In honor of iconic chef Julia Child, Chef Greg Biggers of Margeaux Brasserie, 11 E. Walton St., has curated a special pre-fixe menu of Child-inspired dishes for Thursday, Aug. 15 ( Child's 107th birthday ). Guests can enjoy moules a al Provencale, paupiettes de beouf and gateau a l'orange. A portion of the evening's proceeds will be donated to the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts in honor of her birthday. Admission is $55 each ( excluding beverages, tax and tip ); visit https://www.michaelmina.net/restaurants/chicago/margeaux-brasserie/#contact.
Stan's Donuts just released several new milkshake flavors, including Butterfinger, Caramel, Cold Brew Coffee, Lavender Coconut and PB&J. All Stan's Milkshakes are 16 ounces and come topped with a mini-donut for $5.99. Get a donut for you and your date and make it a "Super Stack" to get a second mini-donut on top for a dollar more.
Approximately 3,500 people went to Daley Plaza on Aug. 8 to attend Chicago's eighth Le Dîner en Blanc, in which everyone dresses in white ( hence the name ). Le Diner is a secret event that reportedly had 30,000 people on its wait list. In June 2018, Le Dîner en Blanc de Pariswhich has taken over 80 cities around the worldmarked its 30th anniversary; a record 17,000 guests from Paris and around the world gathered at the Esplanade des Invalides to celebrate this historic moment.
Music Bingo returns to Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, 41 E. Superior St., on Tuesday, Aug. 13; on Aug. 27, there's Trivia Night, by Baig of Tricks Entertainment. ( Both events are 7-10 p.m. ) Prizes include a Jake's Swag Bag, Brewery Swag Bag, Brewery Tours, and more. The first 10 guests receive 10 bucks off their tabs. August specials include the "Que"Sadilla ( $12.95, with a veggie-style option ), the sticky jerk wings ( $13.95 ) and the Southwest chicken salad ( $12.95 ).
Lotties Pub, 1925 W. Cortland St., plans to serve specials for NCAA and NFL game days featuring the University of Wisconsin, University of Kansas and Chicago Bears. For example, for University of Wisconsin game days, there will be $4 22-oz. Wisconsin Miller/Coors Cups, $5 Bucky Bombs, $7 cheese curds and $10 cheese-curd pizza; and Chicago Bears game days will have $4 mimosas, $5 Bloody Marys, $5 Miller/Coors Stadium Cups, $5 Tellamore Dew, $20 White Claw buckets and $10 pizza.
At Urbanbelly, 1542 N. Damen Ave., Chef Bill Kim is offering a peanut noodle salad to help people beat the heat during summer months. The chilled ramen noodles are tossed in a peanut sauce and topped with pickled cucumbers, onions, bean sprouts and cilantroalong with Korean chili flakes. See UrbanbellyChicago.com .
Speaking of ramen, Kinton Ramen's chilled ramen dish ( $13 ) features a the signature thick noodles tossed with ground white sesame seeds and sesame oil and adorned with two pieces of pork belly and shredded nori. The ramen is served with a savory sauce for dipping on the side as well as grated daikon, wasabi, scallions and a quail egg. Kinton is at 163 N. Sangamon St.; visit KintonRamen.com .
The team behind the Greek restaurant Avli Estiatorio in suburban Winnetka, and the casual neighborhood Avli Taverna in Chicago's Lincoln Park is opening its latest Avli location this September at 702 N. Wells St. in Chicago's River North area. Avli River North will offer two floors of dining space as well as a large outdoor patio.
On Friday Aug. 16, well-known Chicago chef Stephanie Izard will be joined by Latin American chefs Virgilio MartÃnez and PÃa Leon for a daytime feast of Peruvian cuisine at Izard's rooftop restaurant, Cabra, 200 N. Green St., at 11 a.m. The lunch will include a cocktail reception as well as a multi-course meal and chef's action station on Cabra's terrace. Tickets are $75 each; visit www.foodbowlchicago.com/events/almuerzo-at-cabra-with-chefs-virgilio-martinez-pia-leon-and-stephanie-izard/ .
Noyane, Conrad Chicago's rooftop at 101 E. Erie St., will kick off the Air & Water Show weekend with two cocktail specials, Lucy in the Sky and Da Lakea spin-off the ( air ) and ( water ) concept of the tradition. Each of the cocktails is $14, and will be featured Saturday and Sunday. See Noyane.com .
The Signature Room, 875 N. Michigan Ave., will host its annual Air & Water Show VIP Viewing Party on Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 17-18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Buffet offerings feature a gourmet spread of brunch items from Executive Chef Cardel Reid including chilled shrimp, fresh seasonal salads, artisan cheeses, and various Chicago-inspired dishes, followed by a variety of desserts and fresh fruit. Tickets are $175 per person ( inclusive of tax and gratuity ) per day and include an all-you-can-eat buffet, a premium bar package and reserved seating. Guests must be 21 or older. To RSVP, call 312-280-0465.
