—Jar Bar ( 1350 Shermer Road )—a fast-casual concept with handcrafted, healthful eats—has opened for breakfast and lunch in downtown Northbrook. Founded by former television producer and lifestyle expert Karen Firsel, along with her husband, commercial real-estate developer Adam Firsel, the duo plans to scale the concept. Breakfast items include Kids Were Up At 6, with acai, nitro coffee, bananas, toasted coconut and Jar Bar gluten-free granola ( $10 ); lunch items include Thanksgiving Dinner, with roasted turkey, cranberry aioli and field greens ( $10 ). See JarBar.com .
—To celebrate the brand's start on June 14, 1971, Hard Rock Cafe Chicago will offer civil servants ( policemen, firefighters and EMT personnel only ) who visit the cafe ( on June 14, 2017 ) any Legendary Burger for 71 cents. The burger features a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, a golden fried onion ring, crisp lettuce and vine-ripened tomato, served on a toasted brioche bun with Hard Rock's seasoned fries. See HardRock.com/chicago.
—For Negroni Week ( June 5-11 ), Edgewater restaurant Income Tax offers the 1970s Negroni that makes use of a rare bottle of campari that was produced more than three decades ago. Meanwhile, Vol. 39, 39 S. LaSalle St., has the Vol. 39 Negroni, which has gin, campari and sweet vermouth—as well as a touch of cinnamon smoke from Palo Santo wood.
—Also, for Negroni Week, Mon Ami Gabi, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, will offer the White Negroni—composed of gin, Cocchi Americano and Dolin dry vermouth—for $12.95. The restaurant will batch the cocktail while extending its patio hours to open at 3 p.m. on Friday through Sunday of Negroni Week.
—On Friday, June 9, Vornado Realty Trust, theMART and DMK Restaurants will introduce Marshall's Landing, at the Merchandise Mart, a new 12,000-square-foot lounge. Highlights from the menu include snacks like crispy calamari and tuna poke and rice as well as larger plates including a forest mushroom bruschetta, chopped chicken salad, cheddar burger and Kellogg Corn Flake fried chicken.
—Hi Bar, 2022 W. North Ave., will hold its summer kickoff party on Friday, June 9, 7-11 p.m. Local Label Closed Sessions will curate a three-DJ lineup as well as an early vinyl set. Drink specials feature half-off all drinks—including local beers, craft cocktails and more. Giveaways for stays at The Hollander might just pop up throughout the party too. Locals can RSVP via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/125450161365096.
—Sal's Trattoria will open at 2834 N. Southport Ave. in mid-June. From the creative team behind Lincoln Park's Butcher & the Burger, including notable Chef/Partner Allen Sternwelier, Sal's will focus on Italian classics with a large assortment of antipasti, a variety of fresh-made pastas as well as traditional entrees and desserts. See SalsTrattoria.com .
—Beatrix and Beatrix Market have opened in the Fulton Market District in the West Loop at 834 W. Fulton Market. Beatrix is Lettuce Entertain You's first restaurant in the neighborhood. Beatrix Market has a self-serve salad, soup and hot food bar, rotating chef-prepared salads, sandwiches and snacks, as well as premium nut and chocolate offerings showcasing local artisans; the restaurant features, among other things, the coffee and pastry counter, including its signature cookies and in-house bakery favorites.
—Chicago Market—a local, sustainable co-op grocery store under development on the city's North Side—is hosting a BBQ-themed pop-up market on Saturday, June 10, 2-4 p.m., at Truman College in Uptown. A few of the vendors slated to appear include My Chocolate Soul, Broad Shoulder BBQ, Niloofar, Hidden Hive Flowers and Sitka Salmon Shares. Visit ChicagoMarket.coop/ .
—Boiler Room, 2210 N. California Ave., is offering summer additions to its menu. Pizzas include Peach Don't Kill My Vibe ( apricot sweet chili base, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto and peach slices, topped with arugula ), BLT Picnic and In the Buff ( a vegetarian item ); cocktails include Magic School Bus, All Gold Everything, Another Monster, Shark Week, Sifo San-Dyas and Get Over It. See BoilerRoomLoganSquare.com .
