Chicago Culinary Events

Hungry? Need to fill your culinary calendar? Here is where you will find all the restaurant and culinary happenings in Chicago. We feature a calendar of special dinners, tasting menus, prix-fixe meals, food festivals and other culinary events, including regularly occurring food events as well as special one-time-only events featuring top chefs. Keep checking back so you can know all that's going on in the world of restaurant and food events in Chicago. We've also got the latest Chicago Restaurant News and Wine Events.

CULINARY EVENTS

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January 21-April 28 (Saturdays)
The Green City Market, Chicago's year-round sustainable farmer's market, has moved indoors to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for the winter. The market returns from its holiday break on January 21, and will take place Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through the end of April. For more information, visit www.greencitymarket.org. Green City Market, 2430 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-880-1266.

Thursdays through February 9
Get serious about eating natural foods during a boot camp at Whole Foods Market, kicking off on January 12 at 6:30 p.m. and continuing on Thursdays weekly through February 9. Sessions are $25 apiece, though packages for multiple classes can be purchased for $60 and $100. Whole Foods Market, 3640 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60613, 773-472-0400.

ONGOING EVENTS

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.

Ongoing
Las Palmas is courting families with serious deals. Children under the age of 12 won't pay to dine Monday-Friday 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and all day on Sunday when accompanied by two paying adults. Las Palmas, 1835 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-289-4991.

Ongoing
Eating at Sixteen technically doesn't have to cost your life savings---if you're smart (and flexible on when you dine). The showstopping restaurant is offering a $32, three-course lunch menu that comes with a non-alcoholic drink and dishes like spring pea risotto with Parmigiano-Reggiano and micro basil. Sixteen, Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, 401 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-588-8030.

Mondays-Fridays
On weekdays, Blackbird offers a $22 three-course prix fixe lunch menu. Options might include butternut squash bisque with tuna, apples and candied cashews; slow-roasted lamb loin with smoked quinoa, Melrose peppers, heirloom tomatoes and dandelion greens; and warm spice bread with candied carrots, pickled golden raisins and saffron ice cream. Blackbird, 619 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60661, 312-715-0708.

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.

Tuesdays-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.

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 $25. 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
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
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.

View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Chicago

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DINING ON A BUDGET

Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area. Also, check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.