Summer was a busy time—and it moved quickly. It seems like the most recent James Beard Awards took place three years ago.
Now it’s time to acknowledge that the trappings of fall (from pumpkin spice to football games) will soon be here, as Labor Day is just around the corner. To mark the holiday and the transition, Chicagoland restaurants have a few specials planned, with offerings ranging from cool morning brunches to evening whiskey shots.
—The Art Smith restaurant Reunion at Navy Pier is inviting people to toast the end/beginning with a weekend brunch. Starting at 11 a.m., patrons can indulge in dishes like deviled eggs, fried chicken with whipped mashed potatoes and housemade hot sauce, chicken & waffles with a potato cheddar waffle and maple syrup, and steak and eggs with fries and gravy. Enjoy live music as you relax with bottomless LaMarca Prosecco mimosas and Tito’s Bloody Marys for $35/person (90-minute limit).
On Labor Day itself, people can select a soup or salad and pair it with a half-sandwich (like a Reuben or braised short rib) or half-entree (such as shrimp and grits, jambalaya, fried chicken and mashed potatoes, short rib gnocchi or pan-seared salmon) for $17.50. Bar-area specials will include chicken sliders ($3), chicken wings (minimum of six, for $1 each) and hush puppies (order of five for $2).
—French steakhouse La Grande Boucherie, 431 N, Dearborn St., is marking the last days of summer with a special Lunch Prix Fixe menu (Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.).
For $29, you can choose one hors d’oeuvre (between tomato gazpacho and Caesar salad) and an entree (between a croque Monsieur, mushroom ravioli and grilled chicken breast).
—aliveOne, 2683 N. Halsted St., is hosting a post-barbecue trivia contest on Monday, Sept. 2. (The place opens at 8 p.m.)
Patrons can drink $7 PBR and whiskey shot combos while they play free music trivia with Whaddayaknow Trivia. Afterward, guests can play free pool until the place closes.
Also, Chicagoans looking for some late-night Labor Day munchies can hop on over to Estelle’s, 2013 W. North Ave., which will open at 10 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.
Guests will enjoy a late-night barbecue with half-price burgers, built-to-grill and $5 domestic beers all evening.
—The Loop spot Flight Club Chicago, at Clark Street and Wacker Drive, will extend its weekend brunch hours to include Monday, Sept. 2.
All Labor Day weekend, people can enjoy bottomless mimosas, flatbreads (bottomless or a la carte), churros and brunch bites, and Social Darts® at 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Guests are welcome to make a 90-minute reservation and choose from packages featuring bottomless or à la carte food and beverage offerings. While reservations are not required, they are highly encouraged.
—Old Town Pour House (in Chicago, Oak. Brook and Naperville) is hosting a Rock N Roll Brunch this Labor Day (Sept. 2).
Open at 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the burbs and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the city, offerings will include shareable plates like the Jon Bun Jovi and Donut Stop Believin’; mains like Johnny Hash (with hardwood-smoked pulled pork shoulder), Chimi Hendrix, Sweet Child O’ Mine stuffed French toast, Dixie Chicken chicken and waffles, and the Easy Like Sunday Morning breakfast flatbread (topped with sausage, scrambled eggs, bacon, mozzarella, smoked cheddar, garlic puree and arugula); and even kids’ brunch items, such as French toast sticks.
—Cindy’s Rooftop, 12 S. Michigan Ave., offers its stunning views of Grant Park and Lake Michigan along with some enticing menu options for brunch (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) on Monday, Sept. 2.
Options include chilaquiles, Cindy’s breakfast platter (choice of breakfast sausage or bacon, scrambled eggs and home fries), stuffed French toast, chicken and waffles and Cindy’s “Not So Secret” Secret Burger.
—Wake ’n Bacon, 420 W. Belmont Ave. is combining Labor Day brunch (8 a.m.-4 p.m. all weekend) and National Waffle Week specials.
Guests can enjoy a Labor Day Weekend Combo featuring The Phatty and a Mexican Coke for $15. The Phatty is a flour tortilla rolled with crispy potatoes, scrambled eggs, black beans, rice, cheddar cheese, maple peppercorn bacon and fresh salsa verde.
In celebration of National Waffle Week, which kicks off on Labor Day, Executive Chef Will Silas has created a special chorizo and cheddar-stuffed bubble waffle, topped with cilantro lime cream and pickled fresno chilies. The special will be available Monday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 6, for $15. And don’t forget that all food and drink items can be infused with CBD.
—Several Lettuce Entertain You restaurants will offer weekend specials, including Summer House, which will offer crispy strawberry waffles and short rib hash; Ema, where you can relax on the patio with a Blueberry Clafoutis; The Oakville Grill & Cellar, with sweet corn elote Benedict and Napa Valley wines; or Aba, which has the Spritz Tower—eight drinks mixed and matched from the Hugo Spritz, Aperol Spritz or Greek G&T.
—Americano, 1816 N. Clark St. (in the Hotel Lincoln), offers weekend brunch service at 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Enjoy breakfast classics on the covered patio, which overlooks Lincoln Park, seats 81 and is dog-friendly. Offerings include oysters, the Americano burger, breakfast deviled eggs, churro French toast and warm cinnamon rolls.
—Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar, 2700 W. Chicago Ave., is going whole hog on Labor Day weekend—literally.
On Sunday, Sept. 1, 12-6 p.m., the spot will roast two whole pigs throughout the day. For $55/person, patrons will receive four signature sauces; warm sides such as spicy collard greens; cold sides like bread-and-butter pickles, and grilled watermelon and peaches; and a glass of either homemade Planter’s Punch or homemade sparkling lemonade.
The whole menu is here.
—Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., will have a Labor Day weekend brunch on Aug. 31-Sept. 1.
For $29, you can get a brunch entree and a pastry plus a cowboy punch or mimosa. Entrees include such items as sweet bacon cornmeal pancakes, lamb chorizo skillet, veggie skillet and strawberry French toast, among other items.
—Through Labor Day, Delightful Pastries, 5927 W. Lawrence Ave., has a to-go picnic basket menu, available during normal business hours.
Each basket ($70) has four mini-sandwiches, a dozen mini-quiche bites, assorted mini-cookies and a bowl of fruit. Orders must be placed three days in advance by calling the bakery.
—The bakery Sweet Mandy B’s is bringing back a fan favorite—the Just Dough It. The specialty item, available for $6.95 featuring eggless chocolate chip cookie dough sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies.
Also, for those looking to grab desserts for their barbecues, both locations will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.
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