Weekly Planner: New Brunches, Poké at SteakBar

Poké at SteakBar and More

Poké at SteakBar

Firkin Friday at Hub 51

Freshly tapped beer is a great way to kickstart any weekend, and Hub 51 has a particularly great one on tap for May 26. The River North restaurant and bar is tapping a special firkin from Surly Brewing Co. for the occasion, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the main bar area. It’s free to attend and open to the public, with customers only paying for what they order to drink. Rest assured, anything that the Minneapolis brewery provides will be downright delicious.

Brunch at Tallboy Taco

The only way steak and eggs could possibly get any better is if the classic combo was wrapped in a tortilla. Fortunately, there’s Tallboy Taco to answer the craving. The River North restaurant just added Saturday brunch to its menu, complete with dishes like steak and egg tacos, brisket and egg tacos, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles and other Mexican-accented specialties courtesy of chef Tim Hockett. For sweets, try the old fashioned churro donuts or banana French toast with housemade dulce de leche. For drinks, there’s morning margaritas made with avocado puree, orange, yuzu, lime, egg white and mole bitters, plus a sweet cafe de dominicano with Jameson, tres leches, horchata, vanilla, cinnamon, cream and Dark Matter-taco blend coffee. Brunch is served every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Happy Hour at Found

The onset of warmer weather makes for a good time to launch a happy hour with rosé on tap. Up in Evanston, Found’s new “5 @ 5” happy hour runs weeknights from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., with (you guessed it) food and beverage items for $5 each. Options include spicy Asian-style cashews, bread with housemade butter and violet mustard, salmon spread board with flatbreads, chips and spicy ranch dip and cheese. Then there’s the drinks, which include assorted beers on tap, rotating cocktails and Pinot Gris and rosé on tap.

Brunch at Gemini

Another new brunch option in town can be found at Gemini, the recent reincarnation of the former Gemini Bistro. With chef Miguel Ortiz manning the stoves, weekend brunch service features an array of American staples from cinnamon rolls and lox platters to pulled pork eggs Benedict and chilaquiles. Lunchier options include spring vegetable risotto and the G Burger with Monterey Jack cheese, pancetta, shaved onion, shredded lettuce and aioli. Brunch cocktails include the Cherry Bellini and the Morning Screw, featuring Ketel One, Ketel O, Bauchant, fresh orange juice and soda. Brunch is now available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Rosé, Poké and Half-Priced Wine at SteakBar

Things are getting summery at SteakBar, as Old Town’s liveliest restaurant and bar heats things up with a handful of dining and drinking specials throughout the week. It all starts with half-priced wine on Tuesdays, wherein select bottles will be substantially discounted during dinner service. Then the next day it’s all about the rosé and poké. Every Wednesday, SteakBar offers a special combo of tuna poké and a bottle of rosé for just $20.