Things to do for February 22, 2017

Of Course There’s a La La Land–Themed Oscar Party...

But There’s Also a New Paul McGee Pop-Up and Mardi Gras Festivities

By Sam Eichner

Wednesday
Thursday
The First Restaurant in the Country Devoted Entirely to... Polenta
CHILDREN OF THE CORN

The First Restaurant in the Country Devoted Entirely to... Polenta

Did it ever occur to you that what was missing from Chicago’s booming work-lunch scene was a fast-casual eatery dedicated entirely to building one’s own polenta, with toppings from white wine chicken to octopus? No? Well, starting tomorrow, you’ll have the Polenta Bar. Which is exactly that.

Friday
It’s Very ’70s in Here. It’s Also Very Duck-Taco-y.
BUSTA RHYME

It’s Very ’70s in Here. It’s Also Very Duck-Taco-y.

Rhyme or Reason is not another Division Street dive. That’s because...

—It’s a funky, ’70s-inspired restaurant and live music lounge, too.
—The servers wear suede blazers and bow ties.
—You can eat roasted bone marrow, kung pao cauliflower and duck tacos.
—There’s punch.

Of course there’s punch.

Carnevale, Mardi Gras and Everything in Between
CARNEVALE OR NOTHING

Carnevale, Mardi Gras and Everything in Between

If you prefer Carnevale: Make for Eataly on Friday night, where you’ll rove around enjoying fresh pasta, fried sweet things and unlimited Bellinis.
If you prefer Mardi Gras: There’s a jazz band and a bottomless crawfish boil at Chicago Q on Saturday afternoon.
If you don’t know the difference: Do both.

Feb 24, 7-11pm, $95, Eataly, 43 E Ohio St, 312-521-8700, tickets here (use code URBANDADDY if sold out); Feb 25, noon-4pm, $40, Chicago Q, 1160 N Dearborn St, 312-642-1160, tickets here (use code URBANDADDY for 20% off)

Saturday
The Field Museum + Paul McGee’s Drinks = This
FIELD REPORT

The Field Museum + Paul McGee’s Drinks = This

To celebrate a new special exhibit at the Field Museum—which will take a deep dive into its vast collection—the Chicago Athletic Association is opening a monthlong pop-up bar, featuring actual specimens and programming from the museum, plus Negronis from Paul McGee. Strange. Cool, too. But strange.

Sunday
A Manchester by the Sea–Themed Oscar Party Would’ve Been Too Depressing
ALL THAT JAZZ

A <em>Manchester by the Sea</em>–Themed Oscar Party Would’ve Been Too Depressing

On Sunday night, the Conrad hotel is hosting a La La Land–themed Oscar party in their 19th-floor atrium. There’ll be passed champagne, mobile bar carts, hors d’oeuvres from Baptiste & Bottle and one hell of a dinner buffet, followed by a song-and-dance number on Michigan Avenue. Minus that last part.

Sam Eichner

Sam Eichner likes literature, reality television and his twin cats equally. He has consistently been told he needs a shave since he started growing facial hair.

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