—Chicago Restaurant Week will actually be 14 days this year ( Jan. 24-Feb. 6 ). The annual culinary celebration will feature prix fixe menus starting at $22 for lunch and $33 and/or $44 for dinner ( excluding beverages, tax and gratuity ). Among the many city and suburban restaurants participating are Allium, bistronomic, Cicchetti, Bistrot Zinc, Farmhouse Chicago, Henri, Mon Ami Gabi, Phil Stefani's 437 Rush, McCormick & Schmick's, and Oceanique. See EatItUpChicago.com .
—Gino's East, which has been in Chicago since 1966, is now at 500 N. LaSalle St. ( A grand opening is slated for Feb. 6. ) Deep-dish pizza favorites on the menu include the Chicago Fire ( patty-style sausage made extra hot and spicy with fire roasted peppers and red onions ), Jalapeno Blue ( bacon, blue cheese, sausage, caramelized onions, and blue cheese-bacon stuffed jalapenos ) and the BBQ Brisket Za ( barbecue beef brisket, caramelized onions, and red and yellow peppers ). See www.GinosEast.com .
—The Drawing Room, 937 N. Rush St., has announced its Valentine's Day menu ( Feb. 14-15 ). The four-course prix fixe dinner ( $49 per person ) includes ahi tuna, pan con tomate or beef tartare for the first course; apple salad; duck confit, pan-seared coulette steak or mushroom chevre crepe for the entree; and chocolate lava cake, vanilla bean creme brulee or strawberry sorbet for dessert. Reservations are required; call 312-266-2694.
—Takito Kitchen, 2013 W. Division St., has unveiled a special $20 Wagyu steak taco that chef/partner David Dworshak has prepared. The taco ( which can be split in two for easy sharing ) features grilled Wagyu steak, foie gras, truffled mushrooms, Parmesan, Urban Till arugula and smoked cayenne atop a black garlic tortilla.
—LUXBAR, 18 E. Bellevue Pl., has a new executive chef. Shaun Connolly has worked at several places, including Rockit Ranch Productions, Nightwood, Epic, Takaski and Otom.
—Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago has announced the appointment of Aya Fukai as executive pastry chef. Fukai joins Executive Chef Thomas Lents and the culinary team at Sixteen, which recently received an upgraded, two-star designation from the 2014 Michelin Guide. Fukai joins Sixteen in the weeks following the Chef Lents' debut of his winter menu, The Story of Chicago, which runs until late March.
—Roka Akor Old Orchard and Roka Akor Chicago are inviting guests to wine dinners on back-to-back nights ( Jan. 29 and 30, respectively ) to celebrate the award-winning varieties from Laetitia Vineyard and Winery. Eric Hickey, president and head winemaker of Laetitia Vineyard, will be at both events. The cost is $85 each, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Call Roka Akor Old Orchard at 847-329-7650 or Roka Akor Chicago at 312-477-7652.
—Pan-Asian eatery Jellyfish, 1009 N. Rush St., is now serving brunch Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Items include Crispy Chicken & Green Tea Waffles, Belly of the Beast ( 24-hour marinated Heritage pork belly grilled, ramen noodles and six-minute egg ), lobster mango roll and lychee mimosa. See www.jellyfishchicago.com .
—American Junkie, 15 W. Illinois St., is giving customers a chance to win a pair of Blackhawks tickets. During each game, every customer who wears Blackhawks gear while watching will be entered to win. Two drawings for the Blackhawks tickets will be held Jan. 29.
—"Chicago's Best WingFest" will take place Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Bailey Auditorium, 1340 W. Washington St., 1-5 p.m. Tickets ( $30-$65 ) may be purchased directly at www.WingFest.net, and attendees must be at least 21.
—Devon Seafood Grill ( 39 E. Chicago Ave., Downtown Chicago ) and Devon Seafood + Steak ( 17W400 22nd Street, Oakbrook Terrace ) are hosting a Valentine's Weekend three-course prix fixe dinner for two Feb. 14-16. The Valentine's prix fixe menu costs $95 for two, or $50 for an individual. ( Regular menu items are also available. ) For reservations, call Devon Seafood Grill ( Downtown Chicago ) and Devon Seafood + Steak ( Oakbrook Terrace ) at 630-516-0180.
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