Dine at The Drake

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There's a few days left to dine at Coq d'Ord at The Drake, 140 E. Walton, featuring a Chicago Restaurant Week special of starter choice of market salad or seasonal soup and a second course choice of roasted leg of lamb sandwich or shrimp and fried clam po' boy (pictured) through Feb. 4; $22. 

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The Northman Opening Soon

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The team behind Fountainhead is set to open The Northman, 4337 N. Lincoln, hailed as Chicago's first cider pub, in February.  

The bar has been hosting pop-up events (photo from a pop-up dinner) by way of introducing itself to Chicago's food scene. Under the leadership of cider director Brian Rutzen Northman will feature more than 80 varieties of cider; over 20 craft beers and 18 cider drafts.

Chef Cleetus Friedman's menu spotlights French and English-inspired bistro fare such as house smoked ham and Marie Hare Camembert baguette and cider-braised onion soup with Grand Cru gruyere and toasted rosemary crouton (both found on the lunch menu).

Dinner items include escargot aux Normande with cider butter and a goat milk biscuit; rabbit and prosciutto roulade over corn grits and Yorkshire pudding with braised short rib gravy. 

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Valentine's Day Brunch at Brookfield Zoo

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Brookfield Zoo Valentine's Day dinner (adults only) is 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in zoo's Bocaditos dining room. The evening begins with a cocktail reception in the Seven Seas Underwater Gallery. The cost is $225 per couple. For reservations click here.

The zoo hosts a family 11 a.m. Feb. 14 in the zoo's Discovery Center. Guests wanting to secure a seating are encouraged to make reservations now; $45, adults; $35, children (3-11) under three free. 

Brunch includes a chef's omelette station, carving station, sweet table and traditional buffet area featuring items such as pancakes, bagels and cream cheese, various salads, shrimp cocktail, crab cakes with Creole sauce, sausage links, bacon, lamb kabobs and roasted vegetables, Reserve a spot here. Tickets for bot events are limited. The zoo is located at 8400 31st Street, Brookfield. 

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Crawfish Mardi Gras Event @ Cactus

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If you can consume three pounds of crawfish you might be crowned winner or Cactus Bar and Grill's, 404 S. Wells, Sixth Annual Fat Tuesday Crawfish Eating Contest 6 p.m. Feb. 9. Participants must race against the clock to devour three pounds of crawfish. The contest will be divided into heats with the winner from each heat moving into a final round. The person who downs the most crawfish in the least amount wins a $100 certificate to the restaurant. Second place contestant receives a "Hurricanes at Home" drink-making gift basket; third place winner receives a cooler complete with Abita beer. The cost to enter is $20, and includes a Hurricane served in commemorative keepsake glass. Proceeds benefit K9 4KEEPS, as Chicago-based non-profit organization dedicated to dog rescue. 

In addition Cactus is featuring a Mardi Gras menu featuring food and drink specials Feb. 9-12.  Click here for complete menu and information on contest.

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BeerAbility 2nd Location

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 BeerAbility opens a second location,  1821 N. Sheridan, Jan. 29. The first 50 guests visiting after 3 p.m. receives a $5 gaming certificate. As part of its grand opening festivities the bar is offering $1 Miller Lite and Coors Light drafts all weekend. 

The bar features more than three dozen varieties of beer, a food menu with selections ranging from specialty items such as a craft beer-brushed Bavarian pretzel to slammin' rib tips. Specialty drinks include a selection of beer cocktails including Corona-Ritas. In addition to four large screen televisions the bar features five video poker and slot terminals. The bar plans on hosting a grand opening event in March (close to St. Paddy's Day).

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Forbidden Root Brewpub Set to Open In West Town

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Forbidden Root Brewery, botanic-inspired brewery, is set to open a gastropub Feb. 18 in Westown at 1746 W. Chicago. In addition to its popular crafted beers, which that include Forbidden Root, Sublime Ginger Shady Character and WPA, the brewpub will launch seasonal specials beginning with Heavy Petal, the maiden launch in its Divine Mud cacao series and the upcoming Hive Minded honey series. 

Chef Daniel Weiland, formerly of, among other noted restaurants, Trenchermen, Blackbird and Avec, will shore up the kitchen duties for the pub's American rustic menu featuring dishes such as Forbidden Root-cured lamb jerky, toasted malt rubbed hanger steak with onion creme and potato pancake.

