—Virgin Hotels Chicago, 203 N. Wabash Ave., is hosting the Cuatro de Caballo grand opening party ( celebrating both Cinco de Mayo and The Kentucky Derby ) at rooftop bar Cerise on Saturday, May 4, 2-8 p.m. At the free and open-to-the-public event, guests will be greeted at the entrance to Cerise with a Derby debutante and two miniature ponies. All guests will receive surprises from Chandon champagne and other goodies upon entrance.
—Gene & Georgetti, perfecting cocktails since 1941, is offering bourbon libations inspired by the Kentucky Derby to benefit Storybook Farm. The cocktails will be available from May 1 through May 13 at both Downtown ( 500 N. Franklin ) and Rosemont ( 9421 W. Higgins Rd. ) locations. Both locations will show the Kentucky Derby in the bar lounge on Saturday, May 4, and festive attire is encouraged.
—I|O Godfrey at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago, 127 W. Huron St., plans to bring the Kentucky Derby to Chicago with its sixth annual Derby Day viewing event on Saturday, May 4, 12-8 p.m. Guests can cheer on the horse race that will air on TVs and expansive video wall. Partygoers will enjoy Southern-inspired foods and drinks, including a carving station and a frozen twist on a classic mint julep, the Derby Ice. Also, guests can have their bottles of Maker's Mark custom-engraved on site and enjoy a live mint wall where Derby fans can collect fresh mint for garnishing cocktails. Tickets are $55 each; visit https://nightout.com/events/io-godfrey-kentucky-derby-viewing-event-2019/tickets.
—Punch Bowl Social, 310 N. Green St., is offering half off on its specialty tequila based cocktail, the El Macho, in honor of Cinco de Mayo. The drink features Sauza Blue Reposado Tequila, muddled cucumber, housemade cardamom syrup and fresh lime juice, and will be available for $5 all day on May 5.
—Guests can celebrate "Cinco de CAP-O" at Sable Kitchen & Bar, 505 N. State St., on Sunday, May 5, 5 p.m.-12 a.m., with bartenders from around the country. Members from Tales of the Cocktail Foundation's "Cocktail Apprentice Program" ( CAP ) will join forces to stir and shake a menu of 10 Cinco de Mayo-inspired cocktails to benefit the Helen David Relief Fund, which aides bartenders affected by breast cancer.
—Broken Barrel Bar, 2548 N. Southport Ave., will celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby on May 4-5. "Cinco de Derby" weekend specials include crispy avocado tacos with mushrooms and goat cheese; Kentucky chicken tenders; mint juleps; and Horsefeather ( with Four Roses whiskey, organic prosecco, simple, mint, angostura bitters and lime ).
—For Mother's Day ( Sunday, May 12 ), Tied House, 3157 N. Southport Ave., will offer a Mom-osa consisting of prosecco, kiwi and elderflower for $11. Also, Chef Debbie Gold will be preparing handcrafted chocolate confections to be given to guests after the meal—for no charge. See www.tiedhousechicago.com .
—Baptiste & Bottle, 101 E. Erie St., will offer complimentary bottomless mimosa or Bloody Mary bar for moms. Guests can enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu with options including Nutella French toast and lobster mac & cheese. The cost is $69 per adult, excluding tax and gratuity. Visit www.baptisteandbottle.com .
—On Mother's Day ( Sunday, May 12 ), Steak 48's full menu will be available from 11 a.m. Highlights include the off-menu dessert the beignet tree with warm Nutella sauce and vanilla creme anglaise. See www.steak48.com/steakhouses/chicago/ .
—GT Prime, 707 N. Wells St., will be offering a three-course, family-style Mother's Day brunch featuring menu items like pork belly Benedict, bigoli with veal heart bolognese, and fried chicken and waffles at 9:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. for $55 per person and $25 for kids ages 3-12. Visit gtprimerestaurant.com .
—At City Mouse, 311 N. Morgan St., Mother's Day brunch, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., will feature a specialty lobster and crab Benedict with griddled corn bread, soft-boiled eggs and Bearnaise sauce ( $18 ); lamb with carrot puree, Luxardo sauce, farro and yu choy ( $21 ); and Meyer lemon and blueberry pound cake with citrus glaze ( $4 ), from pastry chef Felicia Mayden. Visit www.citymousechicago.com .
—Woven & Bound, at Marriott Marquis Chicago, will be offering a specialty Mother's Day menu for $32 a person that includes breakfast favorites, light bites and cocktails. Items will include fruit, housemade granola vanilla yogurt parfaits, smoked salmon, pastries, a carving board ( roasted lamb rack; ham-brined porchetta ), bottomless mimosa and Bloody Mary bars, and more. See https://www.marriott.com/hotel-restaurants/chimq-marriott-marquis-chicago/woven-and-bound-restaurant/5718135/home-page.mi.
—Lincolnwood's Stefani Prime, 6755 N. Cicero Ave., will offer its Mother's Day buffet brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with carving and omelet stations, pasta, cheese display, shrimp cocktail and more. The dinner menu will be available starting at 4 p.m. The cost is $57.95 for adults / $19.95 for kids 10 and younger.
—To celebrate Mother's Day, Caffe Umbria in Logan Square and River North will offer a complimentary coffee drink for Mom on Sunday, May 12 ( limit one drink per mom ). Moms can choose any coffee drink including the new canned Nitro Cold Brew ( $4.25 ). Starting on Mother's Day, guests can also try the new Nitro Cream—which mixes the spot's Nitro Cold Brew with brown sugar simple syrup and heavy cream.
