Abbey Brown Soap Artisan has introduced three new Chicago Neighborhood soaps

Abbey Brown Soap Artisan at the Chicago French Market has introduced three new Chicago Neighborhood soaps, just in time for holiday gift giving. Featuring three neighborhoods, West Loop, Gold Coast and West Town, soaps are a wonderful gift to keep on hand and to use as stocking stuffers. Neighborhood soaps are creatively wrapped and offer some of Abbey Brown's most popular scents. Neighborhood soaps are priced at $5 each. Also new for the season is its Chocolate Mint soap priced at $8.50.

Da Lobsta Comes to Chicago French Market This September

The Chicago French Market announces its newest vendor, Da Lobsta, opening this September as a quick service lobster roll eatery, joining other Da Lobsta locations in the Gold Coast. Da Lobsta was conceived by restaurateur J. Wolf.

At Da Lobsta, Wolf and his team currently serve authentic New England sandwiches with a twist, taking the East Coast concept of chilled Lobster Claw & Knuckle meat (Blue Crab and Shrimp can also be substituted), strip of mayo and warm garlic butter drizzled on top of a New England Style toasted. Daring to be different, the original can also be changed up with Indian, Asian, Mexican, and Greek varieties.

Think the American Dream on a bun.

Not to be confused with sushi (seriously, there are a few of those!), Da Lobsta brings the standard lobster roll to another level by offering homemade, customizable sandwiches at a reasonable price, without requiring dine-in service. None of the frou-frou, just straight good eats.

Wolf concocted the idea out of his love for visiting Maine when growing up, as well as his interest in the eclecticism of food culture he found when living in Los Angeles. As a child, lobster rolls became one of Wolf’s favorite dishes; seafood always seemed to hit the spot. When he moved to the West Coast later in life, he discovered his beloved sandwich on a food truck cruising around town, and would frequently find himself driving 45 minutes out of the way just to get a bite.

At the same time, Wolf was operating The Glendon Bar & Kitchen in Hollywood, a high end dining spot mixing American and California cuisines. He began to experiment with the idea of creating a restaurant on a smaller scale, offering high quality products with his own unique twist and less of an emphasis on dining.

Suddenly, something clicked with his past and present obsessions.

Wolf eventually moved to Chicago, leaving behind The Glendon to pursue his new idea with his favorite foodie pleasure: the lobster roll. He decided to add ethnic variations to the mix as a way to diversify the standard, and suit the assorted feel of his new home.

While in Maine, a lobster roll is a working man's sandwich sold on the side of the highway or pier. In big cities, they’ve been turned into gourmet items. Many fancier versions pack in dozens of ingredients and cost significantly more, but don’t taste better than the original. Wolf wanted to avoid a similar result and created new renditions of the lobster roll, while tapping into the simplicity and authenticity of the original.

The result was Da Lobsta.

Celebrate National Lobster Day at Benny's Chop House Today, June 15!

While great US Prime Steaks may rule Chicago’s restaurant scene most of the year, it is sweet, succulent lobster that steals the show at Benny’s Chop House (444 N. Wabash, Chicago; 312-626-2444) on Saturday, June 15, National Lobster Day. To celebrate the delectable lobster, Benny’s will offer several outstanding lobster dishes that will satisfy even the most avid lobster fan.

At Benny’s Chop House, lobster is as special as the top-quality steaks and chops. Guests can enjoy this tender treat many different ways, as a “Bar Bite”, a sandwich, an appetizer, a soup, a salad, a pasta dish, a risotto, or as a main course. Paired with a glass of wine from Benny’s award-winning wine collection, a lobster experience at Benny’s is a special pleasure.

In the bar area, at Benny’s raw bar, is Crab & Lobster “Louie”, served with avocado, tomato and horseradish ($19.99). Another signature Bar Bite is the Lobster Croquettes, with béchamel and mushroom pesto ($8).  

At lunchtime, guests can order the wonderful Lobster Cobb Salad, with tomato, bacon, avocado, sweet corn and tarragon ($16.99). If you’re in the mood for a sandwich, you’ll be more than thrilled with Benny’s unique Lobster Grilled Cheese Sandwich, with citrus mayonnaise and provolone, and served with a garden salad ($10.99).

In the dining room at dinnertime, for a memorable beginning to the meal, guests can order the spectacular Shellfish Tower for Two, a beautifully presented display of chilled lobster, king crab and shrimp ($69.99). Another great lobster beginning is the Lobster Bisque ($7.99), a creamy and aromatic soup that has become a great crowd pleaser at Benny’s.

