Celebrate Labor Day with these Chicago Specials!

Deerfields Bakery
813 N. Waukegan Rd.Deerfield, Ill.
25 S. Roselle Rd.Schaumburg, Ill.
201 N. Buffalo Grove Rd.Buffalo Grove, Ill.

Special for the holiday weekend, Deerfields Bakery has dreamed up Gluten-free Yogurt Shortcake with balsamic strawberries and a dollop of caramel whipped cream ($7.95 for a package of six). This labor-saving treat contrasts tangy with sweet to create the ideal dessert for a Labor Day party. The Yogurt Shortcakes are available by special order only. Orders must be placed by Wednesday, August 27 and will be available for pick-up August 29-31 at any Deerfields Bakery location.

All locations are open Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. To order, call customer service at (874) 520-0068, Ext. 2, or stop by any Deerfields location. For more information, visit http://www.deerfieldsbakery.com/.


Karma Asian Food & Wine
510 E. Route 83Mundelein, Ill.
(847) 970-6900

Among its flavorful Pan-Asian standouts, Karma is featuring two entrée specials for the weekend of Labor Day (August 29- September 1). Try the Asian Pepper Short Ribs, glazed in a spiced tamari sauce with yaki soba noodles and fried Swiss chard ($23) or the Pacific Rim Halibut, stuffed with Thai chili spiced rock shrimp and scallops, paired with wok fried spring vegetables, forbidden rice and lobster tobikko sauce ($24).

Karma is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Karma at (847) 970-6900. For more information, visit http://www.karmachicago.com/.


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

MORE, Patricia Rothman’s boutique cupcake salon in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, officially opens September 12 but cupcake-craving Chicagoans can place special pre-orders of the Gale Gand-inspired cupcakes from MORE by phone on August 26, for pick-up starting August 31. MORE specializes in innovative cupcakes, offering more than 50 flavor varieties, including sweet flavors like Chocolate Mint, Pink Grapefruit, Passionfruit Poppyseed and Mocha, plus unique savory flavors like Fig, Blue Cheese and Port, Caramelized Onion and Strawberry, Black Peppercorn, Balsamic. Classic favorites like Chocolate, Vanilla and Red Velvet are also available.

As a pre-opening special, 16 flavors of MORE’s inventive cupcakes can be ordered in multiples of six savory or six sweet. Customers may also special order miniature cupcakes, “MOREsels,” in multiples of 16 and 30. MOREsels must be ordered at least 48 hours in advance. MORE is open everyday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To place orders call MORE at (312) 951-0001. For more information, visit http://www.morecupcakes.com/.


Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Restaurant
800 E. Higgins Rd.
Elk Grove Village, Ill.
(847) 437-9555


Sweet Baby Ray’s knows its customers have worked hard all year and deserve a festive day off. On Monday, September 1, Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Restaurant invites everyone to fill their plates with all the trimmings of the Labor Day Barbecue Buffet ($15.99 per adult, $8.99 per child 12 and under) featuring their award-winning Slow Smoked Barbecue Ribs, Pulled Pork, Hickory Smoked Beef Brisket, Barbecue Chicken, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and Bratwurst.

Labor Day salads include the new Michael Phelps Gold Yukon Potato Salad, Illinois Vine Ripened Tomato and Cucumber Salad, Chef Mike’s Tortellini Pasta Salad and Sweet Baby Ray’s Mixed Greens Salad. Tasty side dishes include Illinois Sweet Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans and Coleslaw and some crunchy snacks: peanuts, popcorn and Cracker Jacks. Finish off the meal with assorted desserts including sweet Watermelon, Cheesecake and Key Lime Pie. The Cubs game starts at 3 p.m. on the big screen and there are plenty of drink specials to go around, including Miller Lite Drafts ($2.25), Miller Lite Bottles ($2.50) and Jose Cuervo Margaritas ($5).

