Bannos Hosts Cajun Cooking Class

Get to know Chef Jimmy Bannos of Heaven on Seven and the origins of his popular restaurant during the return of his Cajun cooking class, 7-9:30 p.m. July 1, 111 N. Wabash, 7th floor. The evening includes a five-course dinner and demo. Tickets, ($75), includes tasting of prepared dishes and all-you-can-drink-beer, wine and hurricanes.


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Kit Kat's "Kinky Boots" Brunch

Diva Madam X shimmies about Cyndi Lauper style during a brunch salute to Broadway in Chicago's "Kinky Boots," (opening July 7 at Cadillac Palace Theatre), 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 5, Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club, 3700 N. Halsted. The film, starring Cyndi Lauper, will play in the background. The cocktail of the day is the Land of Lola (Pinnacle red licorice vodka, cherry schnapps, lychee liqueur with a splash of Champagne); $7. In addition, a giveaway will be held with three guests winning tickets to the live production, which runs July 7-26.


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AlphaBeer: Women in Beer Event

Women love beer, not just downing a cold one out a frosted mug or neatly sipping it out of a pilsner glass, but brewing it as well.

AlphaBeer, partnering with Barley's Angels Chicago, features women brewers on the rise during AlphaBeer XIV, 6-9 p.m. June 27 at A.J. Hudson's Public House, 3801 N. Halsted; $50.

Jill Houk hosts the event with special guests Jennifer Breckner, Brooklyn Brewery; Jennifer Faulk, Louis Glunz Beer, Sarah Green, Sweetwater Brewing; Lisa Gregor, Church Street Brewing Co. and Claudia Jendron, Temperance Beer Co ushering in the unique 26-beer collection,
featuring an A-Z lineup of brews.
PHOTO CREDIT: A Garbot Photograph

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White Oak Tavern & Inn's Brunch Chef

Sous Chef Scott Weisner (pictured) has been appointed by Executive Chef John Asbaty of White Oak Tavern & Inn, 1200 W. Webster, to oversee the restaurant's brunch service. Weisner's, under the head chef's direction, Midwest-driven dishes, created with items from local farms, brings a down-home experience to the heart of the city. Menu items include: Slagel Farms beef hash with sunnyside eggs, flavors of pastrami, pea shoots and horseradish vinaigrette and Three Sisters grits, soft eggs, baby collards greens, sorghum brown butter and pickled onions. whiteoak


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Third Rail's Avion Event

Third Rail Tavern, 1133 W. Madison, hosts an Avion Tequila tasting and taco pairing 6:30 p.m. June 23; $35. Tequila master Andres Arias along with Third Rail owner Danny Shapiro lead the event. Guests start the evening with the "welcome" cocktail-- the Elevated Margarita (Avion Silver, lime juice, agave nectar), followed by tastings with Reposado, Anejo and Espresso labels.

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Nacional 27's Ceviche Day Salute

Nacional 27, 325 W. Huron, serves up a round of special ceviche combinations in honor of National Ceviche Day (June 28). Seven varieties, see menu below, will be available, a la carte, June 25-27.

National Ceviche Day Menu

Rainbow - octopus, shrimp, tuna, cilantro marinade $9.95

Chipotle Salmon - tomato, pickled onion, lime jicama $10.95

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Lobster Citrus - onions, cucumber $12.95

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Shrimp & Scallops - citrus, sweet peppers, avocado $9.95

Spicy Octopus & Crab - jicama, cucumber $10.95

Ahi Tuna & Watermelon - spicy rice wine vinaigrette $9.95

Peruvian Shrimp - onions, cucumber, choclo $9.95

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Fountainhead Market Opens

Fountainhead Market, 1966 W. Montrose, a craft beer, whiskey and spirits retail shop, opens adjacent to the popular Fountainhead, craft beer and whiskey bar spearheaded by Cleetus Friedman, June 23. Among the items stocked in the shop: Fountainhead's private label single cask whiskeys and curated wine selection. Drop by from 4 p.m. The specialty shop will also feature hot and cold sandwiches. fountainhead


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Get Buzzed

Dark Matter Buzzed coffee liqueur, the collaboration between CH Distillery and Dark Matter Coffee, debut's during the "Big Lebowski" summer party, 5-11 p.m. June 25 at the CH Distillery, 564 W. Randolph. The specialty item (750 ML bottle) will be available for purchase during the event; $35. The cocktail of the evening is the Caucasians (CH/Dark Matter liqueur; CH vodka, cream). The pop culture film, starring Jeff Bridges, will play throughout the evening.

Chef Martin Revamps Sausage Line

Chef Martin Old World Butcher Shop relaunches its homemade sausage line staying true to the brand's traditional Austrian recipe while introducing a revamped antibiotic and hormone free product. Chef Martin products are available in specialty shops throughout the Midwest, including Fortune Fish & Gourmet.

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Two Brothers Tasting

Cactus Bar and Grill, 404 S. Wells, hosts a Two Brothers Brewing tasting 5-7 p.m. June 18. The local craft brewer's Jon Luecht will be on hand to introduce the company's Wobble IPA. Guests receive a souvenir pint glass with the purchase of the new craft beer ($5). Samples are individually priced.


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CH's Summer Spirits

CH Distillery, 564 W. Randolph, has launched a round of summer fruit-infused brandies kicking off CH Cherry Brandy (European eau de vie using cherries from Traverse City, MI). Other seasonal launches will include: peach (made with peaches from Mick Klug Farm, St. Joseph MO); pear (using Seedling Farm pears, South Haven, MI) and quince (quince from Arkley Farms, Independence, OR, with apple, pear, kumquat and honey).

CH also partners with Dark Matter Coffee for the 2015 summer launch of Dark Matter Buzzed (coffee liqueur with light touch of caramel). Coming in August 2015 CH/Atlas Ginbock, a partnership with Atlas Brewing to introduce a pairing of CH gin with Atlas' Maibock beer, creating a light botanical-infused gin with subtle malt sweetness and mild floral hops. Stay tuned for seasonal fall launches coming October 2015. chdistillery

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Pig Roast and Whiskey Sampling

The Whiskey, Wine and Swine pig roast and tasting is 1-4 p.m. June 20 at Montrose Beach, 200 W. Montrose; $45, general admission; $65, for VIP package, which allows holders to enter at noon. The event includes other food vendors, entertainment and souvenir tasting glass. eventbrite

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Martini Madness Awaits

National Martini Day is June 19 and Chicago eateries and bars are gearing up for a fun day. Here's a sample of what's shaken:

Barbakoa 1341 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove. Spice & Ice (jalapeno-infused vodka, mango, ginger-habanero syrup, topped with a spicy rim) specially priced $5. barbakoa













Community Tavern, 4038 N. Milwaukee. Martinez Revisited (Liberator Old Tom Gin, Cocchi Vermouth de Torino, Cocchi Rosa, Luxardo cherry liqueur and a Maraschino cherry). communitytavern

Koi, 624 Davis, Evanston. Try a refreshing and exotic Lychee martini (fresh-picked lychee-based cocktail).  koi 

Level 257, 2 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. Guests receive a complimentary 30-minute game card with the purchase of any martini June 19-21. level257


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