“The Unusual Suspects: A Pop-up Cocktail Experience by The Chicago Spirit” from Fat Food Productions opens to the public on Saturday, December 18.
“The Unusual Suspects” channels the mysterious, black-market underbelly of pre-Prohibition 1920s Chicago featuring The Chicago Spirit cocktails, bites, and interactive experiences via two distinct, immersive spaces.
The guest experience will channel the age of secret passwords, swank speakeasies, cunning mobsters, celebrity, indulgence, and forbidden pleasures.
“The Unusual Suspects” from Abe Conlon and Adrienne Lo will take place in the totally transformed The Ladies’ Room (“Friar’s Inn”) and The Bakery at Fat Rice (“Frenchie’s Bake Shop”) spaces. The pop-up is scheduled to run until February 19, 2022.
* Reservations and tickets available via Tock.
“The Unusual Suspects” will be open from 5:30pm until 10:30pm on the following dates:
* December 18
* December 22 through December 24
* December 29 through December 31
* Beginning in January, the pop-up will be open every week Thursday through Saturday through February 19, 2022.
Guests attending the pop-up will enter at 2951 W Diversey Ave - which is the former The Bakery at Fat Rice space.
The Chicago Spirit cocktail kits are available for purchase on site to make and enjoy at home and to give as gifts as well.
(NoodleBird at Fat Rice - the fast-casual concept inspired by the vibrant street food scenes of Macau and Asia - remains open for in-house dining from 11am until 9pm Wednesday thru Sunday at 2957 W Diversey Ave.)
“Friar’s Inn”
The Ladies’ Room at Fat Rice has been transformed into the Friar’s Inn - a famed Chicago jazz nightclub and speakeasy from the 1920s.
According to an alleged legend from 100 years ago, bakers Jacque and Claude Gascogne of Patisserie à Paris in Chicago’s Logan Square were kidnapped and coerced to re-create savory versions of their French pastries to appease the peculiar, particular, and illustrious clientele of the infamous Chicago Spirit.
Individual Friar’s Inn tickets are $80 per person prior to tax and service charge. Each guest will receive four hefty tasting portion cocktails that are paired with savory French-inspired pastry created by chef Abe Conlon, Adrienne Lo, and the Fat Food Productions team.
Decor elements inside Friar’s Inn space include Gatsby-inspired black and gold walls adorned with autographed photos of 1920s celebrities and musicians, and people of interest; reclaimed church pews as seating; Italian marble from a Chicago church’s steps; candelabras; crushed velvet drapery; and more.
“Frenchie’s Bake Shop”
The Bakery at Fat Rice has been transformed into “Frenchie’s Bake Shop” which is an a la carte experience.
Also according to an alleged legend from 100 years ago, The Chicago Spirit took over Patisserie à Paris and reopened under the guise of Frenchie's Bake Shop.
Instead of serving fine French pastries, guests will be served encased meats by century-old Drier's Meat Market in Three Oaks, Michigan, via bratwurst sandwiches and “prairie antipasto” boards.
A hareable tiramisu is also available alongside a selection of classic cocktails from The Chicago Spirit.
The “Frenchie’s Bake Shop” interactive aspects include a police mugshot photo experience wall, “Wanted” posters of select members of The Chicago Spirit syndicate, bootlegger crates filled with hooch, a moonshine still, an antique 1920s brass cash register, and more.
