Elate Continues To Pick Up Steam In Chicago's River North

Elate Restaurant (111 W. Huron at Clark; 312-202-9900) continues to energize Chicago's River North with a host of new food offerings and special events that have elevated its popularity during recent weeks.
New Spring Dinner Menu

Executive Chef Michael Noll continues to delight diners with an evolving contemporary American menu that features mostly organic and locally produced ingredients. The new spring dinner menu puts a bit more emphasis on the small plates, which have been very popular. New small plate creations include Grilled Octopus (photo left) with shishito peppers, toasted peanut, radish and sourdough, Rushing Water Trout with fettucini, fava beans, corn pudding and roasted red pepper ($15), and a new soup, Chilled Spring Pea Puree with goat cheese Arincini, elephant garlic, creme fraiche and mint ($14).

A delicious new entree is the Amish Chicken (photo left), with tasso roulade, San Simon fondue, corn bread, pickled okra ($24).


Eggs Benedict is one of those delectable treats that should be enjoyed in all its sinful glory.
National Eggs Benedict Day is Monday, April 16. Elate's new Weekday Brunch menu will be spruced up on this day with Chef Michael Noll's unique Country Fried Pork Belly Benedict ($13). Need we say more. Don't forget that Elate's bottomless Mimosa is always available at brunch for $20 with the purchase of an entree...a great way to celebrate. Elate, 111 W. Huron at Clark, 312.202.9900.


Complimentary Green City Market Gazpacho Tasting for Earth Day
April is a month of some unique food celebrations and Elate hasn't missed a beat. Earth Day is always very meaningful at Elate and this year, on Sunday, April 22, Chef Noll will feature complimentary tastings of his special Green City Market Gazpacho. Full portions of the GCM Gazpacho may be purchased for $9. Also special for the day is the Elate Ginger Fixx TREEtini with Veev Acai spirit and Ginger Beer for $8 (the normal price is $12). The first 40 guests ordering a TREEtini will receive a complimentary Acai Berry Bracelet. Other complime ntary gifts will be available while supplies last.
If you want to try the Ginger TREEtini at home, the recipe includes 1 1/2 oz. VeeV Acai spirit, 2 oz. Ginger Beer, Splash of Lime Juice, Touch of Simple Syrup, and garnish with bitters. Mix the ingredients over ice and serve on the rocks or up as you prefer.
Parking is complimentary for earth friendly guests who drive hybrid vehicles.
Every Wednesday is $1 Oyster Day at Elate, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. All fresh oysters on the menu are available for the special low, low price of $1.

Elate adds new weekday brunch.
The switch to an all- week brunch has also been well received, making it the hot new place for business people and shoppers during the week. Elate has taken the majority of items from its hugely popular weekend brunch menu and created a Weekday Brunch that includes a delicious choice of mostly organic and sustainable dishes that will please a wide range of appetites. Among the most popular items are the savory Breakfast Pizza (photo right) topped with smoked ham, truffle potato, Gouda cheese, caramelized onions and a sunny egg, and the opulent Banana Custard French Toast with peanut streusel and malt creme Anglaise. The rich Crop To Cup coffee has also received rave reviews. For those who wish to indulge, Elate also serves a Bottomless Mimosa, $20 with purchase of brunch entree.
Elate's Entertainment

Jazz Thursdays with Graham Czach and the Time Machines
The live contemporary jazz from Graham Czach (grahamczach.com) and the Time Machines on Thursday evenings has also been a strong attraction and a crowd pleaser.

The music has been so well received that Elate now calls Thursday evenings, simply, Jazz Thursdays. It's t