You've advanced to the weekend in a sweep.
Tonight, the Junior Networking Committee of Vital Bridges—that regular thrower of raucous fund-raisers—hunkers down for a night of gratis vodka (for the first two hours), thumping beats and giveaway dinners at Sunda, RL and Mercat. It feels so good to give... and receive.
A chef slaps some bacon on anything and you're supposed to go weak in the knees. Well, knees, get ready to buckle: meet the genius that is the Soft Shell Crab BLT—Branch 27's amalgamation of spicy mayo, tomato confit, crispy bacon and even crispier crustaceans. Your usual BLT might get jealous.
In an ode to one of your favorite pastimes—hanging out in first-class airport lounges—the River North lounge turns itself into a veritable fuselage hosting a private cocktail reception (gratis for the first 90 minutes), with Las Vegas and Mexico vacation raffles, and servers (naturally) dressed as stewardesses. We suggest you buckle up.
Stephanie Izard's Girl & The Goat is so tantalizingly close to opening (i.e., June) you can almost taste it. In fact, you can. The chef will hand out samples—and chances to attend a private preview dinner—at Green City Market. Consider it an appetizer.
It's damp. It's chilly. It's time to party. The folks at Zella satiate your longing for summer by hosting a patio party on Sunday with half off everything from burgers to mai tais. They'll have kiddie pools too—in case you want to make a splash.
