The presidential election of 2000 when Al Gore ran against George W. Bush was one long night. Remember our good buddy Tim Russert (rest his soul) scribbling furiously on whiteboards, figuring out long before anyone else did that the entire election hinged on the outcome of Florida? Well, we don’t need to tell you how that whole mess turned out. But we do need to remind you that on what could be a long, arduous night (hopefully we won’t have to wait days – no – weeks to learn the outcome this time around), you’ll want to fill your stomach with some good eats and drinks to keep your spirits up. Here are some specials you can find around town on election night, Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Park 52, 5201 S. Harper Ave. Guests show voting receipt for a FREE Red White and Blue dessert: RED Velvet Cake with WHITE Cream Cheese Frosting and Fresh BLUEberries.
bin wine cafe, 1559 N. Milwaukee Ave. Track the latest projections on the bar's plasma screen while enjoying $11.04 red and white wine flights and bin wine cafe's half-pound burgers (with hand-cut fries and house-made giardinera) for only $5 (usually $10).
Room 21, 2110 S. Wabash Ave. Guests show voting receipt for a complimentary all-American dessert – blueberries, raspberries and sweet crème fraiche.
Stretch Run Sporting Club & Grille, 544 N. LaSalle St. Two rooms will be dedicated to election night with 20 televisions in each. The ''Red Room'' features Mc Cane 10 Cane Rum Red Martini ($5) and Killians Red beer ($4). The ''Blue Room'' features Barack on the Rocks Blue Cocktail and Blue Moon Beer. Both rooms will have a $20.08 pre fixe menu including choice of salad, entree and dessert from Stretch Run menu.
Plan B Bar + Kitchen, 1635 N. Milwaukee Ave., features two special drinks: The ''John McCane'' ($8) made with 10 Cane rum, Malibu rum, Godiva white chocolate, crème de cassis, Frangelico and a splash of cream served in a martini glass rimmed with Hershey syrup rim and sprinkles. The ''Ciroc Obama'' ($8) is made with Ciroc vodka, a splash of Chambord and freshly squeezed lemonade served in a highball glass rimmed with sugar and slice of lemon.
Viand, 155 E. Ontario St., is doing a ''Democrat vs. Republican'' menu now through Election Day. Either prix fixe menu is $20.08 each. In addition to the themed menus, guests will receive a ballot where they can select their preferred candidate. Should that candidate win the election, the ballot can be brought back to Viand, where guests will receive 50 percent off their next meal at the restaurant.
The Democrat Menu
Appetizer: Carter Cuban black bean soup or Kennedy clam bake
Entree: Obama & Hillary's green plate with grass-fed beef or Al Gore's ''save the salmon''
Dessert: Bill Clinton's cherry pie
The Republican Menu
Appetizer: Cheney's quail hunter surprise or Nixon's covered up soup with puff pastry
Entree: Reagan's show-stopping sole with Russian caviar or McCain's big barbecue ribs
Dessert: Baked Alaska
