Dining out: Where to celebrate mom, plus Illinois Craft Beer Week
Sip some suds
If you're into craft beer, then Illinois Craft Beer Week from May 10 to 17 is tailor-made for you. Various breweries, bars and restaurants from the suburbs to Chicago will be hosting tons of tap takeovers, drink specials, events and more. The week kicks off Friday, May 10, with a showcase of 110 breweries at the fundraiser Beer Under Glass at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Saturday, May 11, brings the Goose Island Battle of the Breweries in which 36 breweries compete in a single-elimination dodgeball tournament at Goose Island in Chicago. The week closes out with a blowout party hosted by Werk Force Brewing, 14903 S. Center St., Plainfield. Taste brews from more than 30 breweries, including Alter, Skeleton Key, Penrose, Illuminated Brew Works, Hopvine, Hailstorm, Phase Three, Brickstone and more. And enjoy eats from The Roaming Hog food truck and sounds from Scat Grub Band from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For details, see illinoisbeer.org/icbw/.
Impress mom
Calling all kids: Learn how to make mom breakfast, just in time for Mother's Day, at Maggiano's Oak Brook. Aspiring chefs (ages 5-12) can learn how to make cinnamon rolls from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11. Tickets, which are $25 for kids 5-12 and $15 for adults, include a buffet lunch, plus milk, soda, tea and coffee. Each young chef will receive a customizable chef hat, apron and recipe card. Make reservations at eventbrite.com/. Maggiano's is at 240 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 368-0300 or maggianos.com/.
Mother's Day specials
If you haven't made reservations for Mother's Day yet, here are some options for Sunday, May 12. For a comprehensive list, see dailyherald.com/entertainment.
Blossom Cafe: 8349 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, (708) 453-5300 or theblossomcafe.com/. When: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 12. What: Sunday specials include slow-roasted prime rib, roast leg of lamb, twin filet mignon Oscar, baked stuffed shrimp, rotisserie roasted pork and more. Reservations suggested.
Chandler's: 401 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, (847) 885-9009 or chandlerschophouse.com. When: Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 12. What: Various a la carte specials include bacon-wrapped dates ($8.99), surf and turf ($29.99), Chandler's shrimp fest ($19.99), chicken and strawberry salad ($13.99), triple chocolate fudge brownie ($5.99) and mimosas ($6.50). Reservations recommended.
City Works and Old Town Pour House: Moms (and their families) can take advantage of two Mother's Day specials on Sunday, May, 12, in addition to the regular menu. Try the egg white frittata (egg whites baked with goat cheese, asparagus, tomato, onion and basil and topped with tossed arugula, herb, fennel and avocado salad in a lemon vinaigrette) for $12 or the smoked salmon flatbread (hand-tossed flatbread topped with smoked salmon, dill crème fraîche, red onion, fried capers and arugula) for $13. City Works is at 1850 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, (847) 584-2500 or cityworksrestaurant.com/schaumburg/. Old Town Pour House is at 1703 Freedom Drive, Naperville, (630) 448-6020, and 8 Oak Brook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 601-1440 or oldtownpourhouse.com/.
D.O.C Wine Bar: 326 Yorktown Center, Lombard, (630) 627-6666 or docwinebarchicago.com/. When: Noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 12. What: The special Mother's Day menu features Nutella French toast, filet eggs Benedict, watermelon burrata salad, bacon-wrapped scallops, blackened mahi mahi and roasted pork tenderloin. Reservations recommended.
Maggiano's: 1901 E. Woodfield Road, Schaumburg, (847) 240-1600 or maggianos.com/. When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12. What: Highlights of the Mother's Day brunch buffet include carving stations, an omelet station, a pasta station, a cold display, a kids' buffet, a sweets table and a chocolate fountain. The Unlimited "MOM"osa Bar is included. Adults: $65; kids 5-11: $25. Reservations required.
Metropolis Ballroom: 6 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (847) 870-8787, ext. 200, or metropolisballroom.com/. When: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 12. What: Raise a glass to mom at the Mother's Day brunch featuring complimentary champagne for moms, oysters on the half shell, jumbo shrimp, creme brulee French toast, prime rib carving station, carved ham, smoked salmon, a bananas Foster station, a sweets table and more. Adults: $45; kids younger than 12: $19; kids younger than 5: free. Reservations required.
