—Delightful Pastries is celebrating National Blueberry Month ( July ) with items such as fruity blueberry turnovers ( $1.70 ), muffins ( $1.75-$2.50 ) or scones ( $3 ). Unique to Delightful Pastries' offerings are the blueberry pierogi ( $6-$9 ), authentic Polish dumplings, handmade and stuffed with local blueberries. Locations are in Old Town at 1710 N. Wells St., 312-255-0724; Jefferson Park at 5927 W. Lawrence Ave., 773-545-7215; and the Chicago French Market at 131 N. Clinton St., 312-234-9644. Visit www.delightfulpastries.com .
—Burger King has announced it will sell "the Proud Whopper"—a regular Whopper in a rainbow wrapper and an inscription that reads "We are all the same inside." "It showcases who we are as a brand," Fernando Machado, the fast-foot chain's senior vice president of global brand management, told USA Today. The sandwich will only be on sale in one BK location—on San Francisco's Market Street. All Proud Whopper sales will be donated to the Burger King McLamore Foundation, for scholarships benefiting LGBT college-bound, high school seniors graduating in spring 2015. According to the Human Rights Campaign's 2014 Corporate Equality Index, Burger King scored a 55 out of 100.
—Enolo Wine Bar, 450 N. Clark St., is introducing a new ice cream-inspired dessert with a twist: a sorbet-and-champagne float. Served in a coupe glass, each day in July ( National Ice Cream Month ) will feature a new flavor of sorbet splashed with a bit of bubbly. See www.enolowinebar.com .
—The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, 160 E. Pearson St., is introducing Martin Knaubert as its executive chef beginning this summer. The Ritz-Carlton Chicago will be his eighth hotel and fourth assignment as executive chef with Four Seasons properties. Visit www.fourseasons.com/chicagorc or call 312-266-1000.
—The New York-based cupcake and coffee shop Crumbs has closed all 48 stores in 10 states, including those in Chicago, according to The New York Post. The bakery chainbroke the news with a phone call to employees on July 7. The company, which had already closed a number of its stores in recent months, told the Wall Street Journal in a statement, "Regrettably, Crumbs has been forced to cease operations."
—Vital Bridges Center on Chronic Care is holding "Bags, Booze & a Bar" on Thursday, July 10, 6-9 p.m., at Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave. There will be a pig roast, along with drinks and bean-bag games. Tickets are $30; visit www.heartlandalliance.org/vital/events/vital-nights-frontier-1.html .
—Owen + Alchemy, a contemporary juice bar at 2355 N. Milwaukee Ave., has unveiled its opening menu, according to Eater Chicago. The menu has categories of juices ( green, fruit, citrus, more ), milks derived from nuts and seeds, shakes and smoothies ( which feature a number of add-ons ), and bowls.
—The steak chain STK recently stated its plan to open a Chicago location next year—its first in the Midwest, Chicago Magazine noted. Non-steak menu items include raw-bar offerings and STK's take on sliders. STK restaurants are currently in New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, London and Washington, D.C., according to its website.
—Pastry guru and Chicago Culinary Museum 2013 Pastry Chef of the Year Chef Alain Roby of the All Chocolate Kitchen announced the launch of his brand new Exclusive Aroma Line, which features rectangular truffles in 20 exotic flavors. They are $2-$27 before tax; visit the All Chocolate Kitchen store, 33 S. Third St., in Geneva, or call 630-232-2395. Also, see www.AllChocolateKitchen.com .
— Weber Grill restaurants ( River North, Lombard and Schaumburg ) salute National Grilling Month by adding the Veteran's Burger to the menu all month long with $1 of each burger purchase going back to Illinois' Operation Home Front.
—Falafill, 3202 N. Broadway, has teamed with Adam Fleischman— founder of Umami Burger and causing a stir with his Chocolate Fried Chicken in L.A.—and will be serving the Umami Falafel Wrap throughout July. The concoction consists of classic falafel, sauteed wild mushrooms, parmesan fricos, French fries and umami ketchup. One dollar from every special will go to the Alzheimer's Association.
