Bistro Campagne's May Chef's Dinner at the Bar

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Bistro Campagne, 4518 N. Lincoln, hosts its chef's dinner at the bar beginning 6 p.m. May 31. The dinner features Todd's gumbo (Amuse bouche); shrimp and lobster etouffee (first course); oxtails in Bordelaise (second course) and white chocolate beignets, vanilla bean anglaise and caramelized banana. Reservations must be made in pairs. Two seatings are available: 6 and 8 p.m. The cost is $85, plus tax and gratuity. For a reservation, call 773-271-6100.

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Black-owned coffee shops step up to the plate

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If you didn't step out to one of the many black-owned coffee shops on May 29, it's never too late to sample the variety of cafes, houses and eateries around the city that serve up a good cup of java including Akhirah's Praline Candy, Beignets & Coffee Shop, located in the South Loop at 1845 S. State.

View Black Star Project's list of local and national black-owned coffee spots.

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Last chance for Weber's burger of the month

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There's still time to catch Chef David Rolan's, Weber Grill, 539 N. State, homage to National Burger Month. 

Chef Rolan's creation: an Angus beef patty topped with pulled baby back ribs, smoked onions, pickled vegetables and homemade mornay sauce; $13, disappears May 31. Ten percent of the proceeds will benefit Chicago Catholic Charities. 

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Geja's Cafe 53rd anniversary celebration

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Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage, celebrates its 53rd anniversary June 1-30 with a special promotion for diners. Guests visiting Sunday-Thursday who mention they are at the restaurant to celebrate Geja’s 53rd Anniversary will enjoy $19.65 off each Premier Dinner, reflective of the 1965 opening. 

In addition a special Anniversary wine list will feature 53 percent off normal prices. Also, during the month-long celebration the  restaurant will host its ninth annual dipping sauce recipe contest. The winning recipe will appear on the restaurant's menu June 24-July 3.

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Hyde Park Brew Fest 2018

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Hyde Park Brew Fest takes place noon to 9 p.m. June 2-3, in downtown Hyde Park at 53rd and Harper.

Brewers include: Sam Adams; 5 Rabbits; Lagunitas; Hopewell Brewing Co.; Revolution Brewing; Argus Brewing; Unity Vibration; Old Irving Brewing Co.; Goose Island; Jolly Pumpkin; 350 Brewing; Old Town Abbey; Middle Brow; Spiteful Brewing; Pollyanna Brewing Company; Whiner Beer and Nirtue Cider. Tickets.

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Texas de Brazil salutes veterans and active military Memorial Day

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Texas de Brazil, participating locations, honors veterans and active-duty military personnel on Memorial Day (May 28) with a 50 per cent off discount on their meal as well as 20 per cent off  for up to seven guests.

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Pokémon Pop-Up Bar @Replay

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Replay Lincoln Park, 2833 N. Sheffield, turns its back bar into a Pokémon pop-up center May 25, complete with specialty Pokémon-themed cocktails, décor and custom artwork. During the event guests can pickup a trainer punch card to  collect all eight Pokémon badge cocktails to unlock the ‘Elite Four Challenge.’ 

Events for the day include a Pokémon hunt with QR codes hidden around the bar, Pokémon Gym and trading card and gaming console tournaments with prizes awarded. The venue launches its complete Pokémon takeover June 1. 

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Heaven on Seven Crawfish boil

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Chef/owner Jimmy Bannos of Heaven on Seven, 111 N. Wabash, hosts an all-you-can-eat southern-style crawfish boil prepared by guest chef David Dickensauge, 5:30-9 p.m. May 31; $35. Tickets.

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Ravenswood's Mayfestiversary 2018

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Dovetail Brewery and Begyle Brewing partner for Ravenswood's rite of spring community event, Mayfestiversary 2018, May 26-27, Begyle Brewery 1800 W. Cuyler. Hours are: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

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Trattoria Gianni turns the big 3-0

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Trattoria Gianni, 1711 N. Halsted, celebrates 30 years of service with a limited time special (available now), featuring select entrees priced at $30.

Selections include: Rigatoni Alla Nocerina (pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, mushrooms in a rich cream sauce that Gianni created in 1988, pictured); Tagliatelle Alla Caprese, served with fresh, oven-roasted tomatoes, pesto, and fresh mozzarella, or Petti Di Pollo Al Limone (chicken breast sauteed with white wine, lemon, and capers).

All entree choices include a salad and a glass of bold Nero D’Avola or grillo wine from Sicily.

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Commonwealth burger vanishes soon

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Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe, kicks off a month-long deal for National Burger Month. The specialty burger, available May 1-31, is a ground in-house patty (70-percent brisket and 30-percent bacon), American cheese, tavern sauce, bread and butter pickles and fried onions, on a brioche bun served with choice of fries or side salad; $15.

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Boltwood Monday night dinner series

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Chef/owner, Brian Huston of Boltwood, 804 Davis Street, Evanston, hosts a four-course collaboration dinner with The Spice House beginning 5 p.m. May 21. The  dinner is part of a monthly series of dinners and events, held on Mondays, designed to support and bring attention to other local businesses, schools and community organizations.

The dinner will incorporate s seasonings from The Spice House into each course  The Spice House's owners will be on hand to discuss how the flavors enhance the dishes. The four-course meal is $45. View menu. Call Boltwood for reservations at: 847.859.2880

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Timothy O'Toole's in Lake Villa

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Timothy O'Toole's Lake Villa, 10 W. Grand, opened earlier this month. Look for signature items such as the bar's wings, Reuben egg rolls and the pretzel the trio (beer cheese fondue, IPA mustard and Guinness honey mustard).

The Big Timmy Challenge (two 1/2 lb. patties, cheddar, Jack, mozzarella, Swiss cheeses, bacon, onion straws, lettuce, tomato, pickle and red onion and BBQ sauce served with Irish nachos) is available. Guests who down the mammoth burger receives an O'Toole's T-shirt.

A special kids menu will be available as well. Also 4-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesday kids under age 10 with an adult free with each adult meal purchased. A tableside balloon artist entertains 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays.

The pub also boasts a selection of 24 beers on tap that include local, craft and domestic selections.

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Taste of Chicago to feature 26 new food vendors

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The 73-vendor restaurant lineup for the 38th Annual Taste of Chicago has been announced. Among the total will be 26 new restaurants that include: Arun's Thai Restaurant; Aunty Joy's Jamaican Kitchen; Esperanza's Kitchen Delights; Garifuna Flava: A Taste of Belize; Output Lounge & Sports Bar; Premier Rollin BBQ; Turtle's Bar & Grill; Yum Dum; Aloha Wagon; Bee Nana LLC; bettyBOT Shop; BITES; Blackwood BBQ; Chiya Chai Café; Classic Cobbler; Get Off The Couch Catering; Grill City; (Seafood City); Josephine's Cookin'; Papa Luke's Gravy Balls; So Forking Great; Sun Wah Barbecue Restaurant; These Wingz?; Wood Fire Counter; CheSa's Gluten Free Food Truck and Lawrence’s Fish and Shrimp.

Also two old favorites,  Buona Beef and Original Rainbow Cone, returns.

The Taste of Chicago runs July 11-15 in Grand Park.

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Chicago Riverwalk's weekend opening

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Riverwalk Chicago officially opens May 18 with a celebratory weekend (May 18-20) of fun. Special attractions will take place throughout the weekend including a pyrotechnical waterfall display 8:15 p.m. May 18. Other weekend events include a kid zone; kayaking, boat rides, art displays, live music and tours. View the complete list of weekend activities here.

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Long Grove Chocolate Fest May 18

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The Long Grove Chocolate Fest takes place May 18-20 in historic downtown district at 308 Old McHenry Road. Chocolate treats to behold include: chocolate flavored or covered food items include: cotton candy; popcorn; bars with assorted such as fruit, nuts, mint, chili and sea salt; dipped apples;
bananas; peanut butter cups; brittle; doughnuts; funnel cakes and chocolate-covered bacon.

In addition to the chocolate goodies visitors will be feted to live music throughout the music; a family zone and carnival rides.

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Beer Under Glass Illinois Craft Beer Week kick off

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Illinois Craft Beer Week 2018 kicks off with Beer Under Glass, 6-9 p.m. May 18. Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Avenue. VIP admission is at 5 p.m.  

Participants include: 2 Fools Cider; Alarmist Brewing; Aleman Brewing Company; Alter Brewing Company; ALULU Brew Pub; Ballast Point Brewing Company; Band of Bohemia, LLC; Banging Gavel Brews; Begyle Brewing; BuckleDown Brewing; Cahoots Brewing; Church Street Brewing Company; Corridor Brewery & Provisions; Decatur Brew Works; DESTIHL Brewery; Dovetail Brewery, Inc.; DryHop Brewers; Elder Brewing, Inc.; Elmhurst Brewing; Empirical Brewery; ERIS Brewery and Cider House; Forbidden Root Brewery; Forge Brewhouse; Gino’s Brewing Company; Great Central Brewery, LLC; Hailstorm Brewing Co; Half Acre Beer Company; Half Day brewing Company; Illuminated Brew Works; JT Walker’s Brewery: Kinslahger Brewing Company: Lake Effect Brewing Company: Light the Lamp Brewery; Lo Rez Brewing; Lunar Brewing Company; Macushla Brewing Company; Maplewood Brewing Co; Metal Monkey Brewing; Noon Whistle Brewing; Oak Park Brewing Company; Old Irving Brewing Company; Penrose Brewing Company; Pig Minds Brewing; Co.; Pipeworks Brewing Company; Pollyanna Brewing Company; Ravinia Brewing Company; Revolution Brewing; Rock Bottom (Orland Park); Saint Errant Brewing; Short Fuse Brewing Company; Spiteful Brewing; Tangled Roots Beverage Company, LLC; Temperance Beer Company; Ten Ninety Brewing Co; The Lagunitas Brewing Company; Tighthead Brewing Company; Tribes Beer Company; Twisted Hippo Brewing LLC; Two Brothers Artisan Brewing; Virtue Cider; Werk Force Brewing Co. and Whiner Brewery LLCS. 

Food Vendors include: 5411 Empanadas; Bub City; Chicago Lunchbox; Das Radler; Dinky Delights; Gotta B Crepes; Haymarket Pub and Brewery; Tamale Spaceship and Smylie Brothers. Tickets.

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Forbidden Root taps into Illinois Craft Beer Week

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Forbidden Root, 1746 W. Chicago hosts the Second Annual Neipa Tap Takeover, 5-10 p.m. May 23 as part of its Illinois Craft Beer Week events.  The brewery also  partners
with Corridor to release two New England IPAs during the event.

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Lincoln Park Zoo and DryHop's 5th annual beer collaboration

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Lincoln Park Zoo partners with DryHop Brewers for Coco Loro beer, its fifth annual collaboration is support of wild life.

This year's release is in support of Puerto Rican Parrot Conservation. Released at the Zoo-ologie: Walk on the Wild Side fundraiser May 12, the specialty brew makes its public debut during a release party 5 p.m. May 16, DryHop, 3155 N. Broadway. A $1 from each beer sold will be donated to the zoo's wild life efforts.

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Slow Food partners with Bang Bang Pie for seedling sale

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Slow Food Chicago teams with Bang Bang Pie Shop for its annual tomato seedling sale 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 13 at the Logan Square location, 2051 N. California.

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Remedy Bar's prom night adventure

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Remedy Bar, 1910 N. Milwaukee, hosts "Spring Fling: Love in Bloom," a prom night themed event for grown ups, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. May 12.

For those who weren't voted king or queen of their prom, here's a chance to earn the coveted crown. Guests are encouraged to come in prom wear. Featured drinks for the evening are the "Spring Fling Thing" spiked punch and cans and bottles of beer served in brown paper bags.

In addition to the crowning of a prom night king and queen, a raffle will be held with two grand prize winners receiving a $25 gift card; two runners up will receive $10 gift cards. DJ Slot-A will be spin tunes. Ages 21 and over.

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Kizuki Ramen and Izakaya host beer dinner

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Kizuki Ramen and Izakaya, 1482 N. Milwaukee, partner with Forbidden Root for a special dinner beginning 6 p.m. May 16: $45

Guests Randy Mosher, author of Tasting Beer: An Insider's Guide to the World's Greatest Drink (pictured) and Kevin Yu, chef/owner of Forbidden Root lead guests through a five-course dinner pairing that begins with an appetizer and Sparkling Rose Ale. Courses to follow are: chicken Karaage with Togarashi spicy mayo paired with a strawberry basil Hefeweizen; deep fried oyster with wasabi tartar sauce paired with Hay Fever; garlic Tonkotsu Shoyu ramen paired with WPA and  Japanese shaved ice paired with Grand Cru Root Beer Spiced Tripel. Searing is limited. Tickets.

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III Forks hosts a wedding party fit for, well— royalty

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III Forks Prime Steakhouse, 180 N. Field Blvd., hosts a rooftop cocktail reception in honor of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nuptials, 4-11 p.m. May 19. 

The cocktail of the day (Beefeater gin, St. Germaine, lemon and rosewater; $12) is inspired by the couple's lemon and elderflower wedding cake, The Royal Kiss. 

Flutes of Riondo Prosecco will be featured at half-price ($7) and complimentary slices of III Forks' signature Texas pecan cake will be served to party guests. Wedding attire, statement hats and British accents are encouraged.

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Michael Jordan's Steakhouse Burger Month bonanza

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Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, 505 N. Michigan, serves up a weekly selection for Burger  Month. Chef Craig Couper has partner with Belly Q for this week's The Chicago Style burger with Neon relish, mustard, tomato, onion, sport peppers, celery salt on a poppy seed bun, available through May 13.

Upcoming selections include: Uncle Paulie’s Burger with  grilled bacon, charred onion, white cheddar & stuffed with fries, Pittsburgh style, available May 14-17; Korean BBQ burger, hand crafted by Chef Cedric Harden of River Roast, available May 18-20; MJ’s Private Reserve Burger made with select cuts of ground dry-aged steaks & Wagyu beef with aged cheddar and caramelized Vidalia onion, available May 21-24;  Meatless Impossible burger, Created by Chef Danny Sweis, available May 24-27 and finally the Reuben, a collaborative effort with chefs Aaron Steingold and Todd Harris of Steingold's Chicago, available May 28-31.

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