—After closing its doors for renovations early this year, Gino's East Lake View, 2801 N. Lincoln Ave., is now celebrating its grand reopening, and is now open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Deep-dish pizza favorites on the menu include the Chicago Fire, Meaty Legend, BBQ Brisket and Chi-talian Stallion. Desserts include Triple Chocolate Oreo Cookies, Cinnamon Sugar Beignet Balls and Mason Jar Floats, IBC root beer and Mitchell's vanilla ice cream. See GinosEast.com .
—Chicago-based chef Graham Elliot is leaving the Fox shows MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, according to Entertainment Weekly. Another founding judge, Joe Bastianich, announced he was departing the series a year ago, with Christina Tosi replacing him. ( Gordon Ramsey will be the only original judge after Elliot departs. ) The producers will announce a new judge in 2016 in time for the seventh season of MasterChef.
—On Dec. 26, tapas bar Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! marks 30 years of serving Spanish cuisine in the Windy City. To celebrate, the restaurant will host a series of events Jan. 18-27. Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! is celebrating its roots by offering a selection of menu classics at original 1980s pricing for happy hour at the bar, Monday—Sunday at 4-6 p.m., plus Friday and Saturday from 10:00 p.m. until midnight.
—La Ciudad Mexican Cafe and Grill, 4515 N. Sheridan Rd., is hostng its 2nd Annual "Feed the Homeless" Event on Thursday, Dec. 24, 12-3 p.m. La Ciudad is accepting sponsors and donors for this annual event; money, goods and service donations are all welcome and needed. Visit LaCiudadGrill.com or call 773-728-2887.
—Ceres Table, 3124 N. Broadway, offers a special five-course New Year's Eve menu including a Champagne toast and surprise appetizer by Executive Chef Craig Degel. The menu is $75/person, with the option to include sommelier selection wine pairings for $25/person or reserved list wine pairings for $50/person. For reservations and additional information, call 773-922-4020.
—Chicagoans who celebrate the New Year with Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe St., will enjoy a $60-per-person package beginning at 8 p.m. which includes microbrew drafts, domestic bottles, call drinks, wine, food buffet, champagne toast at midnight and live DJ. Visit CommonwealthChicago.com .
—On New Year's Eve at Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., there will be a whole-animal meal package starting at 8 p.m. The package ( $85 per person ) includes whole smoked animal service ( pig, goat, lamb and boar ), oysters, salads, sides, desserts, wine, punch, premium liquor, cocktails, craft and domestic beers, a champagne toast at midnight and party favors. See TheFrontierChicago.com .
—Howells & Hood, 435 N. Michigan Ave., will have a "Chi-Town Rising" party happening New Year's Eve. Among the features will be hors d'oeuvres ( 8:30-10:30 p.m. ), a Rufino Prosecco toast at midnight at an NBC live-stream on all TVs of the night's entertainment. Tickets are $75-$100; see HowellsAndHood.com .
—County Barbeque, 1352 W. Taylor St., hosts a Bacon & Champagne Spectacular this New Year's Eve from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests can choose from 11 different specialty bacon dishes, including Thai chili brushed house-smoked bacon, bacon-wrapped sea scallops and chocolate-covered bacon bark. The party also features a selection of Champagne Cocktails and Champagne Punch, with a Champagne of Beers toast at midnight. Tickets are $78 per person including tax and gratuity; visit countynye.eventbrite.com .
—On New Year's Eve, 312 Chicago will offer a four-course "Menu di Capo D'Anno" prix fixe dinner with optional wine pairing. Executive Chef Luca Corazzina has crafted four options per course. The full menu can be found online but guests can expect vegan, vegetarian and meat-driven dishes to satisfy every taste at the table. The price is $70 per person ( $100 with wine pairing ); reservations can be made by visiting www.312chicago.com or calling 312-696-2420. On New Year's Day, 312 Chicago will offer a variety of brunch "italian-inspired hangover cure" specials at 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
—At Rockit Burger Bar, 3700 N. Clark St., there will be a New Year's Eve bash at 9 p.m.-2 a.m. For $55, there will be a premium bar package, all-you-can-eat buffet, Champagne toast at midnight and live music by DJ Red Beard. Visit http://rockitburgerbar.com/NYE.
—At Earls Kitchen + Bar, 1538 N. Clybourn Ave., on Thursday, Dec. 31, Chef Chris Memme is offering a five-course prix fixe dinner for $45 per person, with an optional cocktail and wine pairing for an additional $30. Some of the planned dishes include tuna tostada, lemon-glazed Atlantic salmon and gingerbread cake. See EarlsRestaurants.com .
—Celebrate the New Year at Italian destinations Piccolo Sogno and Piccolo Sogno Due. On Thursday, Dec. 31, diners can enjoy signature New Year's Eve-inspired menus that includes dishes like Mezzaluna di Tartufo Nero ( $22 ) and Risotto all' Aragosta ( $29 ) at Piccolo Sogno, and Pesce Intero ( $37 ) and Arrogosta Fra Diavola ( $28 ) at Piccolo Sogno Due.
