—"Greased, Pounded & Basted: An LGBT Holiday Appetizers Cooking Party!" will take place Thursday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. at The Whole Foods Cooking School at Lincoln Park, 1550 N. Kingsbury St. Attendees will be taught how to make your own buffalo chicken rangoon, won tons, Southwestern chicken egg rolls, croquettes, pizza and flatbread, and other party fare. ( All students must sign a waiver. ) The cost is $59 per person; visit www.getmeinthekitchen.com/cooking-lessons/cooking-classes-chicago/ .
—Lawry's The Prime Rib, 100 E. Ontario St., has unveiled a full program of festive happenings throughout November and December. This year's lineup includes a dinner and drama package on Sunday, Nov. 19, featuring dinner at Lawry's and tickets to A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre, plus the inaugural Lunch with Santa on Saturdays in December ( Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23, at 12:30-2:30 p.m. ). See LawrysOnline.com/lawrys-primerib/chicago.
—Pilsen live-music venue Thalia Hall and its beer-centric Michelin-starred restaurant, Dusek's Board & Beer, have announced "Sound Bites"—an all-new monthly culinary-meets-music collaboration with a charitable twist. Each month, Thalia Hall and Dusek's invites performing artists into the kitchen to prepare a dish inspired by their favorite meal from home. The dish is then featured on the Dusek's dinner menu leading up to the show, as well as the day of the show, with half of the proceeds from each dish sold donated to the artist's charity of choice. On Thursday, Nov. 16, there will be a dish inspired by JD McPherson; proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. See "Dusek's" on Facebook or visit DuseksChicago.com .
—The Thanksgiving Co-Op Pop-Up Market will offer Thanksgiving essentials from local farmers and producers on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2:30-5:30 p.m. at Ravenswood Community Services, 4550 N. Hermitage Ave. Mint Creek Farm is offering white, bronze and black turkeys in a variety of sizes, all raised on a certified-organic Illinois prairie pasture. The turkeys are available for pre-order now with a $25 deposit and can be picked up at the market. ( Additional vendors range from Endless Greens to Organic Bread of Heaven. ) The event is free, but an RSVP is requested; visit https://www.chicagomarket.coop/chicago_market_s_2017_thanksgiving_pop_up.
—Cindy's, 12 S. Michigan Ave., is bringing back Pie in the Sky for Thanksgiving. Executive Pastry Chef Jove Hubbard offers his pastry creations Tuesday, Nov. 21, and Wed., Nov. 22, for pre-order and purchase at Cindy's. Items will include traditional pumpkin, maple creme fraiche, carrot cake and pumpkin chcoolate-chip whoopie pies ( $8-$20 ); visit https://store.chicagoathletichotel.com/shop-online/thanksgiving-pies.
—Executive Chef Luca Corazzina of 312 Chicago, 136 N. LaSalle St., has prepared a four-course traditional Thanksgiving menu available Nov. 23, 5-9 p.m. Items will include pesto lasagna, Italian-style roasted turkey, butternut-squash tortelloni and pumpkin cheesecake, among other things. The cost is $55/person or $25/child 12 and under. Reservations can be made online or at 312-696-2420.
—French restaurant Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., will offer a special three-course, prix fixe menu for Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 23. Guests may select from options including the artisanal smoked salmon salad, with celery root remoulade, Dijon mustard, chive oil and citrus caviar; hand-cut Yukon potato gnocchi, with cranberries, sweet potato, house-cured duck confit and aged red wine vinegar sauce; Belgium endive salad, with Maytag blue cheese, black mission figs, caramelized walnut and mixed green salad; and more. See Bistronomic.net .
—Southern restaurant Big Jones, 5347 N. Clark St., will have seatings at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving. All courses are available for $55 per person and $20 per child under 12. Dishes will include potted venison and duck, sourdough rye crackers, huckleberry conserves and sauerkraut; deep-fried turkey Cajun style, with giblet gravy and cranberry sauce; and Pumpkin pie, homemade graham-cracker crumble, vanilla bean ice cream and cane syrup; and others. See bigjoneschicago.com/events-archive/a-celebration-of-thanksgiving-2/ .
—Shaw's Crab House in Chicago is hosting a traditional Thanksgiving buffet on Thursday, Nov. 23, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. The buffet is priced at $75 per adult and $20 for kids 12 and younger ( exclusive of tax, gratuity, and beverages ). Items will include lobster mac 'n cheese, corn casserole, herb-roasted turkey, candied sweet potatoes, creme brulee, seafood bisque and much more; call 312-527-2722 or visit ShawsCrabHouse.com .
—Smoke Daddy, 1804 W Division St., is offering a Thanksgiving catering menu. The BBQ restaurant will offer house-smoked whole turkey ( 11 lb., $65; 20 lb., $90 ); pulled whole turkey ( 1 lb., $16 ); and glazed ham, a partial bone-in, smoked ham with a sweet mojo glaze ( half., $69; whole $129 ). Sides such as cornbread stuffing with sausage and spices ( $10 per quart ); Brussels sprouts oven-roasted with a lemon butter sauce ( $10 per quart ); and green-bean casserole ( $10 per quart ) as well as desserts like apple ( $22 ) and pumpkin pies ( $20 ) round out the menu. Visit www.thesmokedaddy.com .
