Rockit Bar & Grill, 22 W. Hubbard St., has unveiled RockFit fare, a roster of health-conscious special lunch items. Executive Chef/Partner Amanda Downing's alternatives to lunch plates includes a blackened salmon sandwich ( baby arugula, tomato, avocado spread, harvest wheat bun ) for $16 on Aug. 22-26, and marinated tofu caprese ( farmers market tomatoes, baby greens, pesto ) for $12 on Aug. 29-Sept. 2. See RockitBarAndGrill.com .
Caffe Umbria, 346 N. Clark St. will host a happy hour Wed., Aug. 17, 3-6 p.m. During that time, three of its new summer drinks will be on special for $3 each: Espresso Granita, Espresso Shakerato and Cold Brew Coffee.
Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, 505 N. Michigan Ave., celebrates five years on the Magnificent Mile this August and, on Tuesday, Aug. 23, will donate a portion of proceeds to the James R. Jordan Foundation ( JRJF ). According to a press release, JRJF is devoted to providing equal academic opportunities for underprivileged children, and believes that investing in youth is a key to the success of future generations.
Also related to Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, a new one is slated to open in the Village of Oak Brook at the newly redeveloped Oak Brook 22, 1225 W. 22nd St., next summer. Visit MichaelJordansRestaurant.com .
For Chicago's Air and Water Show ( Aug. 20-21 ), Robert's Pizza Company, 355 E. Ohio St., will offer a special cocktail inspired by the headlining U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The cocktail, appropriately named The Thunderbird, is made with Novo Fogo Cachaca, Senior Blue Curacao, fresh lime juice and ripe pineapple, and retails for $12.
Fork owners David and Paula Byers and Executive Chef Timothy Cottini are planning to open Knife, 4343 N. Lincoln Ave., in mid-September. A press release says that "Knife's cuisine will express the well-honed farm-to-table philosophy that is the foundation of Fork's menu, but with in-house dry-aged beef as its distinctive culinary centerpiece." A slated menu includes everything from River Valley Ranch Mushroom en Pappiotte to Skuna Bay salmon to, of course, steak options.
Ixcateco Grill, 3402 W. Montrose Ave., has expanded its weekend brunch menu. Chef/owner Anselmo Ramirez's menu include ( among other items ) Ensalada de Betabel ( $8 ), a salad made with roasted beets, parsley, spinach, cherry vinegar, pumpkin seeds and pea shoots; Huevos Rancheros ( $11 ), eggs with avocado tomatillo salsa, queso ranchero, chorizo, green beans; and Mexican Toast ( Ramirez' version of French Toast, $11 ), made with bread roll, caramel, plantains, pecans and fruit. See IxcatecoGrill.com .
Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana, 1048 W. Randolph St., is now serving brunch on Sundays at 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Some of the culinary items include prosciutto frittata ( $11 ), Nutella French toast ( $12 ), yogurt parfait ( $9 ) and wood-fired pancake ( $11 ). See FornoRossoPizzeria.com .
In celebration of crayfish season, Smack Shack Chicago, 326 N. Morgan St., will host its first annual Crayfest on Saturday, Aug. 20, 3-10 p.m. The ticket price includes one of the restaurant's signature Hurricanes, a seasonal selection, which currently features Captain Morgan White and Black rums, orange, pineapple, lime, grenadine and passionfruit. Additional Hurricanes will be available for a special price of $5. Tickets are $20 each; visit Nightout.com .
Appellation, 5212 N. Clark St., is among the restaurants participating in Charlie Trotter Days, named after the late chef. Through Sunday, Aug. 21, Appellation will honor Trotter with a chevre panna cotta prepared by its head chef, Jesse Williams. A portion of the proceeds benefit The Trotter Project's Pillars of Excellence Mentor Program, which seeks to inspire, train and provide opportunities for aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals.
