The thing I love most about my job is building great relationships with the vendors I come into contact with all over the Chicago area. I have worked closely with the folks at Nana, a fantastic local, sustainable, organic restaurant in the city. I am so excited to have teamed up with them and I want to thank them for their amazing support...and share a few of the things I love about them with you!

All About Nana

Nana is one of the few family-owned and -operated restaurants with a menu rooted in Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Even better, everything is locally sourced and certified organic! Because of this excellent commitment, the restaurant's menu changes seasonally, with updated dinner entrees and some changing breakfast specials. (I'm loving that their fall seasonal special is a Pumpkin Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast with bourbon glaze and bourbon butter...the description is even mouth-watering!)

At Nana, their mission is "to source the finest ingredients from local farms and certified organic vendors, suppliers, and craftsmen who meet and maintain USDA organic standards in an effort to develop a seasonal and approachable food and drink menu that is grounded in American cuisine, but also has Latin American, Mexican, and Spanish influences. Nana is also committed to providing guests with friendly and attentive service in a clean, warm, and rustic dining environment." I have to say, they are doing an incredible job with that mission as I am impressed every time I visit! Their overall goal at Nana is really to bring people good, quality, fresh food, support local business and farming communities, and work closely with growers and suppliers who share the same beliefs about food that they do: that it should be free of chemicals and pesticides and processed humanely. And they are rocking at that!  

In addition to the dine-in restaurant, Nana also offers private parties and catering services. They love working with people to meet their vision for their special event and they also help to accommodate budgets. They also offer great packages to provide their patrons with floral services, decorations, and photography services from Michelle Cox Photography, making Nana a one-stop-shop for event and party-planning needs. I am so thrilled to be partnered with this great venue!

Current Specials at Nana

Check out Nana this fall and enjoy some of their great seasonal specials! They offer seasonal craft cocktails and these currently include:

• Appleseed Contract is a returning seasonal staple back again this season. It includes Old Overholt Rye Whiskey mixed with fresh lemon juice, a house made apple butter, angostura bitters, and topped with ginger beer. 
• Pumpkin Butter Rum is a brand new drink special this season! It features house made pumpkin butter, dark rum, allspice liqueur, fresh whipped cream, and nutmeg. 

Nana, which was named after Ms. Solis, the owner's mother, has handed down many great family recipes. Many of her original recipes are on the menu and many are staples that remain on the menu year round. Some popular signature dishes include:

• Chilaquileno, a corn tortilla casserole layered with cheese and topped with a poblano cream sauce
• Nanadict, a special version of the traditional eggs Benedict, but made with papusas instead of English muffins and topped with house made chorizo and poached eggs
• Avocado Fries, which are avocado wedges battered and fried until crisp and placed on top of a generous smear of house made Chipotle-aioli sauce. They are the perfect blend of crunchy, creamy, and a little spicy. They have been a huge hit since they were added to the menu last year by Nana's Executive Chef Jeremy Kiens.

New specials for the Day of the Dead dinner at the beginning of November will feature four new seasonal courses paired with cocktails. Keep tabs on the Nana website for more details! You can also check out their menu page for more information on specials and meals. 

The Nana Rewards Program

If you thought the menu was amazing, wait til you hear...they have a cash-back-based rewards program too! There is no need for a membership card or promotional codes, you just sign up with your credit card and email. Once it's on file, you collect points automatically each time you visit and cash is returned to that card as part of your reward. (For example, $25 cash back is automatically returned to the card on file once you've spent $250 at Nana.) Most of Nana's regular patrons take advantage of this program and love it! 

Go To Nana

Nana is located at 3267 South Halsted Street, has been serving the community since August 2009. They're thrilled to have just celebrated their fifth anniversary! Next time you're in the city, be sure to check them out. Tell them Michelle Cox Photography sent you!