—Caffe Umbria, in Logan Square ( 2545 W. Armitage Ave. ) and River North ( 346 N. Clark St. ), is hosting a gift drive to benefit Friends of the Children. There will be a complimentary espresso with a gift donation. Caffe Umbria will also donate 5-percent of proceeds from the day to Friends of the Children.
—Theater on the Lake's Lakefront Restaurant, 2401 N. Lake Shore Dr., recently debuted a new winter food and drink menu, with a number of dining specials for the cold-weather months. New lunch offerings include guajillo spiced chicken salad, the Maryland crab cake sandwich and more; seasonal dinner additions include albondigas ( ground pork meatballs with rice and egg ) in smoked tomato sauce, braised short ribs ( slow-cooked Iowa Premium short ribs, butternut squash polenta, wilted spinach, serrano sesame reduction ) and Jail Island salmon with coriander cream sauce. See TheaterOnTheLake.com .
—Headquarter's Beercade Charlie Brown Christmas will take place Sunday, Dec. 9, 12-4 p.m., at Headquarters River North, 213 W. Institute Pl. The brunch will also feature a classic holiday feast complete with Boozy French Toast ( eggnog sauce, strawberries, maple syrup, whipped cream ), cheesy potato gratin and more, and festive beverage offerings like The Naughty List, Pumpkin-Spiced Toddy and Jack'd Skellington. ( Also, there will be performances by carolers as well as the Tim Stine Quartet playing Vince Guaraldi's timeless Christmas album. ) Tickets are $35 each; visit https://www.universe.com/events/a-charlie-brown-christmas-brunch-tickets-chicago-LY3FCS.
—Midwestern-inspired spot Twain, 2445 N. Milwaukee Ave., is now open for Sunday brunch. Menu items include cast iron butterscotch pecan roll, brulee grapefruit, chorizo hash, yogurt parfait, steak and eggs, and French toast Suzette; also, Bloody Marys and a full brunch cocktail list are available. Twain is open for brunch Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See TwainChicago.com .
—On Dec. 9-22 ( during dinner hours ), Cold Storage, 1000 W. Fulton Market, will be offering festive Feast of Seven Fishes. Served family style and priced at $55/person, the menu will feature caramelized onion and anchovy focaccia, olive oil-poached tuna, insalati di mare, stuffed calamari, littleneck clams and more. Two white wine pairings ( a pinot bianco and a Fioranello bianco ) will also be offered for an additional $25 per person. See www.coldstoragechicago.com .
—At 20 East at The Talbott Hotel, 20 E. Delaware Pl., daily specials during Hanukkah will include matzo ball soup; grilled beef brisket with romesco; latkes with apple mostarda; and challah with butter and truffle salt. Reservations can be made at www.20eastchicago.com and 312-397-3633.
—Bobby's Lincoln Park is now open in the new luxury ELEVATE residential building at 2518 N. Lincoln Ave. The bilevel American bistro has a seasonal menu with an emphasis on USDA-certified prime steaks, fresh seafood from around the world, handmade pastas and scratch-made desserts. The menu includes the Deerfield location's signature dishes along with a selection of items that are exclusive to the Lincoln Park outpost.
—The Barn Steakhouse is kicking off its winter wine dinner series with a special event Wed., Dec. 5, featuring acclaimed California winemaker, Greg Brewer, from Brewer-Clifton Winery. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., people will join the hostess-owner of The Barn, Amy Morton, for a meet-and-greet in the Winter Garden Room with Brewer. Dinner will follow in the loft space. The dinner costs $100 per person ( excluding tax and tip ); visit "An evening at The Barn Steakhouse with Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton" at BrownPaperTickets.com .
—Italian restaurant Prosecco, 710 N. Wells St., will host its 11th Annual Truffle Dinner on Wed., Dec. 5, with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Menu items will include housemade black-pepper tagliatelle, guanciale, farm egg, Pecorino Romano and shaved white truffles; and fior di latte gelato, black truffle honey drizzle; among other items. The cost is $200 per person, plus service fee and sales tax. Guests can reserve their spot by calling Director of Operations Jennifer Shoop at 312-951-9500.
—Chef StephenB and Get in the Kitchen's Jason Bailin will team for The Golden Girls-themed pop-up "Party On The Lanai!" on Friday, Dec. 7, 7-10 p.m., at 3617 N. Broadway. Items will include Rose's St. Olaf Salad and Big Daddy's Beef Short Rib, among other items. Tickets ( $79 each; no refunds ) are at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-golden-girls-pop-up-dinner-on-the-lanai-tickets-51681742483.
—To get Chicagoans amped up for the holidays, Little Goat, 820 W. Randolph St., will be offering rotating holiday cookies that Stephanie Izard fans can order for holiday potlucks and parties. The cookies offered will change each week leading up to Dec. 25, with whimsical cookies featuring seasonal flavors and designs like melting snowman, a penguin, abominable snowman, gingerbread goats, peppermint bark, peanut butter brittle with milk chocolate drizzle. It is $40 for 15 holiday cookies and $35 for a dozen; they must be pre-ordered 48 hours before the day of pick-up (noon). Email lejla@goatgroupcatering.com or call 312-600-9601.
—Winnetka spot Restaurant Michael, 64 Green Bay Rd., will offer a special dinner on Christmas Eve ( Dec. 24 ). It will feature four entree selections, including the filet of dover sole, lobster Galantine, brown butter Brussels sprouts leaves, saffron potatoes and lobster fondue as well as several first-course selections like the house-cured and smoked salmon with warm potato galette and lemongrass creme fraiche. Desserts will include the candy cane, banana rum or gingerbread souffles Tickets are $75 each; visit RestaurantMichael.com .
—Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, 221 N. Columbus Dr., will offer a four-course menu on Dec. 24-25 featuring smoked chestnut soup, winter citrus salad, guest's choice of a main, family-style sides and dessert. The cost is $58 ( $22 for kids 4-12 ). Reservations: 312-477-0234
—Geja's Cafe, 340 W. Armitage Ave., will offer New Year's Eve revelers a romantic repast featuring fondue and champagne along with classical/flamenco guitar music. Geja's will feature three special reserved seatings on Monday, Dec. 31, at 5 p.m. ( $95 per person ), 7:30 p.m. ( $115 ) and 10 p.m. ( $130 ). See GejasCafe.com .
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