Monday, May 10, 2010

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

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Oscar-winning star Mo'Nique performs a one-woman comedy show Saturday at Arie Crown Theatre.


Every Monday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before and after the show:

Improv Children of the Corn 4 - Soft Core Corn at Cornservatory. Just so we're clear, this improv show is not for the kids. 8pm Thursdays through June 3. Also, get ready for audience participation. Get tickets here.

Browntrout: They've got a liquor license in place at this seafood-oriented spot, but if you insist on bringing that fabulous bottle of vino, they'll charge you $20. Come on Thursdays, however, and the corkage fee is waived.

Cho Sun Ok: North Center Korean BBQ joint is a big neighborhood fave where you get to cook the meat right at the table. The place is so popular that you'll need to get there right at the 5pm opening or you'll be waiting outside.

Tiny Lounge: After the show head here and ask for Tito's Hammock—a signature drink that's not on the menu. The vodka-based cocktail comes with crushed ice, thinly sliced lemons and limes, cucumber, and topped off with seltzer. Also great are seriously hand-crafted versions of The Hemingway and Pisco Sour.

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The lounge area at Cuna (Photo: Cuna)


Into The Woods at Theatre Building Chicago. This production nevertheless is family-friendly. Porchlight Music Theatre takes the audience on a wild ride, as characters intermingle with memorable characters from "Cinderella," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Rapunzel" and "Jack" of beanstalk fame. 8pm Fridays, Saturdays; 2:30pm Sundays (through May 30). Get tickets here.

Cuna: Lots of weekly deals going on here, including $10 all-you-can-eat chicken wings with rotating scratch-made sauces (Sundays); $3 premium well drinks, $3 flatbreads and $5 bombs (Thursdays); and $5 rotating specialty cocktail from Cuna’s new spring cocktail menu (Fridays).

Rise: Order one of the Sushi Flights ($18-$28) to get an idea of some of the best options on the menu. Highly recommended come the Southport Sushi (two Maguro, two Hamachi, two Namasake, two Unagi and a soft shell crab roll) and Spicy Hand Roll Trio (spicy tuna, spicy scallop, and spicy octopus).

Sapore di Napoli: It's not only BYOB (also no corkage fee!), but the authentic Neapolitan pizzas are definitely on point. Highly recommended are the traditional Margherita and Quattro Stagioni (tomato sauce, mozzarella, artichokes, Kalamata olives, mushrooms, prosciutto).


Mo'Nique at Arie Crown Theater. The Oscar-winning star performs a one-woman comedy show that should definitely be on the raunchy side. 8pm May 15. Get tickets here.

Gioco: The menu features homemade pastas and wood-fired thin crust pizzas such as Margherita, Calabrese (with salami) and Funghi (wild mushrooms).

M/X: So many fun items on the menu you can sample before heading to the show. If you're bringing a group, they're certain to enjoy jerk chicken wings as well as the mix-and-match minis of corn dogs, grilled cheese, buffalo chicken and fried fish. Lounge is located on first level of McCormick Hyatt.

The Shrine: After the show, hit up this ever-lively night spot for Licorice, when deejays Shon Dervis and Tone B. Nimble spin hip-hop, house and Reggae. 10pm-3am.

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