By Rick Karlin

Contributing writer

There's nothing better on a hot summer day than relaxing with an icy cold cocktail. Sometimes you feel like relaxing on a sun-covered patio, other times laying poolside or, on those unbearably muggy days, in air-conditioned comfort. That's one reason I love Sidetrack. Where else can you sit on the deck and bask in the sun, head inside to cool off and then back outside to the courtyard for a bit of shade. All they need is a pool, lounge chairs and some attractive pool boys to serve cocktails and it would be perfect. Hey, guys, I think there's still room left on the block!

Sometimes you want a little something to eat to go along with that beverage and a handful of Sidetrack's bar mix ain't gonna cut it. That's when you need to check out some places offering special summertime cocktail specials along with meals.

On Wednesday and Sunday nights, the patio at the Victor Hotel, 311 N. Sangamon, is a great place to relax and sip Absolut cocktails ($5) or martinis ($7) and enjoy top DJ mixes of live music. Food specials are also offered. Call (312) 733-6900 or check out the website, victorhotelchicago.com.

Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market, feature a salute to all things Mexican July 18. Special cocktail creations, such as the Margarita de Fresca with strawberries, tequila and fresh lemonade or Margarita de la Passion with passion fruit puree, join with a menu of regional Mexican cuisine. Drink specials continue throughout the year, featuring the potables and foods of different Latin American countries. Call (312) 850-5005 for more information.

Speaking of Latin American cocktails, Nacional 27, 325 W. Huron, has teamed up with horticulturalist Kristin O'Brien-Shure and 10 Cane Rum to celebrate summer with a Mojito Garden on its patio. Sugar cane and mint grown on the patio is harvested to create variations on the classic Cuban cocktail, such as chocolate mint, pineapple mint, pineapple-citrus mint, spearmint and pink grapefruit. Reservations are available at (312) 664-2727.

Seasons Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel has created a special menu of new summer cocktails, infused with this season's berries, to help you beat the heat. Sit on the exclusive patio and sample such delights as the Mag Mile Mango Margarita, the Summer Cruise (Kettle One, Midori, and peach schnapps), the Heat Buster (Stoli Strawberry, strawberry puree and passion fruit sorbet) or the Pomito (Bacardi and pomegranate liquor).

With cocktail options like these and high gas prices, why go anywhere out of the city this summer?



Tablehopping: Red Light, 820 W. Randolph, hosts a Farmer's Market cooking class July 15 at 11:00 a.m. A portion of the $70 cost is donated to the Farmer's Market program. Red Light executive chef Jackie Shen and two female regional farmers, Tracey Vowell of 3 Sisters Farm in Kankakee and Janie Crawford of Crawford Farm in New Glarus, Wisconsin, lead a four-course cooking class incorporating fresh local ingredients with Mexican influences. Attendees view demonstrations by the ladies and sample the prepared dishes with wine. Reservations are recommended—call (312) 733-8880 or go to the website at redlight-chicago.com

Edgebrook is the Randolph Market of the far northwest side, in that it has a strip along Northwest Highway lined with terrific restaurants. Among the newest is Al Primo Canto, 5414 W. Devon, modeled after southern Brazilian galeterias that specialize in young slow-roasted chickens. The chicken at Al Primo Canto, as well as lamb and beef, are slow-roasted in a brick-lined, natural charcoal rotisserie oven. Featuring Brazilian- and Italian-inspired fare, the restaurant offers a set price menu. For adults, it is $29.95, $12 for children 6 to 12, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Once seated, guests are greeted with an appetizer of traditional homemade cheese bread and roasted eggplant capanato. Salad, entrees and side dishes of seasonal vegetables, crispy potatoes and fried polenta follow. Next comes a cart of spaghetti tossed with a choice of three types of sauces; marinara, mushroom, or extra-virgin olive oil with garlic, Parmigiano-Reggiano and parsley. Seconds are available upon request. Appetizers, desserts and drinks are available at an additional cost. Call (773) 631-0100 for reservations.

Finally, we were surprised recently when we stopped in at Rique's, the popular Uptown restaurant, to discover that cute, personable Rique no longer owns the restaurant.