Gazette Chicago ? Assortment of food experiences make summer ...

By Susan Fong

Connie?s Pizza serves Italian cuisine, offering a wide selection of entrees including pasta dishes.

Fun and food go together, especially in summer. This community is the place to be for a snack, a drink, a meal, or a food store in which to shop. The following eateries and food stores are ready to provide youwith culinary goods and services.

BAKED GOODS

Bake for Me! has two locations ? 4305 S. Halsted St., (773) 624-9900, and a location in River North, 321 N Clark St., (312) 644-7750, www.bakeforme.com. The Bake for Me! shops feature festive cakes, wedding cakes, fancy tortes, pastries, and assorted cookie trays for holidays and other occasions. Cakes for children are especially popular. Specialty items include logo and photo cookies, and fresh strawberry, chocolate mousse, carrot, and German chocolate cakes. Visit the website for details about monthly specials. Different specialty cakes are featured for office parties and other occasions. The Bridgeport location on Halsted offers a new outdoor patio for pleasant snacking. Hours: Mon. through Fri. 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shops are closed on Sunday.

Ferrara Bakery, 2210 W. Taylor St., (312) 666-2200, www.ferrarabakery. com. Ferrara?s signature cannoli cake, along with a wide variety of party cakes, cookies, candies, biscotti, and pastries, have been a family tradition for more than 100 years.Wedding cakes and sweet tables are also among Ferrara?s many specialties. On weekdays, Ferrara serves a full menu for dining in or carryout. Among its wide selections are a variety of pasta dishes, entrees, soups, pizza, salads, and hot and cold sandwiches. In addition, Ferrara features an espresso bar daily. Catering also is available. Hours: Mon. through Fri. 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

MEALS AND MORE

Buffalo Wings & Rings (BW&R), 3434 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60608 (773) 579-WING (9464), www.bwrbridgeport.com. Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/buffalowingsandrings and follow them on Twitter at @bwrchicago.

Now in its fourth year, BW&R features a menu with more than 30 new items including fresh burgers, wraps, and salads. BW&R offers free valet parking with a free shuttle to and from U.S. Cellular Field for all Chicago White Sox home games.

BW&R?s daily food specials include Monday,? Kids Eat Free,? age ten and under, one per paid adult; Tuesday, 59? wings, traditional and boneless; Wednesday, 99? tenders. BW&R daily drink specials include, Monday, $3.50 ?UCall It? rumd and $7 Miller Lite/Coors Light pitchers; Tuesday, $3 import bottles and $3.50 Jack Daniels cocktails; Wednesday, $3 ?U Call It? well drinks and $3 ?U Call It? draft pints; Thursday, $2 domestic pints, $3.50 Three Olives vodka drinks, and $4.50 Three Olives bombs; Friday $2 domestic bottles; Saturday, $4 Bloody Mary pints, made with BW&R?s award-winning hot sauce, $4.50 ?U Call It? vodka drinks, and $12 domestic buckets; Sunday, $4 Bloody Mary pints, $12 domestic buckets, and $20 import buckets. BW&R offers delivery, carry out, and catering. Summer hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Chicago Curry House, 899 S. Plymouth Ct., (312) 362-9999, fax (312) 362-0799, www.curryhouseonline.com. Chicago Curry House offers Indian and Nepalese selections that are natural, low fat, and authentic. Selections include chicken, lamb, seafood, and vegetables. Its vegetable selections are vegan friendly. Tandoori specialties include naan (flatbread) as well meats, seafoods, and vegetables cooked in a traditional 600 degree F clay oven. An ?All You Can? lunch buffet offers more than 20 items daily for $10.95. Dinners under $18 are a great value and include chicken tikka masala, tandoori lamb, tandoori prawns, and more. Chicago Curry House also offers a variety of breads, including cheese naan, and an extensive dessert menu.The atmosphere is romantic, complemented with soft music and attentive service. Delivery for surrounding neighborhoods is available. Hours: Luncheon buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; dinner from 3 to 10 p.m.

Connie?s Pizza, 2373 S. Archer Ave., (312) CONNIES, www.conniespizza.com. Follow Connie?s on Facebook and Twitter for coupons, specials, events, andmore. ?Pizza is just the beginning? is their motto, as Connie?s Pizza offers many other delicious Italian dishes. The flagship location is well-known in Bridgeport and the rest of Chicagoland.

