CHICAGO — If you want to buy your friends dinner in Chicago, you don't have to pull out your wallet — and you don't even have to be at the table.
A free app that launched in Chicago Tuesday allows users to buy a round of drinks or a meal for others at local restaurants through their phones.
Gratafy already operates in Seattle and Los Angeles and has partnered with 14 Chicago restaurants so far.
Among them are Emporium Arcade Bar in Wicker Park, Kuma's Too in Lincoln Park and the city's three John Barleycorn locations.
"The simple act of treating someone to a celebratory glass of Champagne or a slice of ricotta cheesecake can inspire new discoveries and local culinary adventures, or just a fun night out on the town," Gratafy's CEO Brian Erke said.
You can send a friend a shot of Fernet Branca at Prasino for $8, paella for two at Moe's Cantina for $18 or a half bottle of red wine at Le Bouchon for $35.
The gifts are sent via text, email or Facebook, and the receiver can use a smartphone to redeem them at any time.
The partner restaurants are:
Lincoln Park
Kuma's Too, 666 W. Diversey Parkway
Barn and Company, 950 W. Wrightwood Ave.
John Barleycorn, 3524 N. Clark St.
Lakeview
Old Crow Smokehouse, 3506 N. Clark St.
John Barleycorn, 658 W. Belden Ave.
Moe's Cantina, 3518 N. Clark St.
River North
Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard St.
John Barleycorn, 149 W. Kinzie St.
Moe's Cantina, 155 W. Kinzie St.
Roka Akor Chicago, 456 N. Clark St.
Tanta, 118 W. Grand Ave.
Shaw's Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard St.
Wicker Park/Bucktown
Le Bouchon, 1958 N. Damen
Emporium Arcade Bar, 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Folklore, 2100 W. Division St.
Prasino, 1846 W. Division St.
West Town
Unite Urban Grill, 1450 W. Chicago Ave.
