—Luella's Southern Kitchen, 4609 N. Lincoln Ave., is now providing weekday breakfast 6:30-10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Among the items are jambalaya with Carolina gold rice, Andouille sausage and poached eggs ( $11 ); and Nashville Hot chicken and waffles, prepared with golden crispy chicken, Nashville hot sauce and maple syrup, all atop liege waffles ( $12 ). Weekend brunch continues on Saturday and Sunday. See LuellasSouthernKitchen.com .
—Hubbard Inn is hosting an "Around the World" Olympics Promotion throughout August. Each week, Hubbard Inn will feature food and drink specials from a different country, highlighting those that Hemingway traveled to or called home. The featured countries include the United States ( through Aug. 7 ), Italy ( Aug. 8-14 ), Spain ( Aug. 15-21 ) and France ( Aug. 22-28 ).
—Belly Up Smokehouse, 1132 S. Wabash St., is offering a $10 drink special Aug. 5-21 in honor of the Olympics. "Belly Up Caipirinha" is a twist on the classic Brazilian drink. The cocktail special features blackberry moonshine with muddled lime and pure cane sugar. Also, Belly Up will broadcast the Summer Olympics on all 10 TVs. See BellyUpChicago.com .
—Several other places are offering Olympic-themed cocktails. Presidio, 1749 N. Damen Ave., will offer the Rhythm and Blues ( $14 ) is made with Amburana, Bernheim Wheat Whiskey, Averna Amaro, Edmond Briottet Crème de Banane, demerara syrup, Angostura bitters, and a manicured banana leaf and burning clove for the garnish. Also, Formento's, 925 W. Randolph St., will have Lemon My Cello ( $13 ), an Italian classic made with Caffo Limoncello dell'Isola, Bols Yogurt, fresh lemon sour and soda.
—Also, Castaways, 1603 N. Lake Shore Dr., will feature a frozen "Team USA" cocktail featuring its signature Miami Vice ( a frozen mix of pina colada and strawberry daiquiri ) topped with blue curacao, available for $9 each. See CastawaysChicago.com .
—Links Taproom, 1559 N. Milwaukee Ave., has hired a new executive chef, Joey Hejtmanek. Hejtmanek is a former sous chef at One Off Hospitality spots Avec and Big Star. He has released a new weekend brunch menu that utilizes many of Links' housemade sausages; items include the madras curry chicken sausage gravy poutine, Reuben sausage hash and a breakfast burger. See LinksTaproom.com .
—Osteria La Madia, 59 W. Grand Ave, is offering half-price pasta every night for its late-night diners seated after 9 p.m. Items include the tagliatelle All'Amatriciana, with guanciale and San Marzano tomatoes ( regular $13/$19, special $6.50/$9.50 ), or the new porcini mezzaluna with talegio crema, basil and parmegiano ( regular $14/$20, special $7/$10 ). Osteria La Madia also features Two for One Pizza Mondays and the happy hour 5 for $5 menu ( 4:30-6:30 p.m. ).
—All 10 Ruby Tuesday restaurants in Illinois—franchises of the Maryville, Tennessee-based casual dining chain—closed their doors July 27, including four suburban Chicago locations, The Chicago Tribune noted. RT Midwest Holdings, a Minnesota-based franchisee that previously reorganized through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2012, operated the Ruby Tuesday restaurants in Illinois.
—The Fifty/50, 2047 W. Division St., has relaunched with a new look and feel. According to a press release, "The Fifty/50 invigorates the space with a neutral color palette, rich wood accents and other lively décor transforming the space." Also, there are new menu items such as Honey Butter Flash Chips, French Onion Braised Mussels, the Bro-Science Burger and more. See TheFifty50.com .
—Gurnee's The Chocolate Sanctuary, 5101 Washington St., is offering a prix fixe lunch menu. The menu, created by Executive Chef Ahmed G. Mora, includes a choice of appetizer, entree and dessert for $10.75. Items include lollipop chicken wings; pork sliders; and a half-turkey, bacon and mozzarella flatbread sandwich, with dessert options being semi-sweet chocolate beignet with vanilla creme anglaise and the Sanctuary fruit tart. See TheChocolateSanctuary.com .
