Tokio Asian Fusion ( formerly Tokio Pub ) at 1900 E. Higgins Rd. in Schaumburg's Streets of Woodfield has a new name to reflect its flair for Asian cuisine. New menu items include crispy tofu bites and kimchi cheeseburger as well as its classics like the ramen burger and Japanese hot rock appetizer. The restaurant has also updated its patio and added an all-day bar menu with kung fu mussels, teriyaki salmon sliders and more.
For National Cheeseburger Day, the spot 80 Proof, 1500 N. Wells St., will be offering its signature Smash Burger for FREE with a purchase of anything on the menu ( limit one per person and while supplies last ) at 5-10 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 18. See 80ProofChi.com .
Also for National Cheeseburger Day ( Sept. 18 ), Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, 41 E. Superior St., will have offerings such as Prohibition ( $15.95; beer cheese spread, slow-smoked pulled pork, beer battered onions and Jake's stout BBQ sauce ), Jake's Cheeseburger ( $13.95; your choice of cheese ) and the 8-lb. Monster Burger ( $59.95 ).
River North bar Sable Kitchen & Bar, 505 N. State St., announced the appointment of Executive Chef Kevin Atkinson. Upon graduating from culinary school, Chef Atkinson relocated to Chicago in 2004. He has worked in the Omni Chicago Hotel; State and Lake Chicago Tavern, at theWit Hotel; and ETA Restaurant + Bar and Streeterville Social, at the Loews Downtown Chicago Hotel.
To mark its 70th anniversary, Garrett Popcorn Shops will hold a party 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Pioneer Ct., 401 N. Michigan Ave., on Wed., Sept. 18. The Garrett team will be scooping complimentary bags of Garrett Mix and giving away Garrett swag from a booth that looks like a giant Garrett Tin surrounded by giant popcorn kernels. In addition, there will be yard games, dancing and more.
As a result of the success of a recent sold-out event, Travelle at The Langham, 330 N. Wabash Ave., is presenting two additional art-inspired dinners with art tours throughout the hotel on Wed., Sept. 18, and Wed,, Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m. During the event, guests will be treated to a cocktail from Travelle's art-inspired cocktail collection, enjoy an exclusive art tour throughout the hotel, and then partake in a one-of-a-kind, art-inspired dinner. The cost is $95 each, excluding tax and gratuity; call 312-923-7705.
In honor of the piano's 100th birthday, Tortoise Supper Club, 350 N. State St., will be hosting a weeklong celebration ( Sept. 16-21 ) of music, food, drinks and Windy City history. Events include Opera Night, Broadway Night, Contemporary Jazz Night in the Lounge, Rat Pack Night in the Lounge, Jazz Standards Night in the Lounge and Sinatra-Style Jazz Night in the Lounge. Reservations can be made at 312-755-1700 or via OpenTable.
Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya and the Japanese Culture Center ( JCC ) will host the second annual "Kizuki Chicago Japanese Matsuri" on Friday-Sunday, Sept. 20-22. Held in NEWCITY Plaza, 1457 N. Halsted St., the 100,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor festival will celebrate Japanese culture with authentic food, drink, performances and more than 30 vendors. The cost is $10 ( five tickets ), while $20 get 11 passes. See "Kizuki Chicago Japanese Matsuri 2019" on Facebook.
The Dearborn, 145 N. Dearborn St., will host The Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival on Sept. 20-22. The Dearborn's fourth annual Oyster Festival will feature East and West Coast oysters on the half-shell for $1 all day Friday, Sept. 20, while supplies last, plus an extra-special giveaway over the weekend: a pearl necklace. Guests who leave their business card during the fest will be entered to win the 6mm, 18-inch cultured pearl-drop necklace from Chicago's Diamond Consultants; the winner will be announced at the end of the day, Sunday, Sept. 22. There will also be special menu items like The Oyster Po-Boy ( $15 ), the Prawn Cocktail ( $17 ), the seafood chowder ( $14 ) and more. Visit TheDearbornTavern.com or call 312-384-1242.
The next installment of "District Divas" monthly brunch buffet at Joy District, 112 W. Hubbard St., will be Saturday, Sept. 21, 12-3 p.m. According to Patch.com, for $50 per person, guests will enjoy a brunch buffet and mimosa bar on Joy's second floor club level. Said buffet highlights include a carving station, seafood table and charcuterie, chili and pizza bar, waffle station, egg station and dessert selections like cake pops.