—Truluck's Seafood, Steak, and Crab House is offering Southern-inspired cuisine, limited-time brunch offerings, various libations, a special gift for mom and more on Mother's Day. In addition to culinary items like Mediterranean seafood salad, lost bread French toast and lobster avocado toast, the restaurant's mixologists have created an exclusive, mom-inspired specialty cocktail, "The Matriarch." Mother's Day hours for Truluck's Gold Coast are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Truluck's Rosemont will serve from noon to 9 p.m.
—Ina Mae Tavern will celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday, May 12, at 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with signature brunch favorites from Chef Brian Jupiter. Southern-inspired dishes include Mae's Fried Chicken & Waffle ( $15 ), crawfish scrambled eggs ( $14 ), biscuits & gravy ( $14 ) and much more. Moms can also enjoy a complimentary mimosa with the purchase of an entree. Entertainment includes live music at 12-3 p.m. Visit reserve.com for reservations.
—The Trotter Project is joining forces with Roots Pizza to create a program that partners its scholars with the Roots culinary team to collaborate and create special pizzas throughout the year. On Tuesday, May 14, the series will kick off with a special event at Roots, 2200 W. Lawrence Ave., 6:30-8:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy cocktails from Treaty Oak Distilling, bites from Roots Pizza, and the unveiling of the first scholar pizza from Nia Spencer. Tickets are $50 each; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-trotter-project-and-roots-pizza-series-tickets-59615402273#tickets.
—Lottie's Pub, 1925 W. Cortland St., will celebrate its 85th anniversary Saturday, May 18. To celebrate its longstanding place in Chicago, Lottie's is keeping the notorious party history alive by serving 85-cent burgers from 12-4 p.m. and 85-cent drafts all day. In 1934 Lottie's Pub, then known as Zagorski's Grocery, was turned from a neighborhood grocery store to a speakeasy at the prime of prohibition. Run by intersex individual Lottie Zagorski, the speakeasy became a popular spot for mobsters and politicians where horse betting, gambling, stripping and plenty of other vices thrived.
—A one-hour special from the James Beard Foundation ( JBF ) and Intersport, JBFA: Stories from the 2019 James Beard Awards, will premiere on The ABC Television Network on May 19. Audiences will experience the 2019 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards Gala, hosted by Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
—OPALGA ( the Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Association ) will make and sell donuts at the Oak Park Farmer's market on Saturday, June 8. ( PFLAG will partner with the organization. ) Slots begin at four in the morning, and last through 1:30 p.m. Visit OPALGA.org or email seangus67@gmail.com, or sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d4daeab22a5f85-donut.
—Ravenswood on Tap, the neighborhood's annual craft beer festival, returns this summer June 22-23. Back for its fourth year, the festival spotlights beer and spirits from local breweries along Malt Row, along with food, retailers, artists, live music and entertainment. For more information regarding Ravenswood on Tap, visit ravenswoodchicago.org/ontap/ .
—Windy City Smokeout will be held July 12-14 at a new location right outside of Chicago's United Center. Hosted by Bub City and Joe's Bar, the event is the first official outdoor music festival to take place at the West Loop arena's 250,000-square-foot parking lot along Madison Street. Some of the country acts slated to perform are Old Dominion, Jessie James Decker, Parker McCollum, LANCO and Muscadine Bloodline.
—Brian Jupiter has changed Frontier's menu in anticipation of Chicago's warmer months. New additions to the "Snack" section of the menu, sold by the piece, include a smoked mushroom fritter ( muenster, confit garlic, rosemary, creamy chimichurri; $3 ) and, back by popular demand, the duck taco ( salsa, queso fresco, crispy potato, red onion, tortilla, cilantro; $5 ). Other new items will include antelope cheesesteak ( $24 ), cucumber salad ( $10 ) and blueberry bread pudding ( $9 ).
—Band of Bohemia, 4710 N. Ravenswood Ave., has a new executive chef, Soo Ahn. Ahn joined the Band of Bohemia team following experiences in Texas, Korea, California, the District of Columbia and Illinois, as well as in kitchens at the Ritz Carlton, Grace, El Ideas and Roosters.
—Fisk & Co., 225 N. Wabash Ave., is offering Executive Chef Ashlee Aubin's new spring menu items. The restaurant is known for its mussels, and there are now items like salmon gravlax, spaghetti with lobster and crab, sauteed gnocchi and steak frites.
—Taureaux Tavern, 155 W. Van Buren St., will officially open for Saturday brunch and dinner service beginning May 4. The French-inspired restaurant will offer brunch and dinner menus, but with a few additions. Guests can now enjoy Signature Sandwiches, by Executive Chef Mike Sheerin, on the brunch menu—including the Gold Label Burger and Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich. Also, there will be "Poptails" ( $11 each )—glasses of prosecco garnished with house-made popsicles. In addition, there will be a dog-friendly menu.
—TrueNorth Cafe now has CBD-infused coffee and smoothies available at both locations: 5507 N. Clark St. and 1323 E. 57th St. CBD, also know as cannabidiol, is an all-natural compound derived from the hemp plant's resinous flowers.
—Flight Club, 111 W. Wacker Dr., has debuted new lunch, dinner and oche ( social darts playing area ) menu items by James Beard Award winner Rick Gresh. For guests seeking a sit-down meal before heading upstairs to the darts area, new lunch and dinner items include 55-day dry-aged prime rib sandwich, pepperoni meatball sliders, roasted sea bass, bucatini pasta and more. Lunch, dinner, and social-darts reservations can be made at us.flightclubdarts.com/chicago/ .
—The spot 20 East, inside the Talbott Hotel, has launched a happy hour, Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. Specials include $4 beers, $5 Absolut mixed drinks and $6 select glasses of wine. Culinary items ( $7 each ) include mini-cheeseburgers ( three ), parmesan truffle fries and more.
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