Vital Bridges Center on Chronic Care, a program of Heartland Health Outreach, Inc., has announced the Chefs and the City Summer Tasting & Croquet Garden Party Sunday, July 28, at Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie St., 12:30-5 p.m. Attendees will sip on cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose Vodka and sample items from more than 15 of Chicago's most elite and experienced chefs including Bill Kim of BellyQ, Shin Thompson of Kabocha, and Brian Huston of The Publican. Tickets are $150 each ($600 for a croquet team of four to six people); visit www.heartlandalliance.org/vital or call 773-271-9161.
Howard Brown Health Center's "Garden of Eve" kickoff event will take place Thursday, July 11, 6-8 p.m., at L'etage Wine and Cocktail Bar, 5420 N. Clark St. The event is free, and hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be provided. To RSVP, contact Lizzie Bright at 773-388-8992 or LizzieB@howardbrown.org .
Japonais, 600 W. Chicago Ave., is hosting a 100 Club junior board soiree Wed., July 10, 6-9 p.m. The 100 Club of Chicago invites guests to sip signature cocktails, beer and sake while enjoying hors d'oeuvres. The 100 Club of Chicago provides for surviving spouses and dependent of law-enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics who have lost their lives in the line of duty. See www.japonaischicago.com .
For the fourth straight year, DMK Burger Bar is partnering with Make-A-Wish Illinois to help raise funds and grant wishes for local children with life-threatening medical conditions. As part of the 365 Days of Giving efforts, during the month of July, DMK Burger Bar will offer Kianna's Burger in honor of one special Make-A-Wish friend. Priced at $10 each, 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to the Make-A-Wish foundation. See www.dmkburgerbar.com .
In honor of National Grilling Month (July), 216 W. Ohio St., will offer its signature grilled salmon (Atlantic salmon, wild rice, sugar snaps, grilled pineapple mango salsa; $20). See www.municipalbar.com .
Noodles & Company has opened a new location at 30 N. LaSalle St. in the Loop. Noodles & Company has more than 300 restaurant locations across the United States, and its menu consists of more than 25 customizable dishes, including pesto cavatappi and Wisconsin mac & cheese. The nearly 3,500-square-foot North LaSalle Noodles & Company will have 48 outdoor seats and is the 47th location to open in Illinois. See www.noodles.com .
Caesars Entertainment won't renew its licensing deal with Paula Deen in the wake of accusations the celebrity chef used racial slurs, according to the Chicago Tribune. Harrah's Joliet will change the name of Paula Deen restaurant to "The Restaurant at Harrah's" while it works on a permanent rebranding.
French bistro Le Bouchon, 1958 N. Damen Ave., will be open Sunday, July 14, to celebrate Bastille Day. To honor the French national holiday, Le Head Chef Jean Claude Poilevey and son, Sous Chef Oliver Poilevey, have created a prix fixe menu for $25 to be offered at the restaurant July 12-14. This menu includes escargot or salad Lyonnaise, steak frites or trout Grenobloise and mousse au chocolat or crème caramel. See www.lebouchonofchicago.com .
Jazz singer Elaine Dame is performing along with featured guitarist Kyle Asche at French-influenced Vietnamese restaurant Vu Sua, 2925 N. Halsted St., on Wednesdays 6:30-9:30 p.m. See www.vusuarestaurant.com .
At Phil Stefani's 437 Rush, 437 N. Rush St., guests can the new "Twelve for $12" lunch specials Executive Chef Christian Fantoni has created. Menu items are $9.95 each and available for lunch Monday through Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Highlights include rigatoni pasta tossed in a summer vegetable ragu; wild arugula salad; toasted panino; crispy chicken wrap; and more.
This July, Clark Street Dog and Bar, 3040 N. Clark St., will celebrate National Hot Dog Month. The restaurant has been serving hot dogs, hamburgers, gyros, Italian beef and sausage, chicken sandwiches, salads and other items for more than 36 years. See https://www.facebook.com/ClarkStreetDog.
In addition, July is National Ice Cream Month. Carol Wallackchef and owner of Sola, 3868 N. Lincoln Ave.hand-crafts flavors such as Vanilla Wasabi, Cherry Goat Cheese, Mint Chocolate Chip, Pineapple Lemongrass, Peanut Butter-Black Sesame and others. See www.sola-restaurant.com .
bellyQ, 1400 W. Randolph St., will offer its first live cooking demonstration Saturday, July 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Chef Bill Kim will prepare dishes such as spiced shrimp with tomato salsa and avocado, and Lola's roast chicken with sambai chimichurri. Admission is $50; see www.brownpapertickets.com/event/402834.
Evanston restaurant Koi, 624 Davis St., is unveiling Table 23, a way for guests to donate to Koi's monthly charity. Table 23 is Koi's most sought after table, located in the main dining room with a window view of Davis Street and downtown Evanston. To be seated at the table, guests must make special reservations by calling 847-866-6969.
The 5th annual Windy City Ribfest will take place Friday-Sunday, July 5-7, at Lawrence and Broadway. In addition to slabs, libations and music (from such acts as Liquid Soul and Velvet Jimis), there will also be arts & crafts and, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, a kids' activity area. In addition, visitors will be able to vote for their favorite ribs. See www.ChicagoEvents.com .
The fourth Roscoe Village Burger Fest will take place Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., on Belmont Avenue at Damen Avenue. There will be 14 burger vendors, including Banh Mi & Company, Stanley's Kitchen & Tap, Hamburger Mary's, Rockit Burger Bar, Twenty Five Degrees and Goose Island Brewpubs. Sister Hazel and Cowboy Mouth will be among the bands at the festival. The gate donation is $7; see www.ChicagoEvents.com .
Pastry Chicago is holding a free ice-cream social with Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Friday, July 26, 6-8 p.m., at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E. North Water St. There will be tastings as well as a demonstration by Chef Joshua Johnson of The French Pastry School. RSVP at info@pastrychicago.org or 312-726-2419, ext. 208.
Japonais, 600 W. Chicago Ave., has introduced Ping-Pong tables outside for guests to enjoy, particularly during happy hour (5-8 p.m.). There is also a riverfront patio complete with cabanas, floor lamps and pillows. In addition, there are summer cocktails such as The Lychee at Night (Reyka Vodka, Soho Lychee Liqueur, Lychee puree, a splash of lime juice, simple syrup and blackberries). See www.japonaischicago.com .
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