Spiaggia Chef/Partner Tony Mantuano, former Executive Chef Missy Robbins and Executive Chef Joe Flamm will pass the torch to the new Executive Chef Eric Lees during a special dinner on Saturday, Sept. 21. The farewell tasting menu will tell the story of the culinary dynasty that has walked kitchen of Spiaggia over the years and give diners a sneak peek at what's in store for the future. The five-course dining experience will be offered for $200 per person, with several seating times available; visit www.exploretock.com/spiaggia/ .
Sam Adams' Lakeview Taco Fest returns for its seventh year on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 21-22. The fest takes place on Southport Avenue between Addison ( 3600 N ) and Roscoe ( 3400 N ) streets, in the heart of the Southport Corridor. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. both days. A few of the participating restaurants include The Pony Inn, Tied House/Schubas, D.S. Tequila Company and Taqueria Arceo. See LakeViewTacoFest.com .
Stan's Donuts & Coffee and The Original Rainbow Cone are teaming to send off summer with a two-day ice cream and donut pop-up on Sept. 21-22. The pop-up ( a first for The Original Rainbow Cone ) will be held 1-9 p.m. at Stan's Wicker Park and Oakbrook Terrace stores. Guests can drop by to savor the South Side ice cream shop's iconic frozen treat: the Rainbow Conewhich is layered with chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House and pistachio ice cream as well as orange sherbet.
The nonprofit Rogers Park Business Alliance will present its annual Taste of Clark Street celebration on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2-6 p.m. Clark Street restaurants from Devon to Touhy Avenues will offer samples of their signature dishes. Participating restaurants include Taqueria El Chorrito, Life's Sweet Inc., Cafe El Meson II, Paleteria Las Delicias De Michoacan, Nueva Italy Pizzeria and more. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event, andhere will be an additional $10 for beer and wine tastings; advance tickets are now available at RPBA.org .
The inaugural "Taste of Boystown" Restaurant Tour will take place Tuesday, Sept. 24, 5:30-8:30 p.m. A few of the food sampling sites include Drew's on Halsted, Forever Yogurt, Roscoe's Tavern and Lark, with wine/beer/spirit/cider sampling locations such as Cram Fashion, CrossTown Fitness and Egoist Underwear also on the bill. Advance tickets are $30 each ( which includes a $5 donation benefitting Lakeview Pantry ); visit buytickets.at/northalsted/296613 and TasteOfBoystown.com .
The inaugural Taste of Lettuce River North dinner will take place Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Wildfire Chicago, 159 W. Erie St. At this event, chefs from Big Bowl, Shaw's and Beatrix join the culinary team at Wildfire to create a one-night-only four-course menu showcasing all four restaurants. Tickets are $75/person, which includes cocktail and wine pairings with each course; visit www.wildfirerestaurant.com/events/taste-of-river-north/ .
Burger & Lobster USA announced the dates and headliners at its next Comedy Dinner and Drag Queen Show at the restaurant's Flatiron location, 39 W. 19th St. The Comedy Dinner will be held Wed.,, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. while the Drag Queen Brunch will be held Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. RuPaul's Drag Race alum Nina West will headline the brunch, and she will be joined by Sherry Pie, Brita Filter, Kandy Muse and Sapphira Crystal. See BurgerAndLobster.com/blog.
Schubas' first-ever Thunder on Southport Motorcycle Rally, with 805 beer, will take place Saturday, Sept. 28, 12-5 p.m. The day will start at 10 a.m. at Federal Moto, 2021 W. Fulton St., for some refreshments. There will be cheap beer/booze/food, vintage moto movies, live music, raffles and morewith raffle items from Federal Moto, Biltwell, Ride Chicago, Harley Davidson Wrigleyville, Motoblot, Sailor Jerry, Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, and Schubas Tavern + Lincoln Hall. RSVP at lh-st.com/shows/09-28-2019-thunder-on-southport-motorcycle-rally/ .
Lincolnwood spot Stefani Prime, 6755 N. Cicero Ave., will feature Rosh Hashanah menu items Sept. 29-30. Dinner reservations start at 5 p.m. and reservations are required for the menu. ( Mention Rosh Hashanah. ) Items include challah with apples and honey; homecade chopped liver; chocolate cake; and more. The cost is $25-$45 each; visit https://www.opentable.com/r/stefani-prime-lincolnwood.
