Drink and Dine Pink in Chicago

Judging by the pink, altruistic glow radiating all month long, it’s clear that National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is upon us. To mark the occasion, to raise awareness and support for breast cancer foundations such as Lynn Sage, Susan G. Komen and Bright Pink, restaurants and bars throughout Chicago are joining the good fight with pink-tinted specials for a good cause.

Project Pink Tank is a month-long initiative taking place around the world, with restaurants and bars deriving inspiration from the classic Pink Lady cocktail to support various breast cancer charities. In Chicago, participating venues include RPM Italian, which is mixing up rosy Clover Clubs, and Allium which is donating a portion of proceeds from its Pink A’Peel cocktail.

The pastry of the month at Floriole Cafe & Bakery is infused with cardamom and charity. The cardamom cream chichi is made from pate a choux piped onto puff pastry, folded, and baked. It’s then filled with cardamom spiced cream for a spicy-sweet finale. Floriole is donating $1 from every cardamom cream chichi to the National Breast Cancer Foundation this month, and puff pastry has never felt more altruistic.

You know of red velvet cake and its addictive ways. But pink velvet is another story, especially considering a portion of its proceeds go to a good cause. Porkchop is baking up a pink iteration of this classic cream cheese-y confection for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, sending donations to the Lynn Sage Foundation.

New York-style cheesecake gets a dash of pink via pomegranate at sister restaurants Gemini Bistro and Rustic House. The Lincoln Park restaurants are serving the dessert to raise awareness for the Lynn Sage Foundation, complete with graham cracker crust, pomegranate swirl, and fall spiced gastrique.

Drinking raspberry cocktails goes to a good cause at Howells & Hood, where a special Raspberry Ribbon cocktail sends proceeds to the Lynn Sage Foundation throughout October. The drink features Smirnoff Raspberry Pom Sorbet, Chambord, and lemon and pineapple juice.

Throughout October, Stan’s Donuts & Coffee is featuring a special pink donut of the day, ranging from old-fashioned and glazed to pockets and more. For every half dozen pink donuts purchased, Stan’s donates $1 to the Lynn Sage Foundation.

Lush Wine & Spirits is encouraging patrons to drink pink throughout October, via items off its pink wine rack. Featuring pink wines from around the world in a variety of flavor profiles, Lush is well-equipped to do some good, with $1 from each bottle purchased benefitting the Lynn Sage Foundation.

Then there’s the whole One Off Hospitality gamut of restaurants and bars, each location doing its part to donate. Each spot is donating $1 from sales of specific items to the Lynn Sage Foundation. At avec, it’s the Lime Sage cocktail with gin, Cocchi Americano, cappelletti, lime, and sage syrup; at Big Star it’s limeade; at Blackbird it’s the Blackbird Noir cocktail with Pinot Noir, Pierre Ferrand dry curaco, Carpano Antica, and hand-pressed grapes; at Dove’s Luncheonette it’s the watermelon-infused Palomino cocktail with Giffard Pamplemousse, lemon, and angostura; at Nico Osteria it’s the bourbon-based Chestnut cocktail; at The Publican it’s The Slim with gin, aperol, elderflower liqueur, and lime; at Publican Quality Meats it’s the chicken and kale meatball subs dubbed The Dolly; and at The Violet Hour it’s the house old fashioned.

RPM Italian
52 W. Illinois Street, Chicago
(312) 222-1888
Website

Allium
120 E. Delaware Place, Chicago
(312) 799-4900
Website

Floriole Cafe & Bakery
1220 W. Webster Avenue, Chicago
(773) 883-1313
Website

Porkchop
941 W. Randolph Street, Chicago
(312) 733-9333
Website

Gemini Bistro
2075 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
(773) 525-2522
Website

Rustic House
1967 N. Halsted Street, Chicago
(312) 929-3227
Website

Howells & Hood
435 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago
(312) 262-5310
Website

Stan’s Donuts & Coffee
1560 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago
(773) 360-7386
Website

Lush Wine & Spirits
1412 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago
(312) 666-6900
2232 W Roscoe Street, Chicago
(773) 281-8888
Website

avec
615 W. Randolph Street, Chicago
(312) 377-2002
Website

Big Star
1531 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago
(773) 235-4039
Website

Blackbird
619 W. Randolph Street, Chicago
(312) 715-0708
Website

Dove’s Luncheonette
1545 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago
(773) 645-4060
Website

Nico Osteria
1015 N. Rush Street, Chicago
(312) 994-7100
Website

The Publican
837 W. Fulton Market, Chicago
(312) 733-9555
Website

Publican Quality Meats
825 W. Fulton Market, Chicago
(312) 445-8977
Website

The Violet Hour
1520 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago
(773) 252-1500
Website