On Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m., Iron Chef Jose Garces highlights the work of renowned Spanish vineyards with "Spain in Seven Sips," a wine-tasting event at Mercat a la Planxa, 638 S. Michigan Ave. The restaurant will offer oysters, bacon-wrapped dates, paella croquettas and more. Tickets are $65; call 312-542-3600.
To continue the celebration of its 30th anniversary, Shaw's Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard St., is throwing a wine dinner with special guest Rodney Strong Vineyards of Sonoma County, California, on Thursday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. Among the culinary items will be razor clam crudo, shaved vegetable salad, monkfish tail, Ora king salmon and butterscotchall coupled with various Rodney Strong wines. The cost is $80 per guest ( tax and gratuity not included ); call 312-527-2722.
avec, 615 W. Randolph St., is continuing its "Friends of avec Brunch Series" on Sunday, March 15, with Half Acre's Rog McGuin. The premise is that a chef or beverage professional takes over avec, placing a creative spin on the restaurant's Sunday brunch. In the case of the beverage pros, they'll take their hand at the bar, offering a variety of cocktails or brews to be paired with Chef Perry Hendrix's brunch-time fare. Visit avecrestaurant.com .
Sports fans take note: In celebration of March Madness, Compass Bar, 433 W. Diversey Pkwy., will feature $20 craft and $15 domestic buckets as well as $6 chicken tenders throughout the tournament. Guests can catch the games on eight TVs throughout the bar. Visit www.compassbarchicago.com .
Weber Grill restaurants ( River North, Schaumburg and Lombard ) will be offering an Irish-take on one of the restaurants' most popular dishes, beer can chicken, during St. Patrick's Day week. The restaurants will also be serving hand-trimmed corned beef, smoked with hickory wood for 10-12 hours, and then piled high on rye for sandwiches, and served with cabbage and potatoes.
For Pi Day ( 3/14 ), Naperville's Kick's Chicken, 2728 75th St., is putting its spin on its chicken pot pie ( $7.99 ). A base of peas, carrots, onion and potatoes is topped with a puff pastry square that is brushed with garlic butter and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
For St. Patrick's Day, Meatloaf Bakery, 2464 N. Clark St., is creating shamrock-shaped loaves available in a variety of flavors. Everyday flavors include Herby Turkey Loaf, Loaf-A-Roma and No Buns About It Burger Loaf. Visit www.themeatloafbakery.com .
Howells & Hood, 435 N. Michigan Ave., opens early on Saturday, March 14 at 9 a.m. to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the Annual Guinness Post-Parade Party. Dishes will include an Irish breakfast ( $14 ), featuring housemade sausage and cured bacon, black potato farls, baked beans, fried egg and brown bread; colcannon ( $12 ) with German butter potato, cavalo nero, Guinness brown bread and malt vinegar butter; and coddle ( $18 ) with braised blood pudding and bacon, potatoes, carrots and toasted barley. Visit www.howellsandhood.com .
Guests who celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe Ave., will enjoy a traditional Irish platter prepared by Chef Donny Farrell that features corned beef and cabbage, with potatoes and carrots, for $12. Drink specials will include $5 20-ounce Guinness drafts, $7 Irish car bombs, $4 Green Miller Lite drafts and $4 Tullamore Dew shots. The specials will take place Saturday, March 14, and Tuesday, March 17.
Slurping Turtle, 116 W. Hubbard St., blends Japanese comfort food with Irish staples with corned beef and cabbage ramen ( $14 ) offered Saturday, March 14, through Tuesday, March 17. For more information or to make reservations, call 312-464-0466, or visit www.slurpingturtle.com/chicago.
Schaumburg's Shaw's Crab House, 1900 E. Higgins Rd., is hosting another "Princesses and Pirates Brunch" on Sunday, March 15, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Kids and their parents are invited for a meet-and-greet with their favorite princesses and pirates and a kid-friendly buffet with shellfish and seafood, traditional breakfast items and a sweets table. The brunch costs $52 for adult and is free for kids 12 and younger; visit www.shawscrabhouse.com .
On Wed., March 18, at 7 p.m., Evanston's Smylie Brothers Brewing Company is hosting its March beer dinner, "Bacon, Bourbon, & Beer." Smylie Brothers' Executive Chef Grant Carey, Head Brewer Brad Pulver and FEW Spirits' Founder/Distiller Paul Hletko will mingle with guests and sample bacon-centered bites paired with the brewpub's seasonal beers and FEW's bourbon whiskey. Tickets are $50; call 224-999-7320 or stop by the brewery, located at 1615 Oak Ave.
Oak Brook restaurant El Tapeo will offer a special a la carte Easter brunch on Sunday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Items at the Spanish eatery will include Iberian eggs Benedict, Spanish omelet and Spanish cava mimosas, among other items. Children will enjoy a special Easter movie viewing, a coloring and separate cookie station, and will leave with bags filled with Easter candy and treats ( reservation required for families with children ). Visit www.ElTapeoRestaurant.com .
The 5th Annual Pastoral Artisan Producer Festival ( APF )presented by The Specialty Food Associationwill take place Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Chicago French Market ( 131 N. Clinton St. ), which co-produces the festival with Pastoral. Greg O'Neill & Ken Miller, co-owners/co-founders of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, created the APF to showcase the talents of local, national and international producers of high quality artisan foods and beverages.
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