On Sunday, Aug. 21, 5-8 p.m., Nando Milano Trattoria, 2114 W. Division St., will host Wicker Park's four-legged friends for a night of Pups & Pasta in support of PAWS Chicago. Pup parents can bring out their fuzzy friends to dine with them on Nando Milano's expansive patio, where they'll receive FREE pup-cannolis, hand crafted by the folks at Doggy Style Pet Shop and ARF! Barking Fresh!. Ten percent of all proceeds from the evening will go directly to PAWS Chicago. See NandoMilano.com .
The Gwen, 521 N. Rush St., has partnered with Bottle & Bottega to offer an art class Tuesday, Aug. 23, 6-8 p.m., on the hotel's newly opened terrace, Upstairs at The Gwen. Tickets for this special event are $45, which include use of painting essentials, a 16" x 20" take-home canvas, a painting instructor providing step-by-step instructions, a glass of wine and a selection of flatbread pizzas. Admission is $45; visit www.bottleandbottega.com/chicago-south-loop, or call 773-269-6570.
Wicker Park restaurant The Tankard, 1635 N. Milwaukee Ave., has officially opened. The new concept has taken over the former Lucky's Sandwich Co. space and will serve appetizers, variations on tater tots ( e.g., truffle, bacon-wrapped and others ), salads, burgers, sandwiches, entrees ( e.g., baked cod, chicken and vegetarian kabobs, etc. ) and more. Expect a brunch menu to be released soon. For more info, visit Tankard312.com .
Chef Jose Garces again challenges local chefs to prepare the perfect paella at the 3rd Annual Paella Cook-Off at Mercat a la Planxa, 638 S. Michigan Ave., on Thursday, Aug. 25, 6-9 p.m. The chefs competing in the contestan ancillary event produced in conjunction with Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmetincludes Salero's Ashlee Aubin, The Gwen's Angelina Bastidas, Travelle's Ricardo Jarquin, The Signature Room's Cardel Reid and Ada St.'s Joanna Stachon. Admission is $45-$65; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mercat-a-la-planxa-3rd-annual-paella-cook-off-tickets-26730880784.
Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., will celebrate its Sixth Annual Shuck Off competition ( a free event ) on Sunday, Aug. 28, 3-6 p.m. The competition will feature local chefs from Chicago's top restaurants as they compete for a $1,200 cash prize. There will also be a "Pre-Shuck Shrimp Boil" at 12 p.m.; the $25/person ( not including tax or gratuity ) ticket includes all-you-can-eat shrimp, corn and potatoes. See TheFrontierChicago.com/events-tickets.
On Monday, Sept. 5, Oyster Bah, 1962 N. Halsted St., will offer Labor Day specials. Among said specials are half of a fried chicken, served with Bad Seed hot sauce ( $17 ); and steamed lobster ( $37 ). Specials will come with sweet corn on the cob and cole slaw. See OysterBah.com .
Mid-Autumn Festival, also referred to as Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday, will take place Thursday, Sept. 15. In celebration, The Peninsula Chicago's Shanghai Terrace, 108 E. Superior St., will be selling mooncakes, round pastries filled with egg custard, which are made individually by Chef de Cuisine Elmo Han. Orders can be placed starting this week and can be picked up from Shanghai Terrace Aug. 15-Sept. 15. ( They are $40 for a four-piece box and $78 for an eight-piece box, and they're on the menu at Shanghai Terrace for $8 apiece. )
Identita Goloseone of the most prestigious international culinary organizations highlighting the best of contemporary cuisinereturns to the United States for the third annual Identita Chicago on Oct. 1-2. Eataly Chicago, 43 E. Ohio St., will host the event, which features some of Italy's most revered chefs along with esteemed U.S. chefs, all from prominent Michelin-starred restaurants. Admission is $75 for the Oct. 1 master classes, and $150 for the Oct. 2 lunch; see IdentitaGolose.com .
Food Tank Chicago will take place Wed., Nov. 16, at the Gleacher Center, 450 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Among the expected guests are Chicago Tribune food writer Bill Daley, chef Rick Bayless, IATP Executive Director Juliette Majot and Food Tank President Danielle Nierenberg. See https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-food-tank-summit-chicago-il-tickets-20817007229.
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