—Chicago Restaurant Week will take place Jan. 27-Feb. 9. The 10th annual culinary celebration features special prix fixe menus starting at $22 for brunch and lunch, and $33 and/or $44 for dinner ( excluding beverages, tax and gratuity ). Almost 350 restaurants are participating, including Appellation, Oyster Bah, Arami, The Duck Inn, Naha, Travelle Kitchen + Bar, Green Zebra and The Gage. Visit ChooseChicago.com/things-to-do/dining/chicago-restaurant-week/ .
—Old Town Social, 455 W. North Ave. is launching Chili-Gate—five days of flavor-packed, unique chef-driven chili varieties—on Jan. 30-Feb. 3. ( All chili variations are $10 for a bowl/$12 for a three-cup chili flight. ) Items include black-bean veggie, white-bean turkey, smoked squash and brisket chilis.
—Ixcateco Grill, 3402 W. Montrose Ave., is offering several new dishes. New appetizers are the ensalata de la casa, featuring cherry tomatoes, almonds, Cincho Queso and a crispy corn tortilla in a lemon dressing over a bed of mixed greens ( $7 ); and the queso fundido—melted Chihuahua cheese, sauteed vegetables or wood grilled chicken, poblano rajas and molcajete sauce ( $9 ). Entrees include salmon en crema ( $19 ), wood-grilled shrimp ( $20 ) and wood-grilled New York strip a la Mexicana ( $23 ). See IxcatecoGrill.com .
—Wayback Burgers announced that its newest Illinois restaurant, located at 17W 420-422 22nd St. in Oakbrook Terrace, is slated to open this spring. The restaurant is the first Wayback Burgers location owned and operated by local franchisee Dwayne Simmons, and will be the second store in the Chicago metropolitan area. Wayback was founded in 1991 in Newark, Delaware. See WaybackBurgers.com .
—Siri Indian Restaurant is open seven days a week at 401 E. Dundee Rd. in Wheeling, Illinois. Guests can choose from dozens of appetizers, a selection of soups, a variety of Biryani, rice and noodle dishes, vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees, South Indian specialties, specialty drinks and desserts—and $12 lunch buffets ( $14 on weekends ). Visit SiriIndianRestaurant.com .
—For February, Floriole Cafe & Bakery Executive Chef Sandra Holl's pastry-collaboration series continues with Mindy Gohr of Bittersweet Pastry Shop to offer guests a thumbprint cookie made with almonds and tangerine marmalade. See Floriole.com .
—Fado, 100 W. Grand Ave., celebrates National Irish Coffee Day with the world's largest Irish coffee on Wed., Jan. 25, at 5 p.m. Fado's will also be donating $1 to St. Baldrick's for every Irish coffee purchased.
—On Thursday, Jan. 26, Lowcountry, 3343 N. Clark St., will host an all-you-can-eat lowcountry boil at 5-10 p.m. to kick off crawfish season. Owners Pan and Dana Hompluem are offering the dish for $29.99. Visit www.lowcountrychicago.com .
—For National Croissant Day ( Jan. 30 ), Baker & Nosh is offering four of its most popular croissant options, while supplies last. The four featured croissants will be the classic butter croissant ( $3.00 ), ham & cheese, chocolate and almond ( all $3.50 ).
—On Tuesday, Jan. 31, 5-7 p.m., The Purple Pig, 500 N. Michigan Ave., will host a Greek winter wine party. Sommelier Liz Martinez will pair and pour specially selected, unique Greek wines along with menu favorites—like the gyro and spanakopita—from chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. Tickets are $35 each; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/greek-winter-wine-party-tickets-30994831375?aff=eac2.
—Members of Asians & Friends Chicago ( AFC ) will be hosting the city's only LGBTQ Chinese New Year's Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 4, starting at 7 p.m. at the Jade Court restaurant, 626 S. Racine Ave. As experiential entertainment for the mind and the palate, "mixologists" will create their favorite adult-beverage concoctions for guests to sample. In addition to the beverage tasting and multi-course gourmet meal, AFC will conduct a Year-of-the-Cock inspired raffle. Tickets are $40-$50 each; visit AFChicago.org .
