White Oak Tavern & Inn/Slagel Farm Dinner

Chef John Asbaty of White Oak Tavern & Inn, 1200 W. Webster, and LouisJohn Slagel (pictured) of Slagel Family Farm team up for a farm-to-table dinner 6 p.m. March 1. Items being considered for the yet-to-be determined menu include: crispy pork ribs, white soy and citrus glazed, pickled fennel; roasted guinea hen, potato confit, cabbage marmalade, smoked ham hock broth; and warm beef heart salad, yogurt, pickled carrots, roasted carrots, greens, dukkah. The cost is $90, wine pairings available for an additional $30. Reservations are required. whiteoak

Nacional 27 and Tallboy Tacos' Carnival Celebration

Neighboring restaurants Nacional 27 and Tallboy Taco, both located at 325 W. Huron, join in a dual Carnival celebration Feb. 17-21. Events kick off with a Fat Tuesday special featuring $5 Hurricanes and an all-you-can-eat taco bar 4-10 p.m. Feb. 17 ($15); complimentary samba lessons (Feb. 18); Hurricane cocktail making class 6-8 p.m. (Feb. 19) and a Brazilian dance show beginning 10:45 p.m. (Feb. 20-21).

Velvet Taco Opens Feb. 9

Velvet Taco, 1110 N. State, opens Feb. 9. Chef John Franke's globally-inspired tacos, crafted with local ingredients, includes selections such as the Chicago Haute Dog taco (crisp pork belly, house pickles, pickled fresnos, grain mustard, tomato, red onion, poppy seed and celery salt). The Gold Coast eatery will feature a weekly taco selection. A unique "to go" service will be available. velvettaco

VELVET TACO MENU

CHICK

 #1 Buffalo chicken, crisp tenders, house buffalo sauce, Danish bleu cheese, ranch crema, carrots, celery leaves, flour tortilla $3.95

#2 Rotisserie chicken, white queso, roast corn pico, cilantro, smoked poblano salsa, corn tortilla $3.95

#3 Crisp tikka chicken, spicy pepper sauce, buttered cilantro basmati rice, raita crema, thai basil, flour tortilla $3.95

VEG

#5 Fried paneer, tomato chutney, thai basil, tikka sauce, raita crema, flour tortilla $3.50

#6 Falafel, tahini crema, arugula, tomato, avocado, red onion, pea tendrils, lettuce wrap $3.75

PORK

#7 Cuban Pig, gruyere cheese, slow roasted pulled pork, shaved ham, peppered bacon, grain mustard, house brined pickle, crisp flour tortilla $4.25

#8 Annatto shredded pork, avocado crema, house shred, grilled pineapple, pickled onion, queso fresco, cilantro, corn tortilla $3.75

#9 Crisp pork belly, house pickles, pickled fresnos, grain mustard, tomato, red onion, poppy seed, celery salt, flour tortilla $3.75

BEEF

#10 Bacon burger, peppered bacon, American cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato, pickle,velvet sauce, flour tortilla $3.75

#11 Grilled flank steak, portobello, white queso, grilled red onion, mex - oregano, corn tortilla $4.75

FISH

#14 Mediterranean calamari, feta, light Greek salad, tzatziki sauce, Kalamata olive tapenade, flour tortilla $4.25

#16 Fish n’ chips, curry mayo, malted french fries, house shred, beer battered atlantic cod, pea tendrils, flour tortilla $5.25

#17 Ahi poke (raw), ginger-soy vinaigrette, avocado, seaweed salad, pickled fresnos, sesame seeds, himalayan sea salt, micro greens, lettuce wrap $6.75

EGG

#19 Bacon, egg frittata, crisp tots, smoked cheddar, ranchero sauce, micro greens, flour tortilla $3.25

#20 Roast pork, egg frittata, charred tomato-poblano salsa, queso blanco, chili powder, cilantro, flour tortilla $3.25 

SIDES

Rotisserie corn, ‘elote-style‘, queso fresco, asadero cheese, Valentina, crema, lime $3.75

Crisp tots & local egg, herbed goat cheese, smoked cheddar, avocado crema, bacon $5.25

CAKE
Red Velvet $3.25

WHOLE ROTISSERIE BIRDS
BACK DOOR CHICKEN TO GO $20
1 Whole Rotisserie Chicken
2 Sides of Elote Style Corn
6 Corn Tortillas
Roasted Corn, Pico De Gallo & Heat Sauce

