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Chicago
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October through December
This fall, Le Lan chef-partner Arun Sampanthavivat (Arun's) will collaborate with chef Bill Kim during a culinary series called "Celebrations of Asian Cuisine." Le Lan will offer a special menu created by Sampanthavivat featuring his interpretation of Asian classics. Each menu will highlight classical and modern cuisine in a way that allows patrons to explore various aspects of Asian cuisines through Sampanthavivat's eyes; Kim and his team will work together with Sampanthavivat to create the dishes. During October, China's cuisine will be highlighted. Participants will get two appetizer selections followed by four entrées, all served family-style. The menu ($55 per person, plus tax and gratuity) will include a tossed dumpling salad, chow-fun noodles with roasted duck and gai-lan broccoli. Mains will include the likes of napa cabbage and chicken-stuffed tofu. Paired wine flights are offered for an additional charge ($17). In November, Southeast Asia will be the focus, while Japan and Korea will be emphasized in December. Le Lan, 749 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-280-9100.
October 21
Owners of the Parthenon will celebrate 40 years, along with ChicaGourmets, during a Mezedes dinner and autographed book signing of "The Parthenon Cookbook: Great Mediterranean Recipes from the Heart of Chicago's Greektown." The reception and signing will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a presentation and buffet, complete with roast leg of lamb. The cost of annual membership to ChicaGourmets is $45 per household. The cost of the event is $63, inclusive of the book. Call ChicaGourmets at 708-383-7543 for information. Parthenon, 314 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60661, 312-726-2407.
October 22
Quince will celebrate the bounty of sustainable Midwest farmers and producers during an event held in conjunction with Now We're Cookin' in Evanston (1601 Payne Street, Unit C) at 5:30 p.m. The event will benefit Evanston Farmers' Market and The Land Connection, a not-for-profit organization working to establish successful farmers on healthy farmland. Dubbed the "First Annual Evanston Autumn Harvest Festival," it'll feature collaborative dishes prepared by chef Mark Hannon and an Evanston Farmers' Market producer, who will dish up autumnal creations at eight tasting stations. The cost of the event is $80 per person if reserved before October 1 (or $100 afterwards). For info, call Now We're Cookin' at 847-570-4140 or visit www.nwcookin.com.
October 30
Plan ahead and attend the Celebrity Chef Tour, benefiting the James Beard Foundation, at One sixtyblue at 7 p.m. Making an appearance is Chris "CJ" Jacobson, featured in the third season of Bravo's "Top Chef," who will help prepare a multi-course menu with wine pairings modeled after the dining experience at the James Beard House. The cost is $175, plus tax. To attend, reserve space with Jeff Black at 720-201-1853. One sixtyblue, 160 N. Loomis St., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-850-0303.
Through October 31
Looking to save some tax dollars? The folks at Bin 36 feel your pain, so they're offering a "No-Tax Lunch" promo through October 31. That's right: you'll save 11.25 percent out-of-pocket---regardless of the bill. The catch? It's only offered Monday-Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Bin 36, Marina City, 339 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-755-9463.
November 5
Want to get up close and personal with your food (and those who make it)? Sit at La Madia's Chef Table the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. For $35, you'll be seated at the pizza bar, complete with peeks into the wood-burning oven. In addition to getting a tasty special pizza, diners can sample new, seasonal selections before other diners have a chance. La Madia
November 6
Room21's chef Daniel Tucker launched a cooking demo series the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. It costs just $10 for a tasting of the recipe and sample of paired wine. Those who dine at the restaurant afterwards will get $10 taken off their check. On Thursday, November 6, you can learn how to make homemade mozzarella. Room21, 2110 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60616, 312-328-1198.
Through December 31 (Tuesdays)
Each Tuesday through the end of the year, Ai Japanese Restaurant is offering an eight-course prix-fixe menu for $20.08---but only for six diners (reservations are not accepted for the promotion, which is first come, first served). Dishes range from crab and shrimp cakes to hamachi carpaccio and beni toro nigiri. Ai Japanese Restaurant, 358 W. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-335-9888.
