What to Eat, Drink, See & Do in March for Women's Month

The Dearborn

March is no doubt one of my favorite months living in Chicago. The snow begins to thaw (most of the time) and the sun starts to shine out brightly again. As summer slowly approaches, the activities in our city pick up, including special events for Women’s Month. As a women-owned business, we love seeing the city and our food world highlight the work of all the talented and amazing women in our industry! Whether you’re a woman yourself or just like to support the work of women (which should be all of us honestly), here are the bites and nights out you can’t miss…

The Dearborn On International Women's Day (March 8)

For International Women’s Day, the Irish sister duo behind the magic of The Dearborn will be offering a special menu. You can look forward to Pan Roasted Skate Wing, Strawberry Crepe Cake and more!  If you need an additional pick me up, make sure to order the Mezcal ‘Tini with banhez espadin & barril, black coffee liqueur, espresso, demerara. Grab your girls and make a reservation! The Dearborn’s regular menu will also be available during the night.

avec River North: Women In Wine (March 8)

You can also celebrate International Women’s Day in style at avec! Their River North eatery is offering a 5-course dinner menu featuring female winemakers and the women behind the plate and glass. The special menu will have a welcome cocktail, as well as menu items like Duck Agnolotti with pistachio, herbs and consommé. A portion of the proceeds from the night will benefit The Abundance Setting, an organization that supports the advancement of working women and mothers in the culinary and hospitality industry. 

Starbucks Experience Tour with Chocolate Pairing From Chocolat Uzma

When it comes to things I love, it doesn’t get better than coffee and chocolate. Start the spring off right by taking a trip to the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Chicago. In 2019, the Roastery partnered with one of Chicago’s very own women-led companies — Chocolat Uzma. Both teams worked together to create chocolates exclusive to the Chicago Roastery that pair perfectly with their coffee. You can get some of these sweets at the Experiential Coffee Bar and they are also part of the epic Roastery Revealed Tour. Trust us, this combo is to die for. 

Use Your 2022 Culinary Guide at Found Kitchen and Social House and/or The Barn Steakhouse

If you’re looking for a new date night spot, try some of Amy Morton’s several restaurants. Her all-female team, including James Beard Award-Winning Executive Chef Debbie Gold, will leave you wanting to come back for more (and more and more). She has restaurants across the city and burbs, some of which are in our 2022 Culinary Guide! Stop in to Found Kitchen and ask for the “Leaving on a Jet Plane” cocktail with pinhook rye, cinpatrazzo amaro, aperol and lemon to start and end the night with the French Silk Pie.

Visit Little Goat Diner on a Monday 

I’m always up for a place that has breakfast, cocktails and dessert all day and Little Goat has all that and more. Celebrate a weekend of fun with the “Is This Narnia?” which includes spiced pear liqueur, aged whiskey, lemon and ginger honey. Or grab the The Chickpea Salad with kale, chopped veggies, mont amore cheese, tzatziki, chee vinaigrette and take your sugargoat sweet to go during the work week. They’re now open on Mondays, which is the perfect way to start your week deliciously.

Take a Wine Tour at City Winery 

Check out City Winery’s West Loop location to try exceptional wine from Caroline Schrader, their head winemaker! Get your drink on with some of your best girlfriends, then stay for a show in their intimate music venue. You can also take the winery tour and learn about the unique urban winemaking process from one of their female sommeliers while you taste through a selection of some of City Winery Wines made right in the West Loop.

Get The ‘Her Hops’ Flight at Metropolitan Brewing (All of March)

Just because International Women’s Day kicks off the month, that doesn’t mean that companies like Metropolitan Brewing can’t celebrate women all month long! Head to their Roscoe Village location to celebrate woman-led breweries across the country with a specially-curated ‘Her Hops’ flight. Items in the flight include Tangerine Wheat from Lost Coast Brewery in Eureka, CA and local choices like Miaou from Whiner Beer Co., and Krankshaft Kolsch from Metropolitan Brewing, both located in Chicago.

By Madison Freeman | Special Correspondent