—A new Pie Hole Pizza Joint is slated to serve its first slice in Uptown at 5001 N. Clark St. on April Fools' Day, according to DNAInfo.com . "We're shooting for April 1," owner Doug Brandt said in a text message. "If we miss, we can always claim 'April Fools'!'" Pie Hole is currently in Lakeview at 3477 N. Broadway.
—The LGBT group Asians & Friends Chicago will present the Chinese New Year's dinner "Year of the Snake" Saturday, Feb. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Phoenix, 2131 S. Archer Ave. Tickets are $40 (pre-sale) and $45 (at the door); see www.AFChicago.org .
—Benny's Chop House (444 N. Wabash Ave.) is featuring a butternut squash tortelloni on its menu in celebration of National Tortellini Day, Feb. 13. Call 312-626-2444 or visit www.bennyschophouse.com .
—Tavern on Rush, 1031 N. Rush St., is hosting a "Tavern's Tour Through Italy" wine dinner Wed., Feb. 27. The five-course dinner will include salmon capaccio, beet salad, open-faced osso bucco ravioli, carved New York strip and panna cotta. The cost is $75, excluding tax and gratuity; call 312-664-9600.
—Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., will celebrate two years in business on Thursday, Feb. 28. Guests will enjoy a live DJ and a spring cocktail menu preview featuring $6 cocktails as well as complimentary small bites specially prepared by Executive Chef Brian Jupiter 7-8 p.m. Festivities will also include a complimentary mixology sampling hosted by Nolet's, Kettle One and Bulleit 7-9 p.m.
—Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse and Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House will feature an exclusive wine dinner Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 1028 N. Rush St. at 6:30 p.m. hosted by WXRT's Lin Brehmer along with Kendall-Jackson Winemaker Matt Smith, Master Sommelier Larry O'Brien and Gibsons Restaurant Group Corporate Chef Randy Waidner. The cost is $145 each; visit www.gibsonssteakhouse.com .
—Acknowledging that February is Heart Disease Awareness Month, ZED451, 739 N. Clark St., is partnering with GO RED for Women. Proceeds from the sales of the dark chocolate truffle duo ($4) and the red wine/chocolate pairing ($12) will benefit the organization.
—WAVE at the W Chicago, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr., and Executive Chef Gregory Elliott have announced the launch of a new gluten-free menu featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner selections. Items include organic Shetland salmon, gluten-free cereal and even a gluten-free pasta of the day.
—A new Red Mango frozen-yogurt/smoothie location will soon open in Frankfort, Ill., at 1139 W. Lincoln Hwy. Red Mango has 35 stores open and in development across the Chicago area and more than 220 locations throughout North America alone.
—Riva Crab House, 700 E. Grand Ave. (at Navy Pier), invites guests to enjoy a three-course menu with wine pairings created by Chef Luigi Garcia available every Friday in February. The prix fixe menu ($55, plus tax and tip) will feature jumbo lump crab cocktail, blue crab gumbo, prime sirloin, Atlantic swordfish and more. See www.rivanavypier.com .
—LUXBAR, 18 E. Bellevue Pl., announced that Michael McDonald is its new executive chef. McDonald practiced the art of fine French cuisine under Chef Jean Joho at Everest as chef de cuisine; most recently, he was executive chef at one sixtyblue in Chicago. Menu items now include seared duck breast, P.E.I. mussels and apple-barbecue fried chicken. See www.luxbar.com .
—Municipal Bar + Dining Company, 216 W. Ohio St., is now open for lunch starting at 11 a.m. on weekdays. Lunch appetizers include steak tartar ($12) and lobster avocado salad ($15), while lobster roll ($15) and chorizo gourmet burger ($14) are among the sandwiches offered. Call 312-951-2125 or visit www.municipalbar.com .
—Lillie's Q chef/owner Charlie McKenna will host chef Cleetus Friedman's latest brewery collaboration debut at the Lillie's Q Bucktown location, 1856 W. North Ave., 6-8 p.m., on Wed., Feb. 20. Friedman, formerly the chef/owner at City Provisions, teamed with Dark Horse Brewing Company (Marshall, Mich.) to create "I'll Have More"—a chocolate, caramel and toasted rice stout whose flavor profile is based on Nestle's 100 Grand candy bar.
—The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr., explores the role food plays in our lives with the premiere of its newest self-developed exhibit, "Food: The Nature of Eating." The exhibit runs March 23-Sept. 8. See www.naturemuseum.org .
—Cru Kitchen & Bar, 25 E. Delaware Pl., is celebrating Fat Tuesday (Feb. 12) by offering a slice of Cru King Cake ($8) and "The Big Easy" Hurricane ($13). For more info, visit www.crukitchen.com .