Knowing that steak lovers often also have a craving for lobster, Benny’s offers the best of all worlds with the Surf-N-Turf Style entrée, which features an 8oz USDA Prime Wet-Aged Filet Mignon paired with a 10oz. Cape Breton lobster tail. Guests who can’t resist a full steak dinner can enjoy lobster as a perfect accompaniment by ordering the perfectly prepared Lobster Risotto ($14.99) or the Lobster Macaroni and Cheese ($7.99). Another delightful way to add a touch of lobster to your dinner is to order it as a Lobster Tail Steak Enhancement.

As one of Chicago’s finest steakhouses, Benny’s Chop House also knows that if there are steak lovers in the house, pasta lovers are not far behind. With Benny’s Lobster Ravioli, guests can have it all. This mouthwatering dish, made from fresh house-made pasta, is truly exciting, with luscious morel mushrooms in a rich Parmesan-cream sauce ($14.99 half order; $24.99 full order). It doesn’t get any better.

Finally, for the true lobster purist, Benny’s offers a generous, tender whole steamed Maine Lobster ($49.99), served with drawn butter and beautifully presented.

With so many delicious lobster choices, Benny’s Chop House is clearly the place to be on National Lobster Day. Sit back, relax, enjoy your glass of wine or a unique specialty cocktail and feast on one of America’s most prized treasures of the sea.

 

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All photos by Tim Turner:

 

Lobster Grilled Cheese

 

 

Lobster Cobb Salad

 

Shellfish Tower for Two

 

Surf-N-Turf Style

Celebrate Thanksgiving with these Kurman Communications Clients

BIRCH RIVER GRILL - AN AMERICAN KITCHEN
75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, Ill.
(847) 427-4242
www.birchrivergrill.com

Birch River Grill - An American Kitchen celebrates Thanksgiving with its pre-fixe, offered November 27 from noon until 7 p.m. Enjoy Acorn Squash and Kentucky Bourbon Bisque; Autumn Salad, with mulled wine poached pear crumbled bleu cheese, toasted pecans and kiln dried cherry dressing; Maple Glazed Free Range Turkey Breast, with Granny Apple sausage cornbread stuffing, sage pan gravy, buttermilk mashed Yukon Gold potatoes, brown butter green beans and rustic cranberry-orange relish; and finally, Spiced Pumpkin Pie, served with cinnamon whipped cream. The meal is $24.95 per person, and $13.95 for children 12 and under.

Birch River Grill - An American Kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The lounge stays open one hour later daily. All major credit cards are accepted. Complimentary parking is available. For reservations or more information, please contact Birch River Grill - An American Kitchen at (847) 427-4242 or visit them on the web at www.birchrivergrill.com.

DINE
733 W. Madison St, Chicago, Ill.
(312) 602- 2100
www.dinerestaurant.com

Chicago's chic, retro-themed Dine celebrates Thanksgiving with a special pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu, offered November 27 from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. Enjoy Roasted Acorn Squash Soup, with brown butter and sage, or Fall Greens, with buckwheat honey roasted pears and cider vinaigrette for starters. For the main course, feast on Sage Rubbed Turkey Breast, with andouille sausage cornbread stuffing, roasted green beans and caramelized shallot gravy. Satisfy the sweet tooth with Pumpkin Cheesecake, with pecan crust and cinnamon ice cream. The meal is $28.95 per person; $16.95 for children under 12.

Dine is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Breakfast is served from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Lunch and dinner are served from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Martini Bar and Lounge is open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight Friday and Saturday. Dining is available at the bar. Valet parking is complimentary. For more information or to make reservations, please contact Dine at (312) 602-2100 or visit www.dinerestaurant.com.

EVE
840 N. Wabash, Chicago, Ill.
(312) 266-3383
www.evechicago.com

The Gold Coast's latest addition to the culinary scene, Eve, celebrates Thanksgiving with four unique, regionally-inspired menus. For North, enjoy a Slow Roasted Suckling Pig; a salad of Fennel, Heirloom Apples and Arugula; Baby Spinach Salad with Shiso Vinaigrette; Herb Roasted Heritage Turkey; Sausage and Black Walnut Stuffing, Sage Gravy; and Pumpkin Chocolate Bread Pudding with spiced cream.

