III Forks South African Wine Tasting

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III Forks Prime Steakhouse, 180 N. Field, hosts "Sommelier for a Day" featuring South African wines 5 p.m. June 1; $20. Sommelier Brian Speh leads participants through a sampling of six different selections while executive chef Cedric Harden creates hors deouvres. See wine list below. RSVP @ 312-938-4303.

Sommelier For a Day Wine Selections

Capensis Chardonnay 2013

Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2010

Protea Chenin Blanc 2014

Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2013

Meerlust Rubicon Bordeaux Blend 2010

Rust en Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

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Franklin Tap Hosts Sierra Nevada Beer Camp

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Franklin Tap, 325 S. Franklin, welcomes Sierra Nevada for a "Beer Camp Across America"  tap takeover starting 5 p.m. June 2.

All six of Sierra Nevada's new collaboration beers on draft will be featured, in addition to four other Sierra Nevada selections. Each of the "Beer Camp Across America" brews involves a regional collaboration with some of America's best craft breweries. 

Sierra Nevada representative Matt McAdams will be on hand to educate guests about the unique collaborations. Full pints of the collaboration brews will be offered for $7 each (Family Values; Sweet Sunny South; Moxee-Moron; West Latitude; Pat-Rye-Ot; Stout of the Union), and regular drafts will be $6 each (Hop Hunter IPA; Summerfest; Otra Vez; Barrel-Aged Narwhal). The complete list of featured drafts is outlined below. 

Festivities include a raffle for the opportunity to win tickets to the upcoming Beer Camp Festival June 11 in Milwaukee.

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Tesori Celebrates National Cheese Day

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Tesori Trattoria and Bar, 65 E. Adams, celebrates National Cheese Day (June 4) with a selection of cheese dishes that include cheese ravioli (house made ravioli filled with goat cheese, pecorino toscano and parmigianno-reggiano, served in a cherry tomato, basil and garlic cream sauce; $18) available 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

Tesori's  regular cheese-centric dishes on the lunch and dinner menus, including Burrata Salad (wild baby arugula, dried black mission figs, aged balsamic, toasted walnuts $12); Caprese Panini (mozzarella di bufala, vine ripe tomato, basil pesto, tomato vinaigrette, panini-grilled italian loaf $12); Four Cheese Pizza (mozzarella fonduta, parmigiano reggiano, pecorino, ricotta, basil $10); along with an assortment of Formaggi (taleggio $6, gorgonzola dolce $6, pecorino toscano $5, burrata $9), will also be available.

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Dave Anderson at Westmont's Red, White & BBQ Event

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It's Memorial Day weekend and what better to kick it off than with the Red, White and BBQ Festival and Competition, featuring Dave Anderson, founder of popular barbecue spot Famous Dave's, judging the Red, White and Barbecue competition, a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event, 4:30 p.m. May 28. 

Other highlights of the event includes live entertainment, carnival rides and craft vendors. Hours are noon to 10:30 p.m. May 28; noon to 9 p.m. May 29. The event takes place in Ty Warner Park, 700 Blackhawk Dr.,  Westmont. 

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El Tapeo Salutes World Tapas Day

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Chef Michael McDonald of El Tapeo, 2100 Spring Rd., In Le Meridien, Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, celebrates World Tapas Day (June 16), with 50 per cent off taps and sangrias.

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Caffe Baci's New Monthly Food and Drink Program

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Chef Cleetus Friedman of Caffe Baci, 225 W. Wacker, hosts the first 225@5 Collaboration Series, a new spin on happy hour, partnering his creative dishes with different beverages the last Thursday of the month beginning 5 p.m. May 26 at the bar at Caffe Baci. 

For the initial event Friedman partners with Begyle Brewing and North Shore Distillery for a collaborative food and drink special; $40, which includes five courses of bar bites, including mini sliders, and four drink tickets. Purchase ticket.

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The Northman Hosts an Asturias, Spain Event

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The Northman, 4337 N. Lincoln, Chicago's only cider bar, hosts a special event 4 p.m. May 25, featuring products from Asturias, Spain. 

Begona Medio, an expert on Asturian food and culture will be on hand to share information on three of Northern Spain's most popular imports: cheese, seafood and cider. Chef Sean Sanders will create special dishes for the occasion along with spotlighting ciders from Trabanco. 

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Gelato World Tour in Chicago

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Gelato World Tour featuring contenders vying for the "World Best Gelato" title is May 27-29 in Millenneium Park on the South Promenade. 

Angelo Lollino and Ali Caine Hung of Vero Coffee and Gelato, are among the entries featuring their signature flavor: Chicago Pot Hole (cocoa from Ecuador emulsified, variegated with Vero's nutty chocolate sauce, roasted and caramelized pecans, dark chocolate chunks and marshmallow-inspired meringue).

