Stefani's Tuscany Cafe, 77 W. Wacker Dr., is hosting "An Evening of Art" with abstract painter Ralph Childs on Friday, May 11, at 4:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres such as mini-meatball sliders, homemade blue-cheese potato chips and more at the free event. See www.tuscanychicago.com/tuscany-cafe-wacker.html .
ItaliAsia will host the fifth installment of its monthly cooking demos Thursday, May 24, at 350 W. Mart Center Dr. Chef Johnny Foster will showcase two of his favorite Asian dishes from the ItaliAsia menu: Mongolian Tenderloin and Fiery Chicken. The demo is free (with food samples and wine pairings), but enrollment is limited to 40. Email italiasia@martplaza.com .
Vivo, 838 W. Randolph St., has opened its patio for spring and summer outdoor dining. The longtime Italian restaurant has a wine list with European items, and Vivo has private dining rooms that can accommodate 10-150 guests. Call 312-733-3379 or visit www.vivo-chicago.com .
In honor of the brief Wild Alaskan halibut season, Chef/Partner Jason Paskewitz of Gemini Bistro and Rustic House is presenting a variety of seasonal preparations. Sample dishes include pan-seared halibut with pea shoots, roasted baby carrots, caramelized onions and a lemon beurre blanc ($32) at Gemini Bistro. At Rustic House, a pan-seared Atlantic halibut is prepared with a corn purée, sauteed asparagus and shimeji mushrooms ($28). See www.geminibistrochicago.com and www.rustichousechicago.com .
Phil Stefani's 437 Rush and RIVA Crab House on Navy Pier have translated the dinner menus at each restaurant into six different languages for the NATO Summit that will take place in Chicago May 20-21. The menus have been translated to accommodate guests who speak Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and French. The complete translated menus are available upon request.
Brasserie by LM, the recently opened traditional French brasserie in Chicago's Essex Inn at 800 S. Michigan Ave. (replacing Tribute), announces new menu items. Led by Chef Partner Brad Phillips, Brasserie offers a destination for breakfast, lunch, dinner, as well as a menu du jour; and a $25 three-course prix fixe that includes soup or salad, entrée and dessert. See www.BrasseriebyLM.com .
Evanston's Koi, 624 Davis St., is offering three courses for $15 per personavailable every day for guests seated before 6 p.m. The courses are hot and sour or miso soup; house maki roll; and a Chinese plate entree. See www.koievanston.com .
Chicago q, 1160 N. Dearborn St., has launched boxed lunches as part of its catering menu. Boxes include a chicken, brisket or pork sandwich; Pig Powder chips; and a chocolate-chip cookie or an oatmeal with candied bacon cookie. The lunches are $13 each, with a 10-person minimum. See www.DiningIn.com or call 312-642-1160.
Ceres' Table, 4882 N. Clark St., has unveiled its spring menu. Among the items are arancine (fried risotto balls with artichokes, saffron and taleggio cheese), baby artichoke salad, trio of seafood (salmon, laughing bird shrimp and grilled octopus), Skuna Bay salmon, Becker Lane pork chop, goat cheese ravioli, almond tart and Sicilian seafood stew. See www.cerestable.com or call 773-878-4882.
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