September Chicago Dining and Entertainment News from Kurman Communications

CHICAGO, IL, September 09, 2010

A round up of end-of-summer and early fall food and entertainment events in Chicago

BELLA BACINOS
36 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, Ill.
(708) 352-8882
http://www.bacinos.com

Hendry Winery Wine Event at Bella Bacinos Sept. 14
Following the wine event Sept. 1, Bella Bacinos proudly welcomes Susan Ridley, partner with Napa Valley's Hendry Winery, for a wine event 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14. This Wine Seminar Series event offers an extensive tasting of Hendry wines accompanied by light fare and artisanal cheese. Tickets are $39 per person. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Make reservations for this event by emailing bacinos@comcast.net or call wine director Dan Bacin at (708) 420-9600.

Go Back to School with Bella Bacinos
Visit Bella Bacinos anytime between now and September 15 and present this coupon to receive 15 percent off lunch or dinner. Plus, show a student ID and receive a special treat. This coupon does not include alcohol. One offer per table. Call (708) 352-8882 for details.

About Bella Bacinos
Bella Bacinos serves authentic Napoletana wood fired pizza, homemade ravioli and other Italian specialties in the restaurant's dining room and outdoor patio. Bella Bacinos' award-winning wine list includes more than 600 wines from around the world, including more than 20 served by the glass. The restaurant is located at 36 S. La Grange Rd., Downtown La Grange, Ill. and is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, and is closed Monday for private events. For private events, please call Hande Dokur (708) 352-8882. For more information, visit http://www.bacinos.com.

BIRCH RIVER GRILL
75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, Ill.
(847) 427-4242
http://www.birchrivergrill.com
@birchrivergrill

All You Can Eat Weekend Specials at Birch River Grill
Try Birch River Grill's All You Can Eat Weekend Specials, dining deals starting Friday, August 27, and lasting every weekend throughout September. On Fridays, dig in to the Fish Fry, Corona-battered cod filets, sweet potato fries, tartar sauce and coleslaw ($10); munch on Baby Back Ribs, served with jalapeno corn bread, sweet potato fries and coleslaw ($16) on Saturdays; and Sundays, enjoy Broasted Chicken, served with creamy coleslaw and hand cut sweet potato fries ($12).

Birch River Grill's Three Course Prix Fixe Meal
Birch River Grill announces a new $20 three course, prix fixe menu, offered after 5 p.m. on weekdays through the end of September. For the appetizer, dine on BRG Salad, baby greens, shredded Michigan carrots, beefsteak tomato wedges and cucumber slices, or Granny Apple & Onion Soup, melted Wisconsin provolone and Swiss cheese crust with baked apple crisps. The entree is the Meatloaf Tower, ground beef, veal and pork with crispy haystack onions, Yukon Gold mash and roasted tomato glaze. For dessert, indulge in Berry Sorbet, served with fresh berries.

About Birch River Grill
Birch River Grill serves rustic American gourmet comfort food. Breakfast is served 6 a.m. - 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lunch is served 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Sunday, with only the lounge menu available from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Dinner hours are 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Sunday, and 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the lounge open one hour later daily. All major credit cards are accepted. Complimentary parking is available. For reservations or more information, please contact Birch River Grill at (847) 427-4242 or visit http://www.birchrivergrill.com.

CHICAGO FRENCH MARKET
131 N. Clinton St., Chicago, Ill.
(312) 575-0306
http://www.frenchmarketchicago.com
@chifrenchmarket

Labor Day Grilling Begins with Farmers at Chicago French Market
Labor Day weekend is approaching, which means it's time for grilling. Pick up fresh, seasonal ingredients from farmer vendors at Chicago French Market, including Tallgrass Beef, fresh fish and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Shop for back-to-school lunch and dinner ingredients at Chicago French Market.

Please note that Saturday, Sept. 4, the following Chicago French Market vendors will be closed: Buen Apetito, Chundy's Bistro, Completely Nuts, Fasta Pasta, Juice Bar and Provo's Village Bake Shoppe. The rest of the vendors will be open until 5 p.m.

On the Labor Day holiday, Monday, Sept. 6, only RAW., City Fresh Market and Canady le Chocolatier will be open. The market is open until 5 p.m.

Frietkoten's Belgian Beer & Fries at T.G.I.Frite-Day
Every Friday in September, enjoy Frietkoten's Belgian frites and beer for just $7. Enjoy live music at the market from noon until 2 p.m. and 4 until 6 p.m. every Friday in September.

Watch "Kings of Pastry" and Get a Complimentary Treat at Vanille Patisserie
Bring in any ticket stub from Kings of Pastry, playing at Gene Siskel Film Center from Oct. 1 - 7, and receive one Complimentary Éclair or Croissant with any purchase.

Tickets for the film can be purchased through TicketMaster. General admission is $10. Student admission is $7 with school ID.

Save the Date: The Good Food Project Apple Tasting Oct. 2
Save the date for an upcoming event at Chicago French Market that brings families and eating healthy together. Kick off apple season with The Good Food Project and Chicago French Market with an apple tasting for kids. In this workshop, children learn from a food critic how to taste food like a food critic. Each child also gets to choose a favorite apple to make a slinky, and the event includes coupons to shop vendors at Chicago French Market. The event happens Saturday, Oct. 2, with two opportunities for the tasting: 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. apple tasting and workshop; 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. make apple slinkies; and 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. second apple tasting and workshop. Arrive early for tickets; space is limited. Suggested donation is $5.

About Chicago French Market
Chicago French Market is a European-inspired market offering an array of local produce, meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheese and wine, chocolates, pastas, artisan-made goods, flowers and a seating area for customers. Chicago French Market's vendors stay open year-round, six days per week, and is located within the new MetraMarket development at 131 N. Clinton St. (between Washington and Randolph Streets). For more information, visit http://www.chicagofrenchmarket.com.