Moretti's: Locations in Bartlett, Fox Lake, Hoffman Estates, Lake in the Hills, Mount Prospect, Rosemont and Schaumburg. morettisrestaurants.com/. When: Opens at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 12. What: Specials for Mother's Day include crispy chicken Romano, Parmesan-crusted shrimp scampi, filet mignon and diver scallops, prime rib, pistachio-crusted mahi-mahi, caramel apple strudel and tiramisu. Reservations recommended.
Prairie Grass Cafe: 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, (847) 205-4433 or prairiegrasscafe.com/. When: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 12. Dinner: 5 to 9 p.m. What: Mother's Day Brunch starts with the PGC Benedict (poached egg with spinach and roasted tomato hollandaise) followed by an extensive buffet. Choose from Parmesan-crusted tilapia, chicken wings, roasted potatoes, leg of spring Colorado lamb, a waffle station, made-to-order omelets, a crepe station, fresh fruit, strawberry-rhubarb crumble, a cake station and more. Adults: $53; kids 10 and younger: $18. Reservations required.
The Ram: 9520 Higgins Road, Rosemont, (847) 692-4426 or theram.com/. When: 11 a.m. Sunday, May 12. What: Moms and those celebrating her can take advantage of $5 drink specials featuring half-liter grand mimosas and sangrias and the 18-ounce Proud Mary Bloody Mary. Moms will appreciate the $1 kids meals for kids 12 and younger with the purchase of an adult entree.
White Deer Run Golf Club: 250 W. Gregg's Parkway, Vernon Hills, (847) 680-6100 or whitedeergolf.com/. When: Sunday, May 12. What: Indulge in Mother's Day brunch, highlights of which include breakfast (omelets cooked to order, fruit, apple-filled pancakes, Belgian waffles, eggs Benedict), salads, a carving station (prime rib, roasted turkey), entrees (roasted pork, honey garlic shrimp and rice), desserts (cakes, tarts) and more. Adults: $33.95; kids 12 and younger: $14.95; kids 3 and younger: free. Reservations suggested.
National Burger Month
If you love a juicy burger, then May is for you as it's National Burger Month. Some specials:
M Burger: The Cooper Cheeseburger returns to the menu in May. It's a single or double patty smothered in Cooper's cheddar cheese, crispy onion strings, tangy dijonnaise and Pucker's Pickles. M Burger has locations at 1650 Premium Outlet Blvd., Aurora, and in Chicago. mburgerchicago.com/.
Mon Ami Gabi: Fill up on the Green Goddess Burger topped with avocado, Swiss cheese and green goddess dressing for $15.95. It will be available from 5 to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday in May. Mon Ami Gabi is at 260 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 472-1900 or monamigabi.com/oak-brook/.
Morton's The Steakhouse: How does a gorgonzola-bacon burger sound? Now through May 31, you can chow down on a $25 burger topped with Gorgonzola, Nueske's thick-cut bacon, red onion marmalade and bibb lettuce on a brioche bun. Enjoy matchstick fries on the side. For an extra $11, pair your burger with a glass of Michael David "Earthquake" Zinfandel. Morton's is at 9525 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, (847) 678-5155; 1751 Freedom Drive, Naperville, (630) 577-1372; and 1470 McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg, (847) 413-8771, or mortons.com/.
Hot, hot, hot
For a flaming twist on a classic dessert, Perry's Steakhouse & Grille in Oak Brook is now firing up a new, modern Baked Alaska for Two. Devised by celebrity chef Rick Moonen, Perry's Master Development Chef, the confection starts with a citrus shortbread base, which is then topped with a frozen lemon custard and covered in a vanilla bean meringue. The real magic happens when the dessert is flamed tableside with Grand Marnier. It's $16. Perry's Steakhouse & Grille is at 5 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 571-1808 or perryssteakhouse.com/.
• Email clinden@dailyherald.com with suburban dining and night life events.