—Roka Akor marks its three-year anniversary Thursday, July 10, with promotions and live entertainment. Among the promotions are 30 percent of all omakase; 30 percent off all bottles of sake; and $1 sake at the Robata Grill Bar.
—The Grill on the Alley on the Magnificent Mile, 909 N. Michigan Ave., is launching a tasting menu series from on Thursdays from July 17 to Aug. 7, inspired by the design of its new menu. Chef Jorge Alvarez will have four unique five-course tasting menus that include a special drink pairing with each. Visit chefstastingthursdays.eventbrite.com or www.TheGrill.com .
—After six months, Graham Elliot's Greenwich, Connecticut, restaurant has closed for lack of business, according to Eater Chicago. Elliot now has one restaurant: Graham Elliot Bistro on Chicago's Randolph Street. He closed two restaurants last year: his flagship Graham Elliot and the sandwich spot Grahamwich.
—Bon Appetit presents Chicago Gourmet has announced an exclusive, newly added dinner to the 2014 event lineup: A Tribute to Charlie Trotter. On Saturday, Sept. 27, many of the world's finest chefs—including Graham Elliot and Rick Bayless—will gather at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago for this event, which will benefit Trotter's Culinary Education Foundation. Tickets are $500 per person for the six-course dinner; see www.ChicagoGourmet.org .
—Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House is celebrating National Oyster Day at its Chicago and Naperville locations on Tuesday, Aug. 5, with $1 oysters all day long. Hugo's Chicago location will offer $1 Oysters in fried, Rockefeller and on-the-half-shell variations; Naperville will offer fried and on-the-half-shell variations. See www.hugosfrogbar.com .
—The fifth annual Roscoe Village Burger Fest will take place July 12-13 on Belmont and Damen in Chicago's Roscoe Village neighborhood. Among the vendors are DMK Burger Bar, Square Bar & Grill, Butcher & the Burger, Goose Island Brewpubs and Reggie's Rock Club/Music Joint, among others. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. both days. The gate donation is $8; visit www.RoscoeVillageBurgerFest.com .com.
—Packing House, 1113 W. Randolph St., has launched its Summer Events series with a July line-up that includes Movies on the Roof, Live Art at My House and a Sunday grilling series. In honor on National Grilling Month, Packing House will host a Sunday grill out with Executive Chef Amanda Barnes and friends beginning at 11 a.m. with different menu items being featured each week. Visit www.packinghousechicago.com .
—Square Roots returns to Lincoln Square ( Lincoln Avenue, between Montrose and Wilson avenues ) July 11-13 with more than 50 acts on four stages, and 30 regional craft brews paired with Lincoln Square's finest restaurants and artisans. With Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce presenting, the festival will feature music, dance parties, participatory jams and plenty of family-related activities. See www.SquareRoots.org .
—Chant ( located at 1503 E. 53rd St., and which features Asian-inspired global cuisine ) has released its entertainment schedule for Fridays and Saturdays throughout July. Among the highlights is DJ Night ( House Music ) on July 26. See www.ChantChicago.com .
—The 13th annual Taste of River North will take place July 18-20. Thousands are expected for the event ( $5 admission ), which encompasses A. Montgomery Ward Park, 630 N. Kingsbury St., and the surrounding streets. Among the restaurants that have already committed are Kinzie Chophouse, Sholado, BlackFinn Ameripub, The Melting Pot, Taco Joint and Pranzi. Go to www.tasteofrivernorth.com or call 312-633-2600.
—Chicago's inaugural Ramenfest will take place at bellyQ, 1400 W. Randolph St., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 12-3 p.m., and will benefit Common Threads, which Art Smith and Jesus Salgueiro co-founded. Ten chefs will try their hand at ramen for the event, including chefs Lee Wolen ( Boka ) and Jared Van Camp ( Nellcote ). Tickets for Ramenfest are $45 online/$55 at the door; visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/732848.
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