Dining events: Summer has taken over Longhorn's menu
Longhorn's new menu items
LongHorn Steakhouse lifts up the flavors of the season with new menu items: fried green tomatoes topped with goat cheese and red chili ranch and fire-grilled corn on the cob brushed with Mexican cream sauce and topped with seasoned parmesan cheese. Or the chef's showcase with the new 18-ounce smoky garlic outlaw rib-eye; hickory salt-crusted New York strip; and the grilled citrus salmon. LongHorn Steakhouse has suburban locations in Des Plaines, Bolingbrook and Schaumburg. Longhornsteakhouse.com.
Barbakoa's tequila dinner
Barbakoa celebrates national tequila day with a four-course tequila dinner starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23. Chef Dudley Nieto prepares dishes like the rollitos de Jicama, thinly sliced jicama filled with shrimp, or tuna ceviche with spicy aguachile and more. Each course is paired with a Patron tequila cocktail. $65 per person. Barbakoa is at 1341 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove. (630) 852-2333 or barbakoa.com.
Chocolate Sanctuary now open
The Chocolate Sanctuary recently celebrated its grand opening in Gurnee. Owners Bill and Donna Collazo incorporate the cocoa bean into brunch, lunch and dinner with dishes like the dark chocolate and stout-braised short ribs; red mole brick chicken; cocoa-nib citrus-crusted salmon and more. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays. The Chocolate Sanctuary is at 5101 Washington St., Gurnee. (224) 944-0808 or thechocolatesanctuary.com.