Offerings from Venteux's "Oyster Olympics" soirée
With the summer Paris Olympics nearly underway, Chicagoans are heading to their favorite spots in the city to celebrate. We’ve compiled the best Windy City specials so you can grab a seat and catch all the action in real time.
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1402 W. Randolph St. / Website
With live broadcasting of the summer Olympics and inspired menu offerings helmed by chefs Marcos Campos, Shannah Primiano and Erwin Mallet, Fulton Market’s Turkish restaurant and cocktail bar, Bambola, is one to visit to jump-start the festivities. Dine on menu staples like the branzino tacos with mochi pancakes, Turkish ezme and pickled soy sprouts and the wood-fired pork ribs peperonata with a sweet and spicy peppadew glaze—all while enjoying libations like the snap pea margarita (tequila, sherry, lychee, green chili and citrus) and the cherry blossom gimlet (gin, shochu, cocoa, plum and lemon).
820 W. Fulton St. / Website
Partake in a lively Olympic Games viewing experience at this upscale Fulton Market eatery, home to an all-season pergola, strategically placed big-screen TVs for optimal viewing and ultra-luxe French-American cuisine. Dine on fan favorites like the “Bougie Chicken Nugget” with osteria caviar and ranch crème fraiche, the buttery brioche lobster rolls and the signature Royale burger with cheese—best served Provence-style with a steamy dish of indulgent cheese fondue. Don’t forget to pair your meal with offerings from Bar La Rue’s cocktail program, which features French Bordeaux Blanc, Vouvray and rosé, along with cocktails like the Creyente Mezcal-infused “French Kiss” and the chamomile, blackberry, lemon and raspberry-flavored “Raspberry Baret.”
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534 N. Clark St. / Website
French fine dining destination Brindille offers two Olympic-themed promotions to celebrate the 2024 Games. Guests who correctly predict the number of France’s winning metals before the games begin will be entered into a drawing to win a Ralph Lauren-designed Paris Olympic clothing accessory and a bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne from Brindille’s wine cellar, valued at $1,000. The first participant to email co-owner and executive chef Carrie Nahabedian when France wins a medal will enjoy a special chef’s menu for two at just $20.24 per person and a swag bag filled with French-inspired products. For more information about Olympic-themed promotions, visit Brindille’s website.
431 N Dearborn St. / Website
In honor of the Olympic Games, upscale Parisian steakhouse La Grande Boucherie is offering its $58 prix fixe “L'été en France Dinner” through Aug. 29, featuring an indulgent lineup of hors d’oeuvres, main courses and dessert options. To start, choose between the restaurant’s Caesar salad with romaine, anchovies, parmesan and lemon or the tuna tartare with crushed avocado and grapefruit citrus salad. Then, for your main course, dig into offerings like the beef tenderloin with capers, cornichons, shallots, a quail egg and a crostini or the steamed mussels with leeks, shallots, white wine and a toasted baguette.
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3204 W. Armitage Ave. / Website
Humboldt Park neighborhood mainstay Moonlighter is a go-to spot for its laid-back atmosphere, crave-worthy cocktails, tasty bar fare and expansive, pup-friendly outdoor patio. The hangout will air all the Olympic action and offer favorites like double-bacon cheeseburgers, loaded tots with queso, ground beef, sour cream and pickled jalapeños and fried chicken wings tossed in barbecue, buffalo, or smokey mesquite sauce—served with a side of ranch or blue cheese.
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3509 W. Fullerton Ave. / Website
Farm-to-table eatery and vintage sports club Park & Field offers bottomless boozy brunch on Saturdays and Sundays with sports event viewing on its 6,000-square-foot patio. Located in a space that once housed an auto repair garage, the Logan Square destination offers a slew of popular shareable sides, libations and main courses, including the beer-braised barbacoa nachos, the Smokehouse burger with chipotle-tomato jam and bacon and the spicy chicken sandwich on a brioche roll. To sip, try the Bacardi-infused raspberry mojito with mint syrup or Park & Field’s twist on a classic Old Fashioned with Knob Creek Rye, cardamon syrup and Angostura bitters.
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20 E. Chestnut St. / Website
This French-inspired Michigan Avenue hotel will livestream the 2024 Olympics—from the opening through the closing ceremony—at its two dining destinations, Le Bar and La Terrace, and in the hotel lobby. As you get in on all the action, sample Sofitel’s tasty cuisine offerings like smoked salmon cakes with charred cabbage, pickled ramps and vadouvan curry hollandaise, miso grilled eggplant with carrot puree, mixed mushrooms and puffed wild rice and mushroom flatbread with lemon crème fraîche, red onions, parmesan and chili flakes.
521 N. Rush St. / Website
Luxury hotel The Gwen is known for its glamorous atmosphere, high-caliber accommodations and creative Tipsy Tea Parties—and an Olympic-themed twist on a traditional high tea is officially on the books. The hotel’s Café Olympique Tipsy Tea Party features tea-infused cocktails, tea towers, DJ beats and French-inspired bites like artichoke beignets with herbed cream cheese and parmesan, quiches with bacon and Swiss cheese, flavored macarons, gruyère gougères and crepes with vanilla orange syrup and candied oranges.
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2047 W. Division St. / Website
From the team behind Kindling, Roots Handmade Pizza and The Berkshire Room, this upscale sports bar is a must-visit for sports enthusiasts, featuring lively game-day events, sidewalk patio seating and tasty staples like buffalo wings. Visit to stay up-to-date with the Olympic Games while you enjoy quintessential bar fare like barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, deep-fried cheese curds and Nashville hot chicken.
224 N. Michigan Ave. / Website
In honor of the 2024 Paris Olympics and National Oyster Day (Monday, Aug. 5), French brasserie Venteux is hosting the "Oyster Olympics," an all-you-can-eat shellfish fête on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Event-goers can choose from three ticket tiers, including bronze for bottomless oysters, silver for bottomless oysters and shrimp or gold for bottomless oysters, shrimp, crab and Champagne. Pair your meal with a la carte cocktails, beer and glasses of wine—or go all in with bottomless bubbles.
See also: The 10 Best Nachos In Chicago
Photography by: Photo of Venteux’s seafood tower courtesy of Neil Burger; photo of Venteux’s oysters courtesy of Arlene Ibarra; La Grande Boucherie photo by Rachel Bires; photo of The Gwen Hotel’s Tipsy Tea Party courtesy of The Gwen Hotel; photo of Bar La Rue by Barry Brecheisen
