Dining events: Lent specials, National Margarita Day and more
Fish Fridays
With the start of Lent this week comes a variety of fish and vegetarian specials available on Fridays at some suburban restaurants.
Antico Posto: 118 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 586-9200, antico-posto.com/. The Italian restaurant is serving up pistachio-crusted whitefish with mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach and herb butter sauce for $21.95 for dine-in, takeout or delivery every Friday.
Beatrix: 272 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 491-1415, beatrixrestaurants.com/beatrix/oak-brook/. For Lent, Beatrix is offering Harissa-Crusted Branzino with mushroom jus and lemon zest for $28.95. Available for dine-in, carryout and delivery.
Catch 35: 35 S. Washington St., Naperville, (630) 717-3500, catch35.com/lent-specials-2021/. The seafood restaurant will be serving up Lent specials through April 3. On the menu is the Cajun whitefish sandwich ($14), won ton tuna tacos ($16), Catch's seafood platter ($20), Atlantic salmon ($24), and scallops and crab risotto ($28). Available for dine-in, carryout or delivery.
Devon Seafood + Steak: 17W400 22nd St., Oakbrook Terrace, (630) 516-0180, devonseafood.com/Oakbrook-Terrace. Lent specials include blackened striped bass stir-fried with orzo, red bell pepper, roasted zucchini, asparagus, lobster sauce and togarashi seasoned kale chips on Feb. 19. On Feb. 26, it's sea bass with herb gnocchi, and on March 12 it's a to-be-determined fish with Asian orzo. The special for March 26 is pan-seared Alaskan halibut with fresh herb gnocchi, zucchini, oyster mushroom and sweet corn hash, grape tomatoes, slow-roasted red pepper coulis, basil aioli and shaved fennel salad. All dishes will be market prices. Available for dine-in or carryout.
Fuller House: 35 E. First St., Hinsdale, (630) 568-5466, fullerhousebar.com/. On Fridays, the neighborhood bar is offering roasted garlic white bean hummus with naan, Clock Shadow cheese curds, mahi mahi fish tacos with roasted pineapple and jalapeno-bell pepper slaw, and the salmon soba bowl featuring teriyaki salmon with soba noodles and veggies.
L. Woods: 7110 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood, (847) 677-3350, lwoodsrestaurant.com/. Every Friday, it's all about the Walleye Fish & Chips with housemade salt and vinegar chips for $19.95 at L. Woods. It's available for dine-in, takeout or delivery.
Pierce Tavern: 5135 Main St., Downers Grove, (630) 869-5333, piercetavern.com/. Diners will find meat-free options on Fridays, including buffalo shrimp, kale and artichoke dip, cauliflower bites, and Margherita and elote pizza.
Shaw's Crab House: 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 517-2722, shawscrabhouse.com/schaumburg/. During Lent, Shaw's is offering the Fisherman's Platter consisting of beer-battered wild Alaskan cod, clam chowder, fried calamari, fried jumbo shrimp, french fries, coleslaw and a slice of mini Key lime pie for $25. Or consider the Fish and Chips, which includes beer-battered wild Alaskan cod, french fries, coleslaw, a cup of clam chowder and a slice of mini Key lime pie for $25. Feeding a crew? Shaw's Family Fish Fry Meal features 10 pieces of beer-battered wild Alaskan cod, french fries, a pint of coleslaw and four slices of chocolate cake for $60. It's available for dine-in, delivery or carryout.
White Castle: Locations across the suburbs, whitecastle.com/. For Lent, White Castle has added seafood crab cake sliders and shrimp nibblers back to its menu. They're available until April 4.
McHenry County Restaurant Week
In the mood for something new, or a deal, maybe? Then the third annual McHenry County Restaurant Week, which runs Friday, Feb. 19, through Sunday, Feb. 28, might be what you're looking for. Restaurants and bars are offering special menus, deals and more. Participating venues include Cafe 31 North in McHenry, Cary Ale House, Casting Whimsy in Woodstock, Crystal Lake Brewing, Cullom Knoll in McCullom Lake, Duke's Alehouse in Crystal Lake, Hoops Sports Bar in Hebron, Offsides Sports Bar in Woodstock, Port Edward Restaurant in Algonquin, Richmond Cafe, The Longshot Pub in Lakemoor, El Molino Pizzeria in Crystal Lake, Ethereal Confections in Woodstock, Huntley's Tacos Locos, Lucky Bernie's in Huntley, Spring Grove and Woodstock, and Shadowview Brewing in Woodstock. See visitmchenrycounty.com/RestaurantWeek for details.
