The Big Deals 04.19.13
By DENISE I. O’NEAL doneal@suntimes.com April 17, 2013 2:53PM
The cherry-pomegranate mojito at Benihana.
Article Extras
Updated: April 19, 2013 2:04AM
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.
South of the border
Burger Boss, 7512 W. North. Elmwood Park. The Cuban Boss burger (smoked ham, Angus beef and Swiss cheese topped with pickles, roasted garlic mayo and mustard on a warm brioche bun, $5.69) hangs around for the month. Call (708) 452-7288; www.theburgerboss.com .
Sandwich shop
deca RESTAURANT, at the Ritz Carlton, 160 E. Pearson. Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches surface for National Grilled Cheese Month. Specialty sandwiches include the French Reuben (duck pastrami, Mary Rose sauce, endive, Gruyere cheese on country bread; morel mushroom (asparagus, Tomme and fromage blanc cheese on sourdough bread; Monte Cristo (roasted turkey, Benton ham, housemade raspberry preserve and comte cheese and the Welsh rarebit (beer-braised pork with Hooks cheddar cheese). All sandwiches come with fries, $15 each. Visit www.decarestaurant.com .
French Connection
Paris Club, 59 W. Hubbard. A new French Chef Series launches with Chef Keisuke Matsushima from Nice, France, at 6:30 p.m. April 24-26. The evening includes passed canapes and cocktails followed by a four-course dinner, $75. Visit www.parisclubchicago.com/special-events .
Bridge work
Bridge Bar, 315 N. LaSalle. Head Bar Chef Kevin Schulz pays tribute “gin fizz” creator Henrico C. Ramos with this crafted concoction — the Ramos gin fizz (gin, yuzu lemon juice, orange juice, egg white and cream, $11). Available through April. Visit www.bridgebarchicago.com .
Spring tidbits
Ada St., 1664 N. Ada. Chef Zoe Schor’s spring bites include crispy lamb scrumpets with minted malt vinegar; grilled diver scallop skewer with ramps and chimichurri sauce; scallop BLT with roasted tomato jam, bacon confit and arugula; garlic toast with marinated Spanish anchovy and crushed Heirloom tomato and poached Slagel Farm duck egg with sauteed seasonal mushrooms and toasted ciabatta. Visit www.adastreetchicago.com .
April burger
RJ Grunts, 2056 N. Lincoln Park West. April’s burger of the month is the Spring lamb burger (ground lamb patty, with sliced cucumber, tomato, lettuce, red onion, dash of oregano, feta cheese, Harissa and tzaziki yogurt sauces), $13.95. Visit www.leye.com .
Drink of the week
Benihana, participating locations. Salute spring’s cherry blossom season with the cherry-pomegranate mojito (cherry rum, pomegranate liqueur, pomegranate juice, grenadine, lime wedges and mint leaves, $8.75) available through April. Visit www.benihana.com .
Deal of the week
Cru Kitchen & Bar, 25 E. Delaware. Chef Alex Shalev’s four-course Earth Day Farm Dinner, featuring ingredients from Midwest farms, is 7 p.m. April 22, $52. Dinner highlights include: a grilled asparagus salad, white fish, duck breast and parsley root cake, $52; a $20 wine pairing is optional. Visit www.crukitchen.com .
