Hot Openings, Hot Chocolate and Hot Pig Tongues in Chicago

Seared scallops and shrimp risotto at Mercer 113

By Sarah Freeman

Now Open
Adding more life to vibrant Hubbard Street, Mercer 113 opens today. It has a sexy lounge atmosphere with an upscale menu including thyme-crusted salmon, Waygu beef burgers and a blueberry old-fashioned (113 W. Hubbard St.; 312-396-0113).

Reheating Hot Chocolate
Freshly minted James Beard Award winning pastry chef Mindy Segal will reopen Hot Chocolate today, after a two-week closure. Along with a new look it will also have new direction stepping away from the artistry of pastry and focusing on “craft food drink" (1747 N. Damen Ave.; 773-489-1747).


Cheers to Mom
At Sullivan’s Steakhouse, mom not only gets her own day but her own drink on Sunday. The “Mom-osa” is made with pineapple-infused orange vodka topped with prosecco (415 N. Dearborn Ave.; 312-527-3510).

Odd Bits
Shake up Monday’s with a new Monday night special at Frontier. “Odd Bit Mondays” offer one unconventional ingredient for consumption alongside $3 select whiskey and bourbon shots, $4 select domestic drafts or half-off 22-oz. craft beer bottles. Last week it was veal heart ravioli, and this week pig tongues will be fried and tossed in spicy buffalo sauce (1072 North Milwaukee Ave.; 773-772-4322).