Its spacious dining room can accommodate up to 400 people. Connie?s also can also provide catering for social gatherings including weddings, corporate luncheons, or dinners of any size, provided by the restaurant?s catering experts. They can create a menu or the customer can create his or her own, choosing from selections of fresh salads, pastas with homemade sauces, signature sandwiches, and pizza and desserts. There is enough parking for everyone, and Connie?s offers complimentary shuttle service to sporting events and conventions at McCormick Place. Hours: Tues. through Thurs. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to midnight, and Sun. and Mon. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Damenzo?s Pizza, 2324 W. Taylor St., (312) 421-1142. Pizzas of all shapes and sizes?thin, thick, and stuffed, startingwith single servings to oversized pies for families and parties?are available at Damenzo?s with an extensive selection of toppings. Damenzo?s also serves Italian entrees such as pasta, including manicotti and linguini with clam sauce. Damenzo?s also serves sandwiches on ciabatta, panini, or focaccia bread. Daily specials such as all-you-can eat pizza and a variety of side dishes also are offered at Damenzo?s. Catering and carryout are available. Hours: Sun. through Thurs. 10 a.m. tomidnight, Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. DePasada, 1517 W. Taylor St., (312) 243-6441, fax (312) 243-6277. With more than 35 years in the
restaurant business, DePasada was welcomed into its second location on Taylor Street 12 years ago. In addition to traditional burritos, tortas, tostadas, and tacos, the owners have utilized many of their original Mexican family recipes to create the delectable seasonings for their best known dishes, such as carne asada (charbroiled steak) and chilies rellenos (stuffed poblanos peppers).

DePasada?s flanand tres leches cake (three-milk cake) are extremely popular. DePasada offers delivery after 6 p.m. and also is open for breakfast. Hours: Sun. through Thurs. 7 a.m. to 11p.m., Fri. and Sat. 7 a.m. to midnight.

Visit Francesca?s on Taylor and enjoy Italian rustic cooking from Rome, Tuscany, and other regions.

Francesca?s on Taylor, 1400 W. Taylor St., (312) 829-2828, fax (312) 829-2831, www.miafrancesca.com. Follow on Facebook and Twitter. The earthy and zesty flavors of Rome, Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio come together for extensive, delicious meals for lunch, dinner, and special events. Francesca?s menu also includes gluten-free selections. There are children?s menus, special requestmenus, and standard family style lunch and dinner menus. The atmosphere at Francesca?s on Taylor is a lively, contemporary, and casually sophisticated?trattoria style. The dining experience is further enhanced by Francesca?s good, rustic cooking, friendly service, and fair prices. Anne Spiselman of Crain?s Chicago Business noted, ?a rolled-mesh ceiling, warm woods, and geometric light fixtures give the room a rather clubby look, brightened during the day by light coming in through the windows facing the street.? Chicago Magazine noted that Francesca?s ?Brings a new kind of ?abbondanza? to an old Italian neighborhood.? Special events areas provide seating for groups of 10 to 200. Special request reservations can be made at (888) 937-9009. Lunch hours: Mon. through Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dinner hours: Sun. and Mon. 4 to 9 p.m., Tues. through Thurs. 4 to 10 p.m., and Fri. and Sat. 4 to 11 p.m.

Holiday Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 740 W. Randolph St. (at Halsted St.), (312) 207-0924, www.holidaygrillandbar.com. This neighborhood eatery for more than 30 years has been known for its ?from scratch? home-style cooking. All burgers are homemade, along with soups, sauerkraut, and other entrees. Near the United Center for convenient dining before and after events, Holiday Grill is known for its great portions at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, at affordable prices. Holiday also has a fully stocked bar, TVs for viewing sporting events, a jukebox, and free Wi-Fi. Take advantage of Holiday?s outdoor caf? during the summer months. Hours: Mon. through Fri. 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Palace Grill, 1408 W. Madison St., (312) 226-9529, fax (312) 226-0633. Palace Grill is frequented by famous Chicagoans of all walks of life, including the Chicago Blackhawks, former Mayor Richard M. Daley, and reporters. ?You just don?t know who will walk in,? said George Lemperis, owner. A West Loop fixture since 1938, Palace Grill has a new executive chef?Chef Hans? and a new dinner menu. Named ?best breakfast restaurant in Chicago? by restaurant critic Pat Bruno, Palace Grill is open for breakfast starting at 7 a.m. every day. Like his father before him, Lemperis serves fresh, homemade selections for breakfast; a newhigh light is the breakfast skillet platters. At lunch, Palace Grill offers hearty, homemade soups. Lunch fare includes fresh spring mix, Cobb, or Greek salads. Sandwich selections include the popular skirt steak sandwich, the Palace Grill burger?a half-pound of freshly-ground beef served on Greek bread. The new Palace Grill evening menu includes new salads and appetizers such as bruschetta and fresh, fried calamari.