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Baconfest Chicago 2016 Tix Alert

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Bacon-loving foodies mark your calendars. Baconfest Chicago 2016 tickets go on sale noon Feb. 22. Early bird tickets for this highly anticipated event are already sold out. 

 The event, featuring creative bacon-inspired dishes from more than 150 vendors 2016 Baconfest Chicago Restaurant Roster , takes place over the course of two days April 30 (lunch and dinner) and brunch May 1 at UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt. 

General admission tickets are $100 for food event of choice. VIP tickets, which includes an exclusive Cooking Channel event and admission to desired dining session, are $200. Admission to food events include unlimited dishes and food samples and seven drink tickets. Order tickets  here.   

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CH Distillery Valentine's Event

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CH Distillery, 564 W. Randolph, partners with Ethereal Confections for two Valentine's truffle and spirit tastings (6; 8:30 p.m.) Feb. 11: $35. The price includes five pairings and a tour of the distillery. 

CH Master distiller Tremaine Atkinson and an Ethereal Confection chocolatier will be on hand during the event. Click here for tickets. PHOTO CREDIT: ARNOLD KLEIN

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III Forks Sommelier For a Day & French Wine Tasting

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III Forks, 180 N. Field, hosts a wine tasting Feb. 3. Sommelier Chris McFall will lead guests through six selections of French to be paired with hors d'oeuvres created by executive chef Billy Caruso. Guests will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite. The cost is $20. 
The "Sommelier for a Day" wine Selections are:

Andre Clouet, NV Brut Rose Grand Cru Bouzy
Meyer-Fonne, "Wineck-Schlossberg" Grand Cru Riesling Alsace 2006
Hubert Lamy, "Derriere Chez Edouard 1er Cru, Saint-Aubin 2012
Jean-Paul Brun, Domaine Terres Dorees Cote de Brouilly-Beaujolais 2009 
Lignier-Michelot, Vieilles Vignes" Chambolle-Musigny 2008 
Domaine Mathieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012

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Firestone Walker Tap Takeover

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California brewer Firestone Walker hosts a tap takeover 4 p.m. Jan. 27, Franklin Tap, 325 S. Franklin.

Featured brews include Union Jack IPA; Pivo Hoppy Pils; Nitro Merlin; Double Jack American Double IPA; Argesstic American Wild Red Ale; Sucaba Bourbon-Barrel aged Barleywine and Seventeen (2013) Blended Anniversary Ale.

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De Noche Mexicana Opens for Business

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D'Noche the night version of Cafe Con Leche becomes De Noche Mexicana, 2710 N. Milwaukee when the revamped concept restaurant, under the leadership of Chef Antonio del Real, opens Jan. 26.

The restaurant features a fusion of Mexican and Latin flavors, keeping popular D'Noche dishes such as the jibarito, ropa vieja, end the empanadas while introducing classic Mexican dishes such as carne asada (pictured), tacos, enchiladas, fajitas. New inspirations include Michelada mussels, huachinango (red snapper filet) and enfrijoladas.

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Lagunitas Beer and Small Plate Pairing

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Pints, 112 York, Elmhurst, hosts a Lagunitas beer and small plate pairing (items such as chili and brats, cheese fondue and chocolate desserts), 7 p.m. Jan. 28. The cost is $18: $15, for members of Elmhurst Heritage Foundation. The cost includes four appetizers and four five-ounce beer samples. Participants must be 21 and over. Register here (in the adult programs section).

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D.O.C Hartford Wine Event

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Corporate Executive Chef Todd Stein of D.O.C. Wine Bar, hosts a California wine dinner spotlighting vintages from Hartford Family Winery located in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley partnered with Napa-inspired dishes, 7 p.m. Feb. 4, D.O.C. Wine Bar Lincoln Park, 2602 N. Clark; $85. A Hartford representative will introduce selections.

The menu:

Reception
Rose Pinot Noir 2014
whipped brie, pear, green apple, cracked pepper

Appetizer
Fair Coast Chardonnay 2012
salt roasted beets, burrata, pink grapefruit, shallot confit

Salad
marin County Pinot Noir 2012
beef carpaccio, crispy capers, pickled cherry peppers, charred green onion aioli cotija cheese

Entree
Fog Dance Pinot Noir 2013
roasted breast of duck, braised fennel, parsnip puree, Pinot Noir soaked prunes

Dessert
Jolene's Zinfandel 2012
liquid center chocolate cake, Port-five spice reduction

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