—InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile has a new executive chef: Randy Reed. A long-standing employee of the InterContinental Hotels Group, Chef Reed will direct the culinary creations featured in the hotel's restaurant, The Continental, as well as the menus for in-room dining and event catering. Most recently, Reed served as executive sous chef at The Willard InterContinental in Washington D.C.
—Henri, 18 S. Michigan Ave., has appointed Christopher Gawronski as its newest executive chef. Gawronski has been with Henri since 2011, most recently as chef de cuisine. Dinner items will include chilled lobster ($32), foie gras ($28), coq au vin ($27) and braised bison shortrib sandwiches ($17), among many others. See www.henrichicago.com .
—The gay group I Like Red (and White) Wine will hold its second annual fundraiser, "Let's Make a Difference" at Second Unitarian Church, 656 W. Barry, on Saturday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m. RSVP at www.meetup.com/i-like-RED-WINE/events/102573402.
—Troquet, 1834 W. Montrose Ave., will celebrate its one-year anniversary Thursday, March 7. To commemorate the occasion, the restaurant will offer a $2 Croque Monsieur (usually $8). In addition, Troquet's menu features a variety of other croque sandwiches including a Croque Madame with a fried egg for $10 and a Croque Végétarian with caramelized onions, brie and spinach for $8. See www.TroquetChicago.com .
—The Spirit of Chicago will celebrate Easter on Sunday, March 31, with a brunch and dinner. The event will feature a buffet (including Thai BBQ sirloin beef, Caribbean roasted chicken and penne al forno), interactive emcee entertainment, treats for children and a guest appearance from the Easter bunny. Admission starts at $54.90; call 866-273-2649.
—Chicago q, 1160 N. Dearborn St., has unveiled a new brunch menu with items such as carrot cake and sweet potato pancakes. There is also a Benedict flight with Kobe brisket eggs Benedict, Southern eggs Benedict and smoked chicken eggs Benedict. Call 312-642-1160.
—Grass Fed, 1721 N. Damen Ave., is offering its #1 best-seller for weekend brunch—Fried Chicken & Waffles ($14)—on Monday, March 25, for "International Waffle Day." Grass Fed's take features buttermilk-brined Amish raised chicken, topped with sage butter and drizzled with warm maple syrup. Visit www.grassfedbucktown.com .
—On Easter Sunday, March 31, Schaumburg's Rosebud Old World Italian restaurant is offering a brunch buffet priced at $35 per adult and $15 for kids aged 6-12. (All children under 6 eat free.) Items will include everything from waffles to a pasta station to a Bloody Mary bar. Call 847-240-1414 or visit www.rosebudrestaurants.com .
—Tavernita, 151 W. Erie St., will celebrate National Meatball Day on Saturday, March 9. On that date, diners who mention the phrase "I love Greg's Meatballs!" will receive a complimentary signature meatball. In 2012, Tavernita sold over 10,000 of Executive Chef/Partner Greg Bastien's popular bites, made with wagyu beef, pork and a hazelnut romesco sauce. See www.facebook.com/tavernita.
—Dining Out for Life will take place April 25 in several North American cities, including Chicago; visit www.diningoutforlife.com . Last year, Chicago raised more than $110,000 to continue its mission of providing housing and services to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. Among the dozens of participating restaurants are Club Lucky, Andies, Crew Bar & Grill, Salpicon, and Longman & Eagle.
—Starting March 15, Moonshine Urban Roadhouse, 1824 W. Division St., will present "Green Domination" to mark St. Patrick's Day and Michigan State Spartan's 2013 Big Ten Tournament run. Among the specials/events are corned beef sliders for $2 each or a combo deal of three with fresh-cut fries for $7. See www.moonshinechicago.com .
—Celebrate Chicago's culinary offerings at many of the city's most notable chef-driven restaurants during the Fifth Annual Chicago Chef Week, March 17-22. Nearly 75 restaurants will offer a three-course, prix fixe dinner menu for $44 each; for those who serve lunch, there's a $22 menu. See chicagochefweek.com for the full list of participating restaurants.
—The conservation group Oceana released a new report that reveals, among other things, that 33 percent of 1,215 fish samples collected were mislabeled, according to National Geographic. Oceana suggests that mislabeling fish prevent consumers from choosing seafood that is both better for them and the environment.
—Downers Grove restaurant Carlucci, 1801 Butterfield Rd., is offering a cooking class with Executive Chef Jonathan Harootunian Sunday, March 10, 12-3 p.m. Items include roasted vine ripe tomato, hand-rolled tagliatelle pasta and aseason fresh berries (with lemon-zabaglione and crisp phyllo wafers). The cost is $45; call 630-512-0990.
—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 .
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