Firecakes "Rock the Kasbah" Salute

Firecakes Donuts, 68 W. Hubbard, welcomes October with free donuts (peanut butter cup, espresso cream or buttermilk old fashioned) to the first 75 visitors or while supplies last, beginning 7 a.m.  Oct.1  as part of a "Rock the Kasbah" promo for the Bill Murray vehicle (out in theaters Oct. 23, 2015).

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Mak's October Specials

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Mak: A Modern Asian Kitchen, 1924 W. Division, offers specials for all of October's events: Vegetarian Awareness; Breast Cancer Awareness; Sweetest Day and Halloween. Specials include $1 off the eggplant skillet (fried eggplant tossed with bell peppers, onions, in a sweet sauce over rice, regularly priced $8.75; pictured) and the falafel (edamame and chickpeas over a choice of rice, brown rice or quinoa, regularly priced $5, small $9, large) available until 5 p.m. daily Oct. 1-31.

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Heaven on Seven's Cajun Class/Dinner

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Chef/owner Jimmy Bannos of Heaven on Seven, 111 N. Wabash, 7th floor, hosts a Cajun cooking class and five-course dinner 7 p.m. Oct. 7. Tickets are $75, includes all-you-can-drink beer and HOS' signature hurricane. Click here to reserve a spot.

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Cafe Con Leche and D'Noche's Coffee Day

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National Coffee Day is Sept. 29 and Cafe Con Leche celebrates with a morning deal, featuring the signature Cafe con Leche for $3.50 and a nightcap at D' Noche, 2710 N. Milwaukee, featuring their Coffee Cocktail (tequila based drink made of Patron XO Cafe tequila, freshly brewed espresso, creme de cacao, Patron Silver tequila, caramel; $9). This cocktail will be available through Oct. 9.

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Shoeless Joe Jackson Commemorative Pizza

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Sanfratello's Pizza, 9400 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland, IN, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson is remembered on the anniversary of his admission to the 1919 Black Sox scandal of "fixing" the World Series and the words that ricocheted around the world, "Say it ain't so, Joe," to his confession. The large pizza topped with black olives that spells "Sox ($25)," will be available to the first 25 guests who order the pizza for dine-in or take-out service Sept. 28. Only orders made before 1 p.m. will be honored.

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Cochon 555 Weekend

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Cochon 555 returns this weekend. The chef-driven competition pits five chefs (Alfredo Nogueira, Analogue; Ed Sura, Perennial/Virant; Scott Manley, Table, Donkey & Stick; Chris Curren, Seven Lions and Jonathan Meyer, Freehand Chicago) in a friendly competitive heat preparing whole family farm-raised Heritage pig to be judged by 20 of their peers. Chefs will be judged on the plated pig presentation.

In addition 10 chefs, including Bravo TV's "Top Chef" alum Chrissy Camba, chef of Maddy's Dumpling House (pictured), will prepare a barbecue dish, with no holds barred variations running the gambit from Korean BBQ to African-style braai and of course all-american Texas style. Cochon 555 begins 5 p.m. Sept. 27, Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N. Morgan.

On a separate note Cochon55 teams with Chicago Gourmet for the inaugural  Punk Kings: Pigs n' Tiki event 8-11 p.m. on the Harris Theatre rooftop, 205 E. Randolph. Click here for tickets and more information.

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Bar On Buena Beer Tasting Event

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Bar on Buena, 910 W. Buena, hosts the 8th Annual Beer Tasting Fundraiser benefitting Swedish Covenant Hospital, 7-10 p.m. Sept. 24 (today); $45. Click here for more information.

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Frontier's Cocktail Class

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Sean Nielsen, beverage director of Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee, hosts an intimate cocktail event 7 p.m. Oct. 8: $65.

During the session guests will be feted to an oral history and techniques of the art of mixology along with learning how to craft three cocktails. A mini lesson in using the right bar tools to mix up the perfect drink is also on the evening's agenda.

Chef Brian Jupiter lends a culinary hand, providing appetizers to accompany the cocktails. Visitors will take home a gift bag that includes bartending essentials. Click here for more information or, to purchase tickets.

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M Burger Caramel Apple Cider Milkshake

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M Burger's October shake of of the month, available Oct. 1-31 at participating locations, is the Caramel Apple Cider (locally sourced cider, handmade caramel sauce, house made vanilla ice cream, $4.99).

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Roby Sculpts Armstrong in White Chocolate

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Tomorrow is the last day to view Chef Alain Roby's salute to National White Chocolate Day. The chef's creation, a larger than life white chocolate (700 lbs) statue of Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, will be on view 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 22, All Chocolate Kitchen, 33 S. Third, Geneva. Chef Roby's white chocolate sculpt of  Eros, the God of Love (948 lbs), will also be on display.

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Chef Hogan's Tete de Tete Burger Returns

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John Hogan, River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle, will feature his 2014 Chicago Gourmet Hamburger Hop best burger winner, the tete de tete (prime chuck and brisket, River Roast's head cheese, topped with tete de moine, on brioche bun with River Roast house remoulade, topped with crispy fried pork skin), 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 21-25. The item's return to the menu is a special prelude to the 2015 Hamburger Hop taking place 6-9 p.m. Sept. 25, Harris Theatre rooftop, 205 E. Randolph. Click here for more information.