Celebrating Black cuisine
Chef Mychael Bonner (Saranello's, Di Pescara, Petterino's and The Ivy Room) is joining forces with Chef Lucie “Lulu” Ugbebor, founder of A.O. Bistro, for a virtual cooking event to honor Black cuisine for Black History Month. Join them online at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, when the chefs will guide participants in a live cooking demo while discussing the influences their families had on their culinary journeys. While it's free to join the virtual events, the accompanying meal kit, which includes kale salad with roasted root vegetables and balsamic vinegar, Lulu's Roasted Chicken and a brown butter pound cake with salted caramel gelato, is $34.95 per person. The kit, which will be packed cold with heating instructions, must be ordered ahead for pickup from 5-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at The Ivy Room, 12 E. Ohio St., Chicago. Space is limited. All proceeds will be donated to Urban Juncture. Order a ticket at exploretock.com/ivyroom/event/258509/virtual-event-celebrating-black-cuisine-through-culinary-collaboration.
McAlister's opens in Glenview
Known for its stuffed baked potatoes, sandwiches, salads, soups and more, McAlister's Deli is opening its newest location at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22. The first 100 guests in line will walk away with free Tea for a Year. But before McAlister's opens Monday, the fast-casual restaurant is honoring heroes - doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters and military - with a free meal and drink from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19. Regular hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
McAlister's Deli is at 2351 Willow Road, Glenview, (224) 529-5902, mcalistersdeli.com/.
A reason to stay in
Osteria Trulli recently added a weeknight three-course dinner special that gives you a good excuse to order delivery or carryout. For $35 a person or $60 for two, the meal includes a choice of Trulli, spinach, caprese or arugula salad; one dish from the primi or secondi piatti (except cavatelli adriatico frutti di mare, mazzancolle alla san guiseppe or zuppa di pesce); and a choice of cannoli, tiramisu or flourless chocolate cake. Did we mention that it also includes a full loaf of fresh bread from Casa Nostra and one bottle of house wine? The deal is available Monday through Thursday.
Osteria Trulli is at 1510 E. Hintz Road, Arlington Heights, (224) 347-1010, osteriatrulli.com/web/.
Margaritas & queso
National Margarita Day - Monday, Feb. 22 - is almost here. On The Border is honoring the day now through Feb. 28 with a $5 1800 Grande 'Rita made with 1800 Silver Tequila. Add a Meltdown, which is extra tequila, Blue Curacao, Sour Apple or other liqueurs, to your 'rita for a bit extra. Since you'll probably be hungry, On The Border is obliging with the return of Queso Fest. Now you can indulge in Texas queso fries, melted queso fundido, queso steak torta (fajita steak with Mexican white cheese, pico de gallo, lime chimichurri and queso in a toasted bolillo roll), cheesy queso enchiladas (two cheese enchiladas topped with queso and pico de gallo and served with Mexican rice and beans) and grilled queso chicken (mesquite-grilled chicken breast under queso and sliced avocado accompanied by sautéed vegetables and cilantro lime rice). On The Border is at 1512 S. Randall Road, Algonquin, (847) 960-3915; 1915 Glacier Park Ave., Naperville, (331) 472-8740; 535 N. Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills, (224) 433-5450; ontheborder.com/.
Bahama Breeze also is honoring National Margarita Day with $5 classic margaritas all day on Monday. The island grille is located at 406 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, (847) 884-7060, bahamabreeze.com/.
Murder Mystery!
It's a murder mystery, and you get to play a part! The Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee is partnering with Improv Playhouse for a four-course chef dinner and “Murder Mystery Love You to Death” event at 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 24-25. Set in the 1940s in Chicago, expect crooked officials, secret passwords and Big Band swing music as part of the show, which starts at 6:15 p.m. The $70 per person dinner features Grapes of Wrath salad, Pandora's Box (puff pastry filled with veggies), Porkchetta (cocoa-dusted crispy rolled pork) and cannolis. Reservations are required.
The Chocolate Sanctuary is at 5101 Washington St., Gurnee, (224) 944-0808, thechocolatesanctuary.com/.
Bell's virtual beer dinner
If you're a fan of Bell's beer, take note: Bell's Brewery and Wildfire are joining up for a virtual three-course beer dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25. Watch live on Zoom as David Munro from Bell's discusses the pairings during the courses. The dinner features oven-roasted crabcakes to share; a choice of barbecued chicken, cedar-planked salmon or beer-braised short ribs; sides of redskin mashed potatoes and roasted green beans; a choice of dessert: cheesecake, triple layer chocolate cake or homemade Door County cherry pie; and two bottles each of Bell's Lager of the Lakes, Third Coast Old Ale and Bell's Official Hazy IPA. The dinner for two is $120 and for one is $60. Order by Monday, Feb. 22, for pickup by 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25.
Wildfire is at 1300 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, (847) 657-6363; 235 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 279-7900; 232 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 586-9000; 1250 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 995-0100; wildfirerestaurant.com/.
Due to evolving COVID-19 restrictions, note that these offerings are subject to change. Send restaurant news to clinden@dailyherald.com.