—Jollibee's, 3534 W. Touhy Ave., has opened in Skokie, bringing a taste of the Philippines to Chicagoland, according to Eater Chicago. Among the menu items are fried chicken, burgers and Filipino spaghetti. It's the first Jollibee in the Midwest and the 34th in the United States for the chain that ranks number one in the Philippines and ninth-largest in the world.
—Toni Patisserie & Cafe now has Cafes Richard, the Parisian coffee, at its two area locations, 65 E. Washington St. ( Chicago ) and 51 S. Washington St. ( Hinsdale ). Toni Marie Cox's business joins a handful of discerning Chicago-area restaurants in being the first to offer the brand to consumers.
—Deschutes Brewery is heading to Chicago with a pop-up Saturday, Aug. 6, 2-10 p.m., at 2607 N. Milwaukee Ave. The ultimate craft beer block party, this 400-foot custom bar will be pouring beers from 60+ taps, including local guest taps from Revolution Brewing, BuckleDown Brewing and Hopewell Brewing. At each of its national stops, Deschutes Brewery works with local nonprofits to raise funds and gives all of the proceeds to aid their mission. In Chicago, Deschutes Brewery has teamed with Alliance for the Great Lakes and Logan Square Preservation. Admission is free but VIP passes can be pre-purchased at https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/events/streetpubchicago.
—Alpana Singh and Honey Butter Fried Chicken will host the first-ever Fried Chicken and Champagne Campaign on Monday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. at Honey Butter Fried Chicken, 3361 N. Elston Ave., to benefit Pilot Light. Guests will be able to indulge in bites of fried chicken paired with pours of various champagnes provided by Moet Hennessy. At the end of the evening, guests will vote for their favorite pairing. Tickets are $85 each; visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2568120.
—In honor of the 58th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show, Kanela Breakfast Club in Old Town, 1552 N. Wells St., will offer a special "French Toast Flight" with lemon poppy seed, red velvet, banana nut and orange bread. Guests can pair the flight with one of Kanela's many new summer cocktails for $9 each including the Perks of being an Elderflower, Strawberry Lyndon and Rosemary's Bubbly. See KanelaBreakfastClub.com .
—The Signature Room, 875 N. Michigan Ave., welcomes Chicagoans and visitors to its annual Chicago Air & Water Show viewing party on Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 20-21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. At the event, guests can experience elevated food and drink in an elevated setting, with 360-degree views of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds' routine from 95 stories in the sky. Guests will enjoy a gourmet buffet prepared by Executive Chef Cardel Reid; tickets are $175 each, and people can RSVP by calling 312-280-0465.
—Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, 505 N. Michigan Ave., celebrates five years on the Magnificent Mile this August and, on Tuesday, Aug. 23, will donate a portion of proceeds to the James R. Jordan Foundation ( JRJF ). JRJF is dedicated to providing equal academic opportunities for underprivileged children, and believes that investing in youth is a key to the success of future generations.
—Chef Jose Garces again challenges local chefs to prepare the perfect paella at the 3rd Annual Paella Cook-Off at Mercat a la Planxa, 638 S. Michigan Ave., on Thursday, Aug. 25, 6-9 p.m. The chefs competing in the contest—an ancillary event produced in conjunction with Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet—includes Salero's Ashlee Aubin, The Gwen's Angelina Bastidas, Travelle's Ricardo Jarquin, The Signature Room's Cardel Reid and Ada St.'s Joanna Stachon. Admission is $45-$65; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mercat-a-la-planxa-3rd-annual-paella-cook-off-tickets-26730880784.
—On Monday, Sept. 5, Oyster Bah, 1962 N. Halsted St., will offer Labor Day specials. Among said specials are half of a fried chicken, served with Bad Seed hot sauce ( $17 ); and steamed lobster ( $37 ). Specials will come with sweet corn on the cob and cole slaw. See OysterBah.com .
—Food Tank Chicago will take place Wed., Nov. 16, at the Gleacher Center, 450 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Among the expected guests are Chicago Tribune food writer Bill Daley, chef Rick Bayless, IATP Executive Director Juliette Majot and Food Tank President Danielle Nierenberg. See https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-food-tank-summit-chicago-il-tickets-20817007229.
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