—Garrett Popcorn Shops is partnering with its fans and Black Ensemble Theater for Black History Month in February as part of its Garrett Cares charitable initiative. Garrett will donate 10 percent of all tin sales ( Feb. 1-28, for U.S. sales only, up to $20,000 ) during the month of February to Black Ensemble Theater. See GarrettPopcorn.com and BlackEnsembleTheater.org .
—The 20th Grand Chefs Gala, which The Greater Illinois Chapter of The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is presenting, will take place Friday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.-12 a.m., in Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom. At the black-tie event, 50 Chicago chefs and mixologists will create dishes, desserts and unique cocktails. The Food Network's Jeff Mauro will emcee the gala while founder and chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Richard Melman, will be honored as this year's recipient of the Chicago Classic Award, presented by Gene & Georgetti. See GrandChefsGala.com .
—Executive Chef Brett Faldstein and the team at Howells & Hood, 435 N. Michigan Ave., have announced the Fourth Annual "Super Chili Bowl IV" chef competition on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5. During the big game, guests can cast their vote for the top chili, with the winner announced at the end of the third quarter, claiming the coveted Guilded Chili Championship Trophy and bragging rights. The chili trio is available for $12 per person, excluding tax and gratuity, from 3:00 p.m. through the third quarter. See HowellsAndHood.com .
—Bub City, 435 N. Clark St., will entertain on Super Bowl Sunday with 16 flat-screen TVs with sound, and plenty of house specials available all day long. Items include smoked brisket chili, sloppy joes, brisket nachos and more. People can also call Bub City for home party needs, with options like our Bub City BBQ wings, slow-smoked St. Louis ribs, hickory-smoked pork shoulder, fried chicken and others. See Bub-City.com/Chicago.
—To celebrate Super Bowl Sunday, Bottleneck Management locations—including The Boundary ( 1932 W. Division St. ), Old Town Pour House ( 1419 N. Wells St. ), and Sweetwater Tavern and Grille ( 225 N. Michigan Ave. )—will feature giant games of Connect 4 and Jenga. Specialty tappings will be available at all locations as well as a $15 giant pretzel complete with various toppings of deusseldorf mustard, pepper jack cheese and beer cheddar.
—Aloha Poke Co., 843 W. Belmont Ave., offers larger Sumo Bowls built for eight to 10 people ( $100 ) for the Super Bowl. Aloha also designs build-your-own poke bowl bars, providing everything you need for eight to 10 people to create their own Hawaiian masterpiece ( $130 for all three bases, three pounds of fresh fish, 10 toppings and two sauces ). Catering orders are needed 24 hours in advance; call 773-242-9820.
—Frankie's Scaloppine is hosting a party in the bar on Sunday, Feb. 5. It will feature an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet ( with ingredients inspired by the AFC & NFC champs ) as well as beer, wine and drink specials. The pizza buffet is $12, plus tax, not including gratuity. Call 312-266-2500 or visit frankiespizzachicago.com to reserve a table.
—Oak Brook-based restaurant B., 3500 Midwest Rd., invites couples around Chicagoland to a romantic farm-to-table experience on Saturday, Feb. 11. There will be a five-course prix fixe dinner ( with items such as "living salad," blackberry panna cotta, beef tenderloin and ricotta gnocchi ) as well as live jazz. Visit BLocalBFresh.com .
—On Saturday, Feb. 11, Louis Glunz Beer Inc. and other sponsors will host the 5th annual Cider Summit in Navy Pier's Aon Grand Ballroom. Cider enthusiasts and revelers alike will be able to indulge in more than 150 ciders including regional favorites and international classics. Events will take place at 11 a.m.-3 a.m., and 4-8 p.m. Admission is $35-$45; visit CiderSummitNW.com/chicagoeventinfo.html .