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Negroni Week Pours it on For Charity

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Negroni Week is June 6-12 and Chicago bars and restaurants are gearing up for the event with Negroni cocktails and Negroni-inspired food concoctions in support of charity. 

Participants include:  Osteria Langhe:  Serves up Negroni Panna Cotta featuring vanilla panna cotta drizzled with gin and Campari syrup.  The Violet Hour: pours it on with the “Eeyore’s Requiem,” a crafted cocktail mix of Campari, gin, Dolin Blanc, Cynar, Fernet-Branca and orange bitters and  Lone Wolf Tavern:  offers the cool the Negron Scroppiny, a froen Negroni topped with Prosecco.

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Myron Mixon's Hands-On Classs @Windy City Smokeout

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What's better than beer, barbecue and country music on a summer day, not much. Tickets for the Fourth Annual Windy City Smokeout, hosted by Bub City, Joe's on Weed Street, 2 p.m. July 15-17, 560 W. Grand, are now available. 

Highlights include Legendary grillmaster Myron Mixon's hands-on cooking session 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15 (tickets). The music lineup, with more acts to be announced, includes: Chase Rice, Phil Vassar, Jessie James Decker, Brandon Ray and Jordan Gray.
Purchase tickets.

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Honey Butter Fried Chicken/Parachute Collaboration

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The second installment of its Clucker Collaboration series betweeen Honey Buttered Fried Chicken, 3361 Elston and Avondale chefs Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark of Parachute (pictured), 3500 N. Elston is the the Parachute Fire Chicken Sandwich (fried chicken, gochujang, mozzarella, pickled jalapeño and shredded cabbage served on a buttery bun for $10), with $1 for every sandwich sold benefiting Asian Americans Advancing Justice, will be available May 24-29 at at Honey Butter Fried. 

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Duck Inn Winemaker DInner

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Chef Kevin Hickey The Duck Inn, 2701 S, Eleanor, hosts a Silver Oak Winemaker Dinner 6-10 p.m. May 26;m $150, plus tax and gratuity.

Nate Weiss of Silver Oak will be on hand to share information on the evening's selections that will be paired with a family style pig roast pig and roast duck dinner in the restaurant's summer back yard area. Purchase tickets.

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Taste of Chicago's Chef Du Jour Tix Going on Sale

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Taste of Chicago Chef du Jour featuring Graham Elliot with Masterchef Junior Season 4 winner, Addison (July 6); Kevin Hickey, Duck Inn (July 7); ' Patrick Sheerin, Trenchermen (July 8);  Chris Macchia, Nonnina  (July 9) and Abraham Conlon, Fat Rice (July 10). Tickets, $45 for a three-course meal, go on sale 10 a.m. May 20. Purchase tickets.

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Geja's Argyle Winemaker Dinner

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Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage, hosts the Argyle Winnemaker dinner,  6:30 p.m. June 6. 

The four-course menu includes: Geja's house Salad, cheese fondue, beef tenderloin, chicken & jumbo shrimp entree. Dessert is flaming chocolate fondue. Each course will be paired with an appropriately wine. 

A representative from Oregon-based Argyle Winery will be on hand to provide commentary and answer questions during the event. Cost is $60, includes wines, dinner, tax and gratuity.

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Tesori Trattoria's Complimentary Pizza Deal

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Tesori Trattoria and Bar, 65 E. Adams salutes National Pizza Party Day (May 20) with a week-long celebration May 16- 20, offering parties of four (seated in  the lounge only with a minimum $20 beverage purchase) two complimentary  pizzas.  

To receive the offer, guests must say "pizza party!" to their server.  

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Kizuki Ramen's New Sake Genius Bar

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Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, 1482 N. Milwauke, offers a sake and authentic Tokio ramen dish every Monday and Thursday beginning 7 p.m. May 16 at its new weekly Sake Genius Bar, which features a rotating menu. 

Kizuki experts will be on hand to guide guests through the four-course dining experience. The cost is $40, Spots are limited. Purchase tickets here.

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O'Toole's Hosts Firestone Walker Tap Takeover

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In celebration of American Craft Beer Week, Timothy O'Toole's Pub, 622 N. Fairbanks Court, is hosting a Firestone Walker tap takeover featuring 10 drafts, including four vintage beers (14th Anniversary Ale, 18th Anniversary Ale, 19th Anniversary Ale, Ol' Leghorn) and one specialty beer, Bretta Rose, 5 p.m. May 23.

