It's going to be a loooong Sunday if you're spending time with your family for Mother's Day, so make the best of the rest of the weekend if you can. The 312 Dining Diva has some suggestions:
THURSDAY
Hey, guys, this one's for you. Whether you're shopping for a last-minute gift for your mom or baby momma, you might want to check out the annual Beers & Babes event at Kickin' (2142 W. Roscoe St.), the hip maternity, workout apparel and baby boutique. The Village Tap hosts a beer tasting paired with gourmet sausage and cheese. And with every purchase of $100 or more, you'll get a $20 gift certificate to Village Tap. 6-9:30pm.
Colorful restaurateur Jerry Kleiner's a generous cat, and this KDK Crawl featuring four of his many restaurants proves why his spots continue to shine. You'll get to travel by trolley to Marché, Opera, Gioco and Red Light and sample signature bites and cocktails. Call Marché for the required reservation. 6:30-9:30pm. $50.
Custom House and 312 Chicago both just launched $10 bar menus you don't want to miss. Get to 312 Chicago right after work for light Italian fare, or head to Printer's Row for Custom House's casual cuisine of oysters, pork cracklings and crostinis.
So glad these girls are back! DJ Numinous Radio (aka Chaka T) cellist Alison Chesley and violinist Inger Carle have been blending their hypnotic mix of down tempo, trip hop, acid jazz and chill out with original, live string arrangements since 2000. And now they're bringing their show to Juicy Wine Co. Sip wine and eat stinky cheese as you check them out. 7pm-2am. No cover.
Expect even more funky grooves as Braziliance returns to Sonotheque for its monthly residence. The Brazilian-focused bash includes music by DJ Joe Bryl, exotic cocktails like the Ipanema and a special Brazilian menu next door at Flo. Those who dine first at Flo get comped entrance. $5. 9pm-2am.
Samantha Ronson's in town for a two-day stint. Tonight she's doing a live acoustic set at Angels & Kings that has absolutely nothing to do with Lindsay Lohan. 9pm-2am. No cover.
FRIDAY
Ronson returns to her regular gig at Crimson, where she'll spin her usual pop music set, attracting a bottle-service loving crowd. 9pm-2am. Guests who arrive before 11pm avoid the cover charge (which they never seem to tell us!).
SATURDAY
Genuine Entertainment's still killing it over at Lumen on Saturdays with resident DJ Jem and one of the most fabulous crowds in the city. And if you get there between 9-10pm, the cocktails are on them. Party happens until 3am. Cover varies.
SUNDAY
Of course, it's Mother's Day, but it's also the launch of No Menu Sundays! at Bonsoirée. Chef/owner Shin Thompson's whipping up whatever fresh ingredients he discovers at Green City and Logan Square Farmers markets. Reservations recommended. 5pm-9pm. Four courses $45; seven courses $75. BYOB.
MONDAY
And Monday Mix happens at In Fine Spirits in Andersonville with a tasting of the new Copper Fox Rye Whisky. $15 gets you three whiskey cocktails paired with appetizers. 8-11pm.
Audarshia Townsend is the creator of the local food blog 312DiningDiva.com. She also provides content for Dining Chicago, Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine, Playboy.com and Concierge Preferred.
