—On Wed., Jan. 11, at 6 p.m., Evanston's Hewn, 810 Dempster St., will host an event featuring bread made with the Marquis heritage variety of wheat from Hazzard Free Farm. Guests will experience this Midwestern bread experiment first-hand, as they will be among the first to try Hewn's bread made with the wheat. Tickets are $75 each; visit BrownPaperTickets.com .
—Honey Butter Fried Chicken, 3361 N. Elston Ave., has joined the Sanctuary Restaurants movement to support and resources to restaurant workers, employers and consumers impacted by hostile policies and actions, including immigrants, Muslims, LGBTQI people and others. The movement is a joint project of ROC United and Presente.org, with participation by COLORS Restaurants and dozens of others around the nation. Honey Butter is the only Chicago restaurant to join, so far.
—Floriole Cafe and Bakery, 1220 W. Webster Ave., will be featuring the traditional Galette des Rois—a tart made of puff pastry and frangipane—throughout January. This pastry has a storied history in France: As tradition goes, the cake contains a little charm ( or feve ). Floriole's Galette des Rois is made with its house made puff pastry and filled with either almond cream or pistachio and lemon cream. See Floriole.com .
—GreenRiver, 259 E. Erie St., has launched its six-course tasting menu. The restaurant, which recently received its first Michelin star, features items such as smoked sturgeon, fluke, risotto with oxtail, Rohan duck, A-5 wagyu and tiramisu. The tasting menu is priced at $125 per person ( an additional $55 per person with suggested wine pairing ), excluding tax and gratuity. See GreenRiverChi.com .
—Big Jones, 5347 N. Clark St., kicks off its third annual Soul Food Week on Friday, Jan. 13, announcing two weeks dedicated to this uniquely American cuisine. The menus lunch and dinner menus pay homage with items like black-eyed pea fritters, meatloaf & gravy, hot sausage po'boy, kidney bean soup, short rib dumplings, baked banana pudding and more. Also, on Wed., Jan. 18, the spot will host Chef Dora Charles from Savannah, Georgia. More information and reservations can be found by visiting bigjoneschicago.com .
—Cafe Spiaggia, 980 N. Michigan Ave., has a new Sunday Supper series. Inspired by traditional Italian Sunday evening dinners, Cafe Spiaggia's Sunday Supper features a rotating, family-style menu composed of local ingredients. Reservations may be made online at SpiaggiaRestaurant.com or 312-280-2750; the cost is $40 per person.
—The South African/Portuguese restaurant Nando's PERi-PERi will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 14, in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago at 1447 E. 53rd St. Nando's will pay it forward by donating 100 percent of opening-day sales to the Kenwood Academy High School in Hyde Park. Nationwide, Nando's has donated more than $200,000 to schools and local non-profit organizations, all through opening-day sales.
—Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market, will present its Pajama Brunch on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Carnivale University: Champagne Cocktails and Sabering on Thursday, Jan. 25, begins at 6:30 p.m. At the latter event, guests will learn how to make three unique cocktails featuring JCB No. 21, and see a sabering demonstration, with a select few getting to saber a bottle of champagne; tickets are $35 per person. See CarnivaleChicago.com/features/ .
—During Jan. 15-22, Evanston's NaKorn, 1622 Orrington Ave., will jointly celebrate Wan Degg ( Thai Children's Day ) and Wan Kruu ( Thai Teacher's Day ) with a weeklong offering of special menu items and special pricing for children and teachers. Special menu items will include honey roasted duck; fried chicken with rice, with egg, cranberry-roasted vegetable jus and crispy shallot chips; and coconut ice-cream "hot dog." See NaKornKitchen.com .
—The Southern, 1840 W. North Ave., is closing after six years, according to Eater Chicago. The Southern-inspired bar and restaurant, known for its macaroni and cheese and bourbon drinks, will close Jan. 15. Workers will start remodeling it into a new restaurant from the owners behind the Gold Coast steakhouse Maple & Ash. Maple & Ash chef Danny Grant and sommelier Belinda Chang will assume the same roles at the new Bucktown restaurant.
