STRINGS RAMEN OPENS SECOND LOCATION
Strings Ramen, the wildly-popular granddaddy of Chicago’s ramen scene, consistently ranked among best in Chicago, has now opened a second location in Lakeview.
The 38-seat space has a similar look, is a mini-version of Strings’ 60-seat Chinatown location, which opened Feb 2014 as Chicago’s very first dedicated ramen shop. Chef Katie Dong now serves as executive chef of both the Lakeview and Chinatown locations. In addition to Strings popular ramen selections, Chef Katie’s created a number of items that are exclusive, only available at Strings’ new Lakeview location, including a number of meat and sashimi rice bowls.
Strings Ramen-Lakeview, 919 West Belmont, Chicago, IL 60657. 773-661-6442.
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ARTANGO HEATS-UP THE SUMMER
Artango Bar and Steakhouse has become a lively hub for Argentinean dining, dancing, and live music since expanding to Lincoln Square in April 2016. Recently featured on Check Please, Artango draws inspiration from the 1920s Golden Age of Buenos Aries, with prohibition-era cocktails, authentic parrilla-grilled steaks, meats and seafood, along with other Argentine and Latin American favorites. Artango now also features a rotating weekly showcase of live entertainment, including pro Tango dancers, musicians, singers, Flamenco dancers, and beginner Tango lessons.
Artango Bar and Steakhouse, 4767 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, 872-208-7441.
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ROJO GUSANO PUTS GLOBAL SPIN ON LATIN-AMERICAN
Rojo Gusano puts an elevated, global-fusion spin on the simple street foods of Mexico and Latin America, served in a breezy casual, surf themed setting.
Must-trys include starters like guacamole with spicy pumpkin seeds and caramelized pineapple. Ceviche Mixto, with octopus, shrimp, sweet potato, toasted cancha corn. Homemade empanadas with Portobello mushrooms or chicken tinga fillings. Choose from one-dozen global taco mash-ups, like Green Curry Shrimp with Asian cabbage, Pork Belly with red pickled onion, Chicken Tinga with Farmers cheese, along with sides like Esquites with cotija cheese, piguin chile and chipotle mayo, and Sweet Plantains with house-made crema.
Weekend brunch ranges from Chilakillers with salsa, Asadero cheese, choice of eggs, to Huevo Sandwich with Nueske’s Applewood-smoked bacon, and Rojo Gusano’s signature Pollo and Waffles — spicy marinated fried chicken, waffles, fresh fruit, served with vanilla whipped cream, and Agave syrup. Full bar service, including an expansive selection of tequilas, mezcals, and craft cocktails is available.
Rojo Gusano, 3830 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, 773-539-4398.
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HARVEST MOON VOTED “CHICAGO’S BEST SANDWICH”
What’s the best sandwich in Chicago these days?
According to over 500 Yelpers, who converged at Yelp-sponsored Starch Madness to taste-test and vote on Chicago’s best sandwich, the winner is Harvest Moon’s new Sunrise Sandwich. Created by Harvest Moon’s Executive Chef Emmalee Santioni, and added recently to Harvest Moon’s brunch menu, the Sunrise Sandwich begins with a generous schmear of sun-dried tomato cream cheese, heaped with hickory-smoked bacon, topped with a fried egg and red onions, served on a toasted everything bagel, $12. Opened since August in Wicker Park, Harvest Moon provides an artsy-chic vibe, with over-sized banquettes, bold hand-painted murals, a rotating seasonal menu of dinner, brunch, and late-night favorites, all under the soft glow of Edison lamps and flickering candles.
Harvest Moon, 1805 West Division Street, Chicago, 773-661-9797.
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HUTCH AMERICAN CAFE OPENS IN RIVER NORTH
Hutch American Cafe is now open in River North. The new brunch-centric eatery is sibling to Wrigleyville’s popular Hutch American Bistro, opened in 2013 by restaurateur Marc Wuenschel. Hutch American Cafe features a line-up of brunch and lunch selections, served 8 a.m. to 3 p.m, 7-days a week. Menu must-trys include Avocado Chicken Toast, Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict. Fried Chicken and Corn Waffle with bacon butter, Lox and Bagel Board, assorted flatbreads, burgers, salads and wraps. Monday through Friday, from 4pm to 7pm, Hutch American Cafe hosts one of the best Happy Hours deals in River North, with $2 glasses of champagne, $3 beers, and $5 craft cocktails. During that time, a special menu of snacks and small plates is offered, including Smoked Salmon Flatbread, house made Tater Tots with truffle cheese fondue and more, each priced at just $5.
Hutch American Cafe, 416 West Ontario, Chicago. 312-300-4195.
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STRINGS RAMEN CELEBRATES 3-YEARS
Strings Ramen, the wildly-popular granddaddy of Chicago’s ramen scene, marks its 3-year anniversary, Monday, February 27 through Friday, March 3. In February 2014, Strings opened as Chicago’s very first ramen shop. Complete with an imported Japanese noddle-making machine, and giant cauldrons of bubbling, 48-hour-boiled broths, it left many curious Chicagoans scratching their heads, wondering what this “ramen thing” was all about. Within just 3-months time, Strings had already served-up over 30,000 steaming bowls of ramen, marking the official arrival of ramen madness in Chicago. Since that time, Strings’ menu has expanded from 6 to more than 1-dozen varieties of ramen, along with a full line-up of Yakisoba and Rice Bowl options.
To mark the celebration, Strings is offering free 3-year anniversary dessert cupcakes from Monday, February 27 to Friday, March 3. On Friday, March 3rd (3/3) Strings will offer a special 3/3/$3 Deal: a spicy tuna sashimi rice bowl, topped with crispy seaweed, truffle oil…for just $3, regularly priced at $11.95.
Strings Ramen, 2141 South Archer Avenue, Chicago, 312-374-3450.
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Yelp Celebrates Strings 3rd Birthday
HARVEST MOON LAUNCHES WINTER MENU
Harvest Moon has now launched an all-new Winter Menu. The 100-seat artsy-chic Harvest Moon offers a loungey vibe, complete with custom-designed banquettes, bold murals by popular artist David Bozic, and live music on weekends, all under the warm glow of Edison lamps and flickering candles. The seasonal, farm-to-table menu provides dinner options like Seared Scottish Salmon — with polenta fritter, mustard cream, and Braised Short Rib — with Yukon Gold parsnip mash.
Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Harvest Moon’s new Winter Brunch Menu highlights comfort classics presented with a contemporary spin. Must-trys include Breakfast Pot Pie — fluffy egg custard, spinach and bacon, topped with puffed pastry, Chickpea Hash — served with 2 any-style eggs and country toast, and Chicken ‘n Waffles — crispy fried chicken breast, bourbon bacon waffle, maple syrup.
Harvest Moon, 1805 West Division Street, Chicago.
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