—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.
—Seven Lions—the contemporary American clubhouse restaurant from proprietor Alpana Singh—opened its doors at 130 S. Michigan Ave. Executive Chef Chris Curren, Chef de Cuisine Patrick Russ and Pastry Chef Karianne Soulsby offer twists on classic dishes like lobster Cobb salad, lamb ribs, chicken and duck club sandwich, citrus-braised pork shank, a three-tiered relish tray and more.
—Stephanie Izard ( Girl & the Goat, Little Goat Diner ) is preparing to open a third restaurant in Chicago's Market District, according to The Chicago Tribune. Duck Duck Goat, 857 W. Fulton Market, will open sometime in the late summer, a few doors west of The Publican ( and two blocks north of Izard's existing restaurants ), and will represent the star chef's foray into Chinese cuisine.
—Horseshoe Casino will host its second annual "Brews at the 'Shoe II" beer festival on Saturday, Feb. 28. The one-day celebration will feature more than 150 craft and domestic brews from across the country, including Brooklyn, New Belgium, Rogue, Lagunitas and numerous local Chicagoland breweries. Admission is $15.25-$170.25; call 800-745-3000 or visit www.Ticketmaster.com .
—Benny's Chop House, 444 N. Wabash St., has extended it Restaurant Week lunch menu ( 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ) through the entire month of February. Items include the butter-roasted cauliflower bisque or a winter lettuce & herb salad with Honeycrisp apple vinaigrette. The main course features include tournedos of natural beef medallions, filet of pan-seared Dover sole and exotic mushroom risotto. Visit www.BennysChopHouse.com .
—Beginning March 1, Peruvian restaurant Tanta ( 118 W. Grand Ave. ) will have a new chef's table experience, "Aventura Culinaria." the menu focuses on the three main food regions—Andean Highlands, the Amazon jungle and coastline—along with international culinary influences from Spain, China, Japan, Italy and Africa. The nine-course meal is $80 each, exclusive of tax and gratuity, and must be reserved with a credit card; contact Events Manager Lucy Kendall at 312-222-9604 or events@tantachicago.com .
—After five years at Sable Kitchen & Bar, Executive Chef Heather Terhune is heading to San Francisco to open the newest restaurant in Kimpton's portfolio, BDK Restaurant & Bar. Terhune's last day at Sable Kitchen & Bar will be Feb. 27. The restaurant has not yet named a successor but can be expected to make an announcement in the coming weeks.
—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 .
—Wine lovers with a sweet tooth are invited once again to D.O.C. Wine Bar Chicago and D.O.C. Wine Bark Lombard to savor their two great indulgences at Cupcakes & Wine Night. Beginning at 6 p.m., guests will be seated throughout D.O.C.'s dining room and bar areas and served a flight map of four glasses of diverse wine matched individually to four handcrafted gourmet cupcakes from Tart Patisserie. The cost of Cupcakes & Wine Night is $25 per person; call 773-883-5101 ( Chicago ) or 630-627-6666 ( Lombard ).
—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 on Thursday, Feb. 26. The restaurant will offer special pricing on Chef/Partner Lee Ann Whippen's signature Kobe Brisket Chili: a cup for $5 and a bowl will be $10.
—To continue the celebration of its 30th anniversary, Shaw's Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard St., is throwing a wine dinner with special guest Rodney Strong Vineyards of Sonoma County, California, on Thursday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. Among the culinary items will be razor clam crudo, shaved vegetable salad, monkfish tail, Ora king salmon and butterscotch—couples with various Rodney Strong wines. The cost is $80 per guest ( tax and gratuity not included ); call 312-527-2722.
—Sports fans take note: In celebration of March Madness, Compass Bar, 433 W. Diversey Pkwy., will feature $20 craft and $15 domestic buckets as well as $6 chicken tenders throughout the tournament. Guests can catch the games on eight TVs throughout the bar. Visit www.compassbarchicago.com .
—On Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m., Iron Chef Jose Garces highlights the work of renowned Spanish vineyards with "Spain in Seven Sips," a wine-tasting event at Mercat a la Planxa, 638 S. Michigan Ave. The restaurant will offer oysters, bacon-wrapped dates, paella croquettas and more. Tickets are $65; call 312-542-3600.
—Weber Grill restaurants ( River North, Schaumburg and Lombard ) will be offering an Irish-take on one of the restaurants' most popular dishes, beer can chicken, during St. Patrick's Day week. The restaurants will also be serving hand-trimmed corned beef, smoked with hickory wood for 10-12 hours, and then piled high on rye for sandwiches, and served with cabbage and potatoes.
—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.
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