The Big Deals 10.12.12
By DENISE I. O’NEAL doneal@suntimes.com October 10, 2012 5:48PM
The papaya cream (fresh papaya, vanilla ice cream and Creme de cassis liqueur) at Fogo de Chao.
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Updated: October 10, 2012 5:53PM
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.
Da coach’s day
Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks. Salute Mike Ditka’s 73rd birthday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Oct. 18, with Da Super Fan Challenge platter, which includes half-slab baby back ribs, 10 extra spicy wings, Polish sausage sandwich, Italian beef sandwich, and two pounds of fries with a 23-ounce Miller Lite; $29.99. Down the entire food/drink special and take home the keepsake Bears logo glass. Call (312) 642-0700; timothyotooles.com .
Crab bag
Tavern on Rush, 1031 N. Rush. Alaskan Red King crab specials, beginning the week of Oct. 15, include Alaskan Bristol Bay King Crab legs on ice with lemon, cocktail sauce and honey mustard sauce; $28, half pound; $56, full. While supplies last. Call (312) 664-9600; tavernonrush.com .
English grub
English Bar and Restaurant, 444 N. LaSalle. New sliders include the English Dip (thinly sliced roasted beef, house made giardinera, garlic herb jus on a mini hoagie roll); $3.50. Call (312) 222-6200; englishchicago.com .
Go for the goat
Birriera Zaragoza, 4852 S. Pulaski. Goat marinated in an ancho-based mole, oven roasted then drizzled with tomato-based consomme with handmade tortillas is the main course of a Chicago Gourmets! dinner at 7 p.m., Oct. 17; $60; $50 for CG members. Call (708) 383-7543.
Sake cocktails
Benihana, participating locations. Fall cocktails include the strawberry saketini (Russian vodka, Sho Chiku Bai Nigori sake, cranberry juice and fresh strawberries); $9.50. benihana.com .
Florida stone crab
Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, 1024 N. Rush. Beginning 3 p.m., Oct. 17, receive one complimentary Florida Stone crab claw per person with the purchase of an entree, dine-in only while supplies last. Call (312) 640-0999; hugosfrogbar.com .
Creme de la creme
Fogo de Chao, 661 N. LaSalle. Stop in for the papaya cream (fresh papaya, vanilla ice cream and Creme de cassis liqueur; $9.95) during October (National Dessert Month) and the restaurant will donate 20 percent of the proceeds to the Chicago Fire Department’s “Ignite the Spirit” charity. Visit fogo.com .
Regional dishes
Henri, 18 S. Michigan. Chef Dirk Flanigan’s La Carte de France program features cuisine and wines from Alsace on Sunday and Monday evenings Oct. 14-Nov. 19. Call (312) 578-0763; henrichicago.com .
Drink of the week
Fion Wine & Spirits, 426 W. Diversey. Toast National “I Love Lucy” Day (Oct. 15) with the “I Love Lucy (vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and parfait d’amour; $5)” cocktail. Visit bar1events.com .
Deal of the week
Socca, 3301 N. Clark. Chef Roger Herring’s four-course Fall Harvest dinner, 6 p.m. Oct. 18, features a course of fennel dusted sea scallops with smoked pig cheek and porcini risotto; $45. Call (773) 248-1155; soccachicago.com .