On Monday, Aug. 19, at 7:30 p.m., the U.S. Pizza Museum will celebrate its one-year anniversary at Roosevelt Collection, 1146 S. Delano Ct. This anniversary celebration will launch the pop-up's final months of special events and museum hours before going closing in mid-October. The museum is partnering with the Glitty Bitties Variety Show to present an evening of comedy, music, and storytelling, with proceeds benefitting Lakeview Pantry. Purchase tickets at uspizzamuseum.com/tickets/ .
On Wed., Aug. 21, Travelle at The Langham Chef Jeff Vucko will collaborate with Granor Farm Chef ( and Ruffage author ) Abra Berens for a one-night-only dinner. Starting at 6:30 p.m., guests meet at Granor Farm in Three Oaks, Michigan ( about a 90-minute trip from Chicago ); upon arrival, guests will enjoy a tour of the farm. Vucko and Berens will create a seven-course, family-style menu. This event will benefit Plant Chicago, with a portion of proceeds supporting their market and education programing. Ticket cost $145 each ( +$35 per ticket for optional red or white wine ); visit https://granorfarm.com/events/dining/travelle-at-granor-farm.
On Sunday, Aug. 25, 2-6 p.m., at Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N. Morgan St., Winestyr will host Winestyr Festan inaugural tasting event devoted to celebrating wineries across the United States. Just a few of the wineries that will be featured include Enfield Wine Co., Alexandrie Cellars, Halcyon Wines, Smith Story and Riley's Rows. Tickets are $65 each; visit www.exploretock.com/winestyr/event/68851/winestyr-fest-2019/ .
Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon Ave., will host its 11th Annual Harvest Dinner on Wed., Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. A cocktail reception with passed appetizers will start the event, followed by a five-course tasting menu grilled Michigan peach-and-kale salad, summer bean medley, cacio e pepe, sweet-and-spicy cornbread pudding and frozen Michigan peach fool. Tickets are $72.93 each ( including gratuity and tax ); visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4319380.
The Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Ave., will host an end-of-summer BBQ atop its rooftop gardentypically closed to the publicon Aug. 29, 5-8 p.m., to benefit The Children's Miracle Network. The evening will feature bites using fresh rooftop garden produce by hotel Executive Chef Frank Sanchez; select beer, wine and cocktails; and a country-music DJ. Dishes include BBQ carrots with spiced creama and pistachio gremolata; smoked and pickled shrimp with corn; crispy shortrib with pickled cucumbers, Portugal peppers, XO sauce and savory caramel; and cornbread with smoked cheddar and rooftop honey. Tickets are $40 and include unlimited food and drink, entertainment and a donation to The Children's Miracle Network; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rooftop-summer-bbq-benefiting-the-childrens-miracle-network-tickets-66392129647.
The Miller Lite Beer Garden, on the east end of Navy Pier, will kick off Labor Day weekend with happy hour on Friday, Aug. 30, 4-6 p.m. featuring $4 16-ounce Miller Lite drafts, $5 16-ounce Peroni drafts, $5 Capeline Strawberry Lemonade, $5 Henry's Hard Sparkling Water, $6 Smirnoff Vodka Lemonades, $6 Bacardi Mai Tais, $9 double cheeseburgers with fries, $6 Supreme Nachos and $4 cheese pizzas. The Miller Lite Beer Garden will also continue its "Live on the Lake!" music series featuring local bands all weekend.
Easy Bar, 1944 W. Division St., will open 8 p.m.-2 a.m. on Labor Day and offer specials like $6 glasses of wine, $5 Espolon Tequila shots, $5 Stoli Lime drinks, and Tecate with a Jimador tequila shot for $6. Guests can enjoy their drinks and the final days of summer on Easy Bar's dog-friendly sidewalk patio with seating for 15 to 20 guests.
Travelle at The Langham, 330 N. Wabash St., is offering picnic-basket options. Selections include the City Tour Picnic Basket ( $42 per person ), Millennium Park Picnic Basket ( $85 per person ) and Magnificent Mile Picnic Basket ( $190 per person ). To order a picnic basket, email Rachael at travelle@langhamhotels.com or call 312-923-7713, ext. 4236.
Aya Pastry, 1332 W. Grand Ave., is hosting pop-ups every Saturday throughout August ( 9 a.m.-1 p.m. ) for guests to purchase pastries, cakes, breads and more! Down the line, Aya Pastry will be opening a permanent public storefront. The products at Aya Pastryled by Michelin-starred pastry chef Aya Fukaiare available online for pickup seven days a week ( 72-hours in advance ) and can be found in a variety of the city's t restaurants, cafes and local grocers. See ayapastry.com .
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