The 9th annual Andersonville Wine Walk will take place Sunday, May 17, 3-6 p.m. This event will feature two routes, each including 11 retail stores transformed into tasting destinations. Each route ( North and South ) features 33 wines provided by participating distributors including H2Vino, Cream, Heritage, Vinejoy, Winebow, Candid and more. Event tickets cost $35 per person in advance or $40 per person the week of the event. ( Tickets include event admission and a one-of-a-kind wine glass. ) Visit www.andersonville.org .
Michael Jordan's Steak House, 505 N. Michigan Ave., is marking National Burger Month ( May ) with 31 different burgersa different one each day. Sandwiches include the Monte Cristo Burger ( May 17 ), the Pau Gasol Burger ( May 14; with Manchego and jamon serrano ), The Chili Burger ( May 21 ) and the D. Rose Burger ( May 27; served with a bag of Skittles ). The special burgers will be available in the restaurant's first floor bar during lunch only. See www.mjshchicago.com .
Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe St., will celebrate National Burger Month by featuring its off-menu burger created by Chef Donny Farrell. The burger is ground in-house and contains 70 percent brisket, 30 percent bacon, tavern sauce, bread and butter pickles, and fried onions, served on a New England bun. It's $15. Visit CommonwealthChicago.com .
Labriola Ristorante & Café celebrates National Burger Month with a rotating menu of specialty burgers for Labriola Burger Bash, which runs through May 31. Sandwiches include prosciutto and goat cheese burger ( through May 17 ), the Slagel Farm Burger ( May 18-24 ) and the Surf & Turf Burger ( May 25-31 ). Visit www.labriolacafe/chicago.com .
DryHop Brewers has collaborated with the Lincoln Park Zoo on a campaign that celebrates the crowned lemur. DryHop's brew is called "Take Me to Your Lemur," and one dollar from each beer ( a 5.5% cantaloupe and Clementine Wit ) sold at the brewery will be donated to the zoo's Crowned Lemur Wish List Fund. A beer-release party will be held Wed., May 13, at 6 p.m. at DryHop, 3155 N. Broadway. Visit www.dryhopchicago.com .
Long Grove invites residents and visitors for the annual Long Grove Chocolate Fest on Friday-Sunday, May 15-17. Among the many items will be chocolate martinis, chocolate-dipped strawberries and cider donuts, and chocolate-themed T-shirts. There will also be live music from '80s cover band Sixteen Candles and Beatles tribute band American English. Tickets are $5; visit www.VisitLongGrove.com .
LUXBAR, 18 E. Bellevue St., will host an exclusive exhibition and book-signing Thursday, May 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m., with Victor Skrebneski, who's releasing Skrebneski Seduced. The evening will include complimentary Signature LUXBAR Cocktails, wine and passed hors d'oeuvres, and will give guests a chance to get an exclusive look at Skrebneski's legendary artwork. Copies of Skrebneski Seduced will be available for purchase as well. Proceeds will benefit Misericordia Heart of Mercy. RSVP to SRoberts@grgmc.com .
Gino's Brewing Company, located at Gino's East River North ( 500 N. LaSalle ), is hosting an exclusive beer dinner in collaboration with Local Option during Chicago Craft Beer Week on Tuesday, May 19, with seatings at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Gino's Brewing Company five-course beer dinner will highlight three of Gino's Brewing Co.'s crafted in-house beers and two beer selections from Local Option. Tickets for the Gino's Brewing Company Beer Dinner are $45 plus gratuity, and can be purchased by visiting www.GinosEast.com .
Mexican-inspired restaurant Barcocina will open at 2901 N. Sheffield Ave. on Thursday, May 21, at 4 p.m. Executive Chef Matt Williams' menu highlights his modern take on Mexican-inspired dishes, with the entire menu built for sharing. Barcocina will also offer a beverage program that features a cocktails in three distinct categories: spicy, smoky and sweet. Call 773-687-9949.
Schaumburg's Level 257 invites Pac-Man fans for the game's 35th birthday on May 22-23. There will be free bowling and games, as Chicago bakery Toni Patisserie will present the official birthday cake to Pac-Man on May 22. General admission to the event on May 22 is free and includes all gameplay and bowling for free, a DJ and live performances, competitions, plus a few surprises. VIP tickets are also available for $35 per person; visit www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-pac-mantms-35th-anniversary-at-level-257-tickets-16508171385. Visit www.level257.com .
