312 Chicago Celebrates Venetian ‘Carnevale’ through Tuesday

With Fat Tuesday this week—and the give-something-up period of Lent starting the day after on Ash Wednesday—many folks are getting all their decadence in just under the wire. As in many places around the world, the annual Carnival period is in full swing. And in the Italian city of Venice—one of the most iconic places to celebrate the holiday—Carnevale (as it’s called in Italian) is a colorful and jubilant celebration filled with memorable sights (those incredibly elaborate masks), sounds (street artists playing lively guitar-accompanied tunes), and of course, tastes.

But thanks to downtown Chicago’s 312 Chicago restaurant, folks can sample Venetian-style revelry and celebration without first traveling to O’Hare International Airport and boarding a flight to Venezia. Through Tuesday, Feb. 21, the restaurant’s Executive Chef Luca Corazzina is offering dinner guests a complimentary taste of traditional Venetian desserts. Sample Frittelle (rich doughnuts decadently filled with raisins and rum) and Galani (delicate thin, fried ribbons of sweet pastry dough topped with powdered sugar or honey) after enjoying dishes from Corazzina’s authentically Italian, always-seasonal menu. (Note: The restaurant is closed for dinner on Mondays.)

Originally from the city of Padova—just outside Venice in Italy’s picturesque Veneto region—Chef Corazzina brings a wealth of culinary knowledge and hometown traditions to his Chicago restaurant. Says the chef, “The Carnival of Venice is one of the greatest celebrations in the city and to be able to share my memories of this wonderful time with my Chicago friends and guests is very special to me.”

Another thing 312 is sharing with diners: a complimentary appetizer with dinner, if they upload a photo of their own Venetian-inspired mask to 312 Chicago’s Facebook page. Just show it to your server and start eating.

Housed on a corner of the elegantly historic Hotel Allegro in Chicago’s Loop district, 312 Chicago’s located at 136 North LaSalle Street. For reservations or information, call 312.696.2420.

Tagged as: Fat Tuesday, Carnevale, Venice, 312 Chicago, Luca Corazzina and Carnival

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Maureen Jenkins s a food/travel writer and communications professional who's visited more than 30 countries and territories, lived in Florence, Italy -- and is spending the year in Samois-sur-Seine, a charming village near Paris, France. The self-proclaimed “urban travel girl” talks travel, food and wine – abroad and in Chicago – in “TCW Travel Connection.” Read more of her thoughts on living globally at UrbanTravelGirl.com.