The Big Deals for Feb. 22, 2013
By DENISE I. O’NEAL doneal@suntimes.com February 20, 2013 2:38PM
The Cajun mac 'n' cheese at Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap.
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Updated: March 23, 2013 6:08AM
From upscale to low-calorie, Sun-Times Media’s Big Deals column brings readers the dish on food and drink specials that will not break the bank.
Suggestions include the Cajun mac ‘n’ cheese at Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap.
Lent offering
Luxbar, 18 E. Bellevue, Place, Chicago. The Skuna Bay salmon entree with port wine glaze and roasted vegetables ($22.50) is available for lunch, dinner and late night through March 29. Visit luxbar.com .
Seafood menu
Moe’s Cantina, 155 W. Kinzie St., Chicago. Meatless options, offered Wednesdays and Fridays to March 29 include seafood soup ($4, cup; $6, bowl); grilled banana leaf-wrapped halibut with chipotle sauce served with fried plantains, $14; pan-seared Peruvian tilapia, three jumbo shrimp, spicy diablo sauce, Spanish rice and beans, $12; and black peppercorn and sesame seed-crusted ahi tuna tacos with spicy plum wasabi sauce, lettuce and red peppers in flour tortillas, $14. Visit moescantina.com .
Game plan
Prairie Grass Cafe, 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook. The game special Feb. 28 is braised oxtail ragout over creamy polenta with rainbow Swiss chard, leeks and kale, $18. Visit prairiegrasscafe.com .
Hot ’n’ spicy
Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap, 41 E. Superior St., Chicago. The spicy February menu includes the Buffalo-Buffalo burger (wood-grilled bison patty topped with Buffalo sauce, blue cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion on a soft pretzel roll, ($14.95; $15.95 with draft beer); and Cajun mac ’n’ cheese — creamy macaroni and cheese tossed with blackened Cajun chicken, andouille sausage, peppers, onions and celery, ($8.95). Visit jakemelnicks.com .
Go meatless
Nana, 3267 S. Halsted St., Chicago. Chef Ricardo Pineda’s Lent specials, available Fridays through March 29, include a fried trout sandwich with spicy sauce gribiche, Bibb lettuce, tomatoes and pickles served with fries, $12 and a pepper and egg torta (scrambled eggs, provolone, Chile de arbo aioli) with a petite salad, $10. Visit nanaorganic.com .
Let the bubbly flow
Atwood, 1 W. Washington St., Chicago. Executive chef Derek Simcik’s Flutes & Frites menu (“fizzy” flute and trio of specialty fries with dipping sauce, $10) is available 5 p.m.-closing Mondays to December. Visit atwoodcafe.com .
Two new ‘bosses’
Burger Boss, 7512 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park. Lenten specials include the “fish boss” (lightly crisped cod filet with homemade tartar sauce, dill pickles and American cheese on a brioche bun, $6.29) and “pepper and egg boss” (cage-free eggs and grilled peppers on a soft brioche bun, $3.99). Visit theburgerboss.com .
Drink of the week
Park Tavern, 1645 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago. Warm up or cool down with the Fire and Ice cocktail (Belvedere pink grapefruit vodka, fresh citrus, cane sugar with a shot of fresh jalapeno juice), $10. Visit parktavernchicago.com .
Deal of the week
Ceres’ Tables, 4882 N. Clark St., Chicago. Chef Giuseppe Scurato’s four-course truffles dinner set for Feb. 28 includes grilled bobwhite quail (soft quail ravioli, brown butter, port wine sauce, crispy sage and black truffles), $55. Information: (773) 878-4882; cerestable.com .