The Belgian brand Le Pain Quotidien is announcing the launch of its new fall menu, which will be paired with its World of Warmth campaign. The seasonal menu will debut nationwide Sept. 18 and is inspired by the bounty of the global community, including Le Pain Quotidien's first take on the pumpkin spice latte, to a vegan egg frittata. Le Pain Quotidien is also partnering with the Make a Wish Foundation; 10 perent of sales of the Giving Thanks Tartinea Thanksgiving-themed dish with turkey, roasted butternut squash, cranberry-harissa chutney, arugula and chestnut cremewill go to the organization.
River North restaurant The Smith, 400 N. Clark St., has launched a weekday breakfast menu. Just a few of the items include Sicilian baked eggs ( with spicy tomato sauce, artichokes, burrata, spinach and ciabatta ), vanilla bean French toast and the SBLT+E ( smoked salmon, lemon mascarpone, bacon and fried egg on a croissant with home fries ). See TheSmithRestaurant.com .
In celebration of National Dessert Month in October, the Albert Chicago, 228 E. Ontario St., will be offering the Baked Amazon, with mango-camu camu frozen yogurt, chocolate cake and torched meringue ( $15 ), courtesy of Executive Pastry Chef Allison Schroeder. One dollar from each Baked Amazon sold will be donated to the Amazon Conservation Association.
At Brass Heart, 4662 N. Broadway, on Wed., Oct. 2, 6-10 p.m., Chef Gaetano Nardulliformerly of Schwa Restaurant ( Chicago ) and NEAR Restaurant ( Barrington )will be a guest chef at an exclusive Old World-versus-New World event. Guests will enjoy 12 coursessix from Executive Chef Matthew Kerney's team at Brass Heart and six from Nardulli. The cost is $185 each, including food, tax and gratuities; visit www.opentable.com/r/brass-heart-reservations-chicago to RSVP.
French bistro Cafe Marie-Jeanne, 1001 N. California Ave., has some seasonal offerings. They include baby corn ( think fromage blanc/squash blossom/corn croissants in the morning and grilled corn and razor clams with curry butter and basil at night ), market fish with roe butter, smoked rabbit with grilled sweetbreads ( paired with lobster mushrooms, cabbage and corn ), and garganella ( a savory tasting natural, orange wine ). See Cafe-Marie-Jeanne.com .
On each game day, guests who dine in at El Che Steakhouse & Bar, 845 W. Washington Blvd., and show their tickets any day of the week can havea Parrillada dinner for $50 ( which is normally $90 ). The dinner includes grilled beer short rib, bife angosto, sweetbreads, chorizo, marrow bone and more. See ElCheChicago.com .
Greek spot Avli Taverna, 1335 W. Wrightwood Ave., will treat runners who order seafood orzo ( $22 ) to a complimentary cup of Ikarian longevity soup on Saturday, Oct. 12, during dinner. Guests must show proof of Chicago Marathon registration. Reservations are encouraged and can be made at Avli's website or 773-857-5577. Avli Taverna is open for dinner on Saturday at 5-10 p.m.
Frenco restaurant Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., will celebrate the Chicago Marathon Friday-Sunday, Oct. 11-13, with seasonal pasta dishes ranging from $13.10 to $26.20, including Chef Martial Noguier's housemade fettuccine, ravioli, gnocchi and linguine. For lunch and brunch, spectators can add bottomless mimosas for $33.95. Make reservations at https://www.opentable.com/r/bistronomic-chicago.
Christkindlmarket dates and sites have been set for the holidays. German American Events, LLC, announced the return of the outdoor event to three locations in 2019: Daley Plaza, in downtown Chicago ( Nov. 15-Dec. 24 ); Winterland, at Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville on the North Side of Chicago ( Nov. 22-Dec. 31 ); and the Entertainment Plaza outside of Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee ( Nov. 15-Dec. 24 ). Christkindlmarket ( free admission ) is known for its traditional candy cane-striped wooden huts, shopping options, international delicacies, hot spiced wine ( Gluhwein ), German beers, hand-crafted ornaments and family fun. Visit Christkindlmarket.com .
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