The Big Deals 12.16.11

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VR Hope (Belvedere red vodka, chambord, triple sec, pineapple juice with a splash of grenadine)

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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.

Warming trend

The Red Canary, 695 N. Milwaukee. Winter dishes include buttermilk fried chicken, house cheddar biscuits with brown gravy and warm amber honey, $15. Call (312) 846-1475; theredcanarychicago.com.

Table of contents

The Rice Table, 1147 W. Grand. Catch a break on Thursdays with $2 PBRs, $4 crafted beers and $6 plates that include a choice of Indonesian pork tacos, veggie tempeh sliders and sweet & spicy wings. Available 5-11 p.m. Call (312) 226-0312; thericetable.com.

That’s a wrap

Bombay Wraps, 122 N. Wells. Chef Suzy Singh launches five new breakfast wraps, ($2.99-$3.49), including a strawberry and whipped cream variety. Breakfast wraps are available 7:30-10 a.m. New weekly dessert samosas (available while supplies last) include chai Nutella or “very berry,” $2.50. Call (312) 739-9727; bombaywraps.com.

Yuletide favorite

Bridge Bar, 315 N. LaSalle. December’s drink of the month is the yuletide classic Tom & Jerry cocktail (dark rum, cognac, sugar, egg and warm milk), $3. December food specials include an $8 burger and beer combo. Call (312) 822-0100; bridgebarchicago.com.

Mid summer’s dream

Burger Boss, 7512 W. North, Elmwood Park. It’s never too early to celebrate summer. Join the gang at BB for their salute to summer’s far distant arrival with the “Six Months ’til Summer” offering (grilled chicken breast, fresh mozzarella, tomato, raw onion, pesto mayo on a toasted brioche bun), $5.89. Available through Dec. 31. For those in need of a seasonal fix, check out the limited-time Peppermint Twist shake, $3. Call (708) 452-7288; theburgerboss.com.

The season of giving

Barrio Urban Taqueria, 714 W. Diversey. The restaurant is featuring $1 tacos 4-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Dine-in only with a minimum purchase of four tacos per order. Call (773) 360-8316; barriotaqueria.com.

Holiday sparkle

LM Restaurant, 4539 N. Lincoln. The restaurant spotlights the cuisine of Champagne, France, $45 through Jan. 2, 2012. Menu items are foie gras mousse; seared slamon, filet mignon and dessert. Call (773) 942-7585; lmrestaurant.com.

Drink of the week

Velvet Rope Ultra Lounge, 728 Lake, Oak Park. December is AIDS Awareness Month, and the bar is offering two martini selections in support of the cause: the Fizzi Cure (Belvedere red and raspberry vodkas, cherry brandy, peach schnapps and lemon-lime mix topped with champagne), and VR Hope (Belvedere red vodka, chambord, triple sec, pineapple juice with a splash of grenadine), $12 each with $1 from each drink donated to Test Positive Aware Network. Call (708) 358-8840; velvetropeultralounge.com.

Deal of the week

Viaggio Ristorante, 1330 W. Madison. Chef Victor Perdue’s new specialty item is braised pork neck bones slow-cooked in white wine and San Marzano tomatoes, $17. The delicacy is a stand-alone dish or can be served over a side of pasta ($3 extra). Available Wednesdays only. Call (312) 829-3333; viaggiochicago.com.