—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 .
—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.
—Independent brewer Revolution Brewing, 3340 N. Kedzie Ave., is rolling out the dance floor Wed., Dec. 12, for its inaugural "We Are Family" fundraiser—an event to support the LGBTQ community and raise donations for Chicago House and Social Service Agency. The event will feature a musical celebration of brass jams from Sousaphones Against Hate at 6-7 p.m. and a dance set from DJ Jill Hopkins at 7-10 p.m.. Alongside the entertainment, We Are Family will feature the debut of Loud & Proud, a blood-orange Session IPA. All sales of the beer will go to benefit Chicago House from the day of the event through Sunday, Dec. 16.
—On Thursday, Dec. 13, at 8 p.m., WTTW will air the new 60-minute documentary Breakfast at Ina's, a tribute to a beloved Chicago eatery and its namesake, written and directed by Mercedes Kane. At her eponymous breakfast spot, Ina Pinkney served generations of Chicagoans with delicious comfort food and a warm welcome to match. As the so-called "Breakfast Queen" prepared to retire ( the restaurant closed in 2013 ), Ina recalled the genesis of her beloved restaurant, her passion for baking and the private adversity that shaped her spirit. See WTTW.com .
—Tuko Cantina has debuted its Mexican-American cuisine at 1938 W. Division St. Tuko celebrates the Mexican cantinas of the U.S. Southwest. Executive Chef Chris de la Cuervas' Mexican-American fusion features an array of nachos, tortas and burgers with hints of Mexican flavor alongside tacos served on housemade tortillas. Taco varieties include carnitas, chicken tinga, shrimp, fried sweet potato, lamb barbacoa, al pastor and more. Also, Pastry Chef Jocelyn Meza joins the team from Untitled. See TukoCantina.com .
—Z Bar at The Peninsula Chicago, 108 E. Superior St., invites guests to wear their most unsightly crewnecks, V-necks and cardigans for the first annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, 8 p.m.-2 a.m., on Friday, Dec. 14. Z Bar's team will preside over a contest to determine the best ugly sweater of the evening—with the grand prize being dinner for two in The Lobby or the Chocolate Bar experience. Call 312-573-6888 or visit www.zbarchicago.com/event/ugly-sweater-party/ .
—Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, 221 N. Columbus Dr., will host "Brunch with Santa" on Saturday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. In addition to a brunch buffet with items like smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, and charcuterie and cheese boards, guests can enjoy a complimentary photo with Santa, a petting zoo, train rides, a bouncy house, arts and crafts, a hot-chocolate bar and more. Admission is $50 for adults and $20 for children; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brunch-with-santa-tickets-52166604719.
—Esteemed spot Everest, 425 S. Financial Pl., is hosting "Christmas in Alsace" through Thursday, Dec. 27 ( excluding Dec. 23-26 ) at 5-10 p.m. Chef/proprietor J. Joho brings traditional preparations to Everest, serving a holiday multi-course menu. The price is $165/person, plus tax and gratuity. ( Wine pairings are another $98/person, plus tax and gratuity. ) See EverestRestaurant.com .
—Walton Street Kitchen + Bar, 912 N. State St., is now offering the Italian-American Sunday supper. Offered on Sunday evenings, there are three courses ( $32 individual/$54 to share ), featuring chopped antipasti salad, Pasta Napoletana with San Marzano-braised pork shank, Italian sausage and meatballs, and tiramisu from pastry chef Ji Yoon. Reservations can be made by calling 773-570-3525 or visiting OpenTable.
—Winnetka spot Restaurant Michael, 64 Green Bay Rd., will offer a special dinner on Christmas Eve ( Dec. 24 ). The meal 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 .
—Italian Village Restaurants, 71 W. Monroe St., announced the appointment of Chef Emily Phillips as executive chef of its contemporary Italian concept, Vivere. Phillips joined the Italian Village family as sous chef this past summer. Phillips now oversees all culinary operations at the contemporary Italian restaurant, from menu development and kitchen management to preparation and cooking.
—The Franco's Restaurant Group of family-owned restaurants will open Il Culaccino—a 225-seat, fine dining Italian restaurant in Chicago's new McCormick Square neighborhood, next spring. Anchored in the Arrive Lex Tower, 2138 S. Indiana Ave., Il Culaccino is being promoted as the first upscale Italian, full-service restaurant in the McCormick Square entertainment district.
—Chef/owner David Choi's Seoul Taco has opened its second Chicago location in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood at 1321 E. 57th St. The Hyde Park menu includes all the Seoul Taco staples, including gogi bowls, kimchi-fried rice burritos, quesadillas and nachos. The restaurant is the first of two new Chicagoland locations for the brand; Choi plans to open a suburban location in Naperville this winter. See SeoulTaco.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
—Chicagoans will have a unique way to spend New Year's Eve this year—by partying with Hot Doug and a selection of his sausages, Eater Chicago noted. Doug Sohn will helm a pop-up on December 31 at the Library Bar inside the Ambassador Chicago hotel, 1401 N. State Pkwy. There will be gourmet sausages, including the signature foie gras and sauternes duck sausage with truffle aioli and foie gras mousse, and the duck-fat fries as well as creations like the alligator sausage w/crayfish remoulade. Tickets are $75 each; visit www.exploretock.com/boothone/ .
—Steak 48, 615 N. Wabash Ave., offers its full menu for guests looking to toast to the new year with beignet trees and Wagyu tomahawk steaks. Late tables will receive a champagne toast, as patrons can indulge in sides like Alaskan king crab-and-rock shrimp mac 'n' cheese, Chef Brian Key's au gratin potatoes, crispy shrimp and corn creme brulee. See www.steak48.com/steakhouses/chicago/ .
—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 .
—Merchant, 3137 W. Logan Blvd., is ringing in the new year by offering a $50 five-course family-style dinner with an optional $25 wine and cocktail pairing, in addition to a la carte options. The dinner includes sunchoke lemongrass soup, steak with puffed rice and Brussels Kraut, pear salad with watercress and evalon, fried chicken with braised green and cannellini beans, and kumquat ricotta with Champagne curd. Reservations can be made by calling 773-687-8822 or at MerchantChicago.com .
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