, whose mission is to educate the public on the value of the visual arts. More than merely an experience in exceptional dining, through Internationale, Élever Chicago is cementing a bridge between the culinary arts and the visual arts.
RED DRESS PARTY ATTENDEES!
Dine at the 5pm seating and save $10 off the dinner ticket price. .
Chef Markus Ford has traveled the world. Now he brings his culinary
expertise back to Chicago. Please join him
at Internationale
– A Night of Food, Fashion & Art. Each dinner seating should take approximately 90 minutes. A
portion of the proceeds go to support the Chicago Artists’ Coalition.
All
ticket information can be found at Eleverchicago.com/events.
Dale Levitski unviels Frog N Snail Today!
Chicago EATER ran photos of the interior of Dale Levitski’s (Top Chef Season 3) new restaurant on Broadway, with its natural woods and stone, custom-made wood back bar, exposed Edison pendants and more.
Frog N Snail will open Friday March 30th for lunch and dinner hours start April 4th.
3124 N. Broadway
Revolucion Mexican SteakHouse Comes to Lakeview
The owners of El Mariachi restaurants, both on Broadway in Lake View, are busy working on a
Mexican steak house—on Broadway, naturally— for this spring. The 120-seater
will serve classic prime steaks such as New York strip, rib eye, and
filet mignon with Mexican sides and margaritas as well as guacamole and
seviches, and will be called Revolución Steak House (3443 N. Broadway;
no phone yet). The liquor license is in place and they plan to be late Spring!
Big Gay Brunch Club at Adriactic Cafe Restaurant Feb 19
Sunday Feb 19th 1pm-3pm, BIG GAY BRUNCH CLUB CHICAGO takes over Adriatic Restaurant in Andersonville!
Though the family that owns this Edgewater spot is Serbian, much of the
menu isn’t. Many of the meals do feature ingredients used in traditional
Serbian cuisine, but the owners have worked to Americanize the entrees.
The result: comfort food with a Mediterranean twist. Specialties
include the Adriatic plate, a carnivore’s dream of mixed meats such as
pork chops, chicken and liver; a daily fish special; and housemade
cevapcici.
Bottomless Sangria and mimosa’s. And an amazing buffet for $25 inclusive of tax and gratuity.
For appetizers:
Hummus
Kaymak ( homemade type of cream cheese)
Creamy rolls (made with ham, smoked meat, cheese, sour cream)
Meze ( smoked meats chicken, beef and pork, mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, olives)
Spicy feta spread , Capraise sandwich, Cornbread
Salads:
Green salad, Tomato, Cucumber, Pickled vegetables, Potato salad
Soup of the day
Main course:
Sarma (stuffed cabbage), Pork schnitzel , Breaded fish, Veal with veggie, Chicken in mushroom sauce
Beans , Grilled mixed meat , Rice, Mashed potato, Grilled vegetables, Baked potato
RSVP on Facebook. $25 cash at the door.
5553 N. Clark St.
CREW Bar Annual Charity Chilli CookOff Jan 28
NBC 5’S WAYNE JOHNSON RETURNS AS HOST OF CREW’S 2012 CHARITY CHILI COOK OFF
Wayne Johnson, food and lifestyle reporter for NBC Chicago, will return as host of Crew Bar + Grill’s Annual Charity Chili Contest on Saturday, January 28th, from 12PM to 2PM.
The annual chili contest lets patrons sample eight different chili recipes for a $10.00 donation to the Edgewater based non-profit, Care for Real. Organized by the Edgewater Community Council, Care for Real is a volunteer operated food pantry and social services group supported by donations from the community. Prizes will be awarded for the best chili recipe, $100 in cash, and the category for best presentation of your chili, the “Nate Berkus award”, which nets a $50 Crew gift card.
Crew Bar + Grill
4804 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
Crew Bar + Grill, located at Broadway and Lawrence, is Chicago’s premiere, award winning gay sports bar. In 2010, Mike Sullivan and Mark Robertson joined the business as co-owners alongside Steve Milford and Brian Wells. Now well into its seventh year, Crew has become a fixture of the Uptown entertainment district with a mix of big games on over 20 HD, flat screen televisions and great food and drinks.
Taverna 750 Big Gay Brunch Club Party Jan 15th
BGBC takes over
Taverna750 JAN 15th!
Taverna750 is Boystown’s newest chic hipster hotspot — that IS NOT overpriced, as one might expect for a cool spot with awesome food and drinks. Taverna 750 is the best of old school Italian with a contemporary flair.
Jan. 15th – Join BGBC from 11-1
$25 (CASH ONLY)
inclusive of tax and gratuity or pizza or entree –
plus soda, tea and coffee in addition to the unlimited mimosas and adult chocolate milk.
LOTS of food choices to pick from!
RSVP on FACEBOOK
1:00 the party will move over to Scarlett, 3320 North Halsted Street
with some champagne, music, dancing and more!
PLUS, we’ll be giving everyone free passes to see
the new Glenn Close Film, ALBERT NOBBS!
PLUS, we’ll be giving everyone $10 gift cards
for UBER BLACK CAR SERVICE!
BestGayChicago.com is a proud sponsor of BGBC!
Winter Soup To Warm Your Soul – with Private Chef Tong
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE SOME
HOT SAVORY SOUP ON
THESE COLD CHICAGO WINTER DAYS!
January 21
Soup for a Winter’s day
with My Private Chef
at Bloomingdaleʼs
Home & Furniture Store
Chef Christopher Tong of the Chicago-based private gourmet dining service, My Private Chef,
will present delicious soups from around the world.
This free
cooking demonstration will take place on Saturday, January 21 from 2-4pm Bloomingdale’s Home & Furniture Store at Medinah Temple, 600 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago. Demo kitchen on 1.
PHOTO – My Private Chef in the
January 2012 issue of Food Network Magazine. An exuberant photo of Chef
Chris and Sous Chef Manny from their recent Chicago Botanic Garden
appearance will be in the Jan/Feb issue of Food Network Magazine. Look
for it on newsstands now.
What could be more elegant… and memorable… than serving a one of-a-kind meal created by a world-class chef?
My Private Chef takes private dining to a professional level of excellence.
