—On Friday, July 13, Maillard Tavern will offer a special with its duck-fat Norwis potato fries. In celebration of the burger's side( kick ), Maillard Tavern is celebrating National Fry Day with shaved black-truffle fries for $5. See www.maillardtavern.com .
—A10's five-year-run in Hyde Park ended recently as Matthias Merges ( Gideon Sweet, Old Irving Brewing, Billy Sunday ) has closed the Italian-focused restaurant, Eater Chicago noted. A Facebook post announced the closing; another operator had been interested in the space. Michelin recognized the restaurant as a Bib Gourmand selection in 2015 and 2016.
—Chez Moi, 2100 N. Halsted St., will celebrate Bastille Day on Saturday, July 14. Chef Dominique Tougne has ‹created two special menus offering a different experience, one for each side of the revolution: French royalty and the people. The "King's Menu" or "Menu Versailles" ( $49/person ) features items like a lobster bisque "royale" with clams, and "royal" chocolate cake; the "Peasant Menu" or "Menu Bastille" ( $29/person ) features classic French dishes like coq au vin and bread pudding. See ChezMoiChicago.com .
—Cochon Volant Brasserie, 100 W. Monroe St., will feature a variety of specials in celebration of Bastille Day on Saturday, July 14. Specials include $10 glasses of select French sparkling wines, $5 chartreuse shots, $1 oysters and $15 steak tartare. The specials are available all day, while supplies last.
—Longacre has opened at 1309 W. Wilson Ave. The spot follows Gina and Andy Kalish's plant-based hot spot, Ka'lish, which opened in November 2016 and Longacre Pizza Squared, the precursor to Longacre's dining room, which opened in fall 2017. Offerings at Longacre include soups and salads, sandwich boards, local craft pasta and dinner plates, Longacre's Detroit-style pizza and housemade desserts; brunch will also be available every Sunday. See www.longacrechicago.com .
—European restaurant Marchesa, 535 N. Wells St., is now open for brunch and lunch Mondays through Saturdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m. There are continental breakfast and lunch selections, along with unlimited bubbles, Bloody Marys and bellinis. Items include Marchesa lobster and eggs, bananas Foster challah French toast, leek-and-artichoke quiche, French bistro chicken, caviar parfait and more. See marchesachicago.com .
—Michelin-starred restaurant entente, 3056 N. Lincoln Ave., has brand-new items for summer. Said items include trout ( watermelon, black olive, vanilla, trout roe ), lobster ( with summer peach, cucumber and Japanese green peach ), Ora King salmon ( with sorrel, sumac, fennel, apple and pistachio ) and Long Island duck ( duck rillettes, strawberry confit, English peas and white chocolate ). See www.ententechicago.com .
—The Cajun/Creole food truck Boo Coo Roux is teaming with Bourbon on Division, 2050 W. Division St., for a Southern Night Pop-Up on Wed., July 18, 6-8:30 p.m. Bourbon on Division will also host a concert with bluegrass band FY5 in its event space, The Bourbon Upstairs. Tickets are $15-$35 each; visit BourbonOnDivision.com .
—The first wave of restaurants has been announced for Taste of River North, which will take place July 20-22 at Ward Park, 630 N. Kingsbury St. Some of the restaurants will include Da Lobsta, Bar Cargo, Texican and Ruth's Chris Steak House. There will also be music, the Wine & Art Walk, the Lurie's Kids Zone and a morning workout. See TasteOfRiverNorth.com .
—As an extension of the Pitchfork Music Festival experience, bellyQ and urbanbelly, 1400 W. Randolph St., are planning a lively weekend of karaoke and frose July 20-22 in collaboration with Michigan-based Virtue Cider. The rhythm-and rosr-tinged after-parties are open to the public during dinner service—no ticket required. In addition, urbanbelly will serve Frosé and a streamlined menu of signature items, including its dumplings, ramen and bowls, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. all weekend long.
—The Signature Room, 875 N. Michigan Ave., is hosting its first-ever rose brunch on Saturday, July 21, at 11 a.m. Brunchgoers can imbibe rose from Moet & Chandon, Erath Winery, Charles Smith Band of Roses, and Smoke Tree Wines while enjoying a gourmet brunch buffet ( with items such as artichoke beignets and baby lamb chops ). Tickets are $95 per person ( inclusive of tax and gratuity ) and include hors d'oeuvres, five different roses, an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet—and a signature gift bag; call 312-280-0472.
—Joining the anti-straw movement, Four Entertainment Group ( 4EG ) will host a weeklong benefit during "Shark Week" at aliveOne, Easy Bar, Estelle's, Remedy and The Owl on July 23-27. All locations will collect $1 from every full-price signature house cocktail sold and donate 50 percent of proceeds to Chicago's Shedd the Straw Campaign and 50 percent to For a Strawless Ocean. Throughout the week, all bars will also show Free Willy, Jaws and other aquatic-themed films while they accept cash donations to support both anti-straw initiatives.
—To celebrate National Tequila Day, Lottie's Pub, 1925 W. Cortland St., will host a "Tequila Fest con Tacos y Elotes" on Tuesday, July 24, 6-9 p.m. For $25, guests can enjoy half-ounce tequila samplings, as well as a Mexican street-food buffet featuring tacos, elotes, nachos, quesadillas and more. Tickets must be purchased online in advance at lottiespub.com/events.
—The Trotter Project teams celebrity Chef Elizabeth Falkner and Margeaux Brasserie Executive Chef/Charlie Trotter's restaurant alum Brent Balika on Wed., July 25, to pay homage to legendary chef Charlie Trotter and support The Trotter Project's Pillars of Excellence Program at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, 11 E. Walton St., 6-9 p.m. A four-course menu will pair Macallan cocktails and selected wines from Robert Houde of Robert Houde Wines. Tickets are $125 each; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-trotter-projects-evening-with-chef-elizabeth-faulkner-margeaux-brasserie-tickets-47573343150.
—In honor of its third consecutive year in Humboldt Park ( at 3021 W. Division St. ), Sangria Festival is expanding from one to two days, Aug. 18-19, noon-10 p.m. The fest is an homage to Latino culture, with authentic foods, arts, and performances all weekend in benefit of local charities. The food and drink at this year's Sangria Fest will present a variety of global options, including Mija Sangria Red & White, Juicy Luzy Sangria with Ruby Red, Pear, Pomegranate & Mango, Tapas Valencia ( paella ), Jeannie's Flan, Taco In A Bag ( nachos ), Boulevard Lounge ( Impossible Burger ), BLVD Pizza Bar, Flash Tacos, Sweet Lady Flan and more. Tickets are $25-$60 each; see SangriaFestivalChicago.com .
—Lawry's The Prime Rib is teaming with the Chicago Architecture Foundation to offer a Sunset River Cruise packag that involves one-stop shopping, dinner and a display of the city's architecture. The Sunset Cruise runs seven days a week through Oct. 5 and begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. at the southeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive ( lasting roughly 75 minutes ). The meal features Lawry's classics like the spinning bowl salad, California-cut prime rib with mashed potatoes and gravy, Yorkshire pudding and a mini-CC Brown's hot-fudge sundae. Pricing is $62-$119/person.
—Berwyn's City Barbeque, 7108 Cermak Rd., has partnered with Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry to donate the restaurant's daily surplus food to feed those in need in the community rather than see the food go to waste. City Barbeque Berwyn is also committed to hosting weekly local fundraisers and has partnered with a wide variety of local charities in the community every week, with a goal of at least one per week. See citybbq.com .
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