10th Annual Chefs on the Grill event

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The 10th Annual Chefs on the Grill takes place 5:30-9 p.m. August 24, Park Grill at Millennium Park, 11 N. Michigan. 

Participants include: Antique Taco (Rick Ortiz & Diego Cruz); Barn & Company (Gary Wiviott); Chicago Culinary Kitchen (Greg & Kristina Gaardbo): Chicago Yacht Club (Jill Dedinsky); Kitty O'Sheas (Robert McKenzie; Mercat a la Planxa (Diego Amat); Old Town Social (Jared Van Camp); Park Grill (Alfredo Sandoval); Pork Mafia (Phil Wingo); Remingtons (Daniel Moody); Ronero (Cory Morris); Son of a Butcher (Rick Rodriguez); South Branch Tavern & Grille (James Jung); Tesori (Alex Gutierrez); US Foods Food Fanatics (Mariela Bolaños) and Whisk (David Rodriguez).

Tickets are $40-$100. Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House.

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Roanoke pitches rotisserie lamb for National Sandwich Month

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We're in the heat of National Sandwich Month and Chef Ryan Kikkert of Roanoke Restaurant, 135 W. Madison, launched a rotisserie lamb sandwich for the occasion. The  sandwich (slow roasted garlic marinated lamb, cilantro and roasted pepper slaw on a toasted onion roll, and is served with slow roasted au jus; $16); will be available for lunch only through August 31.

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Free pizza for Bruno Mars concert goers

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Macello, 1235 W. Lake, is offering a special deal for guests attending Bruno Mars concerts August 16; 18-19 at the United Center. 

Visitors presenting a ticket to Mars' 24K Magic tour will receive a complimentary pizza with a purchase of an entree (one per table). 

The eatery will also feature a special Mars-inspired concoction:

"Strawberry Champagne on Ice" cocktail (fresh strawberries, St. Germain liqueur, lemon juice, blended over ice, topped with Prosecco; $12).

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Chef Aeschbacher new head chef at III Forks

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III Forks Prime Steakhouse, 180 N. Field, has appointment Hans Aeschbacher as executive chef. The chef will in charge of the restaurant's kitchen team  and rooftop lounge.

 Aeschbacher is a second generation Chicago chef, his father having been the long-time executive chef at Lawry's the Prime Rib. Chef Aeschbacher has a strong Chicago presence having completed The chef's ACF apprenticeship was with James Beard Award-winning chef James Coletta. Among his career highlights Chef Aeschbacher opened the Sheraton Hotel, worked at the Double Tree's Park Avenue Cafe and Mrs. Park's Tavern, reopened Trader Vic's and opened Chicago Cut, less we forget frequented by President Obama when visiting the city during his administration.

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Shore Club open for business

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Air and Water show guests if you haven't picked your spot yet you might want to try booking a spot or arriving early for a patio table at Shore Club, North Avenue Beach, 1603 N. Lake Shore, the new dining venue featuring three signature food programs.

Patio at Shore Club, an open-air area featuring lunch and dinner on a first come-first serve basis. 

The Restaurant at Shore Club is enclosed a wall of large glass windows for a more enclosed panoramic lake view featuring more upscale fare (reservations are recommended). Shore Club Brunch, puts guests in a country club mode. Service is Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the restaurant area. Tickets for brunch must be purchased in advance.

The Oasis at the Shore Club, where guests can lounge on daybed, sunbed or in a cabana and enjoy shared plates. Reservations required. 

Shore Club's executive chef Elizabeth Tokarcyzk offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu. Creative cocktails such as Frose all day (vodka, rose and peach puree); Chicago 71 (gin Champagne, simple syrup and fresh lemon twist); Beach Party (cucumber-infused vodka, pineapple, lime, jalapeno, sparkling wine). are headliners on the drink menu.


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Mercadito's Summer Experimental Dinner

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Mercadito, 108 W Kinzie, takes guests on a culinary journey down the Gulf of Mexico region during the Summer Experimental Dinner 6-9 p.m. August 21.

Hosted by Corporate Chef Aldo Ayala and special guest Paul Sauter of Diageo,guests  will indulge in a five course meal paired with five Zacapa rum pours. Featured dishes include: 

First stop on the tour is Xalapa with jalapeños rellenos de minilla (pickled jalapeños stuffed with tuna; Garnacha de Res, corn tortilla, braised beef and chile morita; and Camarón, coconut batter shrimp, pineapple marmalade and pickled red onion). 

