Fleming's offering new 5-6-7 menu all day long this July 4th

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, is making it easy for you this Fourth of July!  On Wednesday, July 4 Fleming’s Chicago (25 E. Ohio St., Chicago, IL 60611 312-329-9463) and Fleming’s Lincolnshire (960 Milwaukee Ave. Lincolnshire, IL 60069 847-793-0333) will be offering its 5-6-7 menu all day long!  No need to throw anything on the grill this time, the nightly bar menu, “5 for $6 ’til 7,” is keeping the delicious food flowing until 10 p.m. at both Fleming’s locations in celebration of Independence Day. 

The new 5-6-7 menu offers a terrific selection of appetizers, premium cocktails (including a 99-calorie option!) and distinctive wines by the glass for just $6 each.  Mix and match any item from the menu to create your perfect summer pairing of drinks and bites.  The new updated summer menu is hard to pass up with light and fun summer options and some old favorites.

Take of break this year from your summer holiday responsibilities and let Fleming’s do the work! 

5 COCKTAILS
TROPICAL MARTINI, Malibu Coconut Rum
PURELY FRESH MARGARITA, Sauza Gold Tequila
VINTAGE VODKA MARTINI, Smirnoff Vodka
BLOOD ORANGE FIZZ, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
*BIKINITINI, Svedka Clementine Vodka

5 WINES BY THE GLASS
SPARKLING, Mas Fi Cava, Spain
RIESLING, Dr. L, Germany
PINOT GRIGIO BLEND, Borealis, Oregon
PINOT NOIR, Mark West, California
CABERNET, 14 Hands, Washington

5 APPETIZERS
BAKED BRIE IN PUFF PASTRY
SWEET CHILE CALAMARI
ROASTED MUSHROOM RAVIOLI
TENDERLOIN CARPACCIO
JUMBO SHRIMP COCKTAIL

THE PRIME BURGER, Cheese and Bacon

Hours and offerings are subject to change in compliance with local or state liquor laws.  Prices in effect from open to close in certain markets (IA, IL, LA, MO, NE, TX).  Liquor by the drink tax embedded for cocktail; liquor by the drink and sales tax embedded for wine (TN).  Due to local and/or state liquor laws, Fleming’s is unable to offer alcoholic beverages on the “5 for 6 ‘til 7” menu in IN, Charlotte, NC, OK, RI, UT.  Fleming’s LA Live location (Los Angeles, CA) offers the 567 bar menu from 4-6 pm, 7 days a week.

Weekend Brunch Buffet at Newly-Opened Act One Café in Rogers Park

Act One Café (1330 W. Morse Ave., Chicago; 773-381-4550) now serves an elaborate brunch buffet each Saturday and Sunday. The Rogers Park dining establishment, which opened May 21, adds brunch to its menu of dining options.

The brunch buffet reflects Executive Chef Jimmy Madla’s commitment to seasonal and regionally sourced items in their weekly selection of comfort foods and innovative dishes at the 110-seat Act One Café. Weekly items include Thick Cut Bacon, Pork-Maple Sausage and House Made Turkey Sausage, “Triple-threat” Country Gravy and Buttermilk Biscuits and Scrambled Eggs. In addition to these staples, Madla plans to mix it up each week with a variety of other dishes including French Toast, Buttermilk Pancakes, Belgian Waffles, Chili Lime Pork Loin with Corn Salsa, Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder, Seasonal Vegetables, Salads, Smoked Salmon Lox with mini bagels and a variety of pastries, baked goods and fresh fruit.

Madla has been a prominent figure on Chicago’s culinary scene for nearly two decades, working in various kitchens before opening his own highly successful restaurant, Coobah, in 2002. Act One Café provides a second outlet for his creative cooking skills.

The hearty buffet is the perfect complement to the casual, welcoming atmosphere created by the management and service team at Act One Café.

Brunch is served from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The cost for adults is $12.99 and for children $6.99.

Guests can make it a more festive occasion with a Bloody Mary or Mimosa for $5 during brunch.

“Act One Café is the perfect place to meet friends for a relaxing weekend brunch before launching into weekend errands or just enjoying a leisurely day,” says Madla. “We look forward to being the place our neighbors and friends think of when they’re in the mood for a great weekend brunch.

