—Chef Jared Van Camp & Element Collective ( Kinmont, Old Town Social, Nellcote, RM Champagne Salon, Owen + Alchemy, Ampersand, Rabbit Hole Magazine ) have announced an expansion of the Leghorn Chicken brand with the launch of Leghorn Cafe at the Ohio House Motel, 600 N. LaSalle St. The original socially conscious, BYOB chicken shack first opened doors in Ukrainian Village in March 2014. This cafe will open at 7 a.m. seven days a week and will present eggs, fresh biscuits, breakfast sandwiches and hot coffee from Stumptown Coffee Roasters. See www.LeghornChicken.com .
—Pie Hole's 3477 N. Broadway location will close June 29,following the Pride Parade, after more than 10 years in the Lake View neighborhood. According to a press release, "a horrible winter season" and the change in the Pride Parade route two years ago seriously impacted the restaurant. The Andersonville location will remain open. See http://www.facebook.com/pieholepizzajoint.
—On Wed., June 18, Tanta, 118 W. Grand Ave., will host a Peruvian Street Food feast reception on its rooftop and second-floor Pisco Lounge at 5:30-8 p.m. Chef de Cuisine Jesus Delgado and the Tanta chef team will be preparing cebiches, anticuchos, empanadas, sanguches and causitas throughout the night. The cost is $125 each, including tax and gratuity. Contact Lucy Kendall at event@tantachicago.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 .
—The fifth annual Roscoe Village Burger Fest will take place July 12-13 on Belmont and Damen in Chicago's Roscoe Village neighborhood. Among the vendors are DMK Burger Bar, Square Bar & Grill, Butcher & the Burger, Goose Island Brewpubs and Reggie's Rock Club/Music Joint, among others. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. both days. The gate donation is $8; visit www.RoscoeVillageBurgerFest.com .com.
—Chicago's inaugural Ramenfest will take place at bellyQ, 1400 W. Randolph St., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 12-3 p.m., and will benefit Common Threads, which Art Smith and Jesus Salgueiro co-founded. Ten chefs will try their hand at ramen for the event, including chefs Lee Wolen ( Boka ) and Jared Van Camp ( Nellcote ). Tickets for Ramenfest are $45 online/$55 at the door; visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/732848.
—Mercadito Hospitality has opened Mercadito Taqueria on the second-floor mezzanine level at 227 W. Monroe St. ( Mercadito Taqueria joins the gourmet cafe Rustle+Roux in The Franklin. ) A press release says that the taqueria "artistically blends the best of south-of-the-border taquerias and cantinas with local and seasonal ingredients." Offerings include tacos, guacamole, ceviche and various sides ( such as fried plantains and black beans ). See the full menu at http://www.tishmanspeyer.com/mktg/rustleandroux/RR_Menu_specials.pdf.
—Square Roots returns to Lincoln Square ( Lincoln Avenue, between Montrose and Wilson avenues ) July 11-13 with more than 50 acts on four stages, and 30 regional craft brews paired with Lincoln Square's finest restaurants and artisans. With Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce presenting, the festival will feature music, dance parties, participatory jams and plenty of family-related activities. See www.SquareRoots.org .
—LM Restaurant Group has introduced its newest concept, Cafe Creme, to Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood at 1721 N. Damen Ave. The cafe will sell a wide variety of traditional French pastries and baked goods including baguettes, croissants and fruit tarts as well as a selection of French macarons, currently available in 12 flavors. The menu, created by Chef Matt DuBois, formerly the Chef de Cuisine at El Ideas, will feature a selection of sandwiches, salads, soups and brunch items. Visit www.cafecremechicago.com .
—Chicago's 6th annual Windy City RibFest in Uptown will take place July 4-6 at Lawrence Avenue and Broadway. Rib vendors are Aussom Aussie Australian BBQ, Chicago BBQ Company, Wisconsin's Famous Dave's, Arkansas' Porky Chicks BBQ and Texas Thunder BBQ. In addition to slabs, drinks and music, there will also be arts & crafts and a kids' activity area ( art, games, inflatables ) each afternoon. Gate donation is $5; see www.WindyCityRibfest.com .
—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.
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