—Grass Fed, 1721 N. Damen Ave., is offering a prix fixe menu ($45 per person) for Valentine's Day. The romantic candlelight dinner will include (among other things) starters like salmon tartare; glazed carrot with cardamom soup; entrees such as grass-fed sirloin and skillet chicken; and desserts like butterscotch pudding. Call 773-342-6000 or visit www.grassfedbucktown.com .
—Quay Restaurant & Bar, 465 E. Illinois St., invites guests to celebrate Valentine's Day with a three-course menu courtesy of Executive Chef Dan Marquis. The prix fixe menu will feature house smoked salmon, butter poached lobster, braised veal cheeks, pan-seared diver scallops and more. The cost is $45 each; call 312-981-8400.
—The restaurant 312 Chicago, 136 N. LaSalle St., is offering a special Valentine's Day menu with dishes such as squid-ink linguine with lobster, breaded pork chop, rosemary potatoes and arugula, and vanilla custard with strawberries. The cost is $50 per person ($75 with wine pairings), excluding tax and tip. Call 312-696-2420.
—Alpana Singh, proprietor/master sommelier of The Boarding House, 720 N. Wells St., will host a wine lovers' soiree, Thursday, Feb. 14, 6-8 p.m. A cash bar will follow the event. Space is limited. Tickets are $40 per person; visit www.TicketLeap.com .
—On Valentine's Day, Eduardo's Enoteca, 1212 N. Dearborn St., will show the movie Casablanca while offering dinner (in addition to a bottle of Prosecco to go). The dinner and film is $55 per person (not including tax and gratuity) with three seatings at 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Call 312-337-4490 or visit www.eduardosenoteca.com .
—Fish Bar Chicago, 2956 N. Sheffield Ave., has announced the launch of its 2013 charitable program "Friends of Fish." Each quarter, the seafood spot teams with a non-profit organization whose efforts focus on sustainable fishing, farming and the aquatic environment. Twenty percent of sales from a different section of the menu will be donated to that quarter's charity, beginning with sales from the soup section being donated to Shedd Aquarium for the month of January, when guests mention "Shedd."
—Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., will celebrate the French tradition of La Chandeleur (Crepes Day) Saturday, Feb. 2, with a special menu. A three-course prix fixe menu ($28) will include caramelized onion soup, chicken confit crepes and crepes Suzette. The regular dinner menu, with new winter fare, will also be available. Call 312-944-8400.
—Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is offering a Valentine Celebration Dinner Feb. 14-17 for $69.95 per person. Among the items patrons can choose from are citrus-marinated salmon tartar and roasted lobster tail. Visit www.flemingssteakhouse.com .
—Shaw's Crab House Chicago, 21 E. Hubbard St., will mark Mardi Gras Feb. 7-12. Specials will feature specially-ordered-from-New Orleans crawfish as well as Cajun and Creole dishes such as the crawfish po'boy ($16.99); blackened or sauteed redfish with crawfish sauce ($23.99); and crawfish pot pie ($18.99). Call 312-527-2722 or visit www.shawscrabhouse.com .
—Bridge Bar, 315 N. LaSalle St., currently has the Slipper Slope cocktail available. The concoction contains hot apple cider and W.L. Weller bourbon. The cocktail is available throughout the month of January at $11, and is half-priced on Tuesdays.
—The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group owners Greg Mohr and Scott Weiner have hired former Sixteen veteran Chris Teixeria as the new executive pastry chef at West Town Bakery & Diner, 1916 W. Chicago Ave. Other recent additions to the West Town Bakery & Diner team include manager Eddie Mahoney.
—The Goddess and Grocer is opening a fourth location in early February—this time at 901 N. Larrabee St. in the River North area. The 1,600-square-foot space will be able to seat 36, and will feature made-to-order and ready-to-eat items such as sandwiches, salads, soups and entrees. The Goddess and Grocer on Larrabee will be open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily; the phone number is 312-988-9870.
—Ceres' Table, 4882 N. Clark St., is offering a three-course chef's menu Feb. 14-16. Menu choices include tuna tartar, seafood and saffron risotto, roasted Skuna Bay salmon, or a beef duo (filet mignon and braised short ribs). The cost is $50 per person (plus tax and gratuity); reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 773-878-4882.
—Through March 31, LM Restaurant Group will feature "Passport to LM," a winter rewards program. Guests will receive a passport to travel to the restaurant group's four locations: Brasserie 54 by LM in Andersonville, Brasserie by LM in the South Loop, LM Bistro in River North and Troquet in Ravenswood. With the purchase of an entree, guests will receive a stamp; when guests receive stamps from all four restaurants, they will receive a $35 gift card.
Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com .