BEER, BRATS AND LEDERHOSEN
Top
U.S. Oktoberfest Celebrations
The fall months deliver scores of Oktoberfest parties, which celebrate German heritage with plenty of sauerkraut, oom-pah bands, and best of all, steins full of beer! |
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Last Sundays
Custom House has begun hosting monthly Sunday jazz sessions, held the last Sunday of the month from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Along with music, a seasonal food and beverage pairing menu spotlighting a variety of artisanal producers from around the world will be offered. The next one is on May 27 with specialty meats paired with beers from the renowned Unibroue Brewery, based in Québec, Canada. The Chris Greene Quartet will appear while diners indulge in a four-ounce tasting flight of Blanche de Chambly, Éphémère, and Chambly Noire. Custom House, 500 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, 312-523-0200.
Sundays
Each Sunday, all bottles of wine–including Champagne and sparkling wine–are half price at DeLaCosta. De La Costa, 465 E. Illinois St., 312-464-1700.
Sundays
Carlucci
(1801 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove, 630-512-0990) will offer a
family night menu on Sundays with three courses,
served family-style, which cost $15.95 per person. A magician will
perform between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., and kids can build their own
pizzas for $5. www.carluccirestaurant.com.
Sundays
Don't feel up to cooking on Sunday morning? Check out the brunch at Gioco,
(312 S. Wabash Ave., 312-939-3870), where filet with eggs and potatoes,
eggs Benedict, scones, grilled sausage with beans and cabbage promise
to satisfy any appetite.
Mondays-Fridays
Four Farthings (2060 N. Cleveland Ave., 773-935-2060) serves half-price appetizers Monday-Friday 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Score items like wings, Gorgonzola ravioli and fried calamari for a song.
Mondays-Saturdays
On Monday-Saturday after 7 p.m., ristorante We (172 W. Adams St., 312-917-5608) offers a $45 five-course dinner that costs an additional $24 with wine pairings Go on Saturdays, and the wine is complimentary.
Mondays-Saturdays
Check out Tizi Melloul (531 N. Wells St., 312-670-4338) Monday-Saturday for its $35 five-course menu.
Mondays & Wednesdays
Marché (833 W. Randolph St., 312-226-8388) is wheeling and dealing on Mondays and Wednesdays by offering a three-course, prix-fixe dinner for $29. Diners can choose any appetizer or salad, any entrée and any dessert.
Mondays
Visit seafooders Tin
Fish (17 W. 512 22nd St., Oakbrook Terrace, 630-279-0808 and 18201 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park, 708-532-0200) on Mondays to enjoy half-price bottles of wine, including its selection of half-bottles.
Third Mondays
Bank Lane Bistro is offering small, hands-on cooking
classes with executive chef John des Rosiers and sous chef
Marco Hernandez on the third Monday of every month. Class size is
kept small (there is an eight person limit) to guarantee individual
attention. Guests will work alongside the chefs in preparing a multi-course
dinner served family style. Participants will actually be able eat
what they have created and the intimate setting and hands-on experience
is a fun and educational way to spend time with friends and loved
ones. The cost is $100 per person and includes a glass of wine,
a 5-6 course dinner and an autographed apron and menu. Classes begin
at 6:30 p.m. and a credit card reservation is required. Bank Lane
Bistro, 670 N. Bank Ln., Lake Forest, 847-234-8802.
Tuesdays
Drake Bros.’ steakhouse is offering diners a second of its Prime steaks on Tuesdays for a penny. Drake Bros’, Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton St., 312-932-4626.
Tuesdays
On Tuesdays, Adobo Grill’s Wicker Park location offers a two-course meal for $20. Diners can choose any two items from the dinner menu’s appetizers, entrées or desserts for the price. Adobo Grill, 2005 W. Division St., Chicago, 773-252-9990.
Tuesdays
Each Tuesday, contemporary Indian restaurant Marigold is serving a three-course culinary tour of India menu for $25 (think paneer tikka salad, smoked Denver lamb ribs tikka and grilled Punjabi fish tikka). Marigold, 4832 N. Broadway, 773-293-4653, www.marigoldrestaurant.com.
