Stretch Run's Red, White and Blue Shot
Courtesy of Stretch Run
The annual Independence Day celebration in Grant Park begins with the traditional orchestra concert at 8 PM and climaxes with a dazzling fireworks display. But before, during and after, you can experience explosive July Fourth flavors all over town.
Dine: These colors don’t run, unless it’s into this West Loop restaurant’s three $6 martinis celebrating the colors of the flag: Red (citrus vodka, Sour Apple Pucker, cranberry juice and sweet-and-sour mix); White (vodka, peach schnapps and lemonade); and Blue (vodka, blue Curaçao and pineapple juice).
Landmark: Show your independence from non-sustainable food with a $60 three-course couple's menu that emphasizes organic meats and locally grown produce. Additionally, the "Family Style Throwback" menu offers old favorites like deviled eggs, mac ’n’ cheese, barbecue beef brisket sandwich, smoked pork chops, strawberry shortcake, brownies and watermelon.
Silver Cloud Bar & Grill: Just for July 4th, the restaurant will open early at 10 AM for a brunch with American-themed dishes like Benedict Arnold (bagel topped with Canadian bacon, spinach and hollandaise, $9.95) and Patriot Pancakes (with fresh strawberries, blueberries and vanilla whipped cream, $8.95). On July 3rd–6th, you can also cool off with fun Independence Day drink specials, such as the Frozen Flag (Effen vodka, pomegranate, lemonade and blue Curaçao, served with an American flag pick, $6) and the Bomb Pop Martini (layered grenadine, Stoli Razberi and blue Curaçao, with a cherry bomb on the glass, $5).
Stretch Run: Enjoy old-fashioned barbecue all weekend long (July 4–6) with dishes like grilled skirt steak ($13.95), a half-slab of grilled babybacks ($9.50) or a bacon burger with pepper Jack cheese ($8.50). Each dish comes with grilled corn on the cob or veggies. Patriots can also put down a Red, White and Blue shot, a striped blend of blue Curaçao, Godiva White and grenadine ($6.50).