Monday, December 12, 2011

Restaurants Giving Back During Holidays

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Love it or hate it, this is the time of year when folks feel the most generous. And since all that brotherly love is in the air, you can't blame restaurants and bars for getting in on the action.

If you're looking to give back or lend a helping hand to those in need, the roving underground supper club Clandestino is requesting guests to bring an unwrapped toy or winter coat for the last Eating Vincent Price dinner of the year. As always, the location is unknown until the day of the event, but it will be held in the South Loop. The BYOB event is $55 and inspired by Price's travels to Old Mexico. 6:30pm Dec. 19. You can RSVP here. Donations will benefit Family Focus.

Through Dec. 25, Custom House Tavern is holding a canned-food drive to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Those who bring non-perishables will receive a complimentary "thank you" lunch or dinner course during their meal.

Fishbar gets into the holiday spirit by supporting Toys for Tots through Dec. 22. The Lakeview seafood restaurant will give a side of tater tots to those who donate an unwrapped toy in its original packaging. No stuffed animals accepted.

We're excited about this all-star lineup of local mixologists and chefs set to host Guerrilla Exhibit's holiday event. Benefiting Toys For Tots, the event encourages guests to bring toys for disadvantaged youth. One hundred percent of the proceeds of the night also go towards the organization. Tastings will be provided by Bryran Moscatello (Storefront Co.), Leonard Hollander (Marion Street Market), Sara Nguyen (Sprout), Carlos Cruz (BOKA), Matt Kelly (Province), Cindy Schuman (Sepia), Josh Pearson (Sepia), Tim Williams (Pour Souls), Sergio Serna (The Drawing Room) and Ben Schiller (BOKA). 6:30-9:30pm Dec. 18. Get the $55 tickets right here.

Through Dec. 31 at Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club, guests may indulge in the Vital Gift martini. One dollar of every martini sold will be donated to Vital Bridges, which helps people throughout metropolitan Chicago impacted by HIV and AIDS.

Long-time Division Street den Mother's Too gets in on the action by serving as an official toy collection site for Toys for Tots. Through Dec. 15, they'll accept new, unwrapped toys for children (ages one-13), and donors will be thanked with a free half-hour of billiards.

And through Dec. 16, if you drop off a new, unwrapped toy at the Loop, Theater District or 225. N. Michigan Ave. locations of Wow Bao, you get a free meal ($5.99 value). They're doing it for the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation to pass out to neglected children.

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