—Ampersand Wine Bar, the Ravenswood wine bar from Chef Darren McGraw, has announced its menu for a foodie New Year's Eve. Items include burrata-and-arugula salad; sweet-potato soup; roasted heirloom carrots; curried cauliflower with duck confit; ocean trout with pureed sunchoke; and braised oxtail, with kale and salsa verde. Additionally, guests may end their dinner with delectable mignardises and a champagne toast. Cost is $85 per person, not including tax or gratuity. call 773-728-0031, as reservations are required.
—Public House, 400 N. State St., will have a New Year's Eve celebration with private tables, midnight countdown with Champagne, party favors, a balloon drop and more. ( Also, college-football playoffs will be shown. ) Visit https://gce.hastickets.com/PublicHouseNYE2016.
—ENO Wine Room ( at the InterContinental Hotel, 505 N. Michigan Ave. ) will host "It's Midnight Somewhere!" event Dec. 31. Every hour on the hour, starting at 5 p.m., guests will toast to different locations around the world striking midnight with a glass of featured champagne. It's $8 for a half-glass of Champagne; call 312-321-8738 to RSVP.
—Kanela will be open on New Year's Eve for regular hours, and in celebration of the holiday season, each Kanela Breakfast Club location will feature a unique menu special. Depending on the location, specials will be eggnog pancakes, hot chocolate French toast and more. See KanelaBreakfastClub.com .
—Wellness item: IVme Wellness + Performance of Chicago, located in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 1, for those who may have overindulged on New Year's Eve. Designed for those who are suffering from dehydration due to hangover, exhaustion, or cold or flu symptoms, IVme offers patients expedited hydration therapy through IV delivery of fluids, nutrition and medication. Visit ivmechicago.com/memberships/ .
—In partnership with Green Curtain Events, Municipal's New Year's Eve bash at 216 W. Ohio St. will feature live DJ entertainment, a heavy appetizer buffet, six top shelf drink vouchers, $5 call drinks for the duration of the event, 2016 party favors with a LIVE ball drop and more. Doors will open at 9 p.m. and the party will end at 2 a.m. Visit gce.hastickets.com/municipalNYE2016 for tickets.
—La Sirena Clandestina, 954 W. Fulton Market, celebrates the start of 2016 with a New Year's Day Brazilian brunch on Friday, Jan. 1, 12-6 p.m. with live music, cocktails and Latin fare. Reservations for the New Year's Day brunch are required, with the last seating time at 5:30 p.m; call 312-226-5300 or visit www.lasirenachicago.com .
—To commemorate 10 years, Quartino Ristorante & Wine Bar, 626 N. State St., will hold a wine bash on Sunday, Jan. 10, 5-7 p.m. For $10, partygoers will enjoy a selection of Italian wines and a variety of signature Quartino bites, including frittata with spaghettini, spinach and roasted cherry tomato; penne vodka; hand-charred bell peppers with capers, garlic and extra-virgin olive oil; an assortment of Neapolitan pizze; and others. Visit GibsonsRestaurantGroup.3dcartstores.com/Quartino—Wine-Bash-Takeover_p_57.html .
—Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants founder and CEO Phil Stefani will be the recipient of the 2016 Chicago Classic Award at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's 19th Annual Grand Chefs Gala on Friday, Jan. 29. The Gene & Georgetti Chicago Classic Award recognizes lifetime achievement in Chicago's culinary scene. Phil Stefani has been a staple of the Chicago restaurant scene for more than 35 years, having operated some of the most successful fine-dining establishments in the city and suburbs, including Phil Stefani's 437 Rush, Riva Crab House and Tavern on Rush.
—Chicago's Best WingFest will return for its 17th year on Feb. 21, 2016, 1-5 p.m., at Bailey Auditorium, 1340 W. Washington St. There will be wings from 25 area restaurants, competitive wing-eating and six categories of wing competition, among other things. See Wingfest.net .
—The Northalsted Business Alliance will host the Frost Fest Craft Beer Festival on Feb. 27-28, 2016. Through Dec. 28, 2015, there's a pre-sale offer that includes two tickets for the Frost Fest Craft Beer Festival at $50—and admission is normally regularly $35 apiece. Tickets are available exclusively on www.northalsted.com .
—Snap Kitchen—a healthy takeaway concept that has recently opened seven locations in the Chicagoland area—has released its winter menu. Some winter items include maple-roasted banana oatmeal, beef stroganoff, ginger-glazed salmon and quinoa "fried rice." See SnapKitchen.com .
—Greg Mohr and Scott Weiner—co-owners of The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group—have opened their second location of Roots Handmade Pizza, 2200 W. Lawrence Ave. The Roots location in Lincoln Square is open Sundays through Fridays at 11-2 a.m., and on Saturdays at 11-3 a.m.; delivery and carryout will begin at a later date.
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