GUANAJUATO
73 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, Ill. 60022
(847) 242-0909
http://www.myguanajuato.com

Guanajuato Launches Weekly Specials
Guanajuato announces new weekly specials, featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. From Thursday, Sept. 2 through Sunday, Sept. 5, try Grilled Lamb Chops, lamb chops grilled with Guanajuato's exceptional Guajillo, rosemary and red wine marinade, served with green rice, mashed potatoes, and steam broccoli and carrots ($26.50); and El Delicioso Salmon, a lightly grilled salmon fillet stuffed with a savory shrimp and crab salpicon, served with fresh greens beans, white rice and a mango relish ($23.50).

About Guanajuato
Guanajuato is a contemporary Mexican restaurant located at 73 Green Bay Rd. in Glencoe, Ill. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week. The bar is open Monday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, Noon to Midnight; and Sunday, Noon to 10 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Guanajuato at (847) 242-0909 or online at http://www.myguanajuato.com.

KARMA
510 E. Route 83, Mundelein, Ill.
(847) 970-6900
http://www.karmachicago.com
@KarmaMundelein

September Three Course Prix Fixe Meal at Karma
Throughout the month of September, Karma offers a dining deal that won't break budgets. Enjoy the three course prix fixe menu for just $20 per person. Start with Miso Soup, tofu and roasted nori, or Karma House Salad, crisp lettuce, napa cabbage, cucumber, daikon and carrot ginger dressing. For the entree, try Jumbo Thai Vegetarian Spring Roll, carrots, napa cabbage, marinated tofu and sweet chili sauce; Thai Chili Beef, stir fried spice beef tenderloin with Chinese noodles and baby bok choy, in mirin-miso beef broth (may be substituted for shrimp or chicken); or in honor of National Honey Month (September), try Honey Tamari Chicken, sauteed spinach and wok-tossed julienne vegetables on a glass noodle nest. Dessert includes Trio of Sorbet or Ice Cream.

About Karma
Karma is a sophisticated restaurant with a zen-laced atmosphere that serves Pan-Asian cuisine. Breakfast is served 6 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. daily. Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily. Dinner is served 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The lounge stays open one extra hour each night. Karma is located adjacent to the Doubletree Libertyville Mundelein at 510 East Route 83, Mundelein, Ill. 60060. For reservations, call Karma at (847) 970-6900 or visit http://www.karmachicago.com.

MAY STREET MARKET
1132 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, Ill.
(312) 421-5547
http://www.maystreetmarket.com
@maystreetmarket

New Pre-Theater Prix Fixe Menu
Heading into the theater? Stop by May Street Market for its three course, prix fixe dinner for only $25, offered daily from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Upcoming Cooking Demonstrations with Chef Alex Cheswick
Join May Street Market chef/owner Alex Cheswick for early fall cooking demonstrations at various locations in Chicago. Catch him 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at Green City Market, when he prepares organic Eggplant Wrapped Tofu. Watch him prepare the same recipe on the south side at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at the 61st Street Market's Experimental Station. Finally, Cheswick demonstrates at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23 at Bloomingdales at 600 N. Wabash St.

Localvore Challenge Menu from Sept. 18 - 25
May Street Market is participating in the Localvore Challenge from Saturday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Sept. 25, featuring a $36 three course, prixe fixe menu using 100% ingredients from Chicago's Green City Market. The menu is BYOB, and starts with an appetizer of Yellow Corn Soup (Genesis Growers), smoked chicken breast (TJ's Free Range Poultry) and cilantro pesto (Smits Farms), or Fried Green Tomato (Growing Power), heirloom tomato salad (Iron Creek), lemon and olive oil vinaigrette and zucchini chutney (Genesis Growers).

For the entree, try Osso Bucco from Elk (Hawks Hill Elk Ranch), heirloom carrot salad (Green Acres), chive spaetzle (Smits Farm) and poached pear sauce (Seedling Farms); Grilled Tilapia (Growing Power), roasted plums (Mick Klug Farms), roasted eggplant puree (Green Acres) and Brunkow Cheese and grilled lamb sausage (Mint Creek); or Organic Vegan Tofu (Tiny Greens Farms), wrapped in Japanese eggplant (Green Acres Farms), on Jerusalem artichoke puree (Nichols Farms), with Asian pear gastrique (Oriana). Follow the entree with dessert: Bartlett Pear Soup with Bosc Pear Sorbet (Seedling Farms), steel oats crumble (King's Hill) and Burton's Maple Ice Cream; or Capriola Goat Cheese Crème Brulee with plum compote (Mick Klug).

New Fall Menu at May Street Market
May Street Market's new fall menu launches October 15, featuring dishes with seasonal, local ingredients. New items include Lemongrass Butternut Squash, ($5/$7); Pig's Head with black garlic aioli and salad bouquet ($8); Seared Scallops with Bari's Barese Sausage, goat cheese and red wine roasted pear ($24); and Hangar Steak ($21). For dessert, try the new Chocolate Fondant Cake with The Poet by New Holland ice cream, with Orange Blossom Terry's Toffee ($7).

Don't miss May Street Market's three-course, prix fixe menu, offered daily for just $29.

About May Street Market
May Street Market is a contemporary American restaurant, located at 1132 W. Grand Ave. in Chicago. Chef Alex Cheswick delivers fresh food, hand-selected from local farmers and markets in Chicago to serve in May Street Market's warm and friendly atmosphere at affordable prices. The restaurant is open for dinner 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and closed Sunday. May Street Market welcomes parties and banquets, and also offers its complete menu for carry out. For more information or to make a reservation, contact general manager Hamid Benna at (312) 421-5547 or visit http://www.maystreetmarket.com.

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