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James Beard Foundation's "Taste Chicago"

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James Beard Award winners and event co-creators ABC's Steve Dolinsky and chef extraordinaire Rick Bayless hosts the James Beard Foundation's "Taste Chicago" fundraiser, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 23, The Geraghty, 2520 S. Hoyne.

Participating chefs include; Johnny Clark and Beverly Kim (Parachute); Dave and Megan Miller (Baker Miller Bakery); Devon Quinn (Paramount Events); Tanya Baker, pictured (Boarding House); Paul Fehribach (Big Jones); Ryan McCaskey (Acadia); Paul Virant (Vie, Western Springs).

Special guest Taste America All-Star and James Beard winner Mark Ladner (Del Posto, New York) will also be in attendance. Click here for ticket information.

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Joe Fish Hosts Wine Dinner

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Joe Fish, 445 N. Dearborn, hosts a wine dinner that includes selections from Napa Valley's Hall Winery, 6:45 p.m. Oct. 1. The six-course meal includes:

MENU:

FIRST COURSE

Grilled Oysters

Maître d butter, smoky barbeque sauce

Paired with: 2014 Hall Sauvignon Blanc (Napa)

SECOND COURSE

Arctic Char

Haricot vert, horseradish cream

Paired with: 2013 Walt Chardonnay "La Brisa" (Sonoma)

THIRD COURSE

Foie Gras Risotto

Arborio rice with foie gras and shaved truffles

Paired with: 2013 Walt Pinot Noir "Shea Vineyard" (Oregon)

FOURTH COURSE

Baby Lamb Chop

Mint pistachio pesto oven charred Brussels sprouts

Paired with: 2012 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)

FIFTH COURSE

Chateaubriand

Robuchon potatoes, roast farm baby vegetables, assorted sauces

Paired with: 2011 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon "Jack's Masterpiece" (Napa)

SIXTH COURSE

Cheese Platter

Paired with: 2011 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon "Kathryn Hall" (Napa) 

Reservations required, RSVP here.

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GreenRiver Opens in Streeterville

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GreenRiver, 259 E. Erie, opens Sept. 17 in Streeterville. Chef Aaron Lirette, formerly of Arcadia and Celeste, oversees the kitchen operation, which spotlights Midwestern dishes made from seasonal ingredients. 

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Rosebud Turns 40

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Rosebud Restaurants rolls out a commemorative 40th Anniversary menu featuring signature dishes through the years. 

"My personal motto is to keep it simple, keep it good and keep it coming," said Alex Dana, founder of Rosebud Restaurant's Inc.

Keeping in tradition with Dana's motto the restaurant has selected Italian dishes that have been fan favorites through the years. The menu, available through Sept. 30 at participating Rosebud locations, includes: Rosebud pappardelle (homemade noodles, rich tomato sauce, fresh basil, $21); original eggplant salad (breaded eggplant, beefsteak tomatoes, Buffalo mozzarella, arugula, Italian dressing, balsamic, $14); filet Italiano (filet, garlic white wine sauce, chicken stock, vinegar peppers, roasted potatoes, $45); chicken vesuvio (roasted chicken on the bone, garlic, oregano, white wine, roasted potatoes, sweet peas, $27); chivalini Italian sausage with rapini (sauteed chivalini sausage, rapini, chicken stock, garlic, chili flakes, $17). 

The anniversary drink is the 1975 Cocktail (Langley's Gin No. 8, Elderflower cordial, lemon, strawberry, rose prosecco, $12).

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Wild Animal Themed Spirits Tasting

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Lincoln Park Zoo, Cannon and Stockton, hosts a Wild Spirits tasting featuring Monkey Shoulder Whisky and Snow Leopard vodka among other varieties, 6-10 p.m. Sept. 19. Click here for more information

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Umami Burger Wicker Park One Year Celebration

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Umami Burger Wicker Park kicks off a One Year Anniversary celebration kicks off with a party 6-10 p.m. Sept. 18. The Boozy Brunch featuring the Boozy Brunch Combo (Sunnyside burger, maple bacon fries, bottomless mimosa; $28) will be available 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 19-20.

Special brunch drinks include: Stumptown cold brew ($6); maple bacon old fashioned ($6); bacon bourbon bloody or Michelada and One Hope bottomless mimosas ($12).

Food and drink specials through the weekend include drafts ($5); glasses of wine ($6) and specialty cocktails ($7). Also, the Calabrese (pictured) burger ($10) and Calabrese fries return for the occasion.

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Oktoberfest @Timothy O'Tooles

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Timothy O'Toole's Pub, 622 N. Fairbanks, celebrates Oktoberfest 11-4 a.m. Sept. 25-26. Highlights include 25-ounce bier steins, German bites and plenty of oom pah-pah music and lederhosen-wearing wait staff.

Food includes soft pretzels and spicy mustard ($7); bratwurst sandwich with sauerkraut and a choice of side ($10) and chicken schnitzel served mashed potatoes and spiced apples ($14).