The Friar’s Inn (tasting menu)
1st course:
BLOODY MAXWELL ~ a martini riff made with The Chicago Spirit Japanese Gin Blend, Southside Vodka, Spanish Vermouth, Black Lemon Bitters
PROFITEROLE ~ Parmesan, Black Olive, Basil, Tomato
2nd course:
10-E ELECTRA ~ an Aviation riff made with The Chicago Spirit Raspberry Gin Blend, Luxardo Maraschino, Lemongrass Shochu, Butterfly Pea Flower, Lemon, Lychee
PETIT FOUR ~ Smoked Salmon Mousse, Lemon Almond Genoise, White Cacao, Everything Spice
3rd course:
CRESCENT CITY KINGPIN ~ a smoked Sazerac riff made with Fine Cognac, House Yellow Chartreuse, Sherry, Absinthe, Honey Bitters
JEWELERS ROWE HEIST ~ a bijou riff made with The Chicago Spirit Ste. Melisse Chartreuse, Bathtub Gin, Red Vermouth, Orange and Spruce Bitters
MACARON ~ Beet, Cherry, Dark Chocolate
Frenchie’s Bake Shop (a la carte menu)
Cocktails ~ all 14 each
LADY DEATH ~ a spicy and smoky margarita made with a signature agave blend (tequila, mezcal, and sotol), grapefruit, hibiscus, warming spices, tamarind and chili salt.
MR. NIGHT ~ a Black Manhattan made with a signature whiskey blend (premium ryes and bourbons), Spanish vermouth, alpine amaro, port wine, and vermouth-soaked cherries.
LAKE ST. MUMMY ~ a riff on a classic tiki cocktail made with a signature 5-year Caribbean spirits blend (demerara rums and cane agricoles) with passion fruit, citrus juices, and spiced rum-soaked pineapple.
DOUBLE AGENT ZERO ~ a citrus-forward negroni with a signature “bathtub gins” blend (premium London dry, juniper, and Douglas fir gins) with wild citrus liqueur, gentian red beetle bitters, and fresh rosemary.
FAMOUS LAST WOYDS ~ a Last Word riff with signature “bathtub gins” blend (premium London dry, juniper, and Douglas fir gins) TCS Ste. Melisse Chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino, Feni, and lime.
Eats
BAR NUTS ~ 5
Peanuts, corn nuts and pops, lime, chili
“The Unusual Suspects: A Pop-up Cocktail Experience by The Chicago Spirit” from Fat Food Productions opens to the public on Saturday, December 18.
“The Unusual Suspects” channels the mysterious, black-market underbelly of pre-Prohibition 1920s Chicago featuring The Chicago Spirit cocktails, bites, and interactive experiences via two distinct, immersive spaces.
The guest experience will channel the age of secret passwords, swank speakeasies, cunning mobsters, celebrity, indulgence, and forbidden pleasures.
“The Unusual Suspects” from Abe Conlon and Adrienne Lo will take place in the totally transformed The Ladies’ Room (“Friar’s Inn”) and The Bakery at Fat Rice (“Frenchie’s Bake Shop”) spaces. The pop-up is scheduled to run until February 19, 2022.
* Reservations and tickets available via Tock.
“The Unusual Suspects” will be open from 5:30pm until 10:30pm on the following dates:
Guests attending the pop-up will enter at 2951 W Diversey Ave - which is the former The Bakery at Fat Rice space.
The Chicago Spirit cocktail kits are available for purchase on site to make and enjoy at home and to give as gifts as well.
(NoodleBird at Fat Rice - the fast-casual concept inspired by the vibrant street food scenes of Macau and Asia - remains open for in-house dining from 11am until 9pm Wednesday thru Sunday at 2957 W Diversey Ave.)
“Friar’s Inn”
The Ladies’ Room at Fat Rice has been transformed into the Friar’s Inn - a famed Chicago jazz nightclub and speakeasy from the 1920s.
According to an alleged legend from 100 years ago, bakers Jacque and Claude Gascogne of Patisserie à Paris in Chicago’s Logan Square were kidnapped and coerced to re-create savory versions of their French pastries to appease the peculiar, particular, and illustrious clientele of the infamous Chicago Spirit.
Individual Friar’s Inn tickets are $80 per person prior to tax and service charge. Each guest will receive four hefty tasting portion cocktails that are paired with savory French-inspired pastry created by chef Abe Conlon, Adrienne Lo, and the Fat Food Productions team.
Decor elements inside Friar’s Inn space include Gatsby-inspired black and gold walls adorned with autographed photos of 1920s celebrities and musicians, and people of interest; reclaimed church pews as seating; Italian marble from a Chicago church’s steps; candelabras; crushed velvet drapery; and more.
