Restaurant Menu Promotions: Football Meets Finer Dining
Higher-end restaurants' game plan for getting football fans through the door on Sundays? Serving upscale takes on tailgate favorites.
By Christine LaFave Grace, Associate Editor -- Restaurants & Institutions, October 2, 2009
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Not every football fan believes the ultimate pregame meal consists of charred bratwurst eaten out of the back of a truck, possibly while wearing mittens. For those willing to forgo traditional tailgating in the name of creature comforts and a little menu variety, an assortment of restaurant operators again are cooking up game-day special menus and deals. And increasingly, higher-end establishments are getting in on the action, positioning themselves as an ideal place to grab football-friendly but not-your-average-nachos fare.
McCormick & Schmick's Harborside at the Marina location in the chain's hometown of Portland, Ore., welcomes pro- and college-team fans with a tailgate menu of $1.95 pork tostadas, $4.95 crab cakes, an $8.95 caramelized-onion burger and plenty of other sub-$10 selections offered until 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and during Monday and Thursday night games. Game-food traditionalists can opt for the Ultimate Tailgate Platter, featuring spicy wings, a quesadilla, potato bites, fried shrimp, beef skewers and mini corndogs for $19.95.
The Publican in Chicago is courting Bears fans with a hearty Sunday brunch menu that provides "the perfect pre-game fuel," according to a press release declaring the restaurant an official game-day brunch destination. (Bears fan and Chef de Cuisine Brian Huston notes that most Sunday games at Soldier Field this season start at the brunch-friendly time of 3:15 p.m. rather than at noon.) Football-appropriate fare includes smoked kielbasa with fennel, sweet potatoes, apples and poached eggs ($9.00); a grilled pork-shoulder sandwich on ciabatta with cabbage slaw, bacon and fried egg ($14.00); and fried chicken with cornbread, baked beans and grilled peaches ($12.00). (photo: The Publican's charcuterie plate, courtesy Grant Kessler Photography)
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At Boston's Tavolo, the Tailgate Mania menu gives Patriots fans their choice of selected entrées, such as a meatball panino or white-bean chili, plus two glasses of beer for $20. The deal is offered every day New England plays. (source: bostonchefs.com)
Georgia Tech game-watchers looking for a post-football bite can head to Atlanta's WaterHaven for the contemporary-American restaurant’s Late Night Game Day menu, featuring lamb sliders, fried green tomatoes, burgers, $5 mimosas and more. (source: Metromix Atlanta)
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Finally, Lawry's The Prime Rib in Beverly Hills, Calif., takes its upscale fare on the road in the name of football, setting up a $65-per-ticket tailgate just outside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before University of Southern California home games. For the price of admission, gets get access to all-they-care to eat prime-rib and turkey sandwiches, meatballs and potato chips; unlimited drinks; and a special pregame viewing lounge.
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The best tailgating in the country is at Penn State University in happy Valley. Let's get some food for thought for Nittany Nation?
Roland Abate - 10/5/2009 11:04:00 AM PDT
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