Beers ($7) include Goose Island Oktoberfest; Sam Adams Oktoberfest; Leinenkugel Oktoberfest; Weihenstephaner Festbier; Ayinger Oktoberfest; Erdinger Fest; Great lakes Oktoberfest; Left Hand Oktoberfest; Metropolitan Afterburner and Bell's Oktoberfest.

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Chicago Mac & Cheese Fest

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Get your tickets before they sell out. Last year tickets sold out for the Mac & Cheese Fest long before a lot folk found out what the hoopla was all about. Tickets are on sell now for the Second Annual Mac & Cheese Fest, noon to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 24, UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt. Click here for ticket information.

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Stretch's New Daily Specials

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Stretch Bar & Grill, 3485 N. Clark, features food and daily drink specials, available on non-Cub game days, that include $5 32-oz Bloody Marys served in a Mason jar (Saturday and Sunday); $2 steak or chicken tacos (Thursday) and the $20 Six O'Clock Happy Hour deal, proceeds benefit the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, which raises funds for cancer research and provides support for children, and their families, battling cancer, 6-9 p.m. Friday. The cost includes cheeseburger and fries, or one appetizer; domestic bottles and well drinks. A $5 upgrade includes call drinks.

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2015 Chefs Hall of Fame Inductees

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Chicago Culinary Museum and Chefs Hall of Fame announced its 2015 inductees: Tony Mantuano (Chef of the Year, Spiaggia); Judy Contino, Pastry Chef of the Year (Bittersweet); J. Joho (Legendary Chef, Everest; Paris Club); Georges "Kiki" Cuisance (Industry Legend, Kiki's Bistro); Stephen J. Lombardo, Jr. and Hugo Ralli (Industry Leaders, Partners, Gibsons Restaurant Group). The induction gala is 5-9:30 p.m. Oct. 15, Crystal Garden, Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand. Congratulations to all the inductees. Click here for ticket information.

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Barbakoa's Toast to Mexican Independence Day

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Chef Dudley Nieto of  Barbakoa, 1341 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove, celebrates Mexican Independence Day Sept. 16 with a lineup of drink and food specials that include a pig roast; $5 margaritas and green, white and red tamales ($5). Party festivities include a pinata.

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Kanela's September Specials

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Kanela Breakfast Club, participating locations, hosts September and Rosh Hashanah specials beginning Sept 8, through Sept. 30. As a salute to Mushroom Month guests ordering the wild mushroom and arugula Benedict (poached egg, arugula, wild mushroom, sriracha hollandaise, mornay sauce, English muffin) will receive a complimentary order of loukoumades, (pictured). One order per customer.

A $5 Matzo Ball soup special for Rosh Hashanah will be available Sept. 13-15.

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The Dawson's New Menu

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As we straddle between the tail end of summer and beginning of fall Chef Shaun King of The Dawson's, 730 W. Grand, introduces new "mid-season" dishes that includes: pork mac & cheese (Sausage House bacon ends, smoked shoulder, caramelized onions, herb breadcrumbs-pictured), baby artichokes (black garlic vinaigrette, almond, Parmesan, baby kale) and pan roasted scallops (creamed farro, Chantrelle mushrooms, corn crumble, apricot broth, fennel, pickled pluot). PHOTO: PORK MAC & CHEESE (NICOLE ESS)

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Renaissance Gets Creative with Cocktails

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Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel's, 1 W. Wacker, mixologist, taking notes on each guests, creates the perfect drink, using spirits from local distiller Koval, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 10. Cocktails will be designed based on the individual's preference for a sweet or sour libation.

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Chicago WingFest

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More than 60,000 chicken wings from Chicagoland’s favorite wing stops will be served up during WingFest, 1-7 p.m. Sept. 5, Bailey Auditorium, 1340 W. Washington. Highlights of the event include a woman's wing eating competition; man's wing eating competition and cooking demos. Proceeds benefit Variety: The Children's Charity of Illinois. Click here for participants and ticket information.

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DJ Lani Love Spins @Meals on Wheels Event

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Tickets for Meals on Wheels Chicago Celebrity Ball, 6 p.m. Nov. 13, Morgan Street Manufacturing, featuring the city's top chefs and entertainment by DJ Lani Love, go on sale Sept. 10. in addition to the 40 chef stations on the floor a VIP Chef's table, featuring a six-course prepared by three chefs and a mixologist,
will be available. Click here for event information.

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Prairie Grass Cafe Promote Sustainable Fish

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Chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris of Prairie Grass Cafe, 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, are promoting sustainable fish with a weekly fish fry. The current feature is batter-fried wild Alaskan black cod, potato wedges and a peach and corn slaw; $28. The cod is pot caught in Petersburg, Alaska.

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Fountainhead's Rooftop Harvest Dinner

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Chef Cleetus Friedman of Fountainhead, 1970 W. Montrose, hosts a four-course dinner, paired with carefully selected libations that enhance each course, celebrating the fall harvest, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 on the whiskey bar's rooftop garden. Click here for ticket information.

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