New entrees include chicken or steak fajitas, roast turkey dinners, and there is a Friday fish fry. Beer and wine are served. Catering also is offered by Palace Grill. Inaddition to being open every night before all Blackhawks home games in the fall and winter, hours are Mon. through Fri. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sun. 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Papi?s Tacos, 2324 W. Taylor St. (312) 829-3001. The owner of Papi?s Tacos shares its retail and kitchen space with his other restaurant, Damenzo?s Pizza. A great economical eatery with real Mexican food, Papi?s offers tacos, tortas, and tostadas as well as toasted burritos. Dinners are in the $7.29 ? $10.50 range. Try new items such as Mexican pork chops, chicken, and rib tips. Vegetarian offerings available. Hours: Mon. through Sat. 9 a.m.to midnight. and Sun. 10 a.m. to midnight.

The Patio, 1503 W. Taylor St., (312)829-0454. Started in 1948 by Don Caputo and Eleanor Varelli, this family owned fast food restaurant serves Italian beef, Italian sausage, hot dogs, tamales, and chili among its menu favorites. Counter and stool capacity seats 25 maximum. The Patio is considered by its customers to be one of the least expensive fast food restaurants of its kind in the Chicago area. With a loyal customer base, it has served the community with return customers for over 64 years. Party packs with beef and/or sausage with peppers are available. Orders can be phoned in for pickup. Hours: Mon. through Thurs. 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Fri. and Sat. 10:30 a.m. to midnight; and Sun. noon to 11 p.m.

Pompei, 1531 W.Taylor St., (312) 421-5179, www.pompeipizza.com. This bustling 225-seat eatery also accommodates groups of up to 100 people in its La Stanza di Pompei party room. Pompei has several other locations including a Loop location. A great favorite is their homemade pizza with a variety of toppings; also, don?t forget to try Pompei?s ?pizza strudel??an original creation. Other popular items include pastas, salads, daily specials, and fresh breads. Homemade desserts, cappuccino, and espresso also are served. Pompei specializes in express catering for delivery and pick up. There also is a pickup window; call in orders and pickup without getting out of your car. Hours: Mon. through Sat. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Salerno?s Restaurant, 1201 W. Grand Ave., (312) 666-3444. Salerno?s offers a near limitless menu of homemade southern Italian specialties. Among its most popular offerings are pizza, a broad selection of pasta dishes, veal, chicken, ribs, sandwiches, and soups. In addition to its dine-in service, carryout and delivery are offered. Among its homemade desserts are gelato, tiramisu, and cannoli. Originally established in 1966 in Berwyn, Salerno?s owners have since opened three other restaurants in the metropolitan area. Salerno?s is available for private parties and offers free parking. Hours: Mon. through Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sun. noon to 10 p.m.

Sweet Maple Caf?, 1339 W. Taylor St., (312) 243-8908, sweetmaplecafe.com, facebook.com/sweetmaplecafechicago. A 1940s style eatery, Sweet Maple Caf? features breakfast and lunch during the week, and brunch specials on theweekends. Sweet Maple uses deliciously creative recipes for pancakes and French toast, homemade biscuits, muffins, and egg dishes, among other delectable selections. Lunch fare includes homemade soups and sandwiches such as turkey with homemade potato chips. Weekend brunch items include salmon cakes and fried pork chops. Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tapas Valencia, 1530 S. State St. (312) 842-4444, www.tapasvalencia.com. Tapas Valencia is the sister restaurant of the popular Meson Sabika, located in Naperville, IL. Tapas Valencia moved to Chicago?s South Loop in 2009. Guests are greeted by a high-energy atmosphere, with walls adorned in multicolored mosaic artwork reminiscent of the art of the great Spanish artists Joan Miro and Antoni Gaud?. While dining, guests will find that each item on the menu offers a taste of Spain. Hours: Mon. through Thurs. 4 to 10 p.m., Fri. 4 to 11 p.m., Sat. 5 to 11p.m., and Sun. brunch 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner 4 to 9 p.m.

SUMMER TREATS

Superior Nut and Candy, 1111 W. 40th St, Chicago, IL 60609, (773) 254-5345, www.superiornutandcandy.com Superior?s second location is on the Northwest Side at 6620 W. Irving Park Rd. In 1982, Anthony and Mona Mastrangelo opened their first retail store on the Northwest Side on Belmont and Central selling nuts, chocolates, and candies to local neighborhood customers. Quickly earning a reputation for serving fresh roasted snack nuts, confections, and candies, the company grew and transformed itself into a consumer snack company known throughout the country. Through the years, Superior has maintained its focus on delivering freshly roasted nuts, chocolate, and yogurt products, and popular candies packaged and distributed in consumer-friendly bags, cans, tubs, and in bulk. Hours are Mon. through Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Back of Yards location, and Mon. through Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the Northwest Side.

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