Sweet Baby Ray’s Introduces Brunch Buffet in September
Just in time for football season, Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Restaurant is opening its doors early for Sunday Brunch Buffet on the second Sunday of every month, starting September 14, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday brunch patrons are bound to enjoy a tailgating themed menu featuring hearty foods as well as a variety of salads, pastries and fruit. For those who love a filling breakfast, expect to be wowed with an omelet station, carved tequila-cilantro grilled flank steak and carved slow smoked beef brisket, as well as grilled cheddar bratwurst, smoked polish sausage, barbecue ribs, barbecue chicken, pulled pork, grilled pork chops with long pepper and yellow pepper relish, three-bean and three-meat chili and ditalini pasta in cheddar cheese sauce.

Salad lovers will enjoy the Southwestern shrimp and avocado salad, Caesar salad and a tossed salad. Make sure to save room for dessert, for there is a sumptuous spread including Super Bowl trifle, chocolate fudge brownies and grilled pound cake with cinnamon apples.

The brunch buffet is $19.99 for adults and $8.99 for children, ages 6-12. Subsequent brunch specials will be held one time per month October 12, November 9 and December 14. Reservations are highly recommended;

Monday Night Barbecue Buffet
Monday Night Football lovers will thoroughly enjoy the new All You Can Eat Barbecue Buffet, which kicks off at 5 p.m. every Monday. While the pigskin gets kicked around, enjoy Rib Tips, Pulled Pork, Jerk Chicken, Windy City Stir Fry with Italian sausage, pepper, onions and potatoes, Barbecue Beans, Coleslaw, Smoked Tomato Pasta, Tossed Salad and Cornbread. To keep the energy up, indulge in dessert with Sweet Baby Ray’s mouthwatering Bread Pudding. The buffet is available Mondays $9.99 for adults and $7.99 for children, 12 and under. Extra hungry guests may order a single 1/3 slab of Ribs for only $5.

Kids Eat Free on Tuesday
On Tuesday nights at Sweet Baby Ray’s in Elk Grove, kids ages 12 and under receive a complimentary children’s meal with the purchase of one regularly priced adult entrée. This offer is available each Tuesday after 5 p.m. This deal sounds just as good as the Sweet Baby Ray’s Cherry Rum-a-Nades ($5), a very-adult drink special, made with muddled Maraschino cherries, Lemonade, Black Cherry rum and a splash of Sprite. The Cherry Rum-a-Nade is offered as a Tuesday drink special throughout the month of September.

Wednesday Night All You Can Eat Ribs
The Sweet Baby Ray’s team is so proud of their first prize Best Ribs win at Naperville 2008 Ribfest that they can’t help but share the good fortune with their customers. Every Wednesday, the All You Can Eat Baby Back Ribs ($16.99 per person) packs the fans in, and the Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Restaurant Sangrias ($5) keep the customers thirsting for more.

Smoked Prime Rib Dinner Weekend Special
Every Friday and Saturday evening, Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Restaurant features a Smoked Prime Rib Dinner, complete with favorite side dishes ($18.99 per person).

Complimentary Appetizers at the Bar
The ever-generous Sweet Baby Ray’s knows what their customers like, and they like complimentary appetizers. Every Monday through Friday, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Sweet Baby Ray’s bar is packed with fan favorites. Chili Cheddar Potato Skins and Chips and Salsa are featured on Mondays; Tuesday has Windy City Stir Fry with Italian sausage, peppers, onions and potatoes, as well as Corn blasters, deep-fried cornbread with dipping sauce; Wednesdays serve up Pulled Pork and Jerked Meatballs, while Thursdays offer Hot Wings and Barbecue Meatballs. Every Friday, customers can expect the bar to feature Pretzel Bites with honey mustard dipping sauce and Smokin’ Wings.

Cocktail Specials
Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Restaurant September cocktails are definitely a luscious must. All month long, customers can enjoy the Drink of the Month, an Absolut Peach and Cranberry cocktail available for $4 everyday. Monday night specials include Miller Drafts ($2.25), Miller Lite and High Life bottles ($2.50). Tuesday drink specials are Blue Moon drafts ($3) and Cherry Rum-A-Nade ($5) while Wednesday features Coors Light bottles ($2.50) and Sweet Baby Ray’s special Sangria ($5). Thursday evening, guests enjoy Bud and Bud Light bottles ($2.50) and Jose Cuervo Margaritas ($5).

