Friday Foodie Forecast: Chicago Father’s Day Dining

Friday Foodie Forecast: Chicago Father’s Day Dining

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Father’s Day is a trickier holiday than Mother’s Day. As early as March, greeting card stores, supermarkets and florists display enough Mother’s Day gear to ensure that you couldn’t possibly forget Mom on her special day. Father’s Day, outside of the Home Depot, is less visible. Maybe that’s because most people really haven’t figured out what constitutes a good Father’s Day gift: another golf-tee shaped lamp? A fourth set of drill bits? a tie with his grandchildren’s faces on it? But before you run to the cashier with that novelty “World’s Greatest Dad” martini shaker, consider giving Dad what you know he loves: food, and spending time with his kids. Whether he’s a BBQ and beer kind of guy, a seafood lover or an adventurous eater, Chicago offers plenty of options to make his day. Once you’ve made Dad proud, don’t forget to pat yourself on the back with a wine class or blues dinner.

Grilled salmon from Shaw’s Crab House

Father’s Day Brunch at Shaw’s Crab House

Shaw’s Crab House will offer its hotel-style brunch this Sunday, June 20, and all fathers will receive a $25 Shaw’s gift certificate. At both their Schaumburg and Chicago locations, Shaw’s will feature a classic breakfast buffet, as well as a carving station and cold seafood bar featuring sushi, oysters, Alaskan King crab bites and more. Desserts, including creme brulee, raspberry tartlets, key lime pie and chocolate cupcakes, will also be available. Brunch will be served from 10:30 AM until 1:30 PM. The cost is $49.99 for adults, and children under 12 are free (limit two children per adult). Reservations for the Chicago location can be made by calling (312) 527-2722, or for the Schaumburg location at (847) 517-2722. In Chicago, Shaw’s is located at 21 E. Hubbard Street, and in Schaumburg at 1900 E. Higgins Road. Shaw’s is also offering a “Last Monday of the Month” oyster special to celebrate 25 years in business. On June 28, both Shaw’s locations will offer 25-cent raw oysters on the halfshell in their Oyster Bar from 3:00 to 6:00 PM.

Stone Brew Menu at C-House

You can’t go wrong with beer on Father’s Day, especially when it’s from Stone Brewing Company, a California-based brewery with lots of attitude. Stone Brew has only been available in Chicago since April, and the city can’t get enough of it. During the month of June, C-House Fish and Chops offers a three-course menu paired with 6 ounce pours of Stone Brew’s Pale Ale, Smoked Porter and Oaked Arrogant Bastard. The menu includes aged country ham with sour cherry mostarda, fried squash blossoms with salt cold, hand cut pappardelle pasta with mackerel, Swan Creek Farm short ribs with escarole and a dessert of griddled dark chocolate, pecan and gjetost sandwich. The cost is $39 per person. C-House is located at 166 E. Superior Street, and reservations can be made by calling (312) 523-0923.

Pre-Father’s Day Pig Roast at The Smoke Daddy

Already busy on Sunday? Hang out with dad on Saturday at The Smoke Daddy’s pre-Father’s Day Pig Roast. From 12:00 to 3:00 PM, feast on all-you-(and Dad)-can-eat pig and fixins’, including smoked pork, coleslaw, house made chips and Miller Lite drafts. Live acoustic folk rock music will be performed by the Jon Kimler Band. The regular menu will also be available. The cost is $25 per person.

Father’s Day Brunch at Meson Sabika

Meson Sabika will offer a Father’s Day brunch on June 20 from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. A variety of hot and cold tapas, as well as a prime rib carving station and grilling station (weather permitting) will be available. The cost is $34.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 7-12 and children under 6 are free. Meson Sabika is located at 1025 Aurora Avenue in Naperville. Reservations can be made by calling (630) 983-3000.

The Muddy Water cocktail and pork ravioli from onesixtyblue’s Blues Dinner

Blues Dinner with Guy King at onesixtyblue

On Thursday, July 1, onesixtyblue will transform its bar and private dining room into a full blues bar. Passed appetizers, specialty cocktails and a four-course menu with beer pairings will be served to the sounds of blues musician Guy King. The menu will include a garden salad using vegetables from the restaurant’s own garden, pulled pork ravioli, slow-cooked beef brisket and short ribs and nectarine cobbler. Passed appetizers include bourbon-lacquered chicken wings, Louisiana shrimp and grits and a pig torchon. The reception will begin at 6:30 PM followed by dinner at 7:00 PM. The cost is $80 per person, including tax and tip. Onesixtyblue is located at 1400 W. Randolph Street, and reservations can be made by calling (312) 850-0303 or by visiting onesixtyblue’s website and clicking on “What’s Happening.” Note: if you mention the word FRIENDS when you pay, you’ll get 20% off of your bill!

The bar at ENO at the InterContinental Chicago

ENO-versity wine class

On Monday, June 21, ENO at the InterContinental Chicago will offer a wine class to kick off the first day of summer. ENO-versity: Chardonnay on the Patio will offer guests 4 to 5 chardonnays paired with cheese and chocolate chosen by the wine staff for the event. The class will take place on ENO’s patio at 505 N. Michigan Avenue, with views of the Magnificent Mile. The cost is $25, and reservations can be made at (312) 321-8738.