Krispy Kreme Spring Fling

Participating Krispy Kreme shops in the U.S. and Canada are featuring seasonal-inspired doughnuts March 23-April 5. krispykreme

SideDoor's Inaugural Guest Chef Dinner

Chef Brian Kwak and beverage director Jeff Van Der Tuuk of SideDoor, 100 E. Ontario, partner with chef/brewer Jared Rouben of  Moody Tongue Brewery for "Culinary Brewed," a six-course, beer-inspired dinner, 7 p.m. April 1. The dinner is the first offering in the restaurant's "guest chef" dinner series. sidedoor

First Course

Bay Scallops with avocado mousse and preserved Meyer lemon

Beer: Steeped Emperor’s Lemon Saison

Second Course

Lobster Roll with herbs

Beer: Sliced Nectarine IPA

Third Course

Pork Porchetta with charred rapini

Beer: Brandied Purple Raspberry Dubbel

Fourth Course

Cocoa Crusted Prime Rib with creamed spinach and bordelaise

Beer: Dehydrated Tangerine Cacao Wheat

Cheese Course

Midnight Moon

Beer: Steeped Emperor’s Lemon Saison

Dessert

Baltic Porter Tiramisu

Beer: Caramelized Chocolate Churro Baltic Porter

Baconfest is Near

Bacon lovers get your chops in gear because Bacon Month and the city's popular Baconfest is right around the corner. Events for the month kick-off with the Greater Chicago Food Depository's Bacon Month Volunteer Day, March 28. The Second Annual Bacon Month Kickoff  Party is March 31. Whole Foods hosts two chef-conducted bacon master classes paired with Lagunitas beers, April 4 (south loop location) and April 11 (Lincoln Park) along with a free bacon sampling noon to 3 p.m. April 11 at participating stores. The Berkshire Room bacon tastings are April 8 and 15; bacon themed painting class is April 16 at the Acme Hotel Company, which will also hosts Kevin Bacon movie nights Tuesday in April. For a complete list of bacon month eventis visit, baconfestmonth And, of course, the highly anticipated Baconfest Chicago takes place April 17-18 at UIC Forum. baconfest

Auditorium Theatre Transforms into the Batcave

Enter the Batcave, okay it's the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress, transformed into the Batcave for the venue's "Made in Chicago" Movie Series' screening of  "The Dark Night," filmed on location in Chicago. A cocktail reception featuring Batman themed drinks and entertainment by Acrobatica Infiniti Circus (The Nerd Circus) performing gymnastic stunts dressed as Batman characters, begins at 6 p.m. March 19. The movie screening is at 7 p.m. auditoriumtheatre

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

For Pi Day (March 14) Francis Ford Coppola Winery released its Pitagora (pi-tag-ora) red wine inspired by the Greek scholar and mathematician Pythagoras, for whom the day is named. francisfordwinery

Stan's Donuts' Specialty Selection for March

Stan's Donuts & Coffee, (1560 N. Damen and 259 E. Erie) and John Manion chef/owner of La Sirena Clandestina have partnered for the March guest donut-- the salted dulce leche (squaremarck), a square-shape version of a Bismarck donut with a Latin twist; $3.25, available March 6-20. Twenty-five cent from every donut sold will benefit UN 86'd. stans

Fountainhead Craft Boilermaker Night, Part 3

Fountainhead, 1970 W. Montrose, hosts Craft Boilermaker Night: Part 3 The Revenge of the Boilermaker, 7 p.m. March 9. The bar experiments with a combination of beer and whiskey mixtures created from the following brands: Few Spirits, New Holland, Journeyman Distillery, Sketchbook Brewing, Aquanaut Brewing, Illuminated Brew Works and Begyle Brewing. Industry experts will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the popular beer and whiskey concoction. The demo is free with boilermaker samples available for purchase. fountainhead

Revolution Tap Takeover at Cactus

Revolution Brewing stages a tap takeover at Cactus Bar & Grill, 404 S. Wells, in support of the launch of its its Fist City Chicago Pale Ale, 5-7 p.m. March 12. During the event featured Revolution brews will be available for $5. cactuschicago

Tesori's Noodle Month Specialties

Tesori, 65 E. Adams, salutes Noodle Month with a selection of delectable dishes March 2-31. Each week a new selections will be featured beginning March 2-8 with chitarra carbonara (Nueske's bacon, Parmigiano Reggiano, caramelized onions, poached egg ($16) March 2-8. tesori

Soho House Hosts Art Talk: Wasalu Jaco

Chicago rapper and artist Wasalu Jaco or, as he is known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, is the featured guests during an art talk moderated by Chicago artist Hebru Brantley 11 a.m. Feb. 28 at The Allis, 113-125 N. Green. During the event Jaco will introduce new pieces from his collection, which includes works from the cover of his latest album "Tetsuo and Youth," released last month. Pieces from the collection will be available for purchase. The art talk is in conjunction with the third installment of House Graffiti on Green featuring works by local artist Sentrock, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 28. Space for Jaco's talk is on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests must RSVP to  janelle.lollio@sohohouse.com

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