Meet the Fairmont's New Executive Chef: John Cordeaux

John Cordeaux has been appointed executive chef of the Fairmont Chicago's dining properties. fairmont.comhttp://www.fairmont.com/chicago

Spears' Three Bs Offers Unique Dining Experience

Spears Bourbon-Burgers-Beer, 723 N. Milwaukee, Wheeling, brings an original burger and beverage concept to the table offering gourmet burgers, specially selected bourbons and crafted bees. The eatery, which opened May 13, serves up all-natural burgers that can be perfectly paired with one of its many crafted beers or hand-selected bourbons. The restaurant's decor is as unique as its menu featuring refurbished barn wood, vintage pictures and a custom-made bar. Outdoor amenities include a patio with fire pits for warming. spearschicago

Cantina Laredo's Sorbet Rum Ritas

Cantina Laredo's, 508 N. State, refreshing sorbet rum Ritas offers a cool way to beat the heat this summer. Flavors include: blood orange Rita (pictured); mango citrus Rita and raspberry chipotle Rita; $7 each. cantinalaredo

Nacional 27 @ Five on Friday

Half-priced tapas and ceviche is available 5-7 p.m. during Friday happy hour at Nacional 27, 325 W. Huron. Drink up with $9 Margaritas from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays. n27chicago

Frontier Serves Up Goat @ Next Foodie Dinner

Chef Brian Jupiter's next installment of his popular "So You Think You're a Foodie Dinner" centers around goat. The five-course mystery dinner takes place 8 p.m. May 28; $65. Frontier is located at 1072 N. Milwaukee. frontierchicago

Dunkin' Donuts Cops On Top

Illinois law enforcers once again camp out on the rooftops of participating Dunkin' Donuts in support of Illinois Special Olympics beginning 5 a.m. May 30. Stop in any location where you spot a cop to donate to the cause. All guests making a donation will receive a free donut coupon. Area celebrities and politicians, including Blackhawks Hall of Famer Tony Esposito, Chicago Fire  goalie Kyle Reynish and General Attorney Lisa Madigan will be perched upon one of the 174 rooftops. A $10 donation includes coupons for a free donut and medium coffee and a Torch Run travel mug (while supplies last). Donations can be made May 26-30. dunkindonuts

52Eighty A Top Spot For Summer Fun

Classic, inviting and one of the hottest places to be seen 52Eighty, located on the 29th floor of the MileNorth Hotel, 166 E. Superior, is certain to be a favorite summer destination. The rooftop lounge, featuring small plates created by Chef Jeremy Moore, formerly of Devereux in South Carolina, cocktails and plenty of the bubbly, is an urban oasis in the sky. Or, as General Manager Steven Ellingsen refers to the elegant lounge, "Chicago rooftop redefined."

Measuring 563 feet above sea level visitors will be feted to a 280 degree view of downtown Chicago and North Michigan Avenue. The inviting decor makes you want to plop down in one of the comfortable cushion-padded bench-style seats and enjoy the surroundings.

Not overcrowded with wall-to-wall seats the lounge affords guests the space to move about for mingling, comfortable seating with clean lines and a color palette that is both relaxing and inviting with mood lighting-- no loud colors and flashing lights at this sophisticated getaway in the sky-- 52Eighty is the perfect spot to unwind with friends and enjoy good bites and great drinks.

The muted-tone, spill-resistant seat cushions are a great touch. The lounge seats 60 outdoors and another 60 in an interior seating area. Cheers to a summer of fun in the sky@ 52eightyrooftop.com

Castaways' Memorial Day Weekend Beach Party

Nothing says summer like a beach party. Castaways Bar & Grill at North Avenue Beach, 1603 N. Lake Shore, kicks off the summer with a Memorial Day weekend celebration. The party begins 1 p.m. May 24 with a live broadcast from 103.5 KissFM and live sets by DJ Jem and the Dance Floor Junkies. The band Sunfallen brings it with an afternoon of live music beginning 1 p.m. May 25 and its a wrap with DJ Jem and the Dance Floor Junkies as they close out the weekend with a set beginning 1 p.m. May 26. The restaurant will open for lunch and dinner 11 a.m.to 9 p.m. (weather permitting). Private cabanas, accommodating 10-12 people, will be available for rent 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cabanas are available for rent Saturdays and Sundays Memorial Day through Labor Day. There is a $1,500 food and beverage minimum per cabana rental. castawayschicago

