Promising “a new paradigm of cocktail culture” (and just as I was getting the hang of the old paradigm), Stone Lotus (873 N. Orleans St.) has opened in the space that was briefly home to Pluton. Billed as a “liquor spa,” Stone Lotus aims to pair VIP bar service (wherein you purchase a bottle of booze and the mixers, garnishes and bartender come with) with high-end small-plate dishes, all conceived and executed by Dale Levitski (ex-Trio Atelier). Partners include Christopher Dexter, one of the people behind the successful Del Toro. 312-440-9680.
A second location of McCormick & Schmick’s (1 E. Wacker Drive) will open to the public on Saturday. Taking over a space most recently home to Nick & Tony’s, the new M&S will serve the same fresh-fish menu as its Gold Coast sibling, in a two-story space with room for about 200 indoor diners and 84 outdoor diners–plus private-party space. And the new location also will feature that great $1.95 bar menu (cheeseburgers, salmon cakes) during happy hour. 312-923-7226.
Balance has been restored to the universe, now that The Original Gino’s East (162 E. Superior St.) has returned to its original Streeterville address. Gino’s had moved from the spot in 2000, settling into the abandoned Planet Hollywood space at Wells and Ontario Streets. After that, Buona Beef people built a handsome three-story structure on the site, which it recently sold to Gino’s. “This is a venture between the Buona people and myself,” says Gino’s East president Jeffrey Himmel. “We’re going to be selling Buona Beef now, and they’re very much involved.” The pizza menu will be the same as that of the Ontario-Wells location, Himmel says. “There will be no changes in the food or food quality–except for better beef sandwiches.” 312-266-3337.
Now this is how you turn a negative into a positive–and a few bucks besides. Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club (3700 N. Halsted St.), the Boystown bar known for its diva female impersonators, has introduced an Ozzie GuillenTini cocktail. It’s a martini made with assorted fresh fruits and Effen vodka. 773-525-1111.
Le Colonial (937 N. Rush St.) will celebrate its 10th anniversary by treating guests to a slice of birthday cake Friday and Saturday. 312-255-0088.
The 8th annual “Night at the Crab Races,” a benefit for Mercy Homes for Boys and Girls, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Carmichael’s Chicago Steak House (1052 W. Monroe St.). For $150, guests can sponsor a crab while munching on a variety of crab dishes. There will be live music, face painting and more. 312-433-0025.
If you’re still feeling crabby, stop by any Thursday night at HB (3404 N. Halsted St.), the Hearty Boys restaurant, where you can dig into an authentic crab boil with 20 blue crabs, corn on the cob, potatoes and salad for $50 per couple. BYO beer or whatever. 773-661-0299.
A six-course tapas dinner coupled with a slide show of the life and works of Pablo Picasso will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba (2024 N. Halsted St.). The presentation will be narrated by an expert from the Art Institute of Chicago. Cost for the dinner, including wines, is $50. Reservations required. 773-935-5000.
A Provence wine dinner will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cafe Matou (1846 N. Milwaukee Ave.). Guests will start with a champagne cocktail, followed by a four-course dinner with matching wines. Cost is $59, including tax and tip. Reservations required. 773-384-8911.
A “Festival of Foie Gras,” featuring a variety of foie gras preparations, will take place from 7-10 p.m. Tuesday at Allen’s–The New American Cafe (217 W. Huron St.). Cost is $150, beverages included. Proceeds will go to Chefs For Choice, a chapter of the Illinois Restaurant Association, that’s trying to roll back the city’s recently passed (but not yet in force) foie gras ban. 312-587-9600.
An “After-Work Wine Party” will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. at Di Pescara (2124 Northbrook Court, Northbrook). For $25, guests will mingle with wine guru Alpana Singh as she pours and discusses 25 wines. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served. Reservations required. 847-498-4321.
———-
pvettel@tribune.com