The Roscoe Village Wine Stroll, sponsored by Lush Wine & Spirits in partnership with Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce, will take place Thursday, May 28. Attendees can try more than 40 different wines of the world, including reds and whites, and check out boutiques and businesses along the way. All wine stops are located on Roscoe Street and Belmont Avenue and a complimentary wine trolley circles around Roscoe Village for convenience. The cost is $45-$60; visit rvccwinestroll.chirrpy.com .
The inaugural Lincoln Park Wine Festival will take place Saturday-Sunday, May 30-31, 1-7 p.m., at Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood ( Wrightwood and Sheffield ). Visitors can sample from a selection of more than 80 varietals. The cost is $60-$95; visit www.LincolnParkWineFest.com .
Following a four-year hiatus when it was known as the Des Plaines Summer Fling, the Taste of Des Plaines has returned and will take place June 12-13. It will be a free event, with local restaurants ( such as Rosati's Pizza and American Wildburger ), chef-driven cuisine, family activities and tribute bands. Visit www.tasteofdesplaines.com .
Black Bull, 1721 W. Division St., has launched a brunch. Also, every Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., brunch will feature a $25 three-course authentic Spanish menu with items that can also be ordered a la carte, including housemade pastries, torrijas ( Spanish French toast ), hamburguesa Iberica, huevos rotos, churros con chocolate and more. Visit www.blackbullchicago.com .
Unite Urban Grill, 1450 W. Chicago Ave., has expanded its brunch service to Saturday and Sunday. Items include deep-fried brioche French toast and Maine lobster Benedict, among others. Call 312-455-8900.
Proprietors Tony, Marion and Michelle Durpetti, along with Managing Partner Richard Ciota, have announced Luis Quiroz as executive chef of the new Gene & Georgetti restaurant and its adjacent private-events venue, The Estate by Gene & Georgetti, both opening to the public Monday, July 6 at 9241 W. Higgins Rd., Rosemont. Quiroz, a native of Mexico City, has a degree in culinary arts from The Cooking & Hospitality Institute; he's spent the last nine years serving as executive chef for Barrington Country Bistro, specializing in French cuisine.
There is a Kickstarter campaign to turn Filipino Fusions, a Web series and digital residency, into a cookbook. Filipino Fusions is part of Inside the Artist's Kitchen, an online arts journal that documents Chicago artists. In this web series, Kiam Marcel Junio's alter ego, Jerry Blossom, demonstrates a vegan take on Filipino cuisine while discussing Filipino history and culture. Visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/itak/filipino-fusions-the-cookbook.
AMK Kitchen Bar, a new Americana-themed restaurant, is slated to open in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood ( at 1954 W. Armitage Ave. ) this spring. This is the first restaurant concept from Steven Tsonis of AMK Group. Inspired by classic eateries, AMK Kitchen Bar introduces a menu of burgers, sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas and main plates such as braised pork belly, bourbon BBQ salmon and buttermilk fried chicken. Small plates include a roasted beet-and-grilled watermelon salad as well as a Dorito pie. Visit www.amkchicago.com or call 773-276-4400.
Chicago q, 1160 N. Dearborn St., has unveiled its new menu featuring creative appetizers and entrees alongside barbecue favorites from Chef/Partner and Pitmaster Lee Ann Whippen. Guests can enjoy appetizers like pork-belly corn dogs, q bacon and grilled elote; New entrees include shrimp brochettes, bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with Monterey Jack Cheese and poblano; the quesadilla, with a choice of brisket, pulled pork or pulled chicken; and bourbon vegetable kabobs, with a Kentucky bourbon glaze.
The final restaurant lineup for Taste of Randolph Street ( June 19-21 ) has been announced. Restaurants include Nonna's, bellyQ, City Winery, Publican Quality Meats, La Sirena Clandestina, Soho House Chicago's Pizza East and Chicken Shop, and Tete Charcuterie, among others. There is a suggested $10 donation; visit www.starevents.com .
The Great American Lobster Fest returns to Navy Pier Aug. 15-16, courtesy of New England Seafood Company, The Foxhole Chicago and Green Curtain Events. Featuring food, music and libations, the event will be open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. each day. This festival also takes place during the legendary Chicago Air & Water Show, plus there will be Saturday night fireworks off the pier. Visit www.americanlobsterfest.com .
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