Reader Real Deal

Howdy! Long time lurker, first time poster here.

I'm Andy Hermann -- producer of the Nick D. Show on WGN Radio (where you've hopefully heard many LTH related segments with various board contributors), and now also behind-the-scenes at the Reader Real Deal (a new project from the Chicago Reader).

My wife and i are honestly long-time readers of the LTH Forum, but i've never personally posted so i'm exercising caution on where and how i place this somewhat commercial message. So be kind -- i'm here to contribute!

This morning we launched our first restaurant-related Real Deal featuring Via Veneto in North Park. I remembered a pretty favorable Via Veneto thread here from awhile back, so i thought this could be a good place to let you know about our $40 worth of food for $20 Deal running through Mon 1/3 morning.

Here's the link -- bookmark it now because it's always changing.
http://chicagoreader.com/RealDeal

Thanks for your attention! We have more great restaurant Deals coming up soon, and i'd love to keep you informed as they come up.

Hey -- we're back with another great food-related Reader Real Deal!

Have you tried the new breakfast menu at Uncommon Ground? Now you can get $30 worth of it for $15 at their Devon location. These 50% off vouchers just went on sale, and you have until Wed 1/26 morning to snag one.

Thanks for checking it out...

So i've been reading good things about Dorado Restaurant here. I've personally never been, but definitely enjoy the Mexican/French mix cuisine, and will check this place out for sure.

Our Reader Real Deal today (running through Fri 2/4 morning) gets you $40 worth of food for $20 at Dorado. Thanks for taking a look!

Hey -- we've got another food-related Reader Real Deal running from today until Wed 2/9 morning!

Check out Chef Geno Bahena's latest venture in Lakeview called Los Moles! Try $30 worth of food (including liquor) for $15.

We'd love to know what you think. I personally bought last week's Dorado Restaurant deal, and will most likely do the same with this one!

ReaderRealDeal wrote:Hey -- we've got another food-related Reader Real Deal running from today until Wed 2/9 morning!

Check out Chef Geno Bahena's latest venture in Lakeview called Los Moles! Try $30 worth of food (including liquor) for $15.

Los Moles is not Bahena's latest venture, and I'm virtually certain he no longer has anything to do with the place.

Since you're asking for feedback... I refuse to even consider any of these realdeals until the Reader reduces the obnoxious size and color of the ad on every page of your online newspaper. Not that any of them have been tempting anyway. I need sunglasses when I view your site.

Kennyz wrote:Los Moles is not Bahena's latest venture, and I'm virtually certain he no longer has anything to do with the place.

Indeed. If you look at his resume (which is posted on his personal website), he lists his involvement with Los Moles as ending in 2009. His latest venture is Dos Diablos, which he lists as an ongoing involvement.

Gypsy Boy wrote:

Kennyz wrote:Los Moles is not Bahena's latest venture, and I'm virtually certain he no longer has anything to do with the place.

Indeed. If you look at his resume (which is posted on his personal website), he lists his involvement with Los Moles as ending in 2009. His latest venture is Dos Diablos, which he lists as an ongoing involvement.

When it comes to Bahena, isn't it really a fruitless exercise to determine what his "latest venture" is?

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. I do my best here amongst you serious foodies! I will say also that our website in general is always a work in progress, and we're always working on great upcoming deals -- featuring food and beyond.

And speaking of...

Our current Reader Real Deal features Rollapalooza in Lakeview. It went live today, and ends on Fri 3/4 morning.

You can also sign up now for our Real Deal email list and take $5 off your first purchase with us. Just enter "REALDEAL1" in the "Signup Bonus Code" field, and you're all set. But act soon because this promo code expires March 18, 2011.

We've got a great Reader Real Deal that went live today!

It's a 6-course underground dining experience at aja in the Dana Hotel for $40 -- an $80 value!

You're invited to attend this very special event on April 19, 2011 at 7pm. Chef Ariel Bagadiong hosts an exclusive underground dining party with a unique 6-course prix fixe menu, including 2-course wine pairing.

We have a very limited number of vouchers available for this, so if you're interested... act now!!

How can you have an "underground dining experience" at a restaurant?

-Will

WillG wrote:How can you have an "underground dining experience" at a restaurant?

-Will

Perhaps the restaurant is in the basement?
--Rich

ReaderRealDeal wrote:We've got a great Reader Real Deal that went live today!

It's a 6-course underground dining experience at aja in the Dana Hotel for $40 -- an $80 value!

You're invited to attend this very special event on April 19, 2011 at 7pm. Chef Ariel Bagadiong hosts an exclusive underground dining party with a unique 6-course prix fixe menu, including 2-course wine pairing.

We have a very limited number of vouchers available for this, so if you're interested... act now!!

Any idea if the 6 courses are plated one course at a time for each person? I ask because aja typically gives the standard schpiel about how all of their dishes are "designed to be shared," and tables are discouraged if not prohibited from ordering coursed out meals for each individual. I have a friend who has wanted me to try aja with her for awhile, but my understanding of these restaurant rules has turned me off. If this event is different, maybe I'll suggest that we give it a try.

Hey -- sorry. Thought I had this set up to notify me of responses to my posts, but nothing came to my email. I just saw the question about aja's service for this event, but I unfortunately don't have the answer. But the deal ended up selling out pretty quickly, and we look forward to feedback after the event.

Anyway, we have a very above-ground dining experience Reader Real Deal running over this weekend. Check out or revisit Kabob 2 at Lincoln and Devon for 50% off ($30 worth of food for only $15).

Thanks!

We've got another cool "underground" Reader Real Deal dining experience available now.

50% off an Italian-inspired, 6-course underground dining event at Ciao Amore Italian Ristorante! BYOB. April 27 at 7pm only.

Check it out!

Romanian, anyone?

This weekend's Reader Real Deal features $40 worth of food at Little Bucharest Bistro for $20.

Thanks for checking it out!

One of my personal favorite late-night stops is featured in this weekend's Reader Real Deal...

Get $20 worth of food at Pie-Eyed Pizzeria for only $10!

Good stuff -- night or day.

We have another "underground" dining event deal available today thru Wed 4/20...

The Twisted Oak Group hosts an exclusive underground dining party with a unique five-course macro cuisine dinner with local microbrew pairings.

Reserve your spot now with the Reader Real Deal. Thanks!

ReaderRealDeal wrote:five-course macro cuisine dinner

What is macro cuisine?

Kennyz wrote:What is macro cuisine?

We'll find out on June 3!

Los Moles is back!

See the Reader Real Deal from now until Friday morning for details.

Moving over to the "Coupons, Time-Limited Deals" thread ...