Sundays & Tuesdays
 Visit
Opera (1301 S. Wabash Ave., 312-461-0161) on Sundays and Tuesdays when a three-course, prix-fixe dinner is offered for $29. Diners can choose any appetizer or salad, any entrée and any dessert from the menu.
Wednesdays
DeLaCosta launched “Mojito and Pig” Wednesdays from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. For $6, diners get a mojito and a complimentary roasted pig and black bean starter with kumquat mojo and tortillas. DeLaCosta, 465 E. Illinois St., Chicago, 312-464-1700.
Wednesdays-Sundays
Wave has launched an out-of-the-ordinary afternoon tea event called “Uni-Tea,” available Wed.-Sun. 2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. The cost is $30 per person ($10 per person extra for things like tea-infused martinis and $8 extra for champagne-topped tea). The Teatotaler menu includes a selection of five savory small bites (guests choose either the “Gals” or “Guys” menu—think blue cheese and red grape cannoli and beef tartare toasts with white truffle drizzle, respectively); sweets accompanied by Devonshire cream, lemon curd and jam; an individual pot of hot tea (13 varieties are offered, including green oolong and herbal blends) or an iced tea of the day. Wave, W Chicago–Lakeshore, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr., 312-255-4460.
Thursdays
Devon Seafood Grill (39 E. Chicago Ave., 312-440-8660) will dish
up lobsters for about $10 each when you purchase
a cocktail. www.devonseafood.com.
Fridays
Niche (14 S. Third St., Geneva, 630-262-1000) has brought back a nostalgic favorite...the original 302 West roasted garlic appetizer. It’ll be available each Friday from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Priced at $10, the roasted garlic is served with baked triple cream feta cheese, niçoise olives, crunchy bread and watercress.
Saturdays
From noon-3p.m., head to Burhop's Seafood for free cooking demonstrations and tastings. Burhop's Seafood, Plaza Del Lago, 1515 N. Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, 847-256-6400, www.burhops.com.
Saturdays
& Sundays
New contemporary Bucktown eatery, Parlor (1745
W. North Ave., 773-782-9000), now will offer brunch from
10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Expect eats like
malted waffles with fresh cherries in almond sauce with whipped
cream, brioche French toast with peaches and cream cheese, Sage-buttermilk
biscuits and sausage gravy and a brioche BLT. Parlor, 1745 W. North
Ave. (between Wood St. and Hermitage Ave.), 773-782-9000.
Ongoing
Le Bouchon is offering a daily Lyonnaise menu that features a choice of French onion soup or Lyonnaise salad, steak frites or roasted garlic chicken and an apple tart or chocolate marquise for $20. Le Bouchon, 1958 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, 773-862-6600.
Ongoing
For a mere $13, Hershey’s Chicago (822 N. Michigan Ave., 312-337-7711) offers four-course chocolate tastings after 1 p.m.
Ongoing
Kinzie Chophouse (400 N. Wells St., 312-822-0191) dishes up a $3 bar menu daily between 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Look for bites to include French onion soup, tacos and burgers with fries.
Ongoing
On Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m.-midnight and nightly from 4 p.m.-6 p.m., Café Ba-Ba-Reeba! (2024 N. Halsted St., 773-935-5000) attracts a crowd with $3 tapas–think chicken empanadas and spicy potatoes with tomato aïoli–and $2 Bud and Bud Light bottles. Offered in the bar only.
Ongoing
Daily between 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., NoMI (800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030) attracts theater-goers by allowing them to choose any appetizer, entrée and dessert from an array of à la carte dishes for $45.
Ongoing
The Signature Room at the 95th (875 N. Michigan Ave., 312-787-9596) has a pre-theater menu for $40 with seatings at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Expect to choose between lobster bisque and a baby romaine salad as well as from one of four entrée selections, including grilled petit filet of beef, and cavatappi and sautéed shrimp. Dessert is included, too.
Wine
dinners & tastings at NovusVinum.com
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