Bottleneck Managementwhich oversees the operation of eateries such as The Boundary (1932 W. Division St.), Old Town Pour House (1419 N. Wells St.), South Branch (100 S. Wacker Dr.), Sweetwater Tavern and Grille (225 N. Michigan Ave.) and Trace (3714 N. Clark St.)provided a peek inside a chef's tasting at Old Town Pour House. Each week, chefs critique each others' dishes.
Bountiful Eatery, a Lakeview East spot for gluten-free eating, will auction the entire restaurant on eBay to the highest bidder for the opportunity to host a private healthy, gluten-free celebration for New Year's Eve 2013. Bidding will end Dec. 20; to bid, visit www.ebay.com/itm/Bountiful-Eatery-Chicagos-Trendiest-Healthy-Eating-Spot-Could-B-URS-4-NYE-2013-/150960217148? The winning bidder will get to take over the entire restaurant from 10 p.m. Dec. 31, to 1 a.m. Jan. 1, 2013, and can entertain up to 40 guests.
Chicago q, 1160 N. Dearborn St., has announced its new beverage menu updated for the winter season. The menu has brand-new cocktails as well as non-alcoholic drinks, updated beer and bourbon. The new specialty cocktails ($11) include the Peppermint Julep, which has Maker's Mark Bourbon, Peppermint Schnapps, mint and sugar. See www.ChicagoQRestaurant.com .
Troquet, 1834 W. Montrose Ave., has introduced its menu de grignotage, a bites line-up available all day to complement the restaurant's craft cocktails. Among the bites are spicy, salty almonds ($3); phyllo-wrapped Brie with truffle honey ($5); and prosciutto and pears with a red-wine reduction ($4). See www.TroquetChicago.com .
Deleece, 3747 N. Southport Ave., is serving a three-course Christmas dinner at 2-8 p.m. on Christmas Day for $40 per person ($12 kids menu). Items include Deleece winter salad, slow-roasted Amish turkey, prime rib roast, seared red snapper, winter vegetable risotto and eggnog panna cotta, among other offerings. Reservations are required; call 773-325-1710 or visit www.deleece.com .
DAVIDsTEA has opened its Lincoln Park location at 924 W. Armitage Ave. DAVIDsTEA's inaugural Chicago location at 1645 N. Damen Ave. opened Oct. 13; its Lakeview location at 3530 N. Southport opened Nov. 10. The place is also offering a holiday collection assortment that includes a wide selection of limited edition loose leaf teas such as Sleigh Ride, an earthy tea containing cinnamon, apples, raisins and hibiscus. See www.Davidstea.com .
Weather Mark Tavern, 1503 S. Michigan Ave., has announced its daily specials. The nautically themed restaurant and bar offers an extensive menu, but specials include a $7 burger with two toppings and a domestic pint (Mondays) and 50-cent wings (with drink purchase) and $5 Skyy Vodka drinks (Tuesdays), among others. See www.WeatherMarkTavern.com .
Cafe des Architectes, 20 E. Chestnut St., is hosting the pastry event "Holiday Rock & Roll" Monday, Dec. 17, 6-8 p.m. Chef Greg Biggers and Pastry Chef Leigh Omilinsky will be at the event with competing chefs such as Cindy Schuman (Sepia) and Dana Cree (Blackbird), among others. ABC-7 Hungry Hound's Steve Dolinsky will host. Tickets are $35 each; see www.HolidayRockAndRoll.eventbrite.com .
Red Violet, 121 W. Hubbard St., is now serving a dim sum brunch on Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The dim sum tasting for two is $20. Items include mixed greens with citrus carrot dressing, jiaozi filled with beef and pork, crystal prawn dumpling, taro fries, shrimp shu mai, siao long bao (mini buns filled with soup broth, blue crab and pork), vegetarian buns and a beverage. See www.redvioletchicago.com .
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