Act One Café is located at 1330 W. Morse Ave. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. It is open for dinner from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The bar is open until 10 p.m. weekdays and until Midnight Friday and Saturday. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, or to make a reservation, call (773) 381-4550 or visit http://www.actonecafe.com/.

Glen Prairie Launches New Spring Menu Today

Welcome the arrival of spring with new menus featuring seasonal ingredients from executive chef Daniel Ovanin, launching Monday, May 3 for lunch and dinner at Glen Prairie (1250 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn, Ill; 630-613-1250).

Featured lunch appetizers include Daily Selection of Local Cheeses with crostini and cranberry relish ($9) and Buttermilk Fried, Herb Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, horseradish sauce and garlic chile sauce ($7). Try a variety of salads including Radicchio and Butter Lettuce Salad, shaved red onion, Stickney Hill Farm goat cheese mousse and truffle balsamic vinaigrette ($7) and Prairie Cobb Salad, Amish chicken, Romaine, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon, fresh tomatoes, red onion, farm fresh eggs, avocado, Mindoro bleu cheese and champagne-cider vinaigrette ($12).

Entrees include Express Lunch, a choice of ½ sandwich of the day, soup of the day, field greens or Caesar salad (choice of two is $7; choice of three is $9), Farm Fresh BLT, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon, crisp market greens, fresh tomatoes and toasted challah bread ($8), Miller Farms BBQ Grilled Chicken, housemade bbq sauce, mac ‘n’ locally farmed cheese and market three bean salad ($20).

For dinner, enjoy starters including Pasture Fed Lamb Chops, buckwheat blini and apple and cherry root salad ($11); La Quercia Organic Prosciutto Plate, grilled sourdough, olive tapenade and olive oil ($9); and Becker Lane Organic Pork Sliders, horseradish root coleslaw and housemade bbq sauce ($8). Try new salads like the seasonal Local Farmed Asparagus, prosciutto, wild mushrooms, truffle baslsamic vinaigrette and Pepato cheese ($8).

Dinner entrees include Pan Seared Wild Caught Sea Scallops, sweet pea and Nueske’s Bacon Risotto and organic carrots ($24), Wild Caught Alaskan Halibut, caramelized cauliflower and sautéed organic spinach ($23) and Grilled Dakota Farmed Bison Ribeye, celery root whipped potatoes and grilled asparagus ($34).

For customers with dining restrictions, ask servers about gluten-free menu items. For reservations or more information, call (630) 613-1250 or visit www.glenprairie.com. Follow them on Twitter at @glenprairie.

Birch River Grill's December Dining Deals

Dining out in December gets delicious with Birch River Grill's (75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights; 847-427-4242) new Winter Menu Items and December Prix Fixe Menu.

New Winter Selections
Appetizers include Deep Fried Cornmeal Dusted Pickle Chips, with buttermilk ranch dipping sauce ($5), and Poached Pear and Brie, cranberry vinaigrette, toasted walnuts, brie cheese, mixed greens and poached pear ($10). New sandwiches include Blackened and Grilled Mahi Mahi, cilantro lime mayo, shredded leaf lettuce, tomato and avocado ($10); or the Grilled Skirt Steak Sandwich, grilled red onion, horseradish sauce, beefsteak tomato and shredded lettuce ($12). The new entrees feature Smoked Turkey Pot Pie, peas, corn, thyme cream and smoked turkey breast chunks ($12); Linguine and Meatballs, marina la rustica, linguine pasta and Nonna Valenti’s meatballs ($12); Porcini Sachettis, crispy shiitake mushrooms, brown butter cream, chives and shaved grana padano ($13); and Seared Parmesan Crusted Wahoo, garlic butter glazed green beans and macaroni and cheese ($18).

Sweet selections include White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cheesecake, cranberry orange coulis, orange zest and white chocolate shavings ($6), or Spiced Thai Chai Custard, with whipped cream, spiced candied pecans and cinnamon dust ($6).

These menu items are available now through March 2010.

