Chicago Cut Steakhouse and Ruth's Chris Steak House (which counts Chicago among multiple locations) were among those Yahoo! Finance named the top five steak restaurants in the United States. Chef Allison Fishman-Taskhost of "Blue Ribbon Hunter" on Yahoo! and author of the upcoming book Cooking Light Lighten Up, America!compiled the list. Others on the list include Keens (Manhattan), Peter Luger (Brooklyn) and Bern's Steak House (Tampa, Fla.).
Riverview Tavern, 1958 W. Roscoe St., will host an evening in celebration of the Discovery Channel's Shark Week Thursday, Aug. 8, at 6:30 p.m. Kim Leshinzki of Chicago's beer blog Hail 2 The Ale will play host as she taps "Blood in the Water," a Hibiscus saison brewed with Lake Effect Brewing Company. See www.RiverviewTavern.com .
LM Gastro Bistro, 111 W. Huron St., now has brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The menu features two special sections: 1) a cheval, a selection of fork-and-knife, breadless sandwiches, and 2) les tartines, open-faced sandwiches. In addition, there will be pancakes, crepes, omelets and more. See www.lmrestaurant.com .
Taste of Greektown (formerly Taste of Greece) returns for its 24th year on Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 24-25, to the 400 block of South Halsted Street. Hours are 12-11 p.m. both days. Admission is free but accepted donations will benefit the Chicago Greektown Chamber of Commerce. Among the participating restaurants are The Parthenon, Greek Islands and Zeus Gyros.
The 6th Annual Rib-a-Que Smoke-Out will take place Saturday, Sept. 21, in the Moonshine parking lot, 1824 W. Division St. Among other things, pro BBQ chefs will compete with amateurs for the rights to the coveted Gilded Grill trophy and cash prizes. (Applications for this year's Rib-a-Que are still being accepted at moonshinechicago@gmail.com .) Tickets are $25 in advance through Ticketweb.com or at Moonshine, or $35 at the door.
Pippin's Tavern, 806 N. Rush St., will celebrate 40 years of serving alcohol in the business at that location on Aug. 8, during which Pippin's will offer customers 40 percent off all draft beer all day. However, a week before (Aug. 1), there will be Maker's Mark wax-dipping event 8-10 p.m.; Pippin's will offer $6 Maker's Mark shots in keepsake Pippin's branded shot glasses that may be dipped in the signature Maker's Mark red wax on site.
Clark Street Dog and Bar, 3040 N. Clark St., will host a contest to win a custom-made 312 bicycle from Goose Island. To enter, contestants must visit the restaurant and bar's Facebook page and share their favorite Clark Street Dog memory, food item or why they stopped in by posting either a photo or story. Submissions are due Aug. 31; the winner will be announced Sept. 3.
Phil Stefani's 437 Rush is holding a cooking class (which Executive Chef Christian Fantoni will teach) at Treasure Island, 2121 N. Clybourn Ave., on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 7-9 p.m. Items will include chilled cantaloupe melon & prosecco soup; halibut with bacon and organic corn; and wildberry compote. The cost is $18 per person; reserve at http://tifoods.com/cooking_school/classes/?class=88.
Step Up Women's Network will once again gather local chefs and notables Thursday, Aug. 15, as it hosts "Shine & Dine" at the River East Art Center, 425 E. Illinois St. Chefs will include Ryan Poli (Little Market Brasserie/Tavernita), Kate Milashus (ZED 451) and Ryan Pitts (RL), among many others. Tickets start at $115 and are available by visiting suwn.org/snd or calling 312-253-4040.
The contemporary Latin eatery May St. Cafe, 1146 W. Cermak Rd., is currently offering a $25 prix fixe three-course menu. Choice include items such as gazpacho or tamales de pollo; vegetarian skewers or steak Caesar salad; and coconut cheesecake or poached pear compote. See www.maystcafe.com .
The wine lounge ENO (in the Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Dr.) has launched a series of "ENOversity" education classes. Remaining classes are on Aug. 20 (Viva La France), Sept. 17 (California Dream), Oct. 15 (Because It's Ladies' Night), Nov. 12 (I Have a Bubbly Personality) and Dec. 17 (Santa's Little Helper). All classes are at 6 p.m. and are $30 each; call 312-946-8953 or email Daniel.freedman@fairmont.com .
La Grange restaurant Wild Monk, 88 S. La Grange Rd., has unveiled a new menu. Chef Francisco Vazquez said of his craft food-inspired menu, "We are trying to offer a different idea of gastropub to the town of La Grange by offering new eclectic dishes that are not found in many other locations." Those items include chickpea fries, monk balls (gnocchi stuffed with cheese curds paired with sundried tomato) and eggplant bacon. Other dishes range from flatbreads to salads to tacos to burgers. See www.WildMonkBar.com .
The Illinois Restaurant Association invites Bon Appetit presents Chicago Gourmet fans to prep their palates this summer at a special series of Wine & Spirits Dinner events. July events involve South Water Kitchen and Quay Restaurant & Bar; Lockwood, Deca Restaurant & Bar, and Hearty Boys are hosting August events. The main event will be in Millennium Park Sept. 27-29. Visit www.chicagogourmet.org .
READY Coffee, a new independent coffee shop, has opened at 1562 N. Milwaukee Ave. All of the READY Coffee blends are roasted locally by legendary Chicago coffee roaster Greg Stivers. Prices of items are $1-$3, and the prices start with READY's one-dollar "Buck Cup," a 12-ounce cup of premium drip coffee made from the 100-percent Arabica house blend. See readycoffee.com .
Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com .