“Frenchie’s Bake Shop”
The Bakery at Fat Rice has been transformed into “Frenchie’s Bake Shop” which is an a la carte experience.
Also according to an alleged legend from 100 years ago, The Chicago Spirit took over Patisserie à Paris and reopened under the guise of Frenchie's Bake Shop.
Instead of serving fine French pastries, guests will be served encased meats by century-old Drier's Meat Market in Three Oaks, Michigan, via bratwurst sandwiches and “prairie antipasto” boards.
A hareable tiramisu is also available alongside a selection of classic cocktails from The Chicago Spirit.
The “Frenchie’s Bake Shop” interactive aspects include a police mugshot photo experience wall, “Wanted” posters of select members of The Chicago Spirit syndicate, bootlegger crates filled with hooch, a moonshine still, an antique 1920s brass cash register, and more.
The Friar’s Inn (tasting menu)
1st course:
BLOODY MAXWELL ~ a martini riff made with The Chicago Spirit Japanese Gin Blend, Southside Vodka, Spanish Vermouth, Black Lemon Bitters
PROFITEROLE ~ Parmesan, Black Olive, Basil, Tomato
2nd course:
10-E ELECTRA ~ an Aviation riff made with The Chicago Spirit Raspberry Gin Blend, Luxardo Maraschino, Lemongrass Shochu, Butterfly Pea Flower, Lemon, Lychee
PETIT FOUR ~ Smoked Salmon Mousse, Lemon Almond Genoise, White Cacao, Everything Spice
3rd course:
CRESCENT CITY KINGPIN ~ a smoked Sazerac riff made with Fine Cognac, House Yellow Chartreuse, Sherry, Absinthe, Honey Bitters
BEIGNET ~ Mushroom & Potato Duxelles, Powdered Cheddar
4th course:
JEWELERS ROWE HEIST ~ a bijou riff made with The Chicago Spirit Ste. Melisse Chartreuse, Bathtub Gin, Red Vermouth, Orange and Spruce Bitters
MACARON ~ Beet, Cherry, Dark Chocolate
Frenchie’s Bake Shop (a la carte menu)
Cocktails ~ all 14 each
LADY DEATH ~ a spicy and smoky margarita made with a signature agave blend (tequila, mezcal, and sotol), grapefruit, hibiscus, warming spices, tamarind and chili salt.
MR. NIGHT ~ a Black Manhattan made with a signature whiskey blend (premium ryes and bourbons), Spanish vermouth, alpine amaro, port wine, and vermouth-soaked cherries.
LAKE ST. MUMMY ~ a riff on a classic tiki cocktail made with a signature 5-year Caribbean spirits blend (demerara rums and cane agricoles) with passion fruit, citrus juices, and spiced rum-soaked pineapple.
DOUBLE AGENT ZERO ~ a citrus-forward negroni with a signature “bathtub gins” blend (premium London dry, juniper, and Douglas fir gins) with wild citrus liqueur, gentian red beetle bitters, and fresh rosemary.
FAMOUS LAST WOYDS ~ a Last Word riff with signature “bathtub gins” blend (premium London dry, juniper, and Douglas fir gins) TCS Ste. Melisse Chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino, Feni, and lime.
Eats
BAR NUTS ~ 5 Peanuts, corn nuts and pops, lime, chili
PRAIRIE ANTIPASTO ~ 21 Drier’s boloney & pepper sticks, pickled egg, gin-pickled gherkin, marinated field vegetables, olives, crackers.
VEGETARIAN ANTIPASTO ~ 14 Pickled egg, gin-pickled gherkin, marinated field vegetables, olives, crackers.
DRIER’S BRATWURST ~ 12 House hard roll, caramelized onions, sweet hot mustard, gin-pickled gherkin, sport peppers.
VEGAN ITALIAN “SAUSAGE” ~ 12 House hard roll, caramelized onions, sweet hot mustard, gin-pickled gherkin, sport peppers.
TIRAMISU ~ 18 (serves two or more) Expresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone crema, coffee granita, chocolate shards, cream liqueur, sugar nest.
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