—AMK, 1954 W. Armitage Ave., has its new menu from Top Chef contestant Executive Chef Angelina Bastidas. Some of the menu highlights include fried burrata, dirty noodles ( bacon, blood sausage, peas, pickled fresno and chicken skins ), braised shortrib, goat cheese cake and the Solstice Berry Cider cocktail. See AMKChicago.com .
—Temporis has opened at 933 N. Ashland Ave. Co-Chefs Sam Plotnick and Evan Fullerton will serve a 10-course tasting menu in a 20-seat dining room. Some of the menu highlights include squab liver mousse, Sunflower in Five Forms, rabbit and hamachi ( yuzu, hazelnut and sugar cookie crumble ). The restaurant is open Tuesdays through Saturday at 5-9 p.m. See TemporisChicago.com .
—Latinicity, 108 N. State St., will offer a four-course prix fixe menu in Pata Negra, the space's full-service tapas restaurant. he Richard Sandoval-owned food hall in Block 37 is centrally located in the heart of Chicago's theater district, serving as an easy destination for theatergoers. The meal is $34.95; see Latinicity.com .
—On Monday, Jan. 16, Oyster Bah, 1962 N. Halsted St., will host an MLK Day brunch beginning at 10:30 a.m. The restaurant will serve all of the favorites on its weekend brunch menu, including three different kinds of frittata, shrimp and grits, and fried oyster Benedict. ( The regular dinner starts at 4 p.m., per usual. ) See OysterBah.com .
—bellyQ, 1400 W. Randolph St., is teaming with Common Threads for its Cooking for Life campaign. On Tuesday, Jan. 17, a portion of proceeds from bellyQ's "Cooking Pho Life" night will support the non-profit. Tickets ( which include a pho bar, snacks and one cocktail per person ) are $25 each; visit bellyqcookingpholife.brownpapertickets.com .
—Food/lifestyle photographer Huge Galdones will teach a phone photography class at Travelle Kitchen + Bar, 330 N. Wabash St., on Saturday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Class participants will learn techniques and tricks from Galdones while enjoying brunch from Travelle Kitchen + Bar by Chef Ricardo Jarquin. Brunch will include a choice of chicken and waffles, branzino, florentine benedict or cobb salad. The price will be $40 per person; call 312-923-7705 or visit TravelleChicago.com .
—Ramenfest will take place Sunday, Feb. 19, at urbanbelly, 1400 W. Randolph St. Twenty chefs from across Chicago will compete against one another to prepare their best ramen dish and be named champion. ( Among them are chefs from Antique Taco, Green Zebra, Sunda and Smoque BBQ. ) General admission tickets to Ramenfest include a sampling of each ramen and two drink tickets for $75. See ramenfest2017.brownpapertickets.com .
—Imperian Lamian, 6 W. Hubbard St., is offering featured dishes Jan. 27-28 to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Among them are the yee sang ( or prosperity tossed salad ) and the poon choi ( a multilayered dish with vegetables, meatballs, noodles, roast duck and more ). Also, guests will also be treated with a traditional gift: the hong bao or red envelope, a monetary gift that is given during holidays. See Imperial-Lamian.com/reservations.
—Parlor Pizza Bar—recently named the most visited restaurant in Chicago by Lyft and Uber—has introduced a wide variety of new menu items in addition to its 14 brunch pizzas. New additions include avocado toast, ham-and-egg English muffins, birthday-cake waffles and chocolate French toast. Weekend brunch is 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
—At Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., on Feb. 10-13, Valentine's specials for two will be offered. The Valentine's Day menu features aphrodisiac-infused dishes to really set the mood on Tuesday, Feb. 14, with the three-course Parisian prix fixe menu available beginning at 5 p.m. The Valentine's Day dinner menu is $72 ( excluding tax and gratuity ) per person; some choices will include diver sea scallops, lobster ravioli, winter vegetable medley, thyme-roasted lamb and passionfruit meringue tart.
Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com or follow on Twitter @Azygous60610.
