Chicago q Chef/Partner Lee Ann Whippen will appear on World Food Championships, a new show premiering on A&E's new network, FYI, on Thursday, July 10. The show chronicles The 2013 World Food Championships held Nov. 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chicago q, 1160 N. Dearborn St., will broadcast the show on the TVs in the bar.
James Beard award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano and Executive Chef John Hogan are opening River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle St. ( where Fulton's on the River was ). Set to open Thursday, July 17, this is Mantuano's first non-Italian concept. Mantuano and Hogan will offer a menu showcasing contemporary American tavern fare with roasts of chicken, whole fish and beefall hand-carved tableside and served with potatoes. The restaurant is taking reservations on OpenTable and via phone at 312-822-0100.
Delightful Pastries is celebrating National Blueberry Month ( July ) with items such as fruity blueberry turnovers ( $1.70 ), muffins ( $1.75-$2.50 ) or scones ( $3 ). Unique to Delightful Pastries' offerings are the blueberry pierogi ( $6-$9 ), authentic Polish dumplings, handmade and stuffed with local blueberries. Locations are in Old Town at 1710 N. Wells St., 312-255-0724; Jefferson Park at 5927 W. Lawrence Ave., 773-545-7215; and the Chicago French Market at 131 N. Clinton St., 312-234-9644. Visit www.delightfulpastries.com .
Chicago's 6th annual Windy City RibFest in Uptown will take place July 4-6 at Lawrence Avenue and Broadway. Rib vendors are Aussom Aussie Australian BBQ, Chicago BBQ Company, Wisconsin's Famous Dave's, Arkansas' Porky Chicks BBQ and Texas Thunder BBQ. In addition to slabs, drinks and music, there will also be arts & crafts and a kids' activity area ( art, games, inflatables ) each afternoon. Gate donation is $5; see www.WindyCityRibfest.com .
Falafill, 3202 N. Broadway, has teamed with Adam Fleischman founder of Umami Burger and causing a stir with his Chocolate Fried Chicken in L.A.and will be serving the Umami Falafel Wrap throughout July. The concoction consists of classic falafel, sauteed wild mushrooms, parmesan fricos, French fries and umami ketchup. One dollar from every special will go to the Alzheimer's Association.
The Grill on the Alley on the Magnificent Mile, 909 N. Michigan Ave., is launching a tasting menu series from on Thursdays from July 17 to Aug. 7, inspired by the design of its new menu. Chef Jorge Alvarez will have four unique five-course tasting menus that include a special drink pairing with each. Visit chefstastingthursdays.eventbrite.com or www.TheGrill.com .
Viaggio, 1330 W. Madison St., is now open for Sunday dinner at 4-8 p.m. Dishes include stacked eggplant, eight-finger cavatelli and the famed meatball salad. Call 312-829-3333 or visit www.ViaggioChicago.com .
Bon Appetit presents Chicago Gourmet has announced an exclusive, newly added dinner to the 2014 event lineup: A Tribute to Charlie Trotter. On Saturday, Sept. 27, many of the world's finest chefsincluding Graham Elliot and Rick Baylesswill gather at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago for this event, which will benefit Trotter's Culinary Education Foundation. Tickets are $500 per person for the six-course dinner; see www.ChicagoGourmet.org .
The fifth annual Roscoe Village Burger Fest will take place July 12-13 on Belmont and Damen in Chicago's Roscoe Village neighborhood. Among the vendors are DMK Burger Bar, Square Bar & Grill, Butcher & the Burger, Goose Island Brewpubs and Reggie's Rock Club/Music Joint, among others. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. both days. The gate donation is $8; visit www.RoscoeVillageBurgerFest.com .com.
Packing House, 1113 W. Randolph St., has launched its Summer Events series with a July line-up that includes Movies on the Roof, Live Art at My House and a Sunday grilling series. In honor on National Grilling Month, Packing House will host a Sunday grill out with Executive Chef Amanda Barnes and friends beginning at 11 a.m. with different menu items being featured each week. Visit www.packinghousechicago.com .
Square Roots returns to Lincoln Square ( Lincoln Avenue, between Montrose and Wilson avenues ) July 11-13 with more than 50 acts on four stages, and 30 regional craft brews paired with Lincoln Square's finest restaurants and artisans. With Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce presenting, the festival will feature music, dance parties, participatory jams and plenty of family-related activities. See www.SquareRoots.org .
Las Vegas' Vdara Hotel & Spa has launched its new house wine program for catering. The non-smoking, all-suite hotel now offers Bonterra's 100-percent organic and biodynamic wines in four different varietals: chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
McDonald's is moving deeper into the app game in an effort to attract younger customers with strong digital options, Time reported. The fast food giant is currently testing an app that allows customers to order food ahead of time at 22 locations in Georgia and Alabama. Called McD Ordering, the app is listed in Apple's iPhone store and on Android devices but hasn't been officially announced yet.
LM Restaurant Group has introduced its newest concept, Cafe Creme, to Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood at 1721 N. Damen Ave. The cafe will sell a wide variety of traditional French pastries and baked goods including baguettes, croissants and fruit tarts as well as a selection of French macarons, currently available in 12 flavors. The menu, created by Chef Matt DuBois, formerly the Chef de Cuisine at El Ideas, will feature a selection of sandwiches, salads, soups and brunch items. Visit www.cafecremechicago.com .
The 13th annual Taste of River North will take place July 18-20. Thousands are expected for the event ( $5 admission ), which encompasses A. Montgomery Ward Park, 630 N. Kingsbury St., and the surrounding streets. Among the restaurants that have already committed are Kinzie Chophouse, Sholado, BlackFinn Ameripub, The Melting Pot, Taco Joint and Pranzi. Go to www.tasteofrivernorth.com or call 312-633-2600.
Chicago's inaugural Ramenfest will take place at bellyQ, 1400 W. Randolph St., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 12-3 p.m., and will benefit Common Threads, which Art Smith and Jesus Salgueiro co-founded. Ten chefs will try their hand at ramen for the event, including chefs Lee Wolen ( Boka ) and Jared Van Camp ( Nellcote ). Tickets for Ramenfest are $45 online/$55 at the door; visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/732848.
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