—Enolo Wine Bar, 450 N. Clark St., is introducing a new ice cream-inspired dessert with a twist: a sorbet-and-champagne float. Served in a coupe glass, each day in July ( National Ice Cream Month ) will feature a new flavor of sorbet splashed with a bit of bubbly. See www.enolowinebar.com .
—The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, 160 E. Pearson St., is introducing Martin Knaubert as its executive chef beginning this summer. The Ritz-Carlton Chicago will be his eighth hotel and fourth assignment as executive chef with Four Seasons properties. Visit www.fourseasons.com/chicagorc or call 312-266-1000.
—Troquet River North, the French neighborhood bar located in the Hotel Felix, has launched its weekend brunch menu. Created by Troquet River North Chef de Cuisine Tim Davidson, the menu features a variety of traditional French-inspired breakfast items, including Croque Madame and Pain Perdu. See www.TroquetRiverNorth.com .
—Crumbs Bake Shop, Inc., a New York-based cupcake specialty store chain, announced it has reached an agreement with Lemonis Fischer Acquisition Company, LLC. Lemonis is a joint venture created by Marcus Lemonis LLC and Fischer Enterprises, LLC, which has provided pre-petition secured financing for Crumbs' voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition. Lemonis Fischer Acquisition Company and Crumbs will evaluate the retail strategy with the goal of reopening select locations or opening new locations in the future.
—Jim Dababneh of Pizzeria Aroma has purchased Coffee Chicago, 5256 N. Broadway. He has indicated that the place will undergo a renovation and offer new items, including whole cakes. Also, Coffee Chicago will be renamed Chicago Grind.
—Weber Grill restaurants ( River North, Lombard and Schaumburg ) salute National Grilling Month by adding the Veteran's Burger to the menu all month long with $1 of each burger purchase going back to Illinois' Operation Home Front.
—The 13th annual Taste of River North will take place July 18-20. Thousands are expected for the event ( $5 admission ), which encompasses A. Montgomery Ward Park, 630 N. Kingsbury St., and the surrounding streets. Among the restaurants that have already committed are Kinzie Chophouse, Sholado, BlackFinn Ameripub, The Melting Pot, Taco Joint and Pranzi. Go to www.tasteofrivernorth.com or call 312-633-2600.
—Packing House, 1113 W. Randolph St., is hosting artist Chadwick Plays on Wed., July 16, 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $20 each; some of the proceeds will benefit Charity4LIFE, a Chicago based non-profit working internationally to rehabilitate street kids.
—On Oct. 17, Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago will host Chicago's James Beard Foundation's Taste America: Local Flavor from Coast to Coast, a national epicurean tour celebrating America's culinary diversity. A weekend-long tour, Chicago's Taste America will kick off at Trump Chicago with A Night of Culinary Stars, an exclusive dining event benefiting the James Beard Foundation. Tickets are on sale now at JBFTasteAmerica.org .
—Pastry guru and Chicago Culinary Museum 2013 Pastry Chef of the Year Chef Alain Roby of the All Chocolate Kitchen announced the launch of his brand-new Exclusive Aroma Line, which features rectangular truffles in 20 exotic flavors. They are $2-$27 before tax; visit the All Chocolate Kitchen store, 33 S. Third St., in Geneva, or call 630-232-2395. Also, see www.AllChocolateKitchen.com .
—Bon Appetit presents Chicago Gourmet has announced an exclusive, newly added dinner to the 2014 event lineup: A Tribute to Charlie Trotter. On Saturday, Sept. 27, many of the world's finest chefs—including Graham Elliot and Rick Bayless—will gather at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago for this event, which will benefit Trotter's Culinary Education Foundation. Tickets are $500 per person for the six-course dinner; see www.ChicagoGourmet.org .
—Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House is celebrating National Oyster Day at its Chicago and Naperville locations on Tuesday, Aug. 5, with $1 oysters all day long. Hugo's Chicago location will offer $1 Oysters in fried, Rockefeller and on-the-half-shell variations; Naperville will offer fried and on-the-half-shell variations. See www.hugosfrogbar.com .
—Chant ( located at 1503 E. 53rd St., and which features Asian-inspired global cuisine ) has released its entertainment schedule for Fridays and Saturdays throughout July. Among the highlights is DJ Night ( house music ) on July 26. See www.ChantChicago.com .
—National Mango Day is Tuesday, July 22. Bombay Spice Indian Grill, 213 E. Ohio St., is celebrating the day by offering its popular mango lassi at half price throughout the day ( regularly $3.25 ). A popular drink throughout India, Bombay Spice's mango lassi is made with low-fat yogurt, mango puree, sugar, milk and rose water.
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