Kama Bistro's "Super Sunday" Tea Party

Are you ready for some... tea? While the guys are gathering with friends for the big game day Kama Bistro, 9 S. LaGrange, LaGrange, invites the ladies to chat over tea during its vintage tea party noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 1; $55. A selection of premium teas, served in china, will be accompanied by Indian snacks and sweets. Activities during the event includes painting (supplies provided by Bottle and Bottega) and a vintage hairdo session with Megan LaBahn of Salon de LaBahn. kama

Katherine Anne Confections' Valentine's Day Flavors

Katherine Anne Confections, 2745 W. Armitage, launches 16 flavors for Valentine's Day during a preview party 5:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 28. The varieties of truffles, caramels and marshmallows include: Champagne raspberry rose truffles; strawberry cheesecake truffles; sesame blood orange caramels; banana bourbon caramels; Champagne and rose marshmallows and the biscoff marshmallows. The Gold Rush V (bittersweet chocolate, FEW bourbon, lemon and agave) also makes it debut. The cost is $25, includes samples of the new items, libations and savory bites. Space is limited. katherineanne

Chipotle Mexican Grill's Sofritas deal

Drop in a participating Chipotle location on Meatless Monday (Jan. 26) to sample the chain's new vegan offering-- the sofritas (organic shredded tofu braised with chipotle chiles and poblano peppers and special spices). Guests purchasing a sofritas entree (burrito, taco or bowl) during the visit will receive a coupon, redeemable Jan. 27-Feb. 28, for a free entree of their choice. chipotle.com

Tokio Pub's Scorched Earth Brewing Diner

Tokio Pub, 1900 E. Higgins, Schaumburg, partners with local brewer Scorched Earth Brewing Company for an entertaining evening of food, beer and magic (provided by a guest magician), 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26. Featured pairings include "Now You See It, Now You Don't (selection of small biters)" with Public Servant Rye Pale Ale; "Smoke and Mirrors (hamachi sashimi beets, pumpernickel and celery)" with Foraging Swine Smoked Ale; "Magic Potion (lobster ramen with spicy lobster miso broth, house noodles, garnish)" with General Resin Imperial IPA Ale and "Rabbit in a Hat (banana brown sugar, almond and white chocolate wand)" with Rugged Coalminer Robust Porter; $45. tokiopub

Chicago Restaurant Week 2015 is Jan. 30-Feb. 12

More than 250 Chicago and suburban area restaurants will feature $22 lunch specials and dinners priced $33/$44 with the return of Chicago Restaurant Week. The popular dining out event kicks off with the First Bites Bash, hosted by master sommelier and restaurateur Alpana Singh (pictured), 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29 in the Great Hall at Union Station, 500 W. Jackson. Guests will have the opportunity to sample offerings from more than 50 chefs and restaurants. Tickets are $125. chicagorestaurant2015

Goose Island's Tap Takeover @Franklin Tap

Goose Island Brewery releases its 2014 Bourbon County Stout bottles during its tap takeover 4 p.m. Jan. 21 at Franklin Tap, 325 S. Franklin. Eight other varieties will be available for sampling during the event. franklintap

"Taste of Travel" Comes to Rosemont

The Chicago Travel & Adventure Show checks in the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River, Rosemont, for a weekend of interactive travel and cooking fun Jan. 17-18. Activities include global entertainment, travel information and cooking demonstrations by top chefs that include Karyn Calabrese (Karyn's Raw Bistro); Rebecca LaMalfa (Trenchermen) and Klaus Lotter (Hofbrauhaus Chicago). Family-friendly events include a global beats stage featuring Hawaiian dancing, Bollywood and classical Indian dancing, Mexican Folkloric dancing and Nordic Folk dancing. travelshows

Glazed and Infused Special Offers

Glazed and Infused is offering patrons complimentary perks to start their day. Drop in on National Glazed Doughnut Day (Jan. 12) and receive a free vanilla bean glazed doughnut with any purchase.
Guests can warm up with a complimentary cup of coffee Jan. 19-26. goglazed

Arami and Ani "One Cup" Beverage Program

Ty Fujimura owner of Japanese sister restaurants Arami, 1829 W. Chicago, and Ani's, 3056 N. Lincoln, launched a new way to introduce sake to guests. The "One Cup (single serving sizes)" menu offers the popular Japanese beverage in 180-200ml cans and bottles.

Timothy O'Toole's "The Bachelor" Connection

Timothy O'Toole's, 622 N. Fairbanks, hosts a season of viewing parties for ABC's "The Bachelor" Season 19. The season premiere party kicks off 6:30 p.m. Jan. 5. Activities include "Bachelor Bingo," which was created by Amber James, a former Timothy O'Toole's server and current contestant vying for the rose from bachelor Chris Soules on this season's "Bachelor." James makes an appearance during the pub's Jan. 12 viewing party. timothyotooles