Beverly Kim and John Clark's Parachute Opens

Parachute, 3500 N. Elston, the new restaurant from Beverly Kim of "Top Chef" fame and husband John Clark is now open. parachuterestaurant

James Beard Awards Comes to Chicago

For the first-time ever the James Beard Awards will be held outside of New York with Chicago being the host city for the 2015 ceremony. The occasion marks the 25th anniversary of the culinary awards. jamesbeard

Chicago q's Angel's Envy "q" Salute to Dad 

Chicago q, 1160 N. Dearborn, offers dad's $5 pours of Angel's Envy q Bourbon on Father's Day, June 15. chicagoq

Oceanique Celebrates Loire Wine Week

Oceanique, 505 Main, Evanston, celebrates Loire Valley Wine Week now through May 24.The restaurant is featuring a three-course menu ($30) with choice of  a glass of Sparkling Vouvray or Chinon Cabernet Franc. See menu below. oceanique 

Japanese Breakfast Lightly Smoked Salmon Seaweed Watermelon Radish 

Granny Smith Apple Salad  Red Watercress  Maytag Blue  Pecans  Buttermilk  
Cucumber-Lime-Sake Sorbet

Wild Maine Skate

Pea Tips Spring “Green” Garlic Fennel Porto

Caffe Oliva Revamped and ready For Summer

Catte Oliva located in Olive Park at Ohio Street Beach is now offering a limited menu. The three year-old cafe now is home to Chef Michael Wurm who promises to bring a menu of upscale items including the house Amish chicken drumettes, gourmet flatbreads (prosciutto with arugula, and The Portobello: grilled Portobello, asparagus, red peppers with creamy goat cheese); and the new house specialty: blackened fish tacos. caffeoliva

Two's Twofer Twosdays

Beginning May 13 Two Restaurant, 1132 W. Grand, offers a unique twosome-- Chef Tom Van Lente's house made signature duck pasta with any house cocktail (pictured duck egg fettuccine with the eleven thirty Two cocktail: courtesy Two Restaurant) for $12 every Tuesday. two

Happ Inn's Burger Month Offering

Chef Freddy Sanchez of Happ Inn, 305 Happ, Northfield, makes it Carlito's Way (half pound USDA prime beef patty topped with pico de gallo, fried jalapenos, pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayo on a sesame brioche bun served with choice of fries, chips or cole slaw; $13.50) named for restaurateur Carlos Nieto. happinn

Clark Street Dog Delivers For Burger Month

In the mood for hot dog or burger, why choose? Clark Street Dog's National Burger Month creation is the Red Hot (1/4 quarter pound seasoned burger, open-faced grilled Vienna natural casing hot dog with mustard, ketchup, lettuce, tomato, onions and krinkle kut pickles on a grilled bun; $5.99; $6.55 with cheese). Available through May. clarkstreetdog

Bow and Stern's Inaugural Oyster Night

Bow & Stern's, 1371 W. Chicago, launches an Oyster Night dinner series beginning May 28 (changed from the original May 21 date). Executive Chef Brian Greene leads the crew in the recurring event, which kicks off with a special guest from Fortune Fish who will provide guests with tips on oyster varieties and schucking. Dinner is $65. bowandstern

Smoke Daddy Turns 20

Smoke Daddy, 1804 W. Division, throws a three-day birthday shindig, May 15-17, in honor of its 20th anniversary beginning with Throwback Thursday featuring 1994 prices (May 15); Party Like it's 1994 (May 16) and a ho-down and pig roast (May 17; $15). thesmokedaddy