—Mott Street, 1401 N. Ashland Ave., is offering a Thanksgiving group catering feast for delivery. ( It's primarily for groups of 12-15 and 25-30 people. ) Items will include sweet potato with honey miso; roasted pork shoulder; and candied baby shrimp, chicken and kohlrabi salad; and other items. See MottStreetChicago.com .
—Michael Jordan's Steak House ( in the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel ) will be open for Thanksgiving, running the full dinner menu all day as well as a festive "Taste of Thanksgiving" platter to share from Executive Chef Craig Couper. The platter will include tastes of turkey confit, maple roasted sweet potatoes, cranberry-apple relish, oyster mushroom stuffing and cornbread.
—Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, 58 E. Oak St., will be open on Thanksgiving. A prix-fixe menu is available, with items like butternut squash soup, harvest salad, turkey breast with apple-sausage stuffing ( and sides ), pumpkin cheesecake and pecan pie a la mode. ( The full menu will also be available. ) See delfriscos.com/promotions/thanksgiving-at-dels/ .
—Texas de Brazil in Chicago and Schaumburg will be open on Thanksgiving Day and has added roasted turkey and gravy, sweet potato casserole and cranberry sauce to their standard menus. The menu features grilled meats carved tableside, including succulent lamb chops, leg of lamb, picanha, filet mignon, chicken breast wrapped in bacon, Brazilian sausages and more; also, the salad area includes 50 freshly prepared salads, soups and side dishes.
—The Florentine, 151 W. Adams St., is offering an Italian-inspiored Thanksgiving dinner. Items will include butternut squash soup with Granny Smith apples, farro, pancetta and cinnamon cream; baby carrot salad; risotto with braised pork belly, smoked parsnip puree, crispy guanciale and sage; and a traditional turkey plate ( with focaccia stuffing ). Visit the-florentine.net/ .
—The Signature Room, 875 N. Michigan Ave., invites friends and family to welcome the 2017 holiday season with its annual Brunch with Santa event on Saturday, Nov. 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The brunch buffet includes chilled seafood, charcuterie, made-to-order omelets, and more; entrees such as banana nut bread French toast, fried chicken & waffles, brunch burger, and fusilli pasta; along with a seasonal hot chocolate station. While the adults sip on hot chocolate, coffee, or a mimosa, children can enjoy various holiday-themed activities, including cookie decorating, face-painting, holiday wish-list creation and a balloon artist. Tickets are $65 for adults and $30 for children under age 12. Reservations are required; call 312-280-0465.
—Retro-inspired malt shop Fizz Eatery & Soda Fountain, 7958 W. Belmont Ave., is featuring a brand-new throwback burger each week. Named in homage to Chef Bushnick's favorite pop icons from the 50s and 60s, each burger comes with at least two patties on a brioche bun and a side of fries for $12. Items include The Chubby Checker ( three patties, homemade root beer BBQ sauce and three slices of Wisconsin brick cheese ) and The Ritchie Valens ( chili-pepper fondue, pico and corn chips ); visit FizzEatery.com .
—Nov. 28 is National French Toast Day, and Wrigley BBQ will be offering a one-day-only rendition with its cinnamon & apple stuffed French toast. This version will feature slices of Michigan Golden apples, homemade pecan syrup and powdered sugar.
—Brindille, 534 N. Clark St., will host "Architectural Tea with Carol Ross Barney" on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2-5 p.m. For this special service, architect Ross Barney will host ‹and share her thoughts on the building of the RiverWalk and other famous Chicago projects. This includes a selection of exotic teas, scones, crumpets ‹and‹ jam, pastries, finger sandwiches and more. Admission is $65/person; RSVP at info@brindille-chicago.com .
—The Fairmont Chicago—at Millennium Park, 200 N.Columbus Dr.—will host its fourth annual "Cookies and Cheer," a luxury cookie exchange on Thursday-Friday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m. "Cookies and Cheer" gives guests the opportunity to mix and mingle with Fairmont's culinary staff while enjoying wine tastings and sampling seasonal cookies. Single tickets for Cookies and Cheer are $60 on Thursday and $75 on Friday; visit Eventbrite.com .
—On Dec. 1-12, Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, 41 E. Superior St., will offer a different special wing of the day. Chef Nick Santangelo has come up with flavor combinations such as apricot siracha, Aaron's coconut red curry and grilled maple mustard wings ( $13.95 ).
—Mon Ami Gabi, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, will host a Veuve Clicquot holiday dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Executive Chef Nelli Maltezos will serve a four-course dinner paired with Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and more. The event is priced at $75 per guest plus tax ( gratuity not included ). Space is limited; call 773-348-8886 for tickets.
—The Driehaus Museum, 40 E. Erie St., will have its Glitter & Gold Holiday Brunch on Sunday, Dec. 10. ( Doors will open at 10 a.m. for the 11 a.m. event. ) The brunch will include a Prosecco toast, elaborate buffet and live music. In the spirit of the season, tables will be shared. Tickets are $95 each for adults, and $45 each for children 23 and younger; visit DriehausMuseum.org/programs/view/glitter_gold_holiday_brunch_2017.
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