Today marks the beginning of Whale Week on Eater Chicago. Ending Friday, Eater will highlight the people that love to splurge on decadent and unique food and drink experiences, and the folks that work to make them happen. Chicago has a unique breed of high-rollers (also known as whales), whether living here or visiting, that enjoy the perks of one of the top hospitality destinations in the world.
This is the time of year when everyone needs something to take their mind of the Midwestern winter. Whales do it in their unique way: Spending their hard-earned money, and year-end bonuses, in Chicago's finest dining and drinking establishments. Throughout Whale Week Eater highlights the places they love to do it with guides, maps, dishes, interviews, and anecdotes.
If you have a tale of dining or drinking excess you'd like to share with the Eater readers, send it to the tipline. Or just sit back with some bubbly.
Allison Rosati, NBC5 Chicago; Chef Dirk Flanigan, First Bites Bash Host; Don Welsh, President & CEO, Choose Chicago; Kathleen Casey, Founder, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation; Rob Stafford, NBC5 Chicago [Photo: Chuck Janda]
WEST LOOP—Over 1250 people attended the sold-out First Bites Bash at Union Station last night, over 50 top restaurants providing samples in the pre-restaurant week party. Host Dirk Flanigan, recently on his own, said he's scouting for locations and investors for a 100-plus-seat space. He says it's just the first in a coming restaurant group. [EaterWire]
Union Station
500 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL
USA
41.8781
-87.6399
Photo: James Atkins
On the job less than two months as beverage director, Jan Henrichsen has completely revamped the beverage program at Found. The new program focuses on affordable Midwestern beer and wines, including Michigan wines on tap. Eight creative craft cocktails feature house-made shrubs and milk liqueurs. The stout flout is an eye-catcher as a scoop of Black Dog vanilla gelato foams in a pint of milky stout accented with blackstrap bitters.
The booze is seasonally-changing to pair with chef Nicole Pederson's contemporary food platings.
[Photos: Barry Brecheisen]
Chicago winter is officially here, so what better time to find someone to cozy up to? Join Eater Dating today, grab a companion and enjoy all that Chicago has to offer.
How about we...
...indulge in "No Crust Apple Pie" from the new Sumi Robata Bar (above).
...check out Billy Sunday, one of the best new bars in America.
...celebrate National Soup Month at Mon Ami Gabi.
...head to Au Cheval for a satisfying lunch break.
...have breakfast at Isabel's in Lincoln Park.
Join Eater Dating Today. >>
· Eater Dating [~E~]
Central Wicker Park seems to be in flux. With rumors flying that Cans might be closing soon, Salud Tequila Lounge, just over a block from six corners, is closing up in just over a week. Next Saturday will be Salud's last night open.
Tommy Wang, a partner in Three Headed Productions which owns Salud and others in the neighborhood, says business has not been great for the latin-inspired lounge and eatery. And with January and February traditionally slow in the business, this is the right time.
Three Headed Productions still owns the building, which is prime real estate on the Milwaukee Avenue strip. They're considering a few different scenarios, including reconcepting.
Wang is opening MAK on Division next month. It'll be interesting to see what comes in place of Salud.
·Salud Tequila Lounge [Official Site]
·All Coverage of Salud Tequila Lounge [~ECHI~]
Salud Tequila Lounge
1471 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL
USA
41.9087
-87.6746
And now the latest from Curbed Chicago, covering everything you need to know about the city's neighborhoods and real estate...
WRIGLEYVILLE— After a long period of silence, Wrigley Field's owners have released conceptual drawings of $300M in renovations to the historic ballpark. And they're willing to drop pursuit of taxpayer funds in exchange for the city's loosening of restrictions to commercial activity in and around Wrigley. Whether or not they should be congratulated, Rahm seems to dig it.
RIVER NORTH— The $1B, three-tower proposal for Wolf Point has cleared its first major hurdle, scoring the blessing of the Chicago Plan Commission over vocal neighbor opposition. Phase one will involve construction of a new stretch of riverwalk and the 525-foot west tower.
Bavette's Bar & Boeuf [Photo: Jason Little]
Michael Nagrant is in love with Bavette's, which he calls "one of the very best restaurants to open in Chicago in a while." A lobster cocktail platter is "inherently buttery and sweet and needs little adornment" while the foie gras terrine is encased in a "half-inch of glorious fat" and accompanied by an "intensely sweet and syrupy" raspberry jam. The smoked whitefish Caesar is a "nice antidote" to the usual chicken breast and the duchess-cut filet has a "marvelous grassy mineral tone in each bite." Capping it off is a chocolate cream pie that's "so velvety, so smooth, so rich with a texture somewhere between mousse and ganache" that it makes Nagrant "stratospherically delightful." [Sun-Times]
The people have spoken. In a showing of culinary democracy, Frog N Snail is releasing their new tonight. Chef Dale Levitski asked for customer input, both in the restaurant and out, and crafted the new menu with that in mind.
The new dishes at the approachable neighborhood bistro include duck leg confit pierogi with brussel sprouts, cauliflower, saffron creme fraiche, and celery root slaw ($19); buckwheat crepe with mushroom, pear, arugula, goat cheese, and cauliflower ($16); and a mushroom and snail ragout starter with white corn goat cheese grits and butternut squash ($11). The burger option is half-pound prime angus with blt, sunnyside egg, buttermilk fried onions, and three sauces ($16). There's many more, check it out starting tonight.
·Frog N Snail [Official Site]
·All Coverage of Frog N Snail [~ECHI~]
More new restaurants and bars are coming to Evanston seemingly every day. There's a second location of the popular Bucktown Japanese spot, Coast Sushi Bar, launching north of the border. The owners are hoping for a early February opening.
Named Coast Sushi & Sashimi, the spinoff will be based on the original sushi-focused menu, with a new wrinkle. Robata grilled dishes, like pork shoulder, shrimp, tofu, and shishito pepper, will come aboard.
The original Coast Sushi will be ten years old in March. Chicago Magazine named it one of the best under $30 restaurants in 2009.
Coast Sushi Bar [Official Site]
Coast Sushi & Sashimi
2545 Prairie Ave., Evanston, IL
USA
42.0639
-87.7004
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