Firestone Walker's barrel meister, Jeffers Richardson, will be on hand to discuss the California-born brews, being offered in 5oz samples, 11oz draughts, 16oz pours and one can. In addition  a raffle to win items from Firestone Walker Brewery will take place.

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Heaven on Seven Hot as a Mutha Dinner Event

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Jimmy Bannos, chef/owner of Heaven on Seven, 111 N. Wabash, with guest chef Cleetus Friedman of Caffe Baci, launch the "Family Tree" dinner series 7 p.m. June 22; $60. 

The series, which pays homage to former Heaven on Seven employees who have gone on to achieve great things in the food and beverage industry spreading the HOS Family tree, kicks off with the "Hot as a Mutha" six-course menu featuring all hot and spicy dishes. Sells out fast. Purchase tickets.

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Ogden Chicago's Craft Beer Week Event

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The Ogden Chicago, 1659 W. Ogden, as part of the Seventh Annual Craft Beer Week in Chicago May 19-29, hosts a one-barrel tapping of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout 2015, 10 p.m. May 21. Six-ounce pours, limited to one per customer, available for $1, while supplies last.

In addition the bar will also feature a selection of local craft beer in over 50 bottles and 18 taps from including Chicago-based breweries Half Acre, Off Color, and Maplewood Brewing.

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Riva's Tuesday Date Night Special

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If it's Tuesday, it must be date night, well at Riva Crab House, 700 E. Grand (at Navy Pier) it is. The restaurant kicked off  "Tuesday Date Night," featuring two three-course prix fixe options ($30, $40) created by Chef Luigi Garcia, available 5-10:30 p.m. Space is limited. Reservations required 312-644-7482.

Menu options:

$40 PRIX FIXE MENU: APPETIZER (Choice of one to share) 6 East Coast Oysters Champagne mignonette, cocktail sauce Artisan Cheese Board Local cheese, organic fruits, raisin bread, nuts ENTREE (choice of one per person): Filet Mignon Royal trumpet mushrooms, asparagus, fingerling potatoes, demi glaze Colossal White Shrimp Potato gnocchetti, oyster mushrooms, arugula, thyme butter sauce Riva Lobster Diavolo 1.25 pound whole Maine lobster, linguini, in a spicy tomato sauce DESSERT: Sample Dessert Duo

$30 PRIX FIXE MENU: APPETIZER  (Choice of one per person) Crispy Calamari Cocktail sauce, citrus garlic aioli Artisan Cheese Board Local cheese, organic fruits, raisin bread, nuts Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Louise sauce, capers, Asian-style salad ENTREE (choice of one to share): White Marble Farms Pork Chop (pictured) 14-ounce pork chop, sweet potatoes, smoked bacon, leeks, blueberry gastrique Alaskan Halibut Toasted farro, wilted arugula, piquillo peppers, heirloom tomato fondue Roasted Lamb Rack Quinoa salad, wilted Tuscan kale, peas, chile ancho demi glaze DESSERT: Sample Dessert Duo

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Tokio Pub Empirical Beer Event

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Tokio Pub, 1900 E. Higgins, Schaumburg, hosts a four-course dinner featuring Empirical Brewery pairings, 7 p.m. May 26; $45. Reservations are required. Call 847.278.5181.

Courses are:
First: Assortment of Snacks (warm roasted bar nuts, IPA "cracker jacks", chex mix "crunchy crack")

Infinity IPA
Second: Jerk Chicken Wings (mango-scotch bonnet glaze, cilantro, ginger) with 1st Law Belgian Table Beer

Third: Pastrami Short Rib (IPA mustard, rye, cabbage) with Double Helix Imperial IPA

Fourth:  Apricot Upside Down Cake (cornmeal cake, almond crunch, amaretto sherbet, young basil) with 3rd         Law Belgian Triple

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Tallboy Taco Shrimp Day Selection

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Chef Tim Hockett's, Tallboy Taco, 325 W. Huron, National Shrimp Day offering is crispy fried shrimp taco topped with jalapeno slaw, available 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 10, $4. Two tacos with a Tecate Tallboy is $8.

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Cantina Laredo's National Shrimp Day Specials

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Cantina Laredo, 508 N. State, celebrates National Shrimp Day (May 10) with half-price shrimp dishes in the upstairs lounge from 3:30-6:30 p.m. 

Menu items include Jalapeno Relleno de Camaron (jalapenos stuffed with shrimp and Monterey Jack, wrapped in bacon, $10), Empanadas de Choizo y Camarones (empanadas with chorizo, shrimp, Monterey Jack, queso fresco, chile de arbol sauce, $9, pictured), and Flatbread de Camarones Chipotle (sauteed shrimp with goat cheese, pineapple, roasted peppers, chipotle sauce, $11). 

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