THE BIG DEALS
FSeptember special
Morel support
Cru Cafe & Wine Bar, 25 E. Delaware. “Mushroom Month” deals include River Valley mushroom croquettes with citrus, garlic and olive oil (Sept. 1-9), $10; and trumpet mushrooms with braised escargot, morcilla and roasted potatoes (Sept. 10-16), $12. Call (312) 3374001;
One-pounder
Chicago Cut Steakhouse, 300 N. La Salle. The Labor Day traditional lobster boil (one-pound lobster, served with corn, baby red potatoes, mussels, clams, shrimp and chorizo sausage in garlic butter sauce, $35) is available Sept. 2. Call (312) 329-1800;
Dig in
rom upscale to low-cal, the Sun-Times’ “Big Deals” column brings readers the dish on food and drink specials that will not break the bank.
Magnolia Bakery, 108 N. State. The September cupcake of the month is the PB&J (peanut butter cupcake, infused with homemade grape jelly, topped with peanut butter-flavored buttercream icing, $3.50). Visit
Shaw’s Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard. The clam lunch and dinner menu, around until Sept. 3, includes a dinner-only special of slow-braised pork belly and Manila clams with pimientos, fingerling potatoes and scallions, $22.99. On Sept. 3 both locations will feature half-priced oysters (up to two dozen per order). Call (312) 527-2722;
End of summer special
Courtright’s, 8989 Archer, Willow Spring. An End of Summer special, featuring a selection of any entree along with a choice of appetizer, salad, soup or dessert ($42), is available Sundays; and Tuesdays-Thursdays through Sept. 27. Call (708) 839-8000;
Birthday treat
Chicago q, 1160 N. Dearborn. Toast the restaurant’s second birthday Sept. 4 with the Cake-tini (Templeton rye, Creme de Cacao, amaretto, Godiva white chocolate liqueur with sprinkles rim $11). Homemade dessert pigcakes (white cake cupcake with pig-shapped pink frosting) will be given out. A portion of the day’s proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Call (312) 642-1160;
All the best
Zealous, 419 W. Superior. Chef/owner Michael Taus celebrates his restaurant’s 19th anniversary, through Sept. 29, with a rotating “The Best of the Best” fivecourse chef ’s menu ($85), featuring favorite dishes like the grilled Hudson Valley foie gras on spicy lobster toast with roasted pineapple vinaigrette (2000). Call (312) 475-9112;
Drink of the Week
Two Restaurant, 1132 W. Grand. The Wet Hound (“M” Medoyeff vodka; freshsqueezed grapefruit and fresh mint) is $10. Call (312) 624-8363;
Deal of the week
Tokio Pub, 1900 E. Higgins, Schaumburg. A Labor Day all-you-can-eat barbecue that includes pork and beef sliders, spicy tiger shrimp, barbecue ribs, grilled chicken wings, potato salad and two beers from the retro beer list, runs noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 3, $25. Call (847) 278-5181;