Don't forget dear old dad!

We understand that Mother's day is the BIG dining out holiday but really, don't you think Dad needs a break too! Whoever thinks that Dad enjoys standing behind the grill while everyone else is having fun, try it some time! It's damn hot! While having a lot of brews helps, really, give him a break and take him out to lunch or dinner! Here's our choice selections:

HAUSSMANN BRASSERIE
305 Happ Road, Northfield, IL
(847) 466-1133
Treat dad to a Father’s Day meal he won’t forget at just opened Haussmann Brasserie, the latest suburban spot to open under chef/owner Jacky Pluton. This American brasserie will be offering brunch items from their daily menu from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Choose from items such as Gaufres Grand-Mere, waffles with caramelized bananas and rum caramel ($10.95); Croque Monsieur, jambon, gruyere, pistachio paste, and pomme frites ($15.95); Royale with Cheese, classic ½ pound burger with gruyere cheese, on a toasted brioche bun and pomme frites or the Poulet Roti made for two with roasted carrots, green lentils, jus roti ($48).


SMOKE DADDY
1804 West Division St.
(773) 772-6656
Celebrate Father’s Day early this year with the Smoke Daddy’s Annual Pig Roast, which takes place on Saturday, June 14 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. For $20 per person, you can hang out in the sun with Dad while feasting on the all you can eat Pulled Pork Sandwiches made from the Smoke Daddy’s special mix of apple, hickory and cherry wood; side dishes such as the Smoke Daddy’s homemade coleslaw, and housemade barbecue chips. Don’t forget the Bud Light drafts (which are included in the price!)



SWEET BABY RAY’S RESTAURANT
800 E. Higgins Rd., Elk Grove Village, IL
(847) 437-9555
This year for Father’s Day, give Dad a break from the barbecue and let Sweet Baby Ray’s do all the work! With an extensive barbecue buffet, Dad will be able to have all of his favorite dishes such as an omelet station, eggs Benedict, French toast, assorted breakfast potatoes, salad bar, BBQ ribs and chicken with Southern style biscuits and gravy. Sweet Baby Ray’s will also feature an outdoor grill station complete with garlic mini burgers and brats. Additionally, Sweet Baby Ray’s will also offer an extensive Bloody Mary Bar with all the fixings. Buffet brunch is priced at $26.95 for adults, $14.95 for children ages eight to 12 and $6.95 for children ages four to seven. The Bloody Mary Bar is an additional $7.99 per person. Seating times are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Other spots open for brunch (indoors and outside weather permitting) are Deleece, Dine, Dunlays on the Square, Frasca Pizzeria, Shochu and Powerhouse.

"Put another shrimp on the barbie!"

Memorial Day marks the official start of grilling/barbecue season and Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Restaurant (yes like the sauce) knows Chicago barbecue! Although I technically had the holiday off, I was happy to join the restaurant's executive chef/partner Paul Papadopolous, owner Dave Raymond (Sweet Baby Ray himself) and fellow chef Mike Nykaza for a grilling season kickoff segment at WGN.

Anchor/traffic reporter Val Warner led the segment as Chef Paul demonstrated Grilled Yukon Gold Potato Salad with Yukon Gold potatoes, hickory smoked bacon, red onion, balsamic vinegar, parsley and blue cheese. I snuck a bite afterwards and it was amazing! Paul also showed us a unique dessert, Elvis-inspired Peanut Butter and Banana Burritos...kind of like a s'mores with bananas wrapped in a tortilla instead of the graham cracker and gently grilled to melt it all together. Yum!

Chef Mike showed off his grilling skills with some baby back ribs, pork chops and chicken breasts, yet it still wasn't quite enough to feed the entire WGN morning news staff.

Finally Paul topped it all off with a demo of Grilled Shrimp and Andouille Sausage Skewers and Hawaiian Style Lamb Ribs...Overall a pleasing spread for any barbecue. Want to try this dishes on your own? All of the recipes are on the WGN site, here.

But, don't fire the grill up until reading the TOP 10 GRILLING TIPS, compliments of Sweet Baby Ray's:

10. Clean, preheat, & season grill before cooking.
9. Season or marinate foods well before grilling to enhance flavor.
8. Sear steaks, chops, and fish at high temperatures to lock in juices and flavor.
7. Use tongs or spatula to prevent puncturing food with a fork and loosing juices.
6. For perfect grill marks, rotate foods from 10:00 to 2:00 with 3 turns.
5. Never leave the grill unattended. Be patient and don’t ever abandon your post.
4. Learn to cook by sight: Watch the edge of meats become opaque indicating doneness.
3. Learn to cook by touch:
Soft = Rare
Some Resistance = Medium
Firm = Well Done
2. NEVER trust a skinny Chef!
1. ALWAYS USE SWEET BABY RAY’S BARBECUE SAUCE!

Happy grilling!

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Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Restaurant is located at 800 E. Higgins Rd. in Elk Grove Village. Open for lunch and dinner daily, and breakfast Saturday and Sunday. For catering and general information, call the restaurant at (847) 437-9555 or visit online at http://www.sbrbbq.com/.

The second restaurant location is at 249 E. Irving Park Rd. in Wood Dale; (630) 238-8261.

Dine on WGN-TV

Dine’s executive chef, Chris Turano, made his live television debut yesterday on WGN-TV’s Noon News. Chef Chris prepared fresh Grilled Copper River Salmon, served with fresh corn, ramps, and fingerling potatoes.

Copper River Salmon is unique from other salmon in that it has a large amount of fat in the meat, and because of that, it self lubricates during cooking and is much easier to handle on the grill than other fish. The fish has about 7% higher fat content than farmed salmon and contains high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, which help lower amounts of bad cholesterol.

In case you missed the segment, click here to see it for yourself.

Interested in dining at Dine? The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and is running a special of the Copper River Salmon this weekend. For reservations, call (312) 602-2100 or visit http://www.dinerestaurant.com/.

Photo credit: Catherine Patterson

Calling all night owls

Check out Shochu.

If you're like me and always looking for a place go get great food and drink after the typical restaurant closes, you'll be happy to know that Shochu (3313 N. Clark, 773-348-3313) is open everynight, seven days a week until 2 a.m. in the morning with food being served until 1 a.m.! Saturday night, it's open until 3 a.m. and you can get their tasty small plate menu until 2 a.m. So all of you night owls, head on over and tell them Cindy sent you!