Bellagio's Bortolini Holds Chocolate Class in Chicago

Bellagio Resort's Master Chocolatier Sylvain Bortolini holds a professional-level chocolate candies and panning class 1-8 p,m. July 13-16 at the French Pastry School, 226 W. Jackson; $1,150.

In the four-day, hands-on class Bortolini will cover spreads; nut pralines and chocolates; sugar confections and panning. There's only one spot left register here.

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Food, Films and Fun

It's not quite dinner and a movie, but there will be food and an evening of entertainment under the stars when the Loft partners with Rooftop Films to present the "LOL Movie Series," curated by Whitney Cummings."

The event kicks off with "Bridesmaids," 8:30 p.m. July 8 on the rooftop at Whole Foods Lincoln Park, 1550 N. Kingsbury. Admission is free. However, a RSVP  is required. Next up: Ghost World (July 15); "When Harry Met Sally (July 22).

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Scone City goes red, white and blue

Pastry Chef Laurie McNamara of Scone City, 1632 W. Division, has created two patriotic-inspired offerings in honor of the Fourth of July: a savory roasted blue potato, oven-dried tomato, goat cheese, basil, thyme and a sweet offering of strawberry-blueberry with blueberry glaze adorned with stars. The holiday scones, $3.75 each, will be available July 3 only. The shop will be closed the 4th of July.

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Edible Chicago's Summer Soiree

Edible Chicago's summer bash "Bourbon, Bluegrass & Fried Chicken," is 1-4 p.m. Aug. 2 at Ignite Glass Studios, 401 N. Armour; $95.

Small batch bourbon makers include: Bakers; Basil Hayden's, Bookers and Knob Creek. The fried chicken will be provided by Carriage House, Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Gemini Bistro.

A VIP package (entry at noon) includes canapes by Art Smith's Table 52, special pours from Angel's Envy and New Holland Distillery along with a private glass-blowing demonstration; $120.

A soundtrack of Chicago area bluegrass bands serves as background music. Early bird tickets are available through July 1.

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Park Grill PlumpJack Wine Dinner

Park Grill, 11 N. Michigan, hosts a PlumpJack Wine dinner 7:30 p.m. July 29; $125. The four-course-menu includes: P.E.I. mussels, bacon confit, jalapeno, parsley and cream paired with Cade 2014, Sauvignon Blanc; duck confit tagliatelle; Rosemary, Maple Leaf Farm duck and shallot paired with 2012 PlumpJack Cabernet Sauvignon Estate; chocolate braised short ribs, grilled Brussels sprouts and celeriac puree paired with 2012 Adaptation Petite Sirah and a dessert course of chocolate torte and raspberry coulis paired with a 2012 PlumpJack Syrah. Reservations required.

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New Brunch Spot Aims to Please

Corporate Chef Todd Stein and Executive Chef Russell Kook ("Hell's Kitchen" runner up) of Remington's, 20 N. Michigan, after a soft launch last month, has officially instituted its full weekend brunch, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Menu items include: lobster deviled eggs; rotisserie pork hash; crab Benedict; steak and eggs; East/West coast oyster (raw bar); eggs Florentine; veggie burger and French dip.

Specialty cocktails, mimosas, bloody Marys and an extensive beer and wine selection also await.


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Gin Week at Buena

The Bar on Buena, 910 W. Buena, in the middle of its Gin Week salute, hosts a bash featuring cocktails made with New Holland Artisan Spirits, 7 p.m. June 25. Cocktails range from $8-$12.

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Shaw's 4th of July Specials

Shaw's Crab House, both locations, will feature an all-you-can-eat crawfish boil for the Fourth of July. The meal includes, crawfish, potatoes, sausage and corn, available while supplies last ($30). Other specials for the day include: half-priced oysters in the oyster bar all day and hand-shucked briny bivalves for $1 per piece from 4-6 p.m. (Schaumburg location).


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Cantina Laredo's Summer Mojitos

Cantina Laredo, 508 N. State, has added three seasonal drinks (in time for National Mojito Day July 11 or, if you prefer, red, white, and blue varieties to toast the 4th of July) to its mojito menu. Drop in and cool down with these summer selections: Watermelon (Don Q Cristal rum; watermelon; mint and lime); Coco (Don Q Cristal rum; coconut; mint and lime) and the black & blue (Don Q Cristal rum, blueberries, blackberries, mint and lime); $10.25 each.


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Chefs Support "Starving Artists"

Area chefs partner with the Chicago Artists Coalition for Starving Artist 2015, the organization's annual fundraiser, 7-11 p.m. June 25 at Venue One, 1034 W. Randolph. The event, built around food and art, is designed to support efforts for the advancement of a sustainable community for entrepreneurial arts and creatives. Participating chefs include: Tony Quartaro (Formento's): Patrick Sheerin (Trencherman); Sean Pharr (The Bristol) and Shawn Doolin (Venue One). Tickets are priced from $75-$250.


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2015 Chefs on the Grill Event

The Eighth Annual Chef's on the Grill event kicks off  5:30 p.m. June 25 on the plaza outside of Park Grill, 11 N. Michigan. The event, benefitting Common Threads and the Illinois Restaurant Association Education Foundation's (IRAEF) ProStart scholarship program, features more than a dozen restaurants in a competitive heat to determine the best grill recipe among the participants, which include: Park Grill; Old Town Pour; Howells and Hood; The Gage; Frontier; Chicago Yacht Club; Tesori; Acanto; Mercat a la Planxa; Rural Society; Farmhouse; Sunda and Labriola. Tickets are $85.


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Hot Dougs, Hot Weekend

Doug Sohn's Hot Doug's specialty dogs return for the two-day revival of  the Dog Dayz of Summer hot dog fest, June 27-28 at Goose Island Barrel Warehouse, 605 N. Sacramento.

Doug's all-star line up includes: bacon cheeseburger; chicken chorizo; spicy Thai chicken sausage; ultimate garlic sausage; baked ham sausage; jerk pork sausage; Hungarian smoked pork sausage; spicy andouille; veggie dog; Thuringer sausage and the atomic sausage. Doug's famous duck fat fries also surface for the occasion.

Goose Island brews on tap include: 312 Urban Wheat; Honker's Ale; Goose Island IPA; Green Line and Blue Line. Specialty tappings to be featured are Matilda; Sofie and The Ogden along with a variety of Bourbon County Stouts.

Discussions on the topic of sausage include a session with David Manilow of "Check, Please!" and another with Tony Fitzpatrick of Vienna Beef.

Live music includes: Bobby Bare, Jr.; Freakwater; Archie Powell & the Exports; North by North; the Hitmaker; Bare Mutants; the Lawrence Peters Outfit; Whitey Mystery and the Claudettes. Check site for schedule.

Two sessions daily: noon to 3 p.m.; 5-8 p.m. Tickets are $75.

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Katherine Anne Confections' Summer Preview

Katherine Anne Confections, 2745 W. Armitage, hosts a preview of its summer camp-inspired treats 5:30-8:30 p.m. June 26; $30.

New flavors include: Fig Newton truffle (milk and semisweet chocolate, dried fig, orange-lemon, brandy, Biscoff cookie spread); Rocky Road (salted caramel marshmallows, milk and bittersweet chocolate, roasted almonds); Chex Mix caramel (a classic honey caramel with Chex Mix); Arnold Palmer caramel (SenTeaMental Moods black tea caramel with lemon zest); Cucumber Cooler caramel (cucumber yogurt caramel with fresh mint). Featured marshmallow creations are the cherry limeade (Seedling Farms cherry juice and fresh-squeezed limes) and watermelon (fresh watermelon with a touch of paprika).


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