Happ Inn's Beer vs. Wine Challenge

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The Happ Inn, 305 Happ Rd., Northfield, hosts  a battle of the beverages dinner 6:30 p.m. July 12. The "Beer vs. Wine" event, led by certified ciccerone Tom Sulinski and professional sommelier Annie McDowell, begins with a reception featuring appetizers, followed by a three-course menu. Selections will be with dishes created by chef Freddy Sanchez (pictured). Participating guests will decide the winner.

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Oyster Bah 4th of July Specials

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Oyster Bah, 1962 N. Halsted, 4th of July specials include half fried chicken, served with Bad Seed hot sauce ($17); Baby Back ribs (half slab- $18, full slab- $27); combo, ¼ fried chicken and half slab of Baby Back ribs ($24) and steamed lobster ($42.95). All specials will come with sweet corn on the cob and coleslaw. 

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Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya's Summer Happy Hour

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Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, 1482 N. Milwaukee, in Wicker Park kicked off a new round of summer happy hour specials June 27 (available 5- 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 2-5 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to closing Friday and Saturday).

Featured specials include select $1 beers with the purchase of a signature ramen dish; $3 to $4 izakaya dishes such as the Takoyaki (octopus dumplings, pictured) and $4 to $6 drink specials. 

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Hormel's Red, White and Blue Burger

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Unless you're a baker or have one that owes you a huge favor it's a little too late to pull the red, white and blue burger off for the Fourth of July, but for you Cubs fans it's one to keep in mind, hopefully for those post season parties. Am I jumping too far into the near future? Maybe.

So, serve them up any time during the season. The recipe blue buns, which can be order by a local bakery, your favorite burger recipe, white cheddar or any white cheese of your choice and Hormel chili. Courtesy of Hormel.

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Early Bird Tix For "Cooking Up a Cure Chicago" on Sale July 8

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Early bird tickets for "Cooking up a Cure Chicago" are available now through July 8. The event, benefiting the Scleroderma Foundation, features an array of area chefs chaired by Cleetus Friedman of Caffe Baci, takes place 5:30 p.m. September 15, Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie. Purchase tickets.

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DMK Burger's "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" Salute

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DMK Burger Bar Lakeview, 2954 N. Sheffield, salutes the 27th anniversary of the release of the 1989 Disney film, "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 28-30 with mini-sized food items including burgers, shakes, and beer. The restaurant will also screen the original move and its sequels, which starred Rick Moranis as the inept scientist who shrunk his kids. 

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Shaw's Lobster Festival Gets Underway July 1

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Shaw's Crab House's, 21 E. Hubbard, annual Lobster Festival, featuring a variety of delectable dishes such as lobster salad; lobster maki, lobster fettuccini, broiled lobster tails, lobster au gratin, lobster mac and cheese as well has a whole lobster with boiled potatoes and corn entree, takes place July 1-31.

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Cactus Bar Complimentary Bus Service to Guns N' Roses Concert

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Cactus Bar and Grill, 404 S. Wells, will offer continuous, complimentary shuttle bus service to and from the Guns N' Roses concert 8 p.m. July 1, Soldier Field. Runs will be every 30 minutes beginning 6:30 p.m.  The last run from Soldier Field will be 30 minutes after the concert ends.

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Kick's Back to the 1980s Session

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Kick, 1943 W. Byron, hosts "Back to the 1980s," 8 p.m. to midnight June 30. The event feature retro cocktails including: Blue Hawaiian; Hurrricane; Tequila Sunrise and Sex on the Beach ($8 each). DJ Todd will be in the house spinning '80s tunes.

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David Burke's Primehouse Pop-up Ice Cream Specialties

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Executive Pastry Chef Amanda Warren and the pastry team of David Burke's Primehouse serves up ice cream novelties food-cart style, plain or with toppings 4-6 p.m. Fridays through July on the patio at the James Hotel, 616 N. Rush. Servings are $5; $3, children's size (cash only).

Up next, chocolate marshmallow: chocolate marshmallow ice cream, butterscotch caramel sauce, marshmallow fluff, brandied cherry compote, candied cocoa nibs (June 24).

Future offerings scheduled are strawberry shortcake: strawberry ice cream, shortcake pieces, lemon gelee, strawberry sauce (July 1) and mint chocolate: mint chocolate ice cream, mint chocolate crumble, mint meringues, chocolate sauce (July 8).

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Firecakes Gay Pride Salute

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Firecackes Donuts, 68 W. Hubbard; 2453 N. Clark,  is featuring a special gay pride doughnut through June 26. The limited edition, Tahitian Vanilla Bean Iced Pride Donut ($2.89), will be available through June 26, with $1 from each sold benefiting Center on Halsted.

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Canceled: Dog Dayz of Summer

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Due to slow sales the Doug Sohn and Goose Island Beer Dog Dayz of Summer event, June 24-25 has been canceled. Refunds are currently being processed and will be issued in a timely fashion.

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UPDATE: Taste of Chicago Preview New Date

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City of Chicago presents as Taste of Chicago Preview, featuring select vendors participating in the 36th Annual Taste of Chicago, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 28, Daley Plaza 50 W. Washington. Participant include: Abundance Bakery (new); Chicago’s Dog House; Demera Ethiopian Restaurant (new); Dia De Los Tamales; Dinky Donuts (new as a 5-Day Restaurant); Doom Street Eats (new); Harold’s Chicken; Iyanze; Pork & Mindy’s (new); Porkchop and Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs. 

Rock band The Giving Moon performs live at noon. The Taste runs July 6-10 in Grant Park.

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