Dining out: Park Ridge's Pennyville adds brunch; Old Republic fetes Shark Week
Brunch it up
If you like brunch, then you're in for a treat as Pennyville Station in downtown Park Ridge recently added brunch focusing on seasonal dishes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Diners can choose from Nutella French toast with caramelized banana; lump crab Benedict; chilaquiles; quinoa porridge with egg whites, pistachio, roasted vegetables, goat cheese and brown sugar; shakshuka (poached eggs in Serrano tomato sauce with onions, peppers and roasted garlic) and more. Plus, you can fill up on fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies, an acai bowl and seasonal sandwiches and tacos. Diners who want something stronger than coffee can try a Greyhound, Bloody Mary, the Hot Pepper Paloma, Frosé or a Frozen Peach Bellini.
Pennyville Station is at 112 Main St., Park Ridge, (847) 720-4841 or pennyvillestation.com/.
Shark Week!
Take a bite out of Shark Week now through Sunday, Aug. 4, at Old Republic Kitchen + Bar in Elgin. Not only can you watch Shark Week programming all week at the restaurant, but you can also sink your teeth into $1 sloppy beefs with chips with the purchase of a beverage. If you want to add fries or coleslaw, the meal is $3.99; add sweet fries or fruit and pay $4.99. The deal is dine-in only. And 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the Oceanic Preservation Society. Don't miss the daily drink specials, too, including the shark bite cocktail for $5. Tuesday is $5 martinis; Wednesday is $5 house margaritas; Thursday is $3 all bottles and cans; Friday is $6 rum barrels; Saturday is $7 mai tais; and Sunday is $5 Miller, Coors and Bud mini pitchers.
Old Republic Kitchen + Bar is at 155 S. Randall Road, Elgin, (224) 535-9544 or oldrepublicbar.com/.
Gotta love Lobster Fest
August is a big month for Shaw's Crab House in Schaumburg. First up is Shaw's Lobster Festival running Thursday, Aug. 1, through Monday, Sept. 2, featuring specialty lobster dishes such as the lobster BLT, lobster cocktail, lobster boil, lobster maki and Lobster Thermidor. Plus, all bottles of American chardonnay will be 20% off during the fest. If you're an oyster fan, then National Oyster Day on Monday, Aug. 5, is for you. Head to the Oyster Bar (or the patio) from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday for half-price oysters.
Shaw's Crab House is at 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 517-2722 or shawscrabhouse.com/schaumburg/.
More than martinis
The Martini Room in Elgin doesn't just serve martinis. From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, stop by to sip on the newest wine selection from Heritage Wine Cellars. And then come back on Saturday, Aug. 3, to hear your favorite Bhangra and Bollywood tunes. Romal Desai aka DJ Rein will be spinning. Don't forget to dress in your favorite Bollywood attire. Plus, there will be drink specials all night. There's no cover until 8 p.m.; it's $10 after 8.
Martini Room is at 161 E. Chicago St., Elgin, (847) 741-0349 or martiniroomelgin.com/.
Maggiano's Make-A-Wish dinner
Calling all princesses and superheros: Maggiano's in Schaumburg is hosting a Super Magical Character Dinner to benefit Make-A-Wish of Illinois from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. Dine on pastas and more during the buffet dinner and enjoy the sundae bar for a sweet treat. Plus, there will be photo ops, cookie decorating, face painting and more, all for a good cause. Tickets, which cost $30 for ages 2 and older, can be ordered at eventbrite.com/. A cash bar will be available.
Maggiano's is at 1901 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg, (847) 240-5600 or maggianos.com/.
National Oyster Day
Here's another special for National Oyster Day: The Heritage will be serving the Oyster Trio for $20 Friday, Aug. 2, through Sunday, Aug. 11. What does it include? Oysters roasted with chili lime aioli, smoked trout roe, cilantro and pearl onions; raw oysters with caviar; and raw oysters with frozen cucumber and green strawberry mignonette with pickled strawberries.
The Heritage is at 7403 Madison St., Forest Park, (708) 435 4937 or theheritageforestpark.com/.
Sweet 16 challenge
Here's an eating challenge you can sink your teeth into: The “Sweet 16” challenge at Jojo's Milk Bar. All you have to do is finish a 16-ounce Three's Company Milkshake, a 16-ounce double Smash Burger, a 16-ounce light or dark draft beer and 16 ounces of JoJo's Fries. The catch? You only have 16 minutes to complete the challenge. If you do, your meal will be comped, plus you'll get a $20 JoJo's gift card, a JoJo's hat and your picture on the wall. If your stomach can't handle it, you'll owe $50.
Jojo's Milk Bar is at 23 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, (312) 624-8963 or jojosmilkbar.com/.
Do good
If you've thought about donating blood, now is the time and Noodles & Company wants to reward you for doing so. During August, if you donate blood at any Versiti Blood Center location, you will receive a coupon for one free entree with the purchase of a fountain drink at any Chicago-area Noodles. To redeem the coupon, enter the coupon code in the Noodles & Company mobile app Aug. 1-31 to receive the coupon. Make an appointment to donate blood at versiti.org/ways-to-give/blood-donation.
Noodles has locations across the suburbs and Chicago; see noodles.com/.
Email clinden@dailyherald.com with dining and night life events.