New Chef, New Brunch, and Lunch at Club Lucky

NEW CHEF INTRODUCES NEW SUNDAY BRUNCH AND SATURDAY LUNCH MENU WITH A CLASSIC ITALIAN TWIST AT CLUB LUCKY

CHICAGO, IL (JULY, 2009) – Club Lucky, a Bucktown institution known for its “1940’s supper club style,” authentic Italian American cuisine and classic cocktails, is proud to introduce its new head chef, Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch. Chef Anthony Reyes (formerly executive chef of Rosebud Restaurants, executive chef at Dan Marino’s/Miami Dolphins, and a disciple of Emeril’s) is passionate about the expanded affordable Sicilian style menu that has made Club Lucky successful for almost 20 years.

Club Lucky, already a popular lunch spot during the week, got the idea to add Saturday and Sunday afternoon meals simply from observing the changing neighborhood. “We started seeing an abundance of young permanent residents and destination shoppers around the neighborhood on weekends,” says co-owner, Jim Higgins, “and decided Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch would give the neighborhood a great local option.”

Chef Anthony brings over 15 years experience and Italian heritage to Club Lucky. He has designed the new brunch menu to include inventive uses of some Sicilian favorite ingredients such as: Prosciutto Wrapped Melon with balsamic syrup, Nana’s Meatball Insalata, the Pepper, Egg and Italian Sausage sandwich and the baked Pesto Eggs with Parmesan Tomatoes. The menu also includes imaginative culinary creations such as a Frittata of the day, three eggs Benedict options and classic buttermilk, chocolate chip or banana rum with vanilla crème anglaise, nutella and cinnamon pancakes, as well as Chef Anthony’s signature burger served on a pretzel bun.

Some of the new Sunday brunch house cocktail specialties include the Italian Lemonade, a blend of Limoncello with raspberry, orange or mango flavored vodka, fresh lemon and a splash of soda, the pear or peach Bellini, a strawberry basil mint Mojito, and a Lucky Mary, a blend of Ketle One ™ vodka and homemade bloody mary mix with a chef prepared antipasti spear served in a celery salted rim pint glass.

In keeping with the restaurants homage to its local roots in Chicago, Chef Anthony sources as much local produce, bakers and organic fed meat and poultry as possible. Diners will find such area favorites as granola from neighboring Milk and Honey Café (1920 W Division St) and local produce from Wisconsin, Michigan and Southern Illinois farmers, even the window treatments of the restaurant were designed by a local Bucktown artist. All stuffed pastas, sauces, sorbetos and ice creams are made on site as well.
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CLUB LUCKY NEW CHEF LUNCH & BRUNCH/ADD ONE

When Club Lucky opened in 1990 in a neighborhood with very few restaurants, naysayers did not believe a restaurant could last off the beaten path on the corner of Wabansia and Honore, but co-owners Bobby Paladino and Jim Higgins disagreed. “This was a tight community to begin with whose residents love watching businesses in the area succeed,” says Higgins.

“Almost 20 years later, after we’ve seen the neighborhood change from old timers, to young professional and now evolving to accommodate families, we’re still viewed as a destination spot for Bucktown/Wicker Park residents, Chicago city dwellers, suburbanites and tourists. It is our good food and classic Chicago vibe that keep people coming back.”

Club Lucky is known for its solid menu of over 100 items (many award winning), killer martini list (voted reader’s choice best martini by Today’s Chicago Woman 2009), private party room and large al fresco seating area, in addition to having one of the most eclectic jukeboxes in the city.

Chef Anthony’s personal approach to creative cooking and sourcing fresh, seasonal menu items is found on daily lunch and dinner ‘Chef Special’ cards, giving Club Lucky patrons additional options to the abundant menu.

“As a restaurant, we’ve certainly stood the test of time in Chicago,” adds Higgins. “By expanding our offerings, we want to make it clear to our clientele that we understand their needs and have adapted to the changing landscape and residents of Bucktown/Wicker Park. Adding lunch on Saturday, brunch on Sundays and Chef Anthony’s daily seasonal specials gives customers more options to enjoy being in a true Chicago neighborhood on the weekends.”

“Club Lucky is all about getting to know our customers and giving them what they want. We keep things comfortable and classic, and above all, always provide a good meal, great service, fun ambiance and friendly open arms,” says Paladino. “We plan on being around for another 20 years and then some.”

As the saying goes at Club Lucky, “Come in as strangers and leave as friends!”

ABOUT CLUB LUCKY
Located at 1824 West Wabansia in Bucktown, Club Lucky is the perfect destination for a private party or a large event. It is open for bunch on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., lunch Monday thru Saturday starting at 11:30, and dinner seven nights a week, with a unique cocktail lounge that is open late night. For more information please visit www.clubluckychicago.com or call (773) 227-2300.