East's menu includes: Gorgonzola Broiled Oysters with applewood smoked bacon, pear and celery; Roasted Chestnut Bisque; Cranberry-Orange Sorbet; Grilled Breast of Heritage Turkey; Maine Lobster Croquettes, Brussels Sprouts, Pumpkin Puree; Cranberry Apple Crumble and Spearmint Ice Cream.

The vegetarian West menu includes Chantrelle Mushroom Streudel with Maytag bleu cheese and cranberry-apple chutney; Tofu Tempura Baby Tat Soi Salad with shiso orange vinaigrette; Walla Walla Onion and Butternut Squash Muillefeuille; Tuscan Kale with piquillo peppers and date beurre blanc; and Cranberry-Orange Crumble Spearmint.

The hearty South menu includes Turkey Crawfish Gumbo with pickled okra; Wilted Frisee and Fried Green Tomato Poached Egg with Virginia ham and cranberry vinaigrette; Grilled Quail; Smoked Cheddar Grits; and Chocolate Pecan Tart with bourbon Anglaise.

Eve's Thanksgiving menus are available November 27 from noon until 7 p.m. for $55 per person. Reservations are required. Eve is located at 840 N. Wabash in Chicago. Eve is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.; Saturday from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. For reservations and more information, call (312) 266-3383 or visit www.evechicago.com.

GLEN PRAIRIE-FINE FOOD & DRINK
1250 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn
(630) 629-6000

With the intent to promote environmentally sustainable practices, Glen Prairie - Fine Food & Drink, does just that with its pre-fixe Thanksgiving dinner. The five-course menu highlights the Midwest's bountiful culinary offerings, with one choice of appetizer, soup, salad, entrée, and dessert.

For an appetizer, try Crab Corn Pudding, Grilled Roasted Vegetable Polenta with portabella red wine ragout or Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread. For soup, try Pumpkin and Shrimp Bisque, or Heirloom Beet Soup served in roasted acorn squash. Salad selections include Cranberry Waldorf, with red and green apples, raisings, walnuts and cranberry vinaigrette, or Arugula Salad with oranges, pomegranate seeds, herbed goat cheese and citrus vinaigrette.

Entrée selections include Grilled Free Range Turkey Tenderloin topped with roasted dark meat served with cornbread stuffing, maple roasted acorn squash and cranberry-orange relish; Lamb Bolognese, with roasted cherry tomatoes, pappardelle pasta and fresh basil; Pumpkin Goulash, lentils, vegetable broth and brown rice or Macadamia Nut Crusted Wisconsin Trout, served with Minnesota wild rice, caramelized apples, sautéed green beans and Champagne saffron sauce.

Finally, choose from Brioche, Bing Cherry Bread Pudding, Pumpkin Cheesecake with caramel sauce, or Grandma's Chocolate Cake. Glen Prairie's Thanksgiving feast is $42 per person.

Glen Prairie is located at 1250 Roosevelt Rd. in Glen Ellyn, Ill. in Chicago's western suburbs. Glen Prairie is open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday. The lounge remains open one hour later than the restaurant each day. For more details, contact the restaurant at (630) 613-1250.

KARMA - ASIAN FOOD & WINE
510 E. Route 83, Mundelein, Ill.
(847) 970-6900
www.karmachicago.com

Karma-Asian Food & Wine has prepared a Thanksgiving feast with its pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu, offered November 27 from noon until 10 p.m. Served family style, the menu consists of: House Salad, Fresh Fruit Salad, Gingered Butternut Squash Soup, Slice Roast Turkey Breast with Gravy, Red Skin Mashed or Sweet Potato Mashed, Grilled Asparagus with roasted red peppers, Green Bean Casserole, Homemade Cranberry Relish and Dinner Rolls. For dessert, choose between Apple Pie a la Mode or Pumpkin Pie . The meal is $19.95 for adults, $11.95 for children four to twelve years old, and complimentary for children three and under.

Karma is open seven days a week 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m. for breakfast; 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. for lunch;
5 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday for dinner, and 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday for dinner. The lounge is open 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 5 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday. Karma is located adjacent to the Crowne Plaza Chicago North Shore at
510 East Route 83, Mundelein, IL 60060. For reservations or more information, call Karma at
(847) 970-6900 or visit www.karmachicago.com.

