Entries associated with the tag "Risque Cafe":

In case you were looking to gain weight and for a coronary, Risque Cafe announces that with the change of seasons it's introducing "Bacon in Everything, Fried Foods, and other ways to insulate yourself." The new appetizer it's touting, on offer for $6 beginning today, is the house-smoked bacon, "double-dipped in chicken batter, then deep-fried and served with a side of white bacon gravy. Who can say no to true love?" Or you could try the Smokehouse Bloody Mary, made with a base of in-house smoked tomatoes and vodka infused with bacon, maple syrup, and black peppercorns ($6 on Sundays, $7 other days).

But that's no way to become a pinup girl. I'd advise sticking to Juicy Jay's Sizzling Bacon, a flavored rolling paper that should kill all appetite as well as being a stop-smoking resource. (h/t Whet)

The alleged recession shows no sign of slowing the tide of new restaurant openings. In addition to this week's featured analyses of Crisp, Takashi, and Rustik in Food & Drink, we have a half dozen more new reviews in the listings.

I suffered through the barbecue-in-name-only at Risque Cafe and Smoke Shack. Gary Wiviott and I tag teamed Tony Hu's two new Chinese regional restaurants Lao Beijing and Lao Shanghai. Kate Schmidt found something to eat besides pizza at Evanston's Omaggio, and Rater Lisa K. Coburn was flummoxed by the 135 varieties of tea at Suzi's Tea and Cafe--she'll stick to coffee, thanks.

Next time: Schwa, Con Sabor Cubano, Sixteen, La Cocina de Frida, The Libertine Gastropub & Lounge, Nxxt Restaurant & Bar, Cafe Marbella, and more.

There are lots of restaurants in town with big plans for New Year’s Eve (see our regularly updated guide), but it’s swan-song time at these two, which will be missed:

After ten years in business, Meritage Cafe and Wine Bar is closing January 1, but not with a whimper. On his last night chef Troy Graves will offer a seasonal five-course prix fixe dinner for $85 from 5:30 to 10:30 PM. At press time the menu wasn’t 100 percent set, but there will be curried suckling pig with charred pineapple coulis and seared foie gras (let the authorities close him down for serving the banned delicacy, Graves says); lobster ceviche with blood orange emulsion; oysters on the half shell with passion fruit sorbet; goat cheese soup with balsamic-grilled red onions; and wine-braised pheasant with chorizo grits and braised greens. A cocktail party (with cash bar) follows the dinner and goes till 2 AM; no reservations required for the party. Owner Christopher Peckat is quick to move on: his new barbecue place, Risque Cafe (3419 N. Clark, 773-525-7711), is slated to open in late December.

Chef John Bubala, who’s also closing his ten-year-old restaurant the first of the year, goes out in style with two seatings at Timo. The first, a three-course prix fixe meal for $50, will be served from 5:30 to 8 PM; the second, four courses for $80, is at 9:30. Among the 20 items diners can choose from are risotto with sausage, smoked Gouda, and asparagus; “chef’s whim” house-made ravioli; pork shank with gnocchi, bacon, and roasted onions; salmon with Italian barley and black olives; steak in red wine sauce with rosemary; and six desserts, including a creme brulee trio and a chocolate gateau. Both seatings include a glass of champagne, and the Dan Cray Trio plays jazz at the second seating. “Like Miles Davis’s Bitches Brew,” says Bubala. “No Sinatra.”

 Also closing the first of the year: John Manion's Mas and the Grotto on State .