The Big Deals 06.01.12
By DENISE I. O’NEAL doneal@suntimes.com May 30, 2012 4:54PM
The cereal Milk Martini at Estate Ultra Bar.
Updated: May 30, 2012 4:54PM
From upscale to low-cal, the Sun-Times’ “Big Deals” column brings readers the dish on food and drink specials that will not break the bank.
Burger week
Rockit Burger Bar, 3700 W. Clark and Rockit Bar & Grill, 22 W. Hubbard. “Burgerfest” selections include: the Saltimbocca (veal patty, prosciutto, Buffalo mozzarella, caper-sage aioli with parmesan tots, June 4); Hot Hot Habanero (chicken patty with blistered habaneros, griddled onions, corn tortilla strips, black bean cilantro aioli with chile lime fries, June 5); Venison bacon (with buttermilk blue cheese, red wine-braised mission fig, onion marmalade with sweet fries, June 6); Wild Hog (boar patty topped with grilled wild boar andouille sausage, apple coleslaw, maple whole grain dijonnaise with Yukon Gold waffle fries, June 7); and the Cowboy (applewood-smoked, sea salt-seasoned Black Angus patty, tobacco onions, Nordic Creamery Mountain Jack cheese, sun-dried tomato aioli with seasoned curly fries, June 8). All burgers are $12. Visit rockitbarandgrill.com .
Get happy
Cite, 70th floor of Lake Point Towers, 505 N. Lake Shore. Happy hour just got better with half-price appetizers and drinks from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. Call (312) 644-4050; citechicago.com .
Lobster boil
Chicago Cut Steakhouse, 300 N. LaSalle. The restaurant kicks off its weekly summer Sunday lobster boil with a party benefitting Children’s Memorial Hospital at 2 p.m. June 3 ($50); champagne and wine included (100 percent of the proceeds goes to CMH). The regular weekly boil is 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sundays through August ($35). Call (312) 329-1800; chicagocutsteakhouse.com .
Cheese wheel
Bin 36, 339 N. Dearborn. June 4 is National Cheese Day, and in honor of the occasion, the restaurant is hosting its first-ever cheese happy hour 5 to 8 p.m., featuring Chef John Caputo’s hand-picked cheese plate, $20 (regularly $25). Other specials include complimentary pop-up tasting stations; three-variety cheese flights, $17.50; and select pieces, $4 each. Call (312) 755-9463; bin36.com .
Smooth goings
TL’s Four Seasons Chinese & Japanese Restaurant, 110 W. Bartlett, Bartlett. Cool down with exotic smoothies such as Beach Breeze (guava, passion fruit and orange juice) and Bahama mama (papaya, mango and strawberry) through June 30; $4.50. By request, visitors ages 21+over (with valid ID) can have their smoothie topped with vodka, rum or tequila. Call (630) 830-1988; tlsfourseasons.com .
Great Crepes
La Creperie Restaurant, 2845 N. Clark. In honor of the shop’s 40th anniversary, crepes will be priced from .40 cents to $3.50 (1972 prices) from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 1. Cash only. Call (773) 528-9050; lacreperieusa.com .
Taco Thursdays
Deuce’s + the Diamond Club, 3505 N. Clark. Chef Jamie Finnegan serves up $2 tacos every Thursday when the Cubs are on the road including the new Bob Love Slam Dunk chicken taco, available on a rotating basis. Call (773) 644-5554; deucesandthediamondclub.com .
Drink of the week
Estate Ultra Bar, 1177 N. Elston. The new brunch menu, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat-Sun, includes the Cereal Milk Martini (Three Olives Loopy vodka, Ghirardelli white chocolate, Half & Half, served in a cereal bowl, garnished with marshmallows, $10). Call (312) 582-4777; estateultrabar.com .
Deal of the week
Niche, 14 S. Third, Geneva. The restaurant kicks off its “Concert Between Courses” series at 6 p.m. June 6, with a three-course Spanish menu and the music of Goran Ivanovic, $52. Call (630) 262-1000; nichegeneva.com .
