Chef Fabio Viviani has launched his eponymous wine brand, Fabio Viviani Wine Collection. The collection will include a 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2012 Chardonnay. The Cabernet features notes of cherry, blackberry, plum, chocolate and coffee, while the Chardonnay has aromas of golden apple, pear and peach. Fabio Viviani Wines will retail $13-$15 per bottle. For more information, visit www.fabiovivianiwines.com .
Eduardo's Enoteca, 1212 N. Dearborn St., is offering a special limited-time holiday-inspired menu with winter cocktails. Menu additions include wild mushroom soup ( $7 ), burrata bowl ( $9 ), fettucine alfredo ( $14 ), peppermint cheesecake ( $8 ) and striped bass ( $24 ), among other things. The $12 cocktails include The Last Word ( gin, chartreuse, Luxardo, lime juice ), Dark Vanilla Stormy, Whiskey C. Negroni, Aperol Cran Fizz, Pear Tree and Patty Peppermint. Visit www.EduardosEnoteca.com .
Labriola Ristorante & Café, 535 N. Michigan Ave., will open in early 2015. The newest venture from Chicago baker Rich Labriola, offers three distinct experiences within one space: a full-service Italian restaurant helmed by Executive Chef John Caputo ( formerly of Bin 36 and A Mano ), bar and bakery café. The bakery café will feature a similar menu as the restaurant's sister location in Oak Brook ( Labriola Café & Neapolitan Pizzeria ), with sandwiches, pastas, salads and pizza.
The women's board of the Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that the triennial gala Wine Auction 2015 will take place Saturday, Feb. 7, on the stage of the Ardis Krainik Theatre, 20 N. Upper Wacker Dr. At the event, the board will unveil its commemorative wine, Song, which is bottled in Napa Valley, California. Tickets are $1,500 each; call 312-827-5682 or contact lyricwineauction@lyricopera.org .
Baderbrau Brewing Company plans to open a brewery and taproom in the South Loop neighborhood next summer. Located at 2515 S. Wabash Avenue, the facility will feature a 4,000-square-foot taproom, plus retail space. Also, the brewery will feature a 20HL mash-filter systemthe first of its kind in the Chicagoland area.
Rebar at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, 401 N. Wabash Ave., has unveiled dishes and cocktails. Menu highlights include a lobster cocktail with spiced soy aioli, wakame and sesame crisp; yellowfin tuna tartare with lemongrass, ginger and pickled watermelon rind; and spiced chocolate pumpkin cheesecake. See trumphotelcollection.com/chicago.
GRK Greek Kitchen, a fast-casual restaurant concept in Chicago that serves authentic Greek food, will open a third locationthis one in the Chicago Loop. The newest GRK Greek Kitchen is at 111 W. Monroe St. The two other locations are at 219 W. Washington St., in the Loop ( opened January 2011 ), and 251 E. Huron St., inside Northwestern Memorial Hospital ( opened May 2013 ). Visit www.facebook.com/GRK.Kitchen.
"Brew U: A Beer Education Series" will take place Jan. 7-Feb. 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Dusek's, 1227 W. 18th St. A $75 ticket, which includes beer tastings, is good for the entire six-evening series of classes ( covering six weeks ) such as "Lagunitas: Hop-ology" and "Moody Tongue: Culinary Pairing School." Call 312-526-3851 or visit DuseksChicago.com .
Pavilion, located on the second floor of The Langham ( 330 N. Wabash Ave. ), will host teatime inspired by the British-based series Downton Abbey beginning Jan. 4. White-gloved servers will offer, among other things, smoked salmon rillettes; coronation chicken salad with Marcona almonds and currants; and Queen's Cake with a chocolate joconde, and chocolate and cinnamon mousse. Seatings are at 3, 3:30 and 4 p.m. throughout January. Costs are $30-$50, excluding tax and gratuity; call 312-923-7710.
For its 30th anniversary, Shaw's Crab House will work with a number of local restaurants and chefs to present the "greatest hits," according to a press release. Among other things, there will be a four-course crab dinner Jan. 16 and an oyster/cocktail event in Oyster Bar Feb. 22. Visit www.ShawsCrabHouse.com .
The 16th Chicago's Best WingFest will take place Feb. 22 at Bailey Auditorium, 1340 W. Washington St., 1-5 p.m. WingFest has tailgating, wings from 25 area restaurants, competitive wing-eating, six categories of competition and more. Funds raised will benefit Chicago Neighbors United. General admission tickets for this 21-and-over event are $40; see www.WingFest.net .
Real Urban Barbecuelocated in Highland Park ( 610 Central Ave. #177 ), Vernon Hills ( 1260 S. Milwaukee Ave. ) and now open in Oak Brook ( 2119 Clearwater Dr. )is offering a special holiday carryout menu. Among the many items are mini-potato pancakes, butternut squash bisque, whole Amish hickory-smoked turkey, smoked prime rib and triple-layer cakes. Call 847-947-6490.
This New Year's Eve, 437 Rush, 437 N. Rush St., will offer its regular menu along with specials that Executive Chef Christian Fantoni will prepare. New Year's Eve specials include king crab salad, oyster chowder, veal loin, surf and turf, panna cotta and more. Reservations are required; call 312-222-0101.
Schaumburg's Tokio Pub, 1900 E. Higgins Rd., will host a "Taco Time" on New Year's Day, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. This means one-dollar tacos like the Crispy Chicken, Steak, Nacho Taco, Crying Tiger Shrimp and Crispy Fish. Call 847-278-5181 or visit www.tokiopub.com .
Paying homage to traditional hangover helpers, Howells & Hood, 435 N. Michigan Ave., will assist guests with the yearly morning-after struggle with a New Year's Day hangover brunch. For $29 per person, guests can enjoy such dishes as Doritos chilaquiles, blackstrap molasses ham-and-cheese muffins and doughnut French toast. See www.HowellsAndHood.com .
Famous Dave's has launched its new Sunday brunch menu. Every Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., in Oswego ( 2440 Route 34 ) and Bolingbrook ( 704 Janes Avenue ), diners are invited to enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet style brunch with more than 25 food options for breakfast, lunch and dessert. The brunch buffet is $13.99 per person and includes one non-alcoholic drink; there is also a $6 Bloody Mary bar.
Odyssey has announced that 2015 will be its first year participating in First Bites Bash, the official kick-off event for the eighth annual Chicago Restaurant Week. This event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Blvd. Tickets are $44 ( with an additional $9 for drink pairings ); see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-bites-bash-2015-official-kick-off-event-for-chicago-restaurant-week-tickets-13767070679.
Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com or follow on Twitter @Azygous60610 .