On to Veracruz with a special ceviche (lime marinated fish, red onion, tomato, pickled jalapeños, olives, parsley, tomato-citrus broth and crispy capers). 

Followed by a selection from the note: tamaulipas with jaibas, (lightly fried blue crab meat stuffed shells, tomato sofrito, garlic, parsley, Serrano chiles and breadcrumbs).

And on to the historic district of Campeche with pollo pibil (achiote marinated braised chicken, banana leaf, pickled red onions and habaneros, sour orange salsita, mustard seeds and burnt tortillas), circling back to Veracruz for dessert with vainilla (vanilla bean flan, piloncillo caramel and vanilla bean toasted nuts). Reservations require, call 312-329-9555 or here.

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Primo's new cocktails

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PRIMO, located inside All Chocolate Kitchen, 33 South Third Street, Geneva, has added a new round of cocktails to the menu. The new libations are the Primo Pop (blueberry gin ice pop immersed in a glass of Prosecco) along with two timeless classics: The Primo old fashioned and the Primo martini. The cocktails are $12.50 each.

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George Bannos

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Chicago has lost a beloved member of the culinary world, George Bannos, co-founder of Heaven on Seven. I knew George, enjoyed the times he would sit down at the table and chat. A true gem in the city's restaurant scene, his was a friendly face you looked forward to seeing when visiting the restaurant, a friend to all and will be missed.

Due to Bannos' unexpected death the restaurant has canceled the following events: Halfway to Mardi Gras (August 12) and Unique Eats & Eateries Book Launch and Cajun Cocktail Party (August 16, this event will be rescheduled). The restaurant remains open for normal business hours. Services are being held today.

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Chicago Hot Dog Fest 2017

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The Chicago Histsorical Museum presents Chicago Hot Dog Fest 2017 takes place August 11-13, a block north of the Chicago Historical Society, 1601 N. Clark, at Stockton and LaSalle. In addition to dogs, dogs and more dogs, visitors will enjoy frank information, on well, franks during "Hot Dogs, Facts and Folklore," presented by guest speaker Eric Mittenthall. 

A weekend of live music includes: Sixteen Candles is the headliner 6:30 p.m. August 11; Prince tribute by Robert Cornelius & Friends highlights Saturday's activity (7 p.m. August 12) and Mike & Joe keep things popin', 5:30 p.m. August 13. Festival hours are: 11-9 p.m. August 11-12; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. August 13. Most purchase dog dollars for food and beverages. For more information and complete list of activities and view band lineup here. Purchase tickets.  A $5 donation at the gate is suggested as well. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Historical Society. 

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Slurping Turtle's half off specials

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James Beard Award-winning chef Takashi Yagihashi's hot ramen spot, The Slurping Turtle 116 W. Hubbard, is featuring half-off prices weekdays between the hours 3-6 p.m. on all food and drink menu items through August 30.

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Heaven on Seven half-way to Mardi Gras bash

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It's never to early to p-a-r-t-y especially when it's a half-way to Fat Tuesday bash at the Original Heaven on Seven. Join the fun when chef/owner Jimmy Bannos throws a party 5:30-11 p.m. August 12, Heaven on Seven, 111 N. Wabash. The festive event features live music from Arcana plus a special Mardi Gras menu. Limited reservations being taken.

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Pork & Mindy's new look/menu

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Pork & Mindy's, 1623 N. Milwaukee, has a new look and menu. The Wicker Park eatery, the brainchild of Food Network chef Jeff  Mauro takes  barbecue beyond the grill with creatives dishes such as the Tree Big Pigs (pulled park, crispy pork, pig candy, BBQ mayo, tempura-fried giardiniera, lettuce, tomato on griddled brioche.

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AlphaBeer XVI takes flight

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AlphaBeer XVI, featuring 26 varieties of beer, each representing a letter of the alphabet, takes place 3-6 p.m. August 12, A. J. Hudson's Public House, 3801 North Ashland. 

The event, in partnership with female brewers Barley's Angels Chicago, will feature industry experts who will be on hand to provide a background on each beer including brand-new release from Off Color Brewing's QingMing; Ale Asylum’s Velveteen Habit; Forbidden Root’s Strawberry Basil Hefeweizen. Tickets. PHOTO: Angela Carbot Photography

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