Time is money. You’ve got a small window — just two hours, in most cases — but if you show up at just the right time, these six spots will show you the money.
1. Eno
505 N. Michigan Ave. 312-321-8738
The place: This cozy wine bar with hightop communal tables and an outdoor patio tucked along a Mag Mile side street is great for afterwork drinks or, in the case of this deal, a nightcap.
The deal: $10 gets you a glass of wine and a piece of chocolate. Sweet selections might include flavored truffles from Chicago-based Katherine Anne Confections or a slab of a bacon-chocolate bar from Wicker Park’s Coco Rouge.
The time: 10 p.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday
2. La Madia
59 W. Grand Ave. 312-329-0400
The place: This lively River North pizza-focused spot has a wood-fired oven that turns out pizzas perfectly crispy on the edges and soft and chewy in the middle. A casual but well-dressed crowd makes for great people watching or a fun first date.
The deal: When you purchase one of La Madia’s wines of the week, you get a complimentary pizza pairing. Recent pairings include a slice of fire-roasted summer squash pizza with a glass of 2005 Cabreo La Pietra and a slice of white pizza with taleggio and roasted grapes with a glass of Allegrini 2004 Palazzo Della Torre.
The time: 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday in the lounge only
3. Ai Japanese Restaurant
358 W. Ontario St. 312-335-9888
The place: Since opening last year, this River North sushi spot from the folks behind Tsuki has attracted both an afterwork business crowd and a sophisticated, late-night crew that likes to hang out in the sultry, red- and black-schemed lounge.
The deal: $4 maki, including spicy tuna, unagi-cucumber and Alaskan (salmon and avocado), plus sides such as veggie tempura, seaweed salad, and kabocha squash and corn soup.
The time: 5-7 p.m. Monday-Friday in the lounge only
4. Purgatory Pizza
3415 N. Clark St. 773-975-6677
The place: Wrigleyville punters and fun-seeking Cubs fans hang at this red-walled, demon-themed pizzeria attached to craft beer and barbecue spot Risque Cafe. The motto is, “If you don’t like the pizza you can go to … ,” well, you know the rest.
The deal: $13 all-you-can-eat-and-drink pizza brunch
The time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
5. Carnivale
702 W. Fulton St. 312-850-3017
The place: Jerry Kleiner’s glitzy, 300-seat powerhouse serves up Latin-inspired eats by Michael Mendez, a chef who’s big into eating — and cooking — green.
The deal: Mendez prepares a three-course prix-fixe ($19 per person) farmers market lunch (salad, entree and a seasonal fruit dessert) with goodies he buys at the Green City Market the previous day.
The time: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Thursday
6. Viet Bistro
1346 W. Devon Ave. 773-465-5720
The place: Not your run-of-the-mill Vietnamese spot, this Far North Side bistro exudes sleek minimalism with orange- and black-leather banquettes and chairs, silver dome-shaped light fixtures and a cozy seating area near floor-to-ceiling storefront windows. Locals and destination diners choose it for chef Dan Nguyen’s upscale, French-influenced Vietnamese and Asian fare.
The deal: Buy two appetizers, get one free. Choose from eats such as beef skewers, vegetable tempura, and spring rolls with lobster, jicama and avocado in a tamarind sauce.
The time: 5-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday
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metromix@tribune.com
