Dining out: Winner, winner, $20 dinner at Michael Jordan's
Slam dunk
Michael Jordan's Restaurant in Oak Brook recently launched daily dinner specials that include a variety of dishes priced at $20 or less. “Dining out shouldn't be limited to special occasions,” says Craig Couper, executive chef at Michael Jordan's Restaurant. The specials include the Wagyu Bigger Mike with fries for $16 on Mondays. Pair a draft beer for $3. Taco Tuesdays offer five carne asada street tacos for $15. Add a margarita for $4. Spaghetti with a Wagyu meatball in red gravy is $15 on Wednesdays. Pair it with a glass of red wine for $4. On Thursday, the Berkshire Pork Chop is $18. Add a glass of wine for $3. Fish Fryday includes crispy lake walleye with sauce gribiche, hush puppies, coleslaw and Old Bay fries for $20. For $3, add a local beer. On Saturday, the Prime Rib and choice of fries, mashed potatoes or broccolini is $37. Sunday's Meat and Three includes Slagel Farm's pot roast with a choice of three sides for $21. Michael Jordan's is at 1225 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, (630) 828-2932 or michaeljordansrestaurant.com/.
National Meatball Day
Bet you didn't know there's a National Meatball Day. Francesca's is honoring the day by offering three special meatballs for $9 for three days only - Friday through Sunday, March 9-11 - at all Francesca's locations. Try the pan-roasted veal and ricotta meatballs over braised escarole and cannellini beans, the beef and pork meatballs accompanied by Tuscan toast and the roasted eggplant meatballs served with a vegetable ragu. Francesca's has locations throughout the suburbs. miafrancesca.com/.
March events at Kings
How does a Pot of Gold milkshake sound? Kings Dining and Entertainment in Rosemont recently introduced this specialty treat made with mint chocolate chip ice cream, whipped cream, sweet buttercream frosting, sprinkles, a rainbow Airhead and an Oreo truffle dipped in gold sugar. It's $9.99. There's also a 21-and-over version that includes vodka, Irish cream and crème de menthe.
Can you believe it's already March Madness? And to honor this important month of basketball, Kings is offering specials every game day beginning March 15, including half-priced pizzas (dine-in only), free table games, free tokens for hoops (three tokens per day) and BOGO pizzas (takeout only). Runs through April 2. Kings Dining and Entertainment is at 5505 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 233-0099 or kings-de.com/rosemont.
Fish Fridays
Every Friday through March 30, get your seafood fix at Shaw's Crab House in Schaumburg. Take advantage of two specials: shrimp Louis salad and a mini Key lime pie for $17 or a Fisherman's Platter with fried shrimp, scallops and Atlantic cod served with french fries, coleslaw and a mini Key lime pie for $23. They're available all day Fridays in the Oyster Bar and for carryout. Shaw's Crab House is at 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 517-2722 or shawscrabhouse.com/.
March Lasagna Madness
Excited for March Madness? To celebrate, Tuscany Restaurants are hosting a weeklong March Lasagna Madness when a different lasagna recipe will be showcased each day during the first week of the NCAA basketball tournament. The featured lasagnas are Sausage and Ricotta Lasagna Monday, March 12; Four Cheese Mushroom Cipriani Lasagna Tuesday, March 13; Primavera Lasagna Wednesday, March 14; Bolognese Lasagna Thursday, March 15; and Seafood Lasagna Friday, March 16. The special, which costs $14 at lunch and $16 at dinner, is available for dine-in or carryout. Tuscany is at 1415 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, (630) 990-1993, and 550 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, (847) 465-9988. tuscanychicago.com/.
Pop-up burger nights
Mon Ami Gabi recently introduced burger nights on Tuesdays. From 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays during March, try the Croque Madame Burger - a whole Croque Madame with ham, Jarlsberg, bechamel and a sunny-side up egg atop a burger on a brioche bun served with frites - for $15.95. Look for more pop-up burger specials on Tuesdays in the coming months. Mon Ami Gabi is at 260 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 472-1900 or monamigabi.com/home/?loc=oakbrook.
Pi day pizza special
In celebration of Pi Day - Wednesday, March 14 - Jet's Pizza will be serving up small pizzas with one topping for $3.14 (plus tax) to those who recite the entire formula for Pi from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Offer is limited to one small pizza per person per visit and cannot be combined with any other offer. It is valid for walk-in, phone and pickup purchases only. Jet's Pizza has locations throughout the suburbs. jetspizza.com/,
Dinner with vino
Wine and dine at One Fifty One Kitchen & Bar's five-course wine pairing dinner at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14. Taste a medley from Alexander Valley Vineyards while noshing on bites such as vichyssoise, merlot risotto, croque du vin, glazed shortribs and a chocolate-inspired dessert. Tickets cost $75, excluding tax and gratuity. Seating is limited; make reservations at 151Elmhurst.Eventbrite.com. One Fifty One Kitchen & Bar is at 151 N. York St., Elmhurst, (331) 979-7198 or 151elmhurst.com/.
Tour De Spain dinner
El Tapeo Modern Spanish Kitchen continues its Tour De Spain Series with a five-course modern Spanish dinner paired with Spanish wine and cocktails at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15. There are only eight seats available for this dinner that features small plates, paella, meats and seafood. It costs $85 per person. El Tapeo Modern Spanish Kitchen is on the ninth floor of Le Méridien Chicago, 2100 Spring Road, Oak Brook, (630) 828-2044 or eltapeorestaurant.com/.