—Asura Cabernet Sauvignon is now being offered, and its distributed by Grilos International in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. The wine, which received a number-one rating from Cigar & Spirits Magazine, retails for $469 a bottle; only 3,000 bottles were produced for the first limited release. Call 954-523-9463 or visit www.winewatch.com .
—Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe St., is hosting an Oscars viewing party Sunday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. The tavern has eight 70-inch plasma television sets. Patrons can enjoy special Oscars-inspired drinks for $5 each, including the Red Carpet martini ( Patron, Patron Citronage, raspberry, cranberry ) and the Golden Statue cocktail ( Ciroc Peach, peach puree, champagne ). Commonwealth will also feature an Oscars ballot contest for a chance to win two tickets to the Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals home-opener night game on Sunday, April 5, that includes a limousine ride. Visit www.commonwealthchicago.com .
—Hollywood comes to Chicago at the annual "Red Carpet Party," hosted by Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ( JDRF ) Illinois Young Leadership Committee and Municipal Bar + Dinning Company, at 216 W. Ohio St. The event will be Sunday, Feb. 22, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $60 in advance and $70 at the door; visit www.illinois.jdrf.org .
—Evanston restaurant Koi, 624 Davis St., is celebrating the Chinese New Year from Thursday, Feb. 19, until the full moon 15 days later. Koi is offering 18 different specialty dishes in celebration of the Chinese New Year, each with special meanings attached to the ingredients. Among the dishes are smoked tea duck, Szechwan won ton with peanut sauce, and lychee chicken. Call 847-866-6969.
—Ceres' Table, 3124 N. Broadway, will host an intimate five-course dinner Wed., Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m. that features wines from the Italian winery La Stoppa with winery representative Nico Sciackitano. Among the fare being offered are salumi assortiti, braised cuttlefish, boneless pork loin and almond cake. The cost is $95, and seats are limited; call 773-922-4020.
—Parts and Labor, 2700 N. Milwaukee Ave., has started "Vegan Vednesdays." Items include a black-bean burger, bean-and-tomato-based vegan chili, vegan chili fries, a vegan sloppy joe combo and a vegan portobello mushroom sandwich. Visit www.partsandlaborchicago.com .
—The Chicago Academy for the Arts will host "A Taste for the Arts" gala at the Harris Theater and Millennium Park Terrace Tuesday, May 12, at 6 p.m. This evening, hosted by Donna LaPietra and Bill Kurtis, will feature a performance by the emerging artists of the academy alongside the cuisine chefs such as Curtis Duffy ( Grace ), Matthew Kerney ( Longman & Eagle ) and Tony Priolo ( Piccolo Sogno/Piccolo Sogno Due ). Individual gala tickets start at $350, with reserved tables starting at $5,000; visit atasteforthearts.org to reserve event tickets or visit harristheaterchicago.org for performance-only tickets.
—MAK: Modern Asian Kitchen, 1924 W. Division St., is offering buy-one, get-one free falafel on Fridays through April 3 in observance of Lent. This special applies to both small ( $5 ) and large ( $9 ) orders as well as dine-in and delivery. See www.MAKRestaurant.com .
—River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle St., has introduced Meaty Mondays, when diners who purchase any roast will receive a complimentary charcuterie board sampler from Executive Chef John Hogan. The restaurant has variations like wild boar and fig terrine, duck confit and foie gras terrine, duck prosciutto, rabbit mousse and more.
—Chicago q, 1160 N. Dearborn St., will celebrate National Chili Day Thursday, Feb. 26. The restaurant will offer special pricing on Chef/Partner Lee Ann Whippen's signature Kobe Brisket Chili: a cup fo r$5 and a bowl will be $10.
—Northalsted Business Alliance is presenting "Frost Fest" Feb. 22-28. Boystown activities will include a "soup walk" Feb. 22, Taste of Northalsted Feb. 23-26, "Warm-Up Wednesday" Feb. 25 and the craft-beer festival "Brisk Brews" Feb. 28. Visit www.Northalsted.com .
—On Saturday, Feb. 28, the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation ( IRAEF ) will welcome 13 culinary teams and eight management teams composed of high school ProStart students from across the state to compete in the 14th Annual Illinois ProStart® Invitational. The event will occur at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
—The sixth annual Taste of the Gold Coast will take place Wed., March 4, 6-8 p.m., at the Gold Coast FFC ( Fitness Formula Club ), 1030 N. Clark St. Participating restaurants include Cape Cod, mEAT, Devon Seafood Grill, Roy's Restaurant, and Glazed and Infused, among others. Admission is $60; visit www.raymiproductions.com .
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