COMPILED BY ANDREW DAVIS
—On Wed., Jan. 11, at 6 p.m., Evanston's Hewn, 810 Dempster St., will host an event featuring bread made with the Marquis heritage variety of wheat from Hazzard Free Farm. Guests will experience this Midwestern bread experiment first-hand, as they will be among the first to try Hewn's bread made with the wheat. Tickets are $75 each; visit BrownPaperTickets.com .
—Honey Butter Fried Chicken, 3361 N. Elston Ave., has joined the Sanctuary Restaurants movement to support and resources to restaurant workers, employers and consumers impacted by hostile policies and actions, including immigrants, Muslims, LGBTQI people and others. The movement is a joint project of ROC United and Presente.org, with participation by COLORS Restaurants and dozens of others around the nation. Honey Butter is the only Chicago restaurant to join, so far.
—Floriole Cafe and Bakery, 1220 W. Webster Ave., will be featuring the traditional Galette des Rois—a tart made of puff pastry and frangipane—throughout January. This pastry has a storied history in France: As tradition goes, the cake contains a little charm ( or feve ). Floriole's Galette des Rois is made with its house made puff pastry and filled with either almond cream or pistachio and lemon cream. See Floriole.com .
—GreenRiver, 259 E. Erie St., has launched its six-course tasting menu. The restaurant, which recently received its first Michelin star, features items such as smoked sturgeon, fluke, risotto with oxtail, Rohan duck, A-5 wagyu and tiramisu. The tasting menu is priced at $125 per person ( an additional $55 per person with suggested wine pairing ), excluding tax and gratuity. See GreenRiverChi.com .
—Big Jones, 5347 N. Clark St., kicks off its third annual Soul Food Week on Friday, Jan. 13, announcing two weeks dedicated to this uniquely American cuisine. The menus lunch and dinner menus pay homage with items like black-eyed pea fritters, meatloaf & gravy, hot sausage po'boy, kidney bean soup, short rib dumplings, baked banana pudding and more. Also, on Wed., Jan. 18, the spot will host Chef Dora Charles from Savannah, Georgia. More information and reservations can be found by visiting bigjoneschicago.com .
—Cafe Spiaggia, 980 N. Michigan Ave., has a new Sunday Supper series. Inspired by traditional Italian Sunday evening dinners, Cafe Spiaggia's Sunday Supper features a rotating, family-style menu composed of local ingredients. Reservations may be made online at SpiaggiaRestaurant.com or 312-280-2750; the cost is $40 per person.
—The South African/Portuguese restaurant Nando's PERi-PERi will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 14, in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago at 1447 E. 53rd St. Nando's will pay it forward by donating 100 percent of opening-day sales to the Kenwood Academy High School in Hyde Park. Nationwide, Nando's has donated more than $200,000 to schools and local non-profit organizations, all through opening-day sales.
—Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market, will present its Pajama Brunch on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Carnivale University: Champagne Cocktails and Sabering on Thursday, Jan. 25, begins at 6:30 p.m. At the latter event, guests will learn how to make three unique cocktails featuring JCB No. 21, and see a sabering demonstration, with a select few getting to saber a bottle of champagne; tickets are $35 per person. See CarnivaleChicago.com/features/ .
—During Jan. 15-22, Evanston's NaKorn, 1622 Orrington Ave., will jointly celebrate Wan Degg ( Thai Children's Day ) and Wan Kruu ( Thai Teacher's Day ) with a weeklong offering of special menu items and special pricing for children and teachers. Special menu items will include honey roasted duck; fried chicken with rice, with egg, cranberry-roasted vegetable jus and crispy shallot chips; and coconut ice-cream "hot dog." See NaKornKitchen.com .
—The Southern, 1840 W. North Ave., is closing after six years, according to Eater Chicago. The Southern-inspired bar and restaurant, known for its macaroni and cheese and bourbon drinks, will close Jan. 15. Workers will start remodeling it into a new restaurant from the owners behind the Gold Coast steakhouse Maple & Ash. Maple & Ash chef Danny Grant and sommelier Belinda Chang will assume the same roles at the new Bucktown restaurant.