—Tiki bar Three Dots and a Dash, 435 N. Clark St., has announced its latest cocktail menu. The cocktails are broken down into The Classics, Modern and Large Format ( shareable cocktails such as Rock Out with Your Conch Out! and Bali Bali ). In addition to cocktails, the food menu of Polynesian-inspired bites from chef/partner Doug Psaltis has been updated to include items like tofu peanut noodles, curried pork skewers and the Vietnamese shrimp Trick Dog.
—The newest location of DMK Burger Bar has opened within The District at Oakbrook Center. DMK Burger Bar and Freshii will be the final restaurants to open within The District, Oakbrook Center's gourmet food hall that launched in 2016 and currently features Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken, Greek Kitchen, Cilantro Taco Grill, Pie Five, Stan's Donuts and Coffee, David's Tea, Potbelly Sandwich Works and Porkchop BBQ.
—Floriole Cafe & Bakery, 1220 W. Webster Ave., will hold its next crepes-focused dinner on Sunday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. The menu will feature raw asparagus and fava bean salad; buckwheat crepes; and a sweet crepe with housemade roasted strawberry rhubarb jam and buttermilk sherbet. Admission is $30 each; call 773-883-1313.
—Estelle's, 2013 W. North Ave., will celebrate its 18th anniversary on Wed., June 14. Estelle's will kick off its anniversary party with a Miskatonic Brewing Company tapping beginning at 5 p.m. Special for the anniversary party, guests can order the "Armadilla Burger" for $10; the burger will feature a beef patty topped with pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo, lettuce and sour cream enclosed within two jalapeno cheese quesadillas. See EstellesChicago.com .
—The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce ( LPCC ) has announced participating locations for the 4th annual Cravings on Clark Restaurant Crawl on Wed., June 14, 6-9 p.m. The crawl runs along Clark Street from Fullerton to Diversey and the south side of Diversey from Orchard to Lakeview. Just a few of the stops include Molly's Cupcakes, Compass Bar, Pasta Bowl, Galway Arms and Firecakes Donuts. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door; see LincolnParkChamber.com . Guests will check in at HopCat Chicago, 2577 N. Clark St.
—Southern-themed restaurant Lowcountry, 3343 N. Clark St., will mark National Lobster Day on Thursday, June 15, by offering lobster mac 'n' cheese ( $12 ), lobster hush puppies ( $10 ) and lobster rolls ( 418 ) as well as whole lobsters. The spot will be open 5-10 p.m. Visit www.lowcountrychicago.com .
—In honor of the second annual World Tapas Day on Thursday, June 15, Oak Brook's El Tapeo, 2100 Spring Road, will celebrate by offering complimentary gazpacho shooters to all guests. See ElTapeoRestaurant.com .
—The West Loop Community Organization, StarEvents and Silver Wrapper have announced the music and restaurant lineups for the 21st Annual Taste of Randolph Festival, taking place June 16-18 at 900 W. Randolph St. Some of the musical headliners include Dawes, Moon Taxi and Emancipator Ensemble; and some of the participating restaurants include bellyQ, Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken, La Sardine, Grange Hall Burger Bar and Bar Siena. See www.starevents.com/event/taste-of-randolph/ .
—Mexican spot Mercadito Chicago, 108 W. Kinzie St., will host its monthly Mixology Academy course on Saturday, June 17, at 3 p.m. ( $45 each, plus tax and gratuity ); and Dame Calor Experiential Dinner on Monday, June 19, 6-9 p.m. ( $75 each, plus tax and gratuity ). La Mez Agave Lounge, located downstairs at Mercadito, hosts its monthly Mixology Academy course, led by Beverage Director Paul Tanguay; the course will feature cocktails crafted with Bulleit Bourbon. Call 312-329-9555 or visit MercaditoRestaurants.com .
—Chicagoans can treat Dad to a beach party this Father's Day at Castaways. The North Avenue Beach hotspot will feature live entertainment by DJ Jem 1-7 p.m. Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18. Also, there will be cocktails such as the Castaways Island Ice Tea with a Malibu Red floater, Bacardi Mai Tai and Chicago Breeze ( Captain Morgan White Rum, cranberry and pineapple juices, club soda ), or frozen sensations like Barcardi pina and strawberry coladas, and the Mango Margarita.
—Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe Ave., will open at 10 a.m. on Father's Day and offer brunch until 2 p.m. Golf fans can catch all the 2017 U.S. Open action on 12 TVs including a 70-inch plasma. While dining, patrons can enjoy a $3 Build-Your-Own Mimosa Bar and $6 Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar. See CommonwealthChicago.com .
—RPM Italian, 66 W. Kinzie St., is celebrating Father's Day with special holiday hours, the full dinner menu and a special gift for dads. It will be open 12-11 p.m., with house specialties like lobster caprese with Buffalo mozzarella and basil, Maine lobster ravioli with spinach pasta and chili flakes or prime dry-aged bistecca Fiorentina. RPM Italian will also be sending every dad home with a jar of RPM seasoning salt, a recipe for grilling the perfect steak and a $25 gift card off his next visit. See rpmrestaurants.com/rpmsteak/chicago/ .
—On Sunday, June 18, Hakka Bakka, 1251 W. Fullerton Ave., will serve a Father's Day meal combo featuring a lamb shammi burger, fries and a drink for $10. The burger patties are handmade with high quality minced lamb and Hakka Bakka's house blend of spices to give it an authentic taste. The burger will be served on a toasted Brioche bun, with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, sweet mango chutney and cilantro aioli.
—For Father's Day, Hub 51 will offer brunch classics ( e.g., Brioche French toast ), more modern takes like chilaquiles and a sushi station. In addition, each trip to the craft Bloody Mary/mimosa bar is $8. Call HUB 51 at 312-828-0051 to make Father's Day reservations. ( Brunch is $36 for those older than 12, and $15 for children 12 and younger, plus tax and gratuity. )
—Patrons who bring their fathers to Roanoke, 135 W. Madison St., can enjoy special Father's Day prix fixe menu for $33 per person, available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Diners can choose one starter, entrée and dessert with options including porchetta eggs Benedict, supper club prime rib, Faroe Island Scottish salmon and more. Featured brunch cocktails include the Toast & Jam ( Knob Creek Rye, hibiscus syrup, fresh grapefruit, lime juice; $11.50 ), Blood Orange Mimosa ( Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, prosecco; $11 ), and Bloody Mary ( Absolut Peppar, Zing Zang, salumi fontina skewer; $11.50 ).
—A Father's Day Brew Cruise will take place on the Mystic Blue on Sunday, June 18, 4:30-6:30 p.m. There will be 20 beer samples from featured breweries, light bites, a dance floor and bar games ( foosball, giant Jenga, etc. ). All passengers must be at least 21 years old. Prices start at $49.90 each; visit https://www.mysticbluecruises.com/chicago/cruises/holiday/fathers-day.
—National Martini Day is Monday, June 19, and SafeHouse Chicago will celebrate by serving its classic "spytini" for $5 at 11 a.m.-7 p.m. SafeHouse Chicago, a spy-themed spot, features an Austin Powers-themed bathroom, a covert entrance, spy-film memorabilia and other items. See SafeHouseChicago.com .
—Imperial Lamian, 6 W. Hubbard St., is gearing up for the ultimate Xiao Long Bao Eating Contest on the Hubbard Street patio on Tuesday, June 27 (changed from the previous date of June 21). The Chinese restaurant invites dumpling lovers to enter the competition throughout the entire month of May by posting a photo eating XLB at Imperial Lamian, following and tagging @imperiallamianchi on Instagram, and using the hashtag #DowntheDumpling. Ten contestants will be chosen on Thursday, June 1, and will have 20 days to stretch their stomachs before the big day.
—As part of the Travelle "Chef Collab" dinner series, on Thursday, June 29, at 6 p.m., Travelle Kitchen + Bar's Chef Ricardo Jarquin opens his kitchen to Won Fun Chinese Chef Ben Ruiz to collaborate on a five-course, family-style dinner. The price is $65, excluding tax and gratuity; call 312-923-7705 or visit TravelleChicago.com . ( In addition to the "Chef Collab" event, Travelle Kitchen + Bar will be open to the public for nightly dinner service. )
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