—Vital Bridges Center on Chronic Care, a program of Heartland Health Outreach, Inc., has announced the Chefs and the City Summer Tasting & Croquet Garden Part Sunday, July 28, at Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie St., 12:30-5 p.m. Attendees will sip on cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose Vodka and sample items from more than 15 of Chicago's most elite and experienced chefs including Bill Kim of BellyQ, Shin Thompson of Kabocha, and Brian Huston of The Publican. Tickets are $150 each ($600 for a croquet team of four to six people); visit www.heartlandalliance.org/vital or call 773-271-9161.
—Traveling nearly 8,000 miles together from the city of Chong Ching, China to Chicago, longtime friends Shawn Li, Ben Li and Wan Cai Li have opened, fittingly, the Chinese/Japanese restaurant 8000 Miles, 107 Main St., Roselle. The dining room can seat 150 people. See "8000 Miles" on Facebook.
—Eduardo's Enoteca, 1212 N. Dearborn St., will present a 5 Rabbit Cerveceria Beer Brunch menu Sunday, June 30, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Highlights will include a beer and beer-caramelized bacon flight with tastings of items such as 5 Rabbit Golden Ale. Call 312-337-4490 or visit www.eduardosenoteca.com .
—Old Town grocer Plum Market will officially open at 1233 N. Wells St. Wed., June 26, at 9 a.m. The grand opening ceremony, which is open to the public, will include a celebratory toast and an official ribbon cutting by Alderman Michelle Smith of Chicago's 43rd Ward, and brothers Matt and Marc Jonna, the store's co-founders. All attendees will experience food demonstrations and free samples, and can enjoy complimentary coffee 9-11 a.m. at the new 1,200-square-foot Intelligentsia coffee bar.
—Howard Brown Health Center's "Garden of Eve" kickoff event will take place Thursday, July 11, 6-8 p.m., at L'etage Wine and Cocktail Bar, 5420 N. Clark St. The event is free, and hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be provided. To RSVP, contact Lizzie Bright at 773-388-8992 or LizzieB@howardbrown.org .
—Sushi+, Aurora's first rotary sushi restaurant and bar, will open at 4430 Fox Valley Center Dr. The menu features traditional Japanese fare with a few unique spins such as Crispy Tacos, Crazy Jalapeno, Sushi Pizza and "ToGo Box Sets." See www.rotarysushi.com .
—Garrett Popcorn Shops has released its new keepsake Americana tin. This red, white and blue tin comes in the one-gallon size, and features stars and Garrett Popcorn's signature stripes. Garrett is also inviting fans to share their ideas at www.garrettpopcorn.com/craftysayings/ for the next clever saying that will be featured on the company's Signature Stripes™ craft bags.
—bellyQ, 1400 W. Randolph St., will offer its first live cooking demonstration Saturday, July 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Chef Bill Kim will prepare dishes such as spiced shrimp with tomato salsa and avocado, and Lola's roast chicken with sambai chimichurri. Admission is $50; see www.brownpapertickets.com/event/402834.
—Tavernita, 151 W. Erie St., and guest hosts Kevin Aeh, Jeff Conway, Joe Cutaia, and Benjamin Newby will throw a Pride Month party supporting GLAAD on Sunday, June 23. Themed "I Want Candy," the brunch (11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) will feature a complimentary Gummy Bear Bar in addition to options such as Belgian waffles with fried egg, candied bacon and maple syrup. See http://tavernita.com/menus/tavernita_brunch.pdf.
—Evanston restaurant Koi, 624 Davis St., is unveiling Table 23, a way for guests to donate to Koi's monthly charity. (Koi's charity in June will be Senior Connections.) Table 23 is Koi's most sought after table, located in the main dining room with a window view of Davis Street and downtown Evanston. To be seated at the table, guests must make special reservations by calling 847-866-6969.
—The 5th annual Windy City Ribfest will take place Friday-Sunday, July 5-7, at Lawrence and Broadway. In addition to slabs, libations and music (from such acts as Liquid Soul and Velvet Jimis), there will also be arts & crafts and, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, a kids' activity area. In addition, visitors will be able to vote for their favorite ribs. See www.ChicagoEvents.com .
—The fourth Roscoe Village Burger Fest will take place Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., on Belmont Avenue at Damen Avenue. There will be 14 burger vendors, including Banh Mi & Company, Stanley's Kitchen & Tap, Hamburger Mary's, Rockit Burger Bar, Twenty Five Degrees and Goose Island Brewpubs. Sister Hazel and Cowboy Mouth will be among the bands at the festival. The gate donation is $7; see www.ChicagoEvents.com .
—Pastry Chicago is holding a free ice-cream social with Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Friday, July 26, 6-8 p.m., at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E. North Water St. There will be tastings as well as a demonstration by Chef Joshua Johnson of The French Pastry School. RSVP at info@pastrychicago.org or 312-726-2419, ext. 208.
—Howells & Hood, 435 N. Michigan Ave., has introduced "Blues Brunch." Various stations offer made-to-order omelets, Benedict dishes, cheeses and fruits, pastries, charcuterie and seafood, and more. Howells & Hood brunch is available Sundays 10 a.m-2 p.m.; reservations are accepted. Visit www.howellsandhood.com or call 312-262-5310.
—Fulton's on the River, 315 N. LaSalle St., is hosting a "Riverfront Barbeque" series July 11 and Aug. 8 (the second Thursday of each month). The patio parties will take place 5-8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door; visit www.fultonsontheriver.com or call 312-822-0100. (Tickets are also at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/396798.)
—The Goddess and Grocer is teaming with David Barton Gym to offer a line of healthy smoothies at Goddess' location at 901 N. Larrabee St. The six varieties are all under 400 calories and they include Kiwi Berry; Mango Ginger; Peach Coconut; Almond Butter & Jelly; Pineapple, Kale & Coconut Oil; and Spinach, Pineapple & Avocado. See www.GoddessAndGrocer.com .
—The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce—through a community partnership initiative with the newly formed Friends of Lakeview and Lakeview Special Service Area No. 27 (SSA #27)—has announced its first annual Low-Line Market, a new prepared food and farmers market in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. Through Oct. 17, people can visit the Low-Line Market every Thursday evening at the auxiliary exit of the Southport Brown Line CTA Station (between Belmont and Addison).
—The event "Spirituality and Spaghetti: The LGBTQ Experience" will take place Wed., June 19, 6-8 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 6011 W. 36th St., Cicero. Leaders from various religious backgrounds will discuss the effects of negative messages on LGBTQ people. Call 773-426-2406 or email engageyouth@hotmail.com .
—Homestead, a literal farm-to-table restaurant, has opened. Patrons will enter the restaurant through Roots Handmade Pizza (1924 W. Chicago Ave.), and will be led upstairs to the unique dual space on the second floor. Homestead (open 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday) will not accept reservations. The outdoor rooftop of Homestead features 80 outdoor seats with full view of the L-shaped 1,000-square foot organic rooftop farm and two vertical hanging gardens.
—Japonais, 600 W. Chicago Ave., has introduced Ping-Pong tables outside for guests to enjoy, particularly during happy hour (5-8 p.m.). There is also a riverfront patio complete with cabanas, floor lamps and pillows. In addition, there are summer cocktails such as The Lychee at Night (Reyka Vodka, Soho Lychee Liqueur, Lychee puree, a splash of lime juice, simple syrup and blackberries). See www.japonaischicago.com .
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