Our last week of the winter deals, and we’re giving back. Bring in a can for the Lakeview Pantry and receive a 15% discount. Coming in for brunch? Bring in a can per person and get 15% off the meal! Get the percent off your morning joe and help those in need, have a stack of bread pudding pancakes at discount while giving back!

Lakeview Pantry is one of the longest lasting food pantries in Chicago, they serve our local community members in need. If you aren’t sure what to donate a list can be found on their site. Just like our other ‘8 weeks,’ it ends Friday (the 26th).

Rancho Gordo beans, from Napa Vally, are perfect example of our philosophy of making “regular food” special again.  Beans, yes beans, are something to talk about.  These are not your beans-in-a-can beans, these are hand selected bean varieties from the Americas – some on the verge of disappearing – that are non-genetically altered seeds or plants, picked at perfection, dried, and bagged. The beans always have a fresh taste, full of unexpected flavor from a simple bean.  Soak and cook the Vaqueros in any dish, drop in a handful of rice beans to perk up a soup, or simmer Yellow Eyes all day with your famous stew – they’ll be perfect.  Classic as a side or the main course, Rancho Gordo beans will make any meal lovely.

Starting from just a few beans and growing to cover over twenty varieties, Rancho Gordo has something for anyone: not just pinto or black, but Yellow Eye or Vaquero. Share in something that had only existed in the lands where beans are a way of life, and are now brought to your kitchen.

For meal ideas check the Rancho Gordo recipe section!

For over 100 years and five generations Oaks Chocolate has been making chocolate candies in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and we now bring that delicious tradition to you!

Oaks have a thick layer of smooth, rich chocolate coating the outside, providing a snap when biting into the bar.  The inside is whipped chocolate, not too heavy and not too light. There are two types of Oaks bars: the Malty Melty has a center with  Malt powder – like those sweet shakes from your childhood, and the Melty Melty is all chocolate all the time.  Oaks bars are the ideal quell to your chocolate addiction – so much so even Saveur Magazine couldn’t ignore them, mentioning them in their top 100 of this year.

Lowly Peanut Butter, cast aside too long as a simple condiment only be spread on bread and share the spotlight with Jelly or even packed in celery (raisins optional). The time has come, time for Peanut Butter to become an experience instead of a simple treat. Cream-Nut Peanut Butter is just that; opening the floodgates of sweet unadulterated peanut taste by the spoonful from the jar (how we like it) or on your PB&Js. Chunky or smooth there is a consistency for everyone.

Made with vintage machinery, this peanut butter has an amazing homemade taste. Cream-nut is the reward of quality linage: the tradition of food carried for over 80 years.  Try it alone, or use it in your favorite peanut butter dish and you will taste the difference.

Our ‘8 weeks’ are almost over but we’re still going strong. This week we’re warming you up with a cup of hot, your choice. All of our to-go hot drinks are “buy 12 get 16,” pay the 12oz price for a 16oz drink. From Lattes to coffee to hot chocolates, all of 16oz sizes are the same price as a 12oz size. Don’t forget the 12oz commuter coffee is always $1 from 7-8am… we can’t carry that price over to the 16oz size, sorry!

Come in and drink up, we’ll help you stay warm on the way to work or spin class.

Yes, that is right – a Cupcake Truffle. Who could possibly think of such a device of comfort and indulgence? None other than our favorite confectioner: Nicole from truffle truffle. What is a Cupcake Truffle? Imagine for a moment our cupcakes: soft vanilla cake that melts in your mouth, the richness of buttercream frosting lighting all the right synapses. Now, pull that all inside a thick layering of milk, dark, or white chocolate. That’s Southport’s famous cupcake center, rolled in our buttercream frosting, enrobed in a shell of chocolate and top them off with a wide selection sprinkles. Mouth watering yet?

They are available now, $1.50 individually or $24 for 12 in a truffle truffle tin with Southport’s signature blue ribbon. They will also be available on Thursday the 11th to pack in your truffle truffle container. We are overjoyed to bring you this perfect collaboration between two local Chicago businesses.

Pick one up for yourself and another as gift – what could be better?

This week’s ‘Wonder’ is all about ‘Spreading the Love.’  Thursday the 11th stop by for free sparkling wine tastes and pack-your-own truffle truffle container with maker Nicole from 6-9pm.  The cafe will stay open to 9pm also!  To help you give your sweetie appreciation they deserve use our ‘V-day tips’ sent via Facebook and Twitter. For those of you dining in, a little chocolate treat as a valentine.

There is a big announcement coming tomorrow too and we are super excited!  Watch out for something yummy! Mark your calendars and keep updated, a lot is happening this week!

Its been said that Chicago has 2 seasons, winter and construction.  Had enough of winter? Well rid yourself of the winter woes with February’s Secret Supper. February might be the coldest month but we’ll keep you warm; as usual we’ll be hand picking and developing the menu to suit the season. Secret Supper will be 3 for $30 (3 courses, excluding beverages, gratuity, & taxes); the response of last month’s was hard to ignore.

Dinner will be held on Thursday February 18th at 7pm. Call 773-665-0100 to get your table reserved, they will be going fast!

Something very different this week.  We’re giving out passwords: each day we’ll send out a new one via twitter and facebook, each day a different deal and with it a different password. Follow or friend us to keep up-to-date and try not to miss anything.

Just passed the hump of winter and we’re making plans for our future ‘weeks’ and Spread the Love on the Thursday before Valentine’s Day. We’ve got lots more planned, so stay tuned.