December Prix Fixe Menu
Throughout the entire month of December, Birch River Grill offers a three-course prix fixe deal for just $20 per person, featuring seasonal, contemporary American fare, served in the restaurant’s rustic setting. Begin with a choice of appetizer, either BRG Salad, baby greens, shredded Michigan carrots, beefsteak tomato wedges and seedless cucumber slices; Granny Apple Onion Soup, paprika Parmesan croutons, Wisconsin Swiss and provolone cheese; or the Soup of the Day. Entrée selections include Grilled Ribeye Filet, cheddar cheese grits, Kentucky whiskey sauce and Broccolini; Herb Rubbed Salmon, mashed Yukon Gold potatoes, sautéed green beans and lemon caper vinaigrette; or Tricolor Cheese Tortellini, Alfredo sauce and shredded Parmesan. For dessert, satisfy the sweet tooth with Berry Sorbet, served with fresh berries.

Don't miss these dining deals that won't break the bank! For more information or to make a reservation, call (847) 427-4242 or visit http://www.birchrivergrill.com/.

Three Courses for Just $20 and New Menus at Glen Prairie

October Prix Fixe Menu
Glen Prairie’s October prix fixe menu celebrates locally sourced food with a three-course meal offered after 5 p.m. daily for the entire month for just $20.

The meal begins with the appetizer, Farmers Salad, baby greens, green onions, fresh tomatoes, cucumber, shaved winter vegetables and Champagne-cider vinaigrette. Enjoy one of two entrée options, either the Grilled Center Cut Pork Chop, roasted beet risotto, baby carrots and natural jus, or Miller Farms Herb Marinated Roasted Half Chicken, caramelized Brussels sprouts and Minnesota wild rice. For dessert, refresh with a Choice of Daily Sorbets.

New Fall Menu
Glen Prairie unveils a fall menu highlighting natural and locally grown seasonal fare. New items on the menu include appetizers, entrées and desserts, many also offered Glen Prairie’s extensive gluten free menu. The menu now includes a Soup of the Day ($5); Organic Spinach and Artichoke Dip served with pita chips and peppato cheese ($8); and Trio of Dietzler Farms Sliders, including a bacon and cheddar slider, a caramelized onion and blue cheese slider and a roasted pepper and goat cheese slider ($9) for appetizers. New salads include the Glen Prairie Panzanella Salad, bacon fried sourdough, today’s tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, crispy prosciutto, baby greens and balsamic glaze ($8) and an Heirloom Beet Salad with baby greens, goat cheese, balsamic truffle vinaigrette and toasted pine nuts ($7).

New entrées feature Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Graue Mill Polenta Cake, melted leeks and sautéed green beans and roasted red pepper coulis ($24); Iowa Farmed Espresso Braised Beef Short Rib, whipped sweet potatoes, caramelized Brussels sprouts and natural jus ($21); Baked Ziti, spaghetti squash, roasted tomatoes, peppato cheese, toasted pine nuts and garlic prosciutto toast ($16); Miller Farms Chicken Pot Pie, winter vegetables, natural chicken gravy and Parmesan sablé crust ($19); Grilled Pork Tenderloin, caramelized fig and port sauce, Minnesota Wild Rice and baby carrots ($21); Graue Mill Seared Polenta Cake, wild mushrooms, melted leeks, winter vegetables, and roasted red pepper coulis ($15); or Maple Leaf Farms Duck Leg Confit with white bean cassoulet, Nueske’s Smoked Sausage and maple gastrique ($22).

Glen Prairie also has new dessert options which are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. New desserts include Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee, crisp sugar crust and berries (regular $6/mini $2); and Heavenly Brownie Sundae, house made chocolate brownie, vanilla bean gelato, chocolate sauce and Cocoa Nibs (regular $6/mini $2).

Gluten Free Menu
Glen Prairie also serves a wide variety of gluten free options for those with dietary restrictions. Dishes on the gluten free menu are all very similar to what is offered on the regular menu offering starters like the Miller Farms Sage Grilled Chicken Wings, garlic and sweet Chile aioli with organic celery has been added to the gluten free menu ($7). Entrées on the gluten free menu include Miller Farms Herb Marinated Roasted Half Chicken, caramelized Brussels sprouts and whipped potatoes ($20); and Iowa Farmed Filet Mignon, herb whipped potatoes, green beans and natural jus ($32). These are a small sample of the gluten free menu, which is available upon request.

Glen Prairie serves contemporary American cuisine, with a strong emphasis on local Midwest flavors and products. For more details, contact the restaurant at (630) 613-1250 or http://www.glenprairie.com/.