Kick Off Lent with Mardi Gras Celebrations

It’s almost Fat Tuesday and the beginning of Lent. Yet, in a city with such culinary diversity as Chicago, a meatless diet seems less about sacrifice and more about scrumptious seasonal dishes. Here are some notable places to party or procure meatless eats!

Mardi Gras Celebrations:

STK Chicago, a vibey blend of the modern steakhouse and chic lounge, is hosting a traditional Mardi Gras celebration on February 28 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. with inspired cocktails and burlesque dancers. What more could you ask for?

Chop Celebrates Mardi Gras with $1 Oysters and NOLA-Inspired Cocktail

Chop is celebrating Mardi Gras for the weekend. From Friday, February 24 to Fat Tuesday, February 28, Chop will feature $1 oysters and $6 hurricane cocktails to have a NOLA-inspired weekend. Round off the meal with classic sirloin or one of Chop’s signature cocktails. Chop may not be on Bourbon Street, but the chic style provides the perfect atmosphere to celebrate one of Chicago’s favorite holidays.

Lent Culinary Delights

Classic Pepper & Egg – A Chicago Tradition.

Chicago is not only the creator of deep dish pizza and the Italian beef sandwich, it is home to the greatest Lenten creation of all time: The pepper and egg sandwich. Get your fix at these great Eateries:

Buona, Chicago’s Original Italian beef sandwich, has been serving pepper & egg on Fridays only since they opened in 1981.

Carlucci in Downers Grove is serving up its take on the pepper & egg for $10, along with delectable seafood selections featured on the Tuscan-inspired restaurant’s daily specials menu.

Seafood Selections Abound at Coco Pazzo Restaurants

River North’s Tuscan restaurant, Coco Pazzo, features fresh seafood including classic pastas: Linguine with Clams, Housemade Squid Ink Spaghetti and Penne all'Arrabbiata; entrees include Melanzane Parmigiana (eggplant), Verdure al Cartoccio, Salmone Arrosto, and more.

Sister restaurant Coco Pazzo Café serves Grilled Octopus with kale, tomato, olives, capers, crispy fried calamari with arrabiatta sauce, its famous seven vegetable chopped salad and a variety of meatless pastas and seafood items.

Fabulous Freddies Italian Eatery is nothing if not traditional. This Bridgeport restaurant features one of the city’s best pepper & egg creations every day of the year. The restaurant is also featuring housemade Bridgeport “punchkees” for $1 and scratch-made Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp for $8.