About the Restaurant
Sweet Baby Ray’s is open Monday and Tuesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. Sweet Baby Ray’s also offers a private room for special occasions. To learn more about Sweet Baby Ray’s, call (847) 437-9555 or visit online at http://www.sbrbbq.com/.

Be the first to taste MORE!

You've been craving more, and soon you'll get MORE! Owner Patty Rothman has launched the newest addition to the Gold Coast, upscale cupcake boutique, MORE (1 E. Delaware Place) that boasts a menu of more than 30 flavor varieties, including sweet and savory recipes created by pastry standout Gale Gand. The long awaited bakery will open its doors Friday, September 12.

But wait, there's more! Customers can pre-order cupcakes from MORE starting Tuesday, August 26 by calling the store at (312) 951-0001. Orders may be picked up at MORE beginning Sunday, August 31. Hours for orders are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. And yes, you can order MORE for Labor Day!

Flavors include sweet cupcakes like Passionfruit Poppyseed, Chocolate Mint and Root Beer Float, plus savory treats like Strawberry, Black Pepper, Balsamic; Caramelized Onion; and Fig, Blue Cheese and Port. MORE also has classic favorites like Carrot, Chocolate and Red Velvet. A complete menu of flavors and pricing information can be found at http://www.morecupcakes.com/ or by calling the store (312) 951-0001.

MORE's cupcakes can be ordered individually or in multiples of six. Plus, miniature cupcakes, called "Moresels," are available by special order only in multiples of 16 or 30. Moresels, however, must be ordered at least 48 hours in advance.

(Photo Credit: Tim Turner)
Root Beer Float Cupcake at MORE

Rick Bayless to be inducted into the Chicago Culinary Museum and Chefs Hall of Fame

Renowned chef and culinary icon Rick Bayless will be inducted into the Chicago Culinary Museum and Chefs Hall of Fame on Wednesday, August 27 in a ceremony from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St. in Chicago. Bayless is the third recipient of this prestigious Chefs Hall of Fame award, following the inaugural induction of Chef Charlie Trotter in 2006 and last year's recipient Chef Jimmy Bannos.

Tickets for the event, featuring a cocktail reception, silent auction, awards presentation and Wandering Feast, are $175 per person ($200 at the door). Tickets may be purchased on line at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/38403.

In case you haven't heard of the Chicago Culinary Museum (I hadn't until I received an email from my good friend Cary Miller, the guru from Food Industry News,) it's a dynamic project supported by Mayor Daley, Jesse White, and just about every who's who in Chicago's culinary world, with the hopefully not so long term goal of building a permanent Culinary Museum in downtown Chicago. It's the brainchild of chefs John S. Castro and Chef John W. Kaufmann. Kudos to them for undertaking this mammoth project which will certainly solidify Chicago as the culinary world leader and keep us the dining destination for all worldwide.

The proceeds from this event will be used towards that end, and on the shorter term, for funding temporary exposition space. The money raised will also go to funding traveling expositions and the museum's educational lecture programs. You can read more about the museum, event and Rick Bayless in our press release at: August 27 Culinary Museum Press Release.

Green City Market Founder Abby Mandel Passed Away Yesterday

The much beloved founder of Green City Market, Abby Mandel, passed away yesterday (August 13). She courageously struggled through difficult times this past year, but always with her eye upon her Market and its future. Abby embodied the market's vision, hopes and -- for many years--its very existence. She dragged herself out in the black of early morning to assure that everything was right, every Market day. From the alley to the Park, she would skitter from stand-to-stand, pears to peaches to crepes to corn, inspecting, marveling and then luring the consumer into an understanding of this Market's mission. She succeeded beyond even her own wildest dreams. And she gifted us with that dream. It is not surprising that Abby's last day was a "Market day." She was secure in the knowledge that we are now 10 years old and growing. We miss her already.

Her family has asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Abby's legacy-- Green City Market (2732 N Clark St, Suite 301, Chicago IL 60614. Phone number 773-880-1266)

A memorial service is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, August 15) at 1 p.m. at the North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe.