Stay tuned: Hattie B’s Hot Chicken headed to Wrigleyville

Panache blog: Food & Beverage

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken surfaces in Wrigleyville  in 2026. More details to come.

Chocolate Fest returns to Long Grove, May 2025

Panache: Food/Beverage Blog:  

Chocolate Fest, featuring an array chocolate inspired edibles, returns to historic downtown Long Grove, May 17-19. 

An array of chocolate and chocolate infused items will be available. Items include an array of chocolate infused food and beverage items. Past items include: chocolate truffles, cake pops, donuts, cocoa bombs, cupcakes and cake pops.

Interactive experiences include wine and chocolate pairings and candy-making demonstrations.

In addition to sampling an array of chocolate infused food and beverages, guests can enjoy shopping in the town’s iconic historic downtown area.

Those familiar with the classic I Love Lucy chocolate wrapping episode from the iconic “I Lucy Show,” if they dare, can try their hand at wrapping chocolates as they come off a conveyor, during a recreation of the iconic episode sponsored by Long Grove Confectionery. 

Tickets $5, per entry or $10, 3-day pass are on sale now. Purchase here.

Meet the bees Earth Day event

Panache blog: Food and beverage 

Beekeeper Steve Duncan Meet the Bees Earth Day event, with beekeeper Steve Duncan 4:30-6:30 p.m. April, 22, at 4815 N. Sacramento. More details.

Easter brunch @Brookfield Zoo

Panache blog: Food and beveage

Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd., Brookfield, hosts Easter brunch April 29 and 20. Each date offers three times: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m and 12:30 p.m. in the Savanah Ballroom Discovery Center.

In addition to brunch there will creative activities.

In addition to brunch buffet guests can enjoy activities that include: coloring book tables; interactive DJ; and the opportunity to explore the zoo grounds. Tickets include: admission, brunch with the Easter bunny, admission and parking. Entry locations are at 3300 Golf Rd. and 31and Golfview Ave., Brookfield. More details.

Adult Easter egg hunt and bar crawl in Wrigleyville

Panache blog: Food and beverage events

Adult Easter egg hunt and bar hop, 11 a.m. April 19 in Wrigleyville. Tickets include admission to all bars, breakfast buffet, bunny ears and a few surprises. Earlybird discount going on now. More details and tickets.

 

Food not Bombs event March 30 in Rogers Park

 Panache blog: Food and beverages

Feed Each Other, Free Each Other “Food not Bombs,” event 12 p.m. March 30 in Rogers Park, 6900 N. Glenwood Ave. More details.

Bistronomic hosts Taste of Iceland today

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Chef  Martial Noguier, Bistronomic, 840 N. Rush St., hosts Taste of Iceland today featuring multiple seatings throughout the day. More details. 

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny @Shabbona Park Fieldhouse

Panache blog: Food and drink events

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Shabbona Park, 6935 W. Addison St., includes light breakfast and interaction with the Easter Bunny, including picture with the Easter Bunny. More details and tickets.

 

Taylor Swift Bar Crawl in Wrigleyville, April 12

Panache blog: Food and beverages 

Taylor Swift Bar Crawl at multiple Wrigleyville bars, 12-6 p.m. April 12. Admission includes admission to all stops:  Taylor Swift inspired drinks, and an evening of Taylor Swift music. Hours are 12-6 p.m. More details and tickets here.

Chicago on Tap Fest @Theater on the Lake

Panache blog: Food and beverage 

Chicago on Tap Fest, 6 p.m. April 10, Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Hours are 6-10 p.m. Tickets. $45. More details.

Woodies Flat Happy Hour Monday-Friday

 Panache blog: Food and beverage

Woodies, 1535 W. Wells St., happy hour deals 5-7 p.m. Monday-Friday. Deals include: specialty cocktails, $8; Hetel One Espresso martinis, $8, Goode Island Buckets, $25; Lil Chicken Littles, $20; Half Baked Nachos, $7 and Pretzels, $2. More details.

Chef Fred Ramos’ Book Launch Brunch Party

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Bar Roma, 5101 N. Clarkson St., hosts Book Launch Brunch, celebrating Chef Fred Ramo’s new cookbook—The Balls (Le Polpette) 11:30 a.m. March 30. 

The menu features an array of dishes from his new cookbook “The Balls,” a culinary journey chronicling Chef  Ramos’ new cookbook. The event also includes a performance by drag queen Aurora Divine.

Hours for the event are: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets available here.

Happy Lobster Food Truck in Norwood Park for a day

Panache blog: Food events

Happy Lobster Food Truck touches down April 11, Winestyles, 6182  Northwest Hwy, Norwood Park. Hours are 9-5 p.m. More details.

Lenten dishes @Low Country

Panache blog: Food and beverage 

Low Country (all three locations) featuring a fried fish dish (two 4oz pieces of battered cod with French fries and coleslaw; $18.

The offer is available Fridays through April 18. Locations: Lakeview, 3343 N. Clark St. (312) 866-6161; South Loop: 1132 S. Wabash Ave. (312) 866-8633; Chinatown, 2359 S. Wentworth Ave. (312) 900-7770; Milwaukee, 1114 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI. and Merrillville, IN., 8239 Georgia St., Merrillville. (219)  299-9228. More details here.

Exploring Wine Styles:

Panache blog: Food and beverage 

ExploringWine Styles,  2025 Educational Wine Tasting Series, March 21. More details and tickets.

9th Annual Craft Beer Fest @Brothers Field, Long Grove

Panache blog: Food and drink

The 9th Annual Craft Beer Festival, noon April 26, Brothers’ Field, 340 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove. 

Vendors include: 9th Hour Brewing; Lincolnshire Brewery; Almond Bridge Brewery

Tickets include: taster glass, beer samples, food vendors and live music. Hours are 12-4 p.m. Tickets are $60. Designated driver tickets are $10.

 Must be 21 and over with valid proof. More details and tickets.

Dine and Dunk March Madness event @Timeout Market Chicago

Panache blog: Food and beverage events

March Madness: Let the Madness begin event at the Mart, 10 a.m. March 18, Timeout Market Chicago, 916 West Fulton Market. The event runs March 18-April 8. More details and tickets.

 

Happy Lobster food truck makes a stop in Norwood Park

Panache blog: Food and beverage 

Happy Lobster Truck stops in Norwood Park, 5 p.m. March 14 outside of Winestyles. More details here.

Los Amante open house, March 16

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Los Amante, 4743 W. 47th St., open house and food tasting, 4 p.m. March 16. DJ Julio will be on board to keep the joint jumping.

Hours are 4-6 p.m. More details here.

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Hello Weekend @115 Bourbon St.

Panache blog: Local events

Hello Weekend, 9 p.m. March 14, 3359 W. 115 St., Merrionette Park. More details and tickets

St. Patrick’s Day @Buffalo Creek Brewing

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove,  hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Shindig  March 15.

The celebration includes, food, live music, Irish folk dancing, games and more. In addition there will be special deals on pints as steins of Burning Red Irish Ale and Shamrock shaped pretzels. 

Hours are 5-8 p.m. More details available here.

Maple Tree Festival @North Park Village Nature Center Park Village

Panache blog: Food and beverage events

Maple Fest, Tree Festival 9 a.m. March 10, Red Oak Nature Center, 930 N. River Rd. Aurora. 

Hours are 1-2 p.m. Tickets $5, required for ages 3 and up. tickets.

The 30th Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit

Panache blog: Food and beverage 

The 20th Annual Chicago Food Policy Justice Summit takes place March 12-14.

Savor two days of virtual workshops taking place March 12-13, followed by an in person session March 14, South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Dr. More details and Tickets.

Wine event@ Hinsdale Wine Shop

Panache blog: Food and beverage 

Spring cleaning wine tasting, 5:30 p.m. May 20, Hinsdale Wine Shop, 12 E. Hinsdale Ave., Hinsdale. More details.

Bradley Lions Club Easter Dinner

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Bradley Lions Club, 428 W. Broadway St., Bradley, IL, hosts an Easter Ham Dinner, 4 p.m. March 29. Adults, $12; ages 6-10, $6; 5 and under free. More details and tickets.

St. Patrick’s Day celebration @Chief O’Neil’s

Panache blog: Food and Beverage

Chief O’Neill’s restaurant, 3471 N. Elston, kicks off a series of St. Patrick Day events, 8 p.m. March 4. complete schedule for the restaurant’s St. Patrick Day celebration and other information available here.

Jazz & Wine event @Dining on the Green, March 14

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Jazz & Wine event, featuring Carla Pather, 7 p.m. March 14, Dining on the Green, 349 Main St., Park Forest. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event officially gets underway 7 p.m. 

Tickets are $25. For more information call: (708) 283-5621.

Jackson Family Wine tastings @The Lush Vine

Panache blog: Food events

The Lush Vine, 201 N. Schuyler Ave., suite 101, Kankakee, wine event, hosts tastings from Jackson Family Wines, 4 p.m. March 9.

Hours are 4-6 p.m. Must be 21 and over with valid ID. More details and tickets.

Sip and Paint event @L.K.Y.V. U. Center

Panache blog: Food and beverage

L.K.Y.V.U. Center, 3601 Grand Blvd., East Chicago, IN., hosts three post Valentine’s Day sip and paint events February 28-29. Tickets are $55. More details.

 

Spring Wine Tasting @Cork Wine Bar-Kankakee

Panache blog: Food and drink

Spring Wine Tasting, 5:30 p.m. March 9, Cork Wine Bar-Kankakee, 351 S. Schuyler, Evanston. Must be 21 and over to attend. More details.

Charcuterie making workshop @Winestyles Norwood Park

Panache blog: Food and beverage 

Charcuterie making workshop, 6:30 p.m. February 28, Winestyles, 6182 Northwest Hwy.$65. Cost includes,  custom 12x9in bamboo board; cheeses, charcuterie, discount pricing on items used, glass of wine and wine pairings suggestions. 

No refunds. More details and tickets. Photo: eventbrite

Tequila dinner @Federals, Fulton Market

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Federals Fulton Market, 180 N. Morgan St., hosts four-course Tequila Dinner, with drink pairing, 6 p.m. February 26; $40 per person.

Menu features include: 

Tlayuda: House made blue corn tortilla chorizo, black bean purée, avocado salsa, Oaxaca cheese, paired with winter Aperol spritz

Oaxacan Tamale: Lamb, Morita salsa, Oaxaca cheese, chili crunch, crema and cotja cheese paired with Oaxacan Old Fashioned

Honey glazed pork shank: Oaxaca Padilla broth, Hominey purée, cabbage, radish, served with housemade blue corn tortilla tortillas, paired with I Dream of Tiki

Nicuatole: Chocolate Anglais, Oaxacan Masa pudding, Cocoa nibs paired with Carajill (Spanish espresso martini).

Tickets available here.        

Weber Grill event @Lombard location

Panache blog: Food Fringe 

Weber Grill, 2331 Fountain Square Dr., Lombard, hosts BBQ Low & Slow hands on smoking class, 12 p.m. February 23; $90. 

All attendees under 18 must attend with parent or legal guardian. More details available here.

Charcuterie Board and Wine Flight

Panache blog: Food and drink, 3110 Old McHenry Rd., Long GroveBroken Earth Winery hosts Valentine’s Charcuterie Board and Wine Flight, 6:30 p.m. February 19, Broken Earth Winery, Long Grove. More details here.

Charcuterie class @The Lush Vine

Panache blog: Food and beverage

The Lush Vine,150 Schuyler, Evanston, suite 101 Kankakee, hosts a Charcuterie building class, 11 a.m. February 23, $55. More details here.

Spoke and Vine Galentine’s Day Wine Tasting

Panache blog: Food and Beverages

Galentine’s Day Wine Tasting, Spoke & Vine Wine Bar, 3146 Evergreen Park, 6 p.m. February 16. More details here.

Champagne & Sparkling Fest @Hubbard Inn

Panache blog: Food and beverage 

Champagne & Sparkling Fest, Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard. Cost ranges from $25-$50. Hours are 5-8 p.m. More details and tickets.

Exploring Wine Styles@Power

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Educational wine series: Exploring Wine Styles, 6:30 p.m. March 18, Wine Styles Chicago Northwest, Hwy.

 Must be 21 and older to attend. More details and directions  here.

 

Uncorked Wine Festivals @Field Museum

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Uncorked Wine Festivals: A complete experience for wine lovers, 7 p.m. March 8, Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. More details and tickets here.

Chicago Rum Fest @Logan Square Auditorium

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Chicago Rum Fest, April 26, Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave., More details and tickets.

Valentine’s Day Experience @ Batter and Berries

Panache blog: Food and drink events 

Valentines Day Singles Mixer, 9 p.m. February 14. More details.

Oak Park Food Festival

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Talktime presents Oak Park Food Festival, 7 p.m. February 12. Hours are 7-10 p.m. Other dates available. Mute details and optional dates. More details.

Sabores del Mundo: A Taste of International Cuisine

Panache blog: Food and beverage 

New Era Fitness & Blanca del Munro hosts “Sabores del Mundo” A Taste of International Cuisines, noon, March 23, 1934 N. 15th Ave. Melrose Park. Free entry and parking. More details here.

Mystery of the Class of 57 @Jimmy’s Charhouse

Panache blog: Local events 

Mystery of the Class of  ‘57, 7 p.m. February 14, Improv Playhouse at Jimmy’s Charhouse,  More details and tickets.

 

Tacos and Margaritas Fest @Salerno’s

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Tacos and Margaritas Fest, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 22, Salerno’s Pizzeria and Sports Bar, 9301 W. 63rd St., Hodgkins. More details here.

Tunnel of Love @The Dandy Crown

Panache blog: Food & Beverage

The Dandy Crown, 694 N. Milwaukee Ave. features the Tunnel of Love event a unique experience cocktail-focused event sporting food and love. The romance-inspired event continues through February 28.

The themed mini pop-up features five fire pits on its heated patio. Reserve a spot here.

Low Country Merrillville launches new cocktail menu

Panache blog: Food and Beverage

Low Country Merrillville, 8239 Georgia  St., Merrillville, IN., launched a new cocktail menu. Featured items include:

Hurricane; Mai Tai; Southern Sweet tea; Rose Sangria and more. In addition,  a Sunday specific mimosa kit is available; 

More details, special deals are also available, including 

Sunday mimosa kits ($25); wines,  $10-$14; Draft beer (bottle and can), $4-6. More details available here.

Winter Beer Festival@Westmont Park District

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Winter Beer Festival, takes place February 18, Westmont Park District, 75 E. Richmond. Tickets available here.

Foodsprung’s Smash Sesh in Logan Square

Panache blog: Food and beverage

Foodsprung’s Smash Sesh: Donut Edition, 3 p.m. February 16, in Bucktown, exact location TBA. DJ Slinky spins tunes. More details here.

Tea and Tiaras event @Element Athletics

Panache blog: Food and beverage 

Kids Spot presents the Third Annual Tea & Tiaras event, 10 a.m. February 15, Element Athletics, 9135  N. Second St. Roscoe, IL. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to noon. 

Activities include: Princess show, tea, snacks, interaction with the princesses and photo op.

An upgraded package is also available. More details and tickets.