MORE
1 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago, Ill.
(312) 951-0001
www.morecupcakes.com

Looking for something more this holiday season? Chicago's new upscale cupcake boutique, MORE, known for its creative sweet and savory cupcakes, has introduced a variety of new, unique cupcake flavors that are sure to help make holiday celebrations so much more. MORE offers a rotating selection of daily flavors, including new flavors like Sweet Potato, Thanksgiving, Banana Spiced Rum and Cranberry. Cupcakes range from $3.50-$4.25/each, $39.50-$49.50/dozen.

Looking for party favors or that perfect hostess gift? MORE offers a variety of cupcake flights with six of its MOREsels, mini cupcakes, including a special Holiday Flight with flavors like Gingerbread, Chocolate Mint, Peppermint White Chocolate and their deliciously infamous Red Velvet. MORE also has a new Wine and Cheese Flight with flavors like Camembert Sauternes, Apple Gorgonzola, Champagne Brie and Pear, Blue Cheese and Port. MORE also offers flights with sweet or savory MOREsel flavors each day. All flights range from $9.50-$11.50/each.

To make the perfect holiday party appetizer or dessert, MOREsels are also available by special pre-order in sets of 16 or 30. Please note orders required a minimum of 48-hours notice. To place an order for cupcakes, please contact MORE at (312) 951-0001.

TALLULAH
4539 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Ill.
(773) 942-7585
www.tallulahchicago.com

Visit the chic Tallulah in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood for their special pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu. The four-course dinner includes Heritage Roasted Turkey with jalapeno-cheddar dauphinoise, Buttered Baby Turnips, Boar Bacon Gravy, and Seared Duck Breast with cranberry rillettes and tartine, Miners lettuce and orange vinaigrette. This Thanksgiving menu is offered on November 27 from noon until 6 p.m. and costs $45 per person. Reservations are required.

Tallulah is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. and open for brunch on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tallulah is located at 4539 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. For reservations and more information, call (773) 942-7585 or visit www.tallulahchicago.com.

Opening this Eve

Eve, the fabulous new restaurant at 840 N. Wabash in Chicago opens for dinner tonight. The dinner menu will be served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This casual fine dining restaurant opened last week for lunch and early reviews are great.

Says Chicago Magazine's Dish: It will be similar [to Tallulah], but maybe just a little bit more sophisticated.” This means dishes such as grilled lobster sausage with chanterelles, applewood smoked bacon, pearl onions, and maple béchamel.

Says the Daily Candy: The lavish dining room — reflective glass mosaic walls, sparkly chandeliers — will be like flypaper to ladies who lunch. Dinner service starts next week. Everyone who’s anyone will be there.

Says Metromix: Eve features a contemporary American menu, but here, executive chef Troy Graves adds some refined twists. Look for choices such as spicy pomegranate-glazed prawns with pumpkin panna cotta; grilled lobster sausage with chanterelle mushrooms, applewood smoked bacon, pearl onions and maple bechamel; and crispy veal sweetbreads with curried cauliflower, sugar snap peas and lentil puree.

Says Centerstage: Eve is slightly more refined than its older sister, catering to the business professionals, trendy shoppers, and stylish residents of the Gold Coast. The decor finds a balance between ethereal elegance and sensual decadence, with delicate glass chandeliers that send light dancing over the sumptuous white leather tablecloths. The serene slate blue walls contrast with multi-faceted mirror mosaics and textured wooden inlays. The menu, too, is all about balance.

Says Citysearch: Tallulah's sister has a flashier address in the middle of the Gold Coast, thanks to duo Matt Fisher, the owner, and Troy Graves, the executive chef. Pristine and posh, the physical space reflects the simplicity and ethereal qualities of its name, utilizing glass mosaic tiles, flowing curtains and soft blue-grey tones. White leather chairs with black trim serve as perches for the well-heeled denizens of the neighborhood. Speaking of refined, talk about about a sophisticated menu: Grilled lobster sausage with chanterelles, applewood smoked bacon, pearl onions and maple bechamel.

Says the Chicago Tribune: And several of Graves' new menu items—crisped sweetbreads with curried cauliflower, yellowtail tartare with charred poblanos —sound a lot like the kind of food the chef creates at (3-star) Tallulah.

