EAT IT
Lotsa pasta
It takes a pretty special noodle to earn its own holiday. And as obscure and semi-official as National Spaghetti Day happens to be (umm yeah, we hadn’t actually heard of it), we welcome any excuse to indulge in the carb-heavy, comfort-food classic — especially in the middle of winter. Angelina Ristorante (3561 N. Broadway Ave. 773-935-5933) hops on the Spaghetti Day bandwagon Sunday with its annual special menu featuring three noodle-honored dishes — spaghetti with mussels and zucchini ($17), spaghetti with jumbo shrimp and black olives ($20) and for all of you traditionalists out there, baked spaghetti with mozzarella cheese and garlic bread ($17). Order up these dishes through Thursday from 5-10 p.m. Happy eating!
SIP IT
Afternoon tea
The holiday frenzy is over and the New Year has begun. You need time to reflect, recuperate and catch up with friends in an environment that doesn’t include copious amounts of booze and screaming over club tunes. Impress out-of-town guests while quieting your NYE debauchery during weekend tea at the Palmer House Hilton (17 E. Monroe St. 312-726-7500). Revel in traditional tea service in the lobby of this downtown hotel from 2 to 4 p.m. and munch on finger sandwiches and pastries. Need some sophisticated pep with that scone? Upgrade with champagne for $10 more. $35. Call 312-917-3404 to reserve your spot. For a full list of afternoon teas, log on to metromix.com.
FIND IT
A date
If holding up the wall on New Year’s Eve felt especially painful this year, and the idea of finding your main squeeze via barhopping makes your head hurt, The Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-293-2665) has you covered. Skip the pickup lines and cut to the chase as this Lincoln Square bookstore hosts the latest installment of Date & Dash on Saturday. Zoom through non-committal first dates with several eligible bachelors and bachelorettes — age recommendations are 29-39 for ladies, 30-42 for men. Reserve your spot online at dateanddash.com or call 800-957-3274. Check in at 5 p.m.; admission price includes free appetizers and wine for sale. $35.
SIP IT
Trader Vic’s signature Mai Tai
What better time to sample an island-based cocktail than the first weekend of the longest cold month of the year? Dive into January with a Mai Tai in hand at Trader Vic’s (1030 N. State St. 312-642-6500), the Polynesian-themed chain that recently returned to Chicago after shuttering its Palmer House Hotel location a few years back. Trader Vic’s claims to have invented this rummy cocktail in 1944, and because we aren’t ones to judge, go ahead and revel in the purported Original Mai Tai ($8). For something a little more suitable for the blustery weather, order up one of Trader Vic’s hot toddies, including the Hot Rum Cow ($9.50), a mix of milk, vanilla, sugar cane and — you guessed it — rum.
HEAR IT
Hey Champ at Crocodile
Satiate your cravings for live, local music and complimentary pizza in one fell swoop Saturday at newly opened Wicker Par bar Crocodile (1540 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-252-0880). As part of the bar’s new “Big Fun” Saturday music series, local rocksters Hey Champ take their turn at the DJ tables along with DJ Trew, Intel, Chaise and others. Rock out to an eclectic bunch of rock, hip-hop and electro curveballs in the lower lounge and score your free pie with the purchase of a pint. (The limit is one pizza per person per day, so take it easy.) Saturday’s tunes run from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Expect a different guest artist every weekend. No cover.
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lbalde@tribune.com