—AMK, 1954 W. Armitage Ave., has its new menu from Top Chef contestant Executive Chef Angelina Bastidas. Some of the menu highlights include fried burrata, dirty noodles ( bacon, blood sausage, peas, pickled fresno and chicken skins ), braised shortrib, goat cheese cake and the Solstice Berry Cider cocktail. See AMKChicago.com .
—Temporis has opened at 933 N. Ashland Ave. Co-Chefs Sam Plotnick and Evan Fullerton will serve a 10-course tasting menu in a 20-seat dining room. Some of the menu highlights include squab liver mousse, Sunflower in Five Forms, rabbit and hamachi ( yuzu, hazelnut and sugar cookie crumble ). The restaurant is open Tuesdays through Saturday at 5-9 p.m. See TemporisChicago.com .
—Latinicity, 108 N. State St., will offer a four-course prix fixe menu in Pata Negra, the space's full-service tapas restaurant. he Richard Sandoval-owned food hall in Block 37 is centrally located in the heart of Chicago's theater district, serving as an easy destination for theatergoers. The meal is $34.95; see Latinicity.com .
—On Monday, Jan. 16, Oyster Bah, 1962 N. Halsted St., will host an MLK Day brunch beginning at 10:30 a.m. The restaurant will serve all of the favorites on its weekend brunch menu, including three different kinds of frittata, shrimp and grits, and fried oyster Benedict. ( The regular dinner starts at 4 p.m., per usual. ) See OysterBah.com .
—bellyQ, 1400 W. Randolph St., is teaming with Common Threads for its Cooking for Life campaign. On Tuesday, Jan. 17, a portion of proceeds from bellyQ's "Cooking Pho Life" night will support the non-profit. Tickets ( which include a pho bar, snacks and one cocktail per person ) are $25 each; visit bellyqcookingpholife.brownpapertickets.com .
—Food/lifestyle photographer Huge Galdones will teach a phone photography class at Travelle Kitchen + Bar, 330 N. Wabash St., on Saturday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Class participants will learn techniques and tricks from Galdones while enjoying brunch from Travelle Kitchen + Bar by Chef Ricardo Jarquin. Brunch will include a choice of chicken and waffles, branzino, florentine benedict or cobb salad. The price will be $40 per person; call 312-923-7705 or visit TravelleChicago.com .
—Ramenfest will take place Sunday, Feb. 19, at urbanbelly, 1400 W. Randolph St. Twenty chefs from across Chicago will compete against one another to prepare their best ramen dish and be named champion. ( Among them are chefs from Antique Taco, Green Zebra, Sunda and Smoque BBQ. ) General admission tickets to Ramenfest include a sampling of each ramen and two drink tickets for $75. See ramenfest2017.brownpapertickets.com .
—Imperian Lamian, 6 W. Hubbard St., is offering featured dishes Jan. 27-28 to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Among them are the yee sang ( or prosperity tossed salad ) and the poon choi ( a multilayered dish with vegetables, meatballs, noodles, roast duck and more ). Also, guests will also be treated with a traditional gift: the hong bao or red envelope, a monetary gift that is given during holidays. See Imperial-Lamian.com/reservations.
—Parlor Pizza Bar—recently named the most visited restaurant in Chicago by Lyft and Uber—has introduced a wide variety of new menu items in addition to its 14 brunch pizzas. New additions include avocado toast, ham-and-egg English muffins, birthday-cake waffles and chocolate French toast. Weekend brunch is 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
—At Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., on Feb. 10-13, Valentine's specials for two will be offered. The Valentine's Day menu features aphrodisiac-infused dishes to really set the mood on Tuesday, Feb. 14, with the three-course Parisian prix fixe menu available beginning at 5 p.m. The Valentine's Day dinner menu is $72 ( excluding tax and gratuity ) per person; some choices will include diver sea scallops, lobster ravioli, winter vegetable medley, thyme-roasted lamb and passionfruit meringue tart.
Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com or follow on Twitter @Azygous60610.
