—Tallboy Taco, 325 W. Huron St., is showing its support by donating $1 from every rainbow Boozy Pride Paleta spiked with Brugal rum ( $3 each ) to the Center on Halsted. Operating out of Nacional 27, Tallboy Taco offers River North an assortment of tallboy beers and tacos for both lunch and dinner, as well as carryout. See tallboytaco.com .
—Mon Ami Gabi, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, is turning 20, and on Tuesday, June 19, it is celebrating with Veuve Clicquot on the patio as the sun sets. Signature Mon Ami Gabi hors d'oeuvres will be prepared by Chef Nelli Maltezos and paired with rose and Yellow Label brut. The cost is $65 per person.
—Z Bar, the globally inspired rooftop destination at The Peninsula Chicago, is now open. In addition to cocktails ( like the Summer Wind ) and the view, there are culinary items such as marrow poppers, Z Bar's version of tater tots that hide a decadent filling of bone marrow and Bordelaise. Sprinkled with malt vinegar and Hawaiian pink salt, beef cracklings, made with beef tendon, are similar to pork rinds, while daikon frites are dressed with Chinese lap cheong, garlic chives and a spiced tomato jam. See ZBarChicago.com .
—Lincolnwood's Stefani Prime, 6755 N. Cicero Ave., has launched its lunch service, served at 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Highlights include seafood Cobb salad, the Stefani prime-rib sandwich and papardelle bolognese, among other items.
—Pioneer Tavern Group—the group behind Lottie's Pub, Frontier and The Pony Inn—is set to open its New Orleans-inspired concept, Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods, on Friday, June 22 at 4 p.m. Located at 1415 N. Wood St., Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods is a corner-store tavern concept housed inside an old-school bar in Wicker Park.
—El Tapeo Modern Spanish Kitchen—on the ninth floor of Le Méridien Chicago-Oakbrook Center at 2100 Spring Rd.—will mark World Tapas Day on Thursday, June 21. El Tapeo will offer an exclusive pimenton de cerdo tapas dish throughout the day, with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Hinsdale Humane Society. For reservations or additional information, call 630-828-2044 or visit ElTapeoRestaurant.com .
—In anticipation of the Windy City Smokeout, the event and DropShot Coffee & Snack Bar, 312 W. Chestnut Ave., join forces to host a one-time pop-up Friday, June 22, 5-7 p.m., giving guests a sneak peek at this year's festival. With free admission, guests can enjoy live country music, barbecue dishes from Bub City and craft beer. Admission is free.
—Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya ( 1457 N. Halsted St. ) is teaming with the Japanese Cultural Center to host their first-ever Chicago Japanese Matsuri: A Traditional Japanese Summer Fest ( in the NEWCITY part of Lincoln Park ) on June 23-24. Japanese dishes, as well as drinks ranging from water to sake, will be available for purchase, although event admission is free. See chicagomatsuri.com .
—Through June 30, Lawry's the Prime Rib, 100 E. Ontario St., is offering $80 steak dinners for two people in honor of the restaurant's 80th anniversary on June 15. The dinner include the original spinning bowl salad, a choice of either California cut prime ribs of beef with mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding or Atlantic salmon filet with seasonal vegetables, and petite English trifle for dessert.
—On National Fried Chicken Day, Oak Lawn's Fry the Coop, 5128 W. 95th St., is urging people to try its Nashville hot chicken. The simple, cooked-to-order menu has five heat settings—from "country" ( no heat ) to "crazy". Items include the classic Nashville Fried Chicken Sandwich ( $8.50 ), the chicken & waffles ( $14 ) and the donut fried chicken sandwich ( $8 ). See www.frythecoop.com .
—Chez Moi, 2100 N. Halsted St., will celebrate Bastille Day on Saturday, July 14. Chef Dominique Tougne has created two special menus offering a different experience, one for each side of the revolution: French royalty and the people. The "King's Menu" or "Menu Versailles" ( $49/person ) features items like a lobster bisque "royale" with clams, and "royal" chocolate cake; the "Peasant Menu" or "Menu Bastille" ( $29/person ) features classic French dishes like coq au vin and bread pudding. See ChezMoiChicago.com .
—Cochon Volant Brasserie, 100 W. Monroe St., will feature a variety of specials in celebration of Bastille Day on Saturday, July 14. Specials include $10 glasses of select French sparkling wines, $5 chartreuse shots, $1 oysters and $15 steak tartare. The specials are available all day, while supplies last.
—The first wave of restaurants has been announced for Taste of River North, which will take place July 20-22 at Ward Park, 630 N. Kingsbury St. Some of the restaurants will include Da Lobsta, Bar Cargo, Texican and Ruth's Chris Steak House. There will also be music, the Wine & Art Walk, the Lurie's Kids Zone and a morning workout. See TasteOfRiverNorth.com .
—Delightful Pastries, 5927 W. Lawrence Ave., is offering a gluten-free baking class Saturday, Sept. 8, 12-2 p.m. Students will learn to make two types of fluten-free cookies, panna cotta and chocolate cremeux. Also, the chef will show how to take one simple recipe and create variations of it. The class is $75/student; email Info@DelightfulPastries.com or call 773-545-7215.
—Lawry's The Prime Rib is teaming with the Chicago Architecture Foundation to offer a Sunset River Cruise packag that involves one-stop shopping, dinner and a display of the city's architecture. The Sunset Cruise runs seven days a week through Oct. 5 and begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. at the southeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive ( lasting roughly 75 minutes ). The meal features Lawry's classics like the spinning bowl salad, California-cut prime rib with mashed potatoes and gravy, Yorkshire pudding and a mini-CC Brown's hot-fudge sundae. Pricing is $62-$119/person.
—Lincoln Park's Gemini will get a big brother of sorts with the opening of the Gold Coast's Walton Street Kitchen + Bar from husband-and-wife veteran restaurateurs Ryan and Anna O'Donnell. Located at 912 N. State St.—inside No. 9 Walton, a new luxury condo tower at the corner of State and Walton streets—the two-level spot will spotlight American-leaning fare.
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