—Gift guide alert: Artizone ( www.Artizone.com ) offers a lot. Consider subscribing someone to a Club of the Month (e.g., Spice or Tasting Menu of the Month) or a unique offering such as the Black Dog Gelato Hot Chocolate Kit (and that gelato is delicious, trust me). Plus, the company delivers locally and ships nationally.
—Another gift suggestion? Wicked Good Cupcakes ( www.wickedgoodcupcakes.com ) has cupcakes (as well as brownies and cheesecakes) in jars, and ships nationwide. You can also customize flavors for your recipient.
—The Allis at Soho House Chicago, 113-125 N. Green St., has launched afternoon tea service daily at 3-5 p.m. Pastry Chef Kady Yon will offer housemade treats including mint-chocolate macaroons, devil's chocolate cake with molten ganache, citrus poppyseed cake and almond profiteroles; savory items include smoked salmon and ham-and-dijon sandwiches, to name a few. Afternoon tea is available for $18 per person or $34 for two.
—The White House announced the departure of Sam Kass, executive director of the First Lady's "Let's Move!" initiative, the first-ever White House senior policy advisor on nutrition, and personal chef to the First Family, according to a media release. "From constructing our Kitchen Garden to brewing our own Honey Brown Ale, Sam has left an indelible mark on the White House," said President Obama. "And with the work he has done to inspire families and children across this country to lead healthier lives, Sam has made a real difference for our next generation."
—GRK Greek Kitchen, a fast-casual restaurant concept in Chicago that serves authentic Greek food, will open a third location—this 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 .
—Francesca's Restaurant Group restaurateur Scott Harris has announced the return of the approachable Mexican concept Fat Rosie's Taco & Tequila Bar to the Chicago suburb of Frankfort in spring 2015. The festive taco and tequila restaurant will be located at 28 Kansas St., next door to the group's Francesca's Fortunato location. The menu will offer 10-plus variations of signature tacos along with a selection of queso fundidos, salads, soups and sides.
—Chicago craft brewery Arcade Brewery released its first volume of 6-Pack Stories on new comic day, Dec. 10. Festus Rotgut: Zombie Cowboy is a western zombie comic written by Jason Aaron (Thor/Southern Bastards) and illustrated by Tony Moore (The Walking Dead/Fear Agent) across six bottles of Black Wheat Ale. Arcade co-founder Lance Curran said the idea was to tell a story first and then brew a beer to match the story. See a map of locations of Festus at arcadebrewery.com/beers .
—Guests who visit Lottie's Pub in Bucktown and The Pony in Lakeview this holiday season will enjoy specialty Christmas beers (while supplies last) and seasonal cocktails ranging from $7 to $10. Among the cocktails are the Rumpelstiltskin ($7; Rumple Minze and hot chocolate topped with whipped cream), Italian cider ($7; Tuaca Italian liqueur and hot apple cider served with a cinnamon stick) and Kentucky hot chocolate ($7; Buffalo Trace and hot chocolate).
—In the world of television, judge Joe Bastianich is leaving the Fox show MasterChef, according to The Wrap. He will take part for the last time in the franchise on the upcoming third season of MasterChef Junior, which premieres Jan. 6 on Fox. The judge said he is leaving to focus on his business interests.
—White Oak Tavern & Inn has officially opened its doors at 1200 W. Webster Ave. Described by husband and wife owners John and Lynn Manilow as a "community-minded tavern featuring sophisticated food and drink driven by the seasons and our local farmers," White Oak brings Lincoln Park a new dinner, brunch, bar and lodging option situated in a space that exudes "rustic elegance," according to a press release. Visit www.whiteoakchicago.com .
—Nick Kokonas (of Chicago's Alinea, Next and The Aviary) announced that his restaurant-ticketing company has taken several big steps forward as a challenger to the status quo of online reservations, SFGate.com noted. First of all, it now has a name: Tock. (According to The Daily Mail, Tock requires customers to reserve tables online and pay the full amount of the restaurant's prix fixe tasting menu—including service charges—in advance, so that the post-meal bill includes only drinks.) Down the line, Kokonas imagines that Tock can be a tool for any business that conducts a time-slotted charge, from hair salons and spas to private training and non-emergency medicine.
—Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., will feature a whole animal meal package on New Year's Eve beginning at 8 p.m. The package ($85) includes whole smoked-animal service (pig, goat, lamb and boar), oysters, salads, sides, desserts, a champagne toast at midnight and party favors. Visit www.thefrontierchicago.com .
—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.
—The Florentine, 151 W. Adams St., is offering all couples who get engaged there on 12/13/14 50 percent off their bills when they dine at the restaurant—for life. In addition, couples who get engaged outside Chicago on 12/13/14 can still benefit, as this offer is valid at all participating ESquared Hospitality restaurants.
—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 .
—On Thursday, Dec. 18, Vie (4471 Lawn Ave., Western Springs) is hosting the Revolution Brewing Beer Dinner, pairing Chef Paul Virant's Midwestern fare with the local brewery's special, seasonal offerings. There will be five courses, an intermezzo and a dessert—all involving porters and ales. Courses will include wood-grilled sturgeon, seared duck breast and duck bratwurst, and granola with huckleberry aigre doux. See www.vierestaurant.com .
—Through Dec. 22, The Smoke Daddy, 1804 W. Division St., is taking orders at www.thesmokedaddy.com for its holiday 2014 catering menu. Said menu includes smoked turkeys, pulled turkey and glazed hams along with a large selection of sides, desserts and spirits.
—Odyssey has announced that this will be its first year to participate 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, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Blvd. Tickets are $44 (with an additional $9 for drink pairings); see www.eventbrite.com/e/first-bites-bash-2015-official-kick-off-event-for-chicago-restaurant-week-tickets-13767070679 .
—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, 2015, on the famous 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 .
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