—This Valentine's Day weekend, Devon Seafood Grill ( 39 E. Chicago Ave. ) is offering special entrees. On Feb. 10-14, special choices include a choice of a one-pound Lobster Tail, eight-ounce filet Oscar or a six-ounce filet with an eight-ounce Lobster Tail. The special includes two seasonal sides like cauliflower mash; brussels sprouts with prosciutto; parmesan-herb roasted potatoes; and wild mushroom risotto. The Valentine's Day special is $60 per person, plus tax and gratuity; call 312-440-8660.
—For Valentine's Day, 312 Chicago, 136 N. LaSalle St., will host Menu di San Valentino," a three-course Valentine's Day-inspired prix fixe menu for $55 per person on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Chef Luca Corazzina will serve a romantic Italian dinner with each course representative of the holiday, such as red-hued pasta ( pasta made with beets ) and more.
—Pata Negra at Latinicity is offering a Valentine's Day four-course tasting menu. The Spanish-style tapas restaurant within Latinicity focuses on traditional preparations like aged Spanish cheeses, bacon-wrapped dates and specialty grilled items. The Valentine's Day menu features several menu staples in addition to off-menu items for $85 per couple with the option to add a bottle of wine for an additional $30. See Latinicity.com .
—Center on Halsted and Jewell Events Catering will host a pop-up dinner on Thursday, Feb. 16, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at the center, 3656 N. Halsted St. The evening's pop-up dinner will feature Jewell Events Catering's top chefs, including Ben Holt and Dane Pausina, with dessert by Ralph Dixon. Tickets are $50 each; see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/center-on-halsted-jewell-events-catering-exclusive-pop-up-dinner-tickets-31098377083.
—Ramenfest will take place Sunday, Feb. 19, at urbanbelly, 1400 W. Randolph St. Twenty chefs from across Chicago will compete against one another to prepare their best ramen dish and be named champion. ( Among them are chefs from Antique Taco, Green Zebra, Sunda and Smoque BBQ. ) General admission tickets to Ramenfest include a sampling of each ramen and two drink tickets for $75. See ramenfest2017.brownpapertickets.com .
—Imperian Lamian, 6 W. Hubbard St., is offering featured dishes Jan. 27-28 to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Among them are the yee sang ( or prosperity tossed salad ) and the poon choi ( a multilayered dish with vegetables, meatballs, noodles, roast duck and more ). Also, guests will also be treated with a traditional gift: the hong bao or red envelope, a monetary gift that is given during holidays. See Imperial-Lamian.com/reservations.
—The history of pizza in Chicago comes alive in the Franklin Gallery on the third floor of the Niles Public Library District ( 6960 W. Oakton St., Niles ) on Feb. 1—March 31 during the "I Love Pizza" event series. The exhibition will explain what defines Chicago pizza styles and how they relate to regional styles throughout the United States. New and vintage items from the U.S. Pizza Museum collection will bring the stories to life. See NilesLibrary.org/pizza.
—Parlor Pizza Bar—recently named the most visited restaurant in Chicago by Lyft and Uber—has introduced a wide variety of new menu items in addition to its 14 brunch pizzas. New additions include avocado toast, ham-and-egg English muffins, birthday-cake waffles and chocolate French toast. Weekend brunch is 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
—At Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., on Feb. 10-13, Valentine's specials for two will be offered. The Valentine's Day menu features aphrodisiac-infused dishes to really set the mood on Tuesday, Feb. 14, with the three-course Parisian prix fixe menu available beginning at 5 p.m. The Valentine's Day dinner menu is $72 ( excluding tax and gratuity ) per person; some choices will include diver sea scallops, lobster ravioli, winter vegetable medley, thyme-roasted lamb and passionfruit meringue tart.
—Aurelio's Pizza, Chicago's first and the nation's fifth pizza chain, announced a partnership with former Chicago Blackhawks player, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member and fan favorite Jeremy Roenick. The Chicago Blackhawks honored Roenick with their third edition of "One More Shift," an ode to past alumni that allows fans to recognize former players as they skate on the ice, on Jan. 22.
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