Says Thrillist: Eve's serving an equally impressive, entirely new menu in a chic, not-rustic space decked out with hand-strung Lucite chandeliers, a backlit alabaster bar, and walnut frames festooned with dozens of small mirrors (check yourself out -- that's what Jeff Goldblum thinks of you). Lunch standouts include wild boar ribs w/ plum BBQ sauce & mac 'n' cheese; duck consomme w/ duck rillete pot sticker; and a crawfish po' boy w/ tasso ham, goat cheese, pickled okra, and fried green tomatoes -- if you're forced to watch that flick, the po' boy is you. Dinner starts Nov 5 with the likes of grilled housemade lobster sausage (w/ chanterelles, applewood smoked bacon, maple bechamel), grilled beef tenderloin (w/ horseradish-cheddar croquette, housemade sauerkraut, crab hollandaise), and rack of lamb w/ sheep's milk ricotta dumplings and lamb ragout, fulfilling your darkest desire: 2 ruminants, 1 plate.

Says Juli B: Sure, adam can claim he was in the garden first, but it's new resto eve that'll have you giving in to temptation.

Says Urban Daddy: Eve of Seduction. You can resist anything. Except, of course, a tease. So let us introduce you to Eve, scheduled for a coquettish debut in the Gold Coast on Monday. But since any good vamp knows anticipation is always the best part, she's making you wait for dinner. The first week, it's lunch only. This is good because we've heard you've been looking for a sexy little afternoon spot—you know, for that certain type of "business lunch" that never makes its way to your business calendar. Plus, daytime options will give you a pretty good sense of what to expect in the evening...You may want to start at the bar with one of the basil/ginger-infused vodkas, though Eve's Apple (cinnamon-muddled bourbon with brandied cherries, chervil, brown sugar, orange juice and apple cider) might be best saved for dessert.

Here's what's in store tonight and every night at Eve: (Dinner hours: 5-10 pm Weekdays; 5-11 pm Fridays and Saturdays. Call 312-266-3383 for reservations or visit: Eve reservations.

DINNER MENU
APPETIZERS
Terrine of Salsify and Butternut Squash Brussel Sprouts, Candied Pecans, 9
Oysters on ½ Shell Green Apple Yuzu Mignonette, 12
Steamed P.E.I Mussels Honey, Ice Wine, Radish, Concord Grapes, 10
Crispy Veal Sweetbreads Red Curried Cauliflower, Sugar Snap Peas and Lentil Purée, 12
Spicy Pomegranate Glazed Prawns Pumpkin Panna Cotta, 11
Pan Seared Foie Gras Quince-Buttermilk Bisquit, Port Reduction, 15
Grilled Lobster Sausage Chantrelles, Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, Pearl Onion, Maple Bechamel, 16
Hamachi Tartar Roasted Pablano Pickled Red Onion, Mint, Passion Fruit Yogurt, 13

SOUPS
Duck Consomme Duck Rillete Pot Sticker, Green Papaya, Lemongrass Essence, 10
Roasted Turnip Purée Celery Root, Rosemary Crème Fraiche, 8

SALADS
Peeky Toe Crab Belgian Endive, Avocado, Spicy Beet Essence, 13
Seared Duck Breast Watercress, Drunken Goat Cheese, Spiced Cider Vinaigrette, 10
Organic Field Greens Maytag Blue Cheese, Toasted Pine Nuts, Cranberry Vinaigrette, 8
Baby Spinach Salad White Asparagus, Poached Egg, Almonds, Buttermilk Parmesan Dressing, 9

ENTRÉES
Monkfish Sweet Potato, Frisee, Grilled Apple, Brown Beech Mushroom, Lobster Miso Buerre Blanc, 26
Grilled Tenderloin Horseradish-Cheddar Croquette, Housemade Sauerkraut, Crab Hollandaise, 34
Pan Seared Scallops Roasted Pear Risotto, Telllagio, and Crispy Proscuitto, 28
Truffled Celery Root Ravioli Sunchoke, Baby Carrots, Herb Brown Butter, 18
Rack of Lamb Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Dumplings, Swiss Chard, Crispy Garlic and Lamb Ragout, 27
Artic Char Rose Finn Potatoes, Escargots, Black Truffle, Parsnip Purée, 25
Pistachio crusted Ahi Tuna Brussels sprouts, Lima Beans, Blackeyed Peas, Huckleberry Compote, 31
Pheasant Breast Pheasant Confit & Medjool Date Crepinette, Rapini, Smoked Bacon Vinaigrette, 28
Braised Short Ribs Oxtails, Rapini, Yukon Potato Puree, 29