Where to Celebrate the Kentucky Derby in Chicago...

Elate!

The Kentucky Derby is just around the corner and if you can't make it to Kentucky, consider planting yourself at Elate's bar to enjoy Chicago's best Mint Julep and watch the race. In honor of the Derby, Elate is offering Mint Julep's at a special price $8 (normally $12). The special runs along with the horses, Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5. While your enjoying your Mint Julep, stay for Elate's fabulous brunch.

Elate is located at 111 West Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60654. For reservations, call: 312.202.9900. Valet and street parking are available.

 

 

Here's Elate's Mint Julep recipe or you can try the original one featured below.

Elate's Mint Julep

Crushed Ice

2.5 oz Buffalo Trace

1 tablespoon sugar

6 mint leaves

Muddle mint leaves and sugar, add bourbon. Let it sit for about a minute to let mint fuse with bourbon. Add crushed ice and stir till glass is frosted. Add more crushed ice. Serve with mint sprig garnish.

*More about Mint Juleps

Editor's note: Reprint from the official Kentucky Derby website.

The Mint Julep has been the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century. Early Times Kentucky Whisky has been privileged and honored to be a part of that tradition. The Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail has been "The Official Mint Julep of the Kentucky Derby" for more than 18 years.

Each year, almost 120,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are served over the two-day period of Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby weekend at Churchill Downs Racetrack. That’s a feat that requires more than 10,000 bottles of Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail, 1,000 pounds of freshly harvested mint and 60,000 pounds of ice.

The Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail is a staple at the track the rest of the year as well. You can also find the Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail at your local retailer. The commemorative bottles have become collectors’ items for many, capturing the mood and spirit of the famous Churchill Downs track and Kentucky Derby race. If the Early Times Ready-to-Serve Cocktail is not available from your local retailer, you can make your own with this time-honored recipe:

The Early Times Mint Julep Recipe

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• Sprigs of fresh mint
• Crushed ice
• Early Times Kentucky Whisky
• Silver Julep Cups

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

The best times are enjoyed responsibly.
Early Times Distillery Co., Kentucky Whisky. 40 percent Alc. By Volume. Louisville, KY 2006.

Mambo Grill to Temporarily Close on March 31

Mambo Grill, the 14-year-old popular Pan-Latin restaurant, currently located in River North at 412 North Clark, will temporarily close on March 31. Mambo Grill will reopen just two blocks away at 410 N. Wells St. this summer.

"This is not ideal," said Susan Frasca, president of Frasca Hospitality Group, owners of Mambo Grill. "I had hoped to extend my current lease for 90 days, but the building owner and landlord, Dr. Shahid Sarwar, would not give us a lease extension," said Frasca. "We have no other choice than to close our doors and temporarily layoff employees."

Mambo Grill has been around for fourteen years and Frasca has owned it for more than ten years. It boasts a long-term dedicated clientele. Frasca says "Restaurants are closing right and left and Mambo's sales are up 5% from last year. We are rocking and now we have to temporally close until the new space at 410 N. Wells is complete and operational."

She adds, "It makes me sick to my stomach to have to tell my employees in these economic times that they have to find work elsewhere during the transition."

Frasca also owns Kinzie Chophouse at 400 N. Wells Street just two doors south of the new Mambo Grill location. "I will take about 25% of the employees from Mambo with me over to Kinzie Chophouse but that is about all we can absorb." Says Frasca.

Mambo fans don't worry, Frasca says, "the new location will be a breath of fresh air. While the menu will remain the same with a few new exciting additions, the physical plant will be 50% larger to accommodate the big groups who enjoy dining and celebrating at Mambo. She has designed the digs herself and has a huge smile on her face when she talks about the new layout.
Frasca isn't budging to give away any details about the new space. She says it will be a big surprise but she will be posting updates, changes and a timeline for the grand opening on the restaurant's website.