Thursday, October 15, 2009

Weekend Cannot Get Any Sweeter Than This . . .

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Saturday is Sweetest Day. Do you have plans yet?!

If not, allow 312DD to pub some of our favorite spots when it comes to a little romance. Plus, if you're feeling a little philanthropic, these restos as well as 100 more are participating in the In Good Taste: A Breast Cancer Research Initiative sponsored by the Lynn Sage Foundation. One dollar from each check benefits the worthy organization.

Gold Coast gem Le Colonial offers an amazing prix fixe menu Saturday for $50 per person. You'll get an appetizer, entrée, dessert and glass of cava.

Also, we love the Thali Platter at exotic Uptown eatery Marigold Indian Restaurant. It comes with three tasting portions of curries paired with naan and basmati rice. We highly recommend the succulent Lamb Vindaloo and Murg Makhni (boneless spiced chicken simmered in tomato cream sauce).

And those looking for late-night cocktails should head to Perennial's picturesque corner lounge in Lincoln Park. Just sink into one of the many colorful sofas and indulge in a tasty B2, made with Basil's Hayden bourbon, basil-infused simple syrup and a touch of orange bitters.

Single or going steady . . . there's plenty to do this weekend . . . .

THURSDAY

A little Spanish flavor goes a long way at Eivissa, where you can enjoy half-price tapas (4-6pm), $5 caipirinhas and $3 mojitos every Thursday. Bonus: Live Latin band, too! 4pm-2am.

Chaise Lounge just introduced its regional cocktail series, so you'll be able to savor a number of seasonal sippers this fall. Every Tuesday and Thursday they're doing $5 drink specials made from housemade syrups, sweeteners and sour mixes.

Jerrod Melman—the colorful co-owner of HUB 51—kicks off his three-day birthday bash tonight with deejays JEM and NYC's finest KISS. Local spin star DANTE the DON works the tables Friday, and DJ KONSEPT performs Saturday. No cover, but reservations are strongly recommended at SUB51@leye.com. 9pm-2am.

Learn more about biodynamic wines during a tasting at Webster Wine Bar. Ales Kristancic and Giusto Occhipinti will be pouring rare, artisinal wines (red, white and sparkling) and speaking about their respective domaines: MOVIA, in Slovenia, and COS, in Sicily. 9pm. $35.

Late-meal seekers should love the new deal over at Tocco. They're offering half price on all pizzas and $5 martinis every Thursday at 10pm. We hear the ones to get are the signature Margherita, vegetarian (with mozzarella and fresh veggies) and prosciutto e funghi.

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New York's DJ KISS spins at HUB 51 Thursday for owner Jerrod Melman's birthday. (Photo: DJ KISS)


FRIDAY

Around the Coyote Fall Arts Festival returns to Bucktown—where it belongs. The three-day fest kicks off with an opening party tonight at Blu Coral Sushi for free appetizers and $2 domestic/$3 imported beer in the lounge. $20 for a weekend pass.

Deals galore happening over at 44th Ward Dinner Party, which is doing half price on appetizers, soups and salads through Sunday. Also, bingo!

SUNDAY

Those heading over to Around the Coyote Fall Arts Festival should first hit up Francesca’s Forno for brunch. You'll find a number of breakfast classics tweaked with Italian accents, including Truffled Egg Toast, a house-cured pancetta with coddled yolk, fontina cheese and mixed greens from northern Italy. The Italian-born chef, Massimo Salatino, has managed to include favorite dishes from every region in Italy. 10am-3pm.

MONDAY

Today kicks off Rioja Wine Week, and Nacional 27 gets in the mix with a number of events happening through Oct. 24. They're doing paella pairings (Suckling Pig and Roast Organic Chicken Paella!), vibrant rioja-based sangrias, wine flights and other deals throughout the week.

And also happening through Oct. 24 is Sofitel’s Vietnamese Week at Cafe des Architectes. It's to celebrate the launch of Sofitel Legend and the premier property, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, in Vietnam. The three-course dinner menu ($35; $45 with wine pairings) includes traditional fare like Saigonese chicken salad, hue prawns on lemongrass and beef cooked seven different styles—an old Vietnamese recipe used previously to cook tiger meat. Le Bar will also have a Vietnamese appetizer.

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