—In the burbs: The Boatyard Bar & Bistro will open this spring at the Starved Rock Marina all the way out in Ottawa, according to Shaw Local News Network.
Of course, since it’s a marina, guests will be able to dock their boats at the harbor.
- And, closer to Chicago, Yard House—which has the world’s largest draft beer selection of more than 100 varieties, along with a menu of more than 100 dishes and more than 20 TV screens—is eyeing Rosemont for its next suburban location (in addition to Glenview and Lombard), which is slated to be about 7,500 square feet. Last month, trustees amended the definition of a “drink” in their municipal liquor code to allow for unlimited sized beers and six- and nine-ounce pours of wine at bars and restaurants in town. Yard House, founded in California in 1996, sells so-called “half yard” beer pours, or 32 ounces, at its locations. Menu items include everything from jumbo Bavarian pretzels to four-cheese spinach dip to various kinds of burgers, tacos and pizzas—but keep in mind that there are calorie listings with the dishes.
—Happy time: Various spots are offering new budget-friendly happy hours:
- Kindling, in the Willis Tower, has happy hour Monday through Saturday at 3-5:30. Guests can savor Chef Jonathon Sawyer’s dishes, including the OKC Onion Smashburger, Nashville hot chicken tenders, and fresh raw oysters. Or you can try a drink like the Blood Orange Mule, made with Patrón Silver, lime and Fever Tree blood orange soda. RSVP here.
- Middle Eastern restaurant Sifr has happy hour Sunday through Thursday at 4-6 p.m. Guests can select between a variety of cocktails for $7, like the #8 Thamaniya, with bourbon, za’taar, demerara and bitters; and the #9 Tis’a, with Truman vodka, beets, dill and acids; there are also $6 Middle Eastern wines and $5 beers. To pair, guests can select the exclusive halal lamb kebab burger, with tzatziki, cheese and house pickles; and classic dips like hummus and manoushe.
- Proxi’s happy hour is Monday through Friday at 4-6:30 p.m. Proxi offers globally inspired small plates like tempura elotes, coal-roasted eggplant dip, steamed buns with red-braised pork belly, and mini-al pastor hot dogs.
—By Proxi: And speaking of Proxi—the award-winning West Loop restaurant from Chef Andrew Zimmerman—it welcomes Chef Jon Zaragoza for an exclusive chef’s menu takeover through Feb. 24.
Zaragoza (known for his mastery of live-fire cooking and deep-rooted Mexican culinary traditions) is bringing a flavor-packed dining experience to Proxi’s kitchen. The takeover will be a three-course prix fixe offering select signature dishes such as smoked tuna tacos dorados, agave-roasted birria, crispy kale and embered Japanese sweet potato. Zaragoza’s culinary journey began at Michelin-starred restaurants like Sepia and Sixteen, leading to his role as executive chef of Masa Azul at just 22.
Reservations can be made here.
—Heads and (cock)tails: Beatnik West Town, 1604 W. Chicago Ave., will host the release of Chicago Cocktails—a new book by Nicole Schnitzler that showcases cocktail recipes crafted by Chicago’s best bartenders—on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Enjoy libations from some of the book’s featured venues alongside bites from Beatnik’s culinary team as some of Chicago’s beverage experts discuss the current Chicago cocktail landscape. Panelists are slated to include Aneka Saxon (Dearly Beloved), Cecilia Cuff (Bronzeville Winery), Raul Jaimes (Bibo Beverage Services), Monica Casillas-Rios (Elske) and Brian Sturgulewski (Beatnik). Tickets are $25 each; RSVP here. (Registration is required, and ticket price includes a copy of the book, cocktails and bites.)
—Here comes truffle: On Wed., Feb. 26, at 6:30 p.m., the River North hotspot Asador Bastian is hosting a black truffle dinner with Occidental Winery.
The celebration of black truffle season will feature winemaker Catherine Kistler and truffle expert John Magazino, from The Chef’s Warehouse. Menu items will include dry-aged bluefin tuna with black-truffle vinaigrette; uni, foie gras and black-truffle revuelto; roasted squab with walnut-and-black truffle sauce; Northern California dry-aged Txuleton (a large rib steak) with beef cheek-stuffed piquillos; and pistachio pantxineta (puff-pastry buns filled with thick custard cream and topped with nuts)—all with wine pairings.
Tickets are $325 each. (Hey—it’s truffles.) RSVP at this link.
—A “Taste”-ful event: The James Beard Foundation’s “Taste America: Chicago” will take place Thursday, March 13, at Thattu, 2601 W. Fletcher St.
The Exclusive Capital One Access Pass Reception will take place at 5 p.m., with the first seating at 5:30 p.m. and second seating at 8 p.m.
The event (strictly for those 21 and older) will be an intimate gathering with a multi-course menu created by TasteTwenty host chef Margaret Pak of Thattu and chef Joe Flamm of Rose Mary. (Menu details will be revealed later.) Tickets are $160 each; RSVP at this link.
That’s the news for this week. Be sure to come back next week for more tasty treats!