Fairmont Cookie Connection

The chefs at The Fairmont Millennium Park present the inaugural "Chocolate and Cheer Cookie Exchange," 5:30–7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Rouge Room at the Fairmont, 200 N. Columbus. In addition to sampling all the cookies you can eat guests will have the opportunity to mingle with the chefs while enjoying wine and non-alcoholic beverages; $50. www.themillenniumparkhotel.com

Amy's Candy Bar Pops-up in Hyde park

If you're a baby boomer you more than likely had a penny candy store in the neighborhood or a neighborhood store with an extensive candy counter. Amy's Candy Bar, featuring an array of gourmet chocolates, international confections and nostalgic favorites such as candy buttons, licorice and Turkish taffy, is the upscale version of those neighborhood gems of a by-gone era. Amy's Hyde Park pop-up location (the original store opened in 2011 in Lincoln Square) opens for a six-month period Nov. 21 in the Hyde Park Shopping Center, 1546 E. 55th Street. amys

American Junkie Makes Menu Changes

Chef Matt Wilde of American Junkie, 15 W. Illinois, has introduced new menu selections at the River North sports bar. Items include the comfort dish Matt's chicken pot pie (carrots, celery, peas, fresh herbs and creamy chicken filling in a hand made pie crust) and seasonal specialty dishes like baked brie and winter vegetable tater tots. americanjunkie

Kit Kat Lounge Celebrates Brit's B'day

The Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club, 3700 N. Halsted, salutes Britney Spears' birthday with a special brunch and the "Blackout Britney" martini (Effen black cherry vodka; tasrt cherry juice, splash of Champagne with sugar rim and cherry garnish) 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. Nov. 30. Diva Madam X performs Brit's songs. All drinks will be half-priced 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. kitkat

Takashi Closing Dec. 31, 2014

Takashi Yagihashi is closing the doors of  Takashi, his namesake restaurant located in Bucktown at 1952 N. Damen, Dec. 31--- but not without a fanfare goodbye for his patrons. Beginning Dec. 1 the James Beard Award-winning chef will offer the "Imperial 7" a seven-course menu, available Tuesday through Thursday, featuring the restaurant's most popular dishes over the last seven years. The restaurant closes out its run with a special New Year's Eve menu. Yagihashi's other enterprises: Slurping Turtle, Tabo Sushi by Takashi and Noodles by Takashi Yagihashi will continue operating. takashichicago

Buffalo Wild Wings' Big Deal in Hammond

The first 100 guests through the door during Buffalo Wild Wings' new Hammond, Ind. (2942 Carlson Drive) grand opening 11 a.m. Nov. 23 will receive free wings for a year. diversifiedrestaurant

Arami's November Noodle Night

The next Arami "Noodle Night" is 5 p.m. Nov. 24. Chef  Despres' menu selections, listed below, can be paired with Asahi Japanese beer ($4) or Arami's custom-brewed sake Ichi No Tori ($9 or $15 for hot carafe). Complimentary table-side sake offerings will be served. Arami, which recently received a third Michelin Bib Gourmand, is located at 829 W. Chicago. Dishes range in price from $13-$15. arami

Arami Ramenpork belly, braised beef, house tsukemono, naruto, grilled enoki, egg

Miso Ramencorn, wakame, naruto, pork belly, bamboo, negi, egg

Nabeyaki Kishimen
shiitake, pea shoots, ebi tempura, kamaboko, egg

Shio Ramenroasted chicken, bok choy, soft egg, narutomaki, negi

Tsukemen
onsen tamago, negi, furikake

Hot Soba

aburaage, wakame, negi, kamaboko

Hunger Games Trivia @ a Bar Near You

Geeks who Drink sponsor a one-night-only (Nov. 20) nationwide Hunger Games trivia event. The "This is a Tribute: A Hunger Games Quiz" takes place in Chicago 8:30 p.m. at Fizz Bar 3220 N. Lincoln. For locations across the country visit geekswhodrink

The Dawson, 730 W. Grand, scores again with its Reuben burger (half-pound patty made from brisket corned-beef style and chuck spiced like pastrami, smoked Swiss cheese, beer-braised sauerkraut, bread & butter pickle and Thousand Island dressing on marbled rye bun); $15; $17, with house made bacon. dawson

PHOTO: Nicole Ess

The Dawson's Bloody Mary a Winner

The Dawson's, 730 W. Grand, Smokehouse Bloody Mary (Dawson's house made Bloody Mary mix, liquid smoke made from meat drippings and vodka, garnished with house-smoked brisket, cheddar, pickled onion and jalapeno) winner of the Chicago Bloody Mary Competition held in September at Park West, is available for $11 during brunch. dawson

Photo: Nicole Ess

Nacional 27 Hosts Vodka Cocktail Class

Beverage manager Elyse Fuller leads a cocktail making event featuring Moscow Mules and specialty drinks made with Rum-Cha-Cha at 6:30 p.m. Nov 19; $15, includes recipe cards. Salsa lessons with Rickey Spivey follows at 7:30 p.m. Nacional 27 is located at 325 W. Huron. n27chicago

Mercadito's November Taco

Top Chef winner Kevin Sbraga serves up a Greek-style offering of crispy lamb taco with red pickled onions, tzatzki and dill in support of Mercadito's, 108 W. Kinzie, Share Our Strength effort. Tacos are $13.50, for three (lunch); $17.50, for four (dinner). mercadito