October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and many Chicagoland restaurants and bars plan to hold fundraisers to help raise awareness.
For example, throughout the month, Estelle's, 2013 W. North Ave., will sell F?!k Cancer Cosmos (with Stoli O, Apologue Aronia, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, lemon and cranberry juice), with the venue donating $2 per drink to Susan G. Komen. Also, Estelle's will donate $1 from any signature cocktail to the organization.
Wake'n Bacon, 420 W. Belmont Ave., will donate $1 from every "Mo' Chicks Mo' Poblanos" sandwich sold during October to the Lynn Sage Foundation Chicago's In Good Taste Campaign.
Geneva spot B.A.S.H., 124 N. West State St., will also donate a portion of proceeds from a specialty chef's choice pink sushi roll to the Lynn Sage Foundation Chicago's In Good Taste Campaign.
During October, $1 from each of Offshore Rooftop's Hampton Water cocktails will be donated to Lynn Sage, with partner Hampton Water matching all donations as well. Menu items included in this donation are Jon Bon Jovi Rose cocktail (Grey Goose Strawberry Lemongrass, St. Germain, Hampton Water Rose, strawberry and lemon) as well as individual glasses and bottle purchases of Hampton Water Rose.
In support and honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, Stan's Donuts & Coffee will be donating 10% of all sales of their new fall drink, the Prickly Pear Refresher, to the Lynn Sage Foundation throughout the entire month to continue the fight to end breast cancer.
The Goddess and Grocer—not to be outdone—will sell "Boobies For A Cause Cupcakes" at all locations (Fulton Market, Bucktown, River North, Gold Coast and O'Hare Terminal 5). It's $5.95 for a two pack of boobies in four varieties of skin shades to celebrate all women and $2 from each sale will be donated to Equal Hope. Large orders can be ordered via catering@goddessandgrocer.com .
I had a devilishly good time (pun intended) at a Hell's Kitchen viewing party that took place Sept. 28 at the tony Loop spot The Florentine.
Why the Florentine? Well, Executive Chef Jason Hedin is one of the show's contestants this season—and he is part of the reason the series looks to be a bit, um, spicy this time around. While I won't say he's the villain, his confidence and relatively extensive experience were sources of drama in the premiere episode.
By the way, Hedin served attendees the signature dish he served Chef Gordon Ramsay in that episode: Calabrian-roasted Maine lobster with roasted vine tomatoes and burnt lemon. Also on the menu were a blackened spot prawn "cocktail" with mustard aioli and harissa cocktail sauce; a bluefin tuna tartare with Italian lavash; and a mille-feuille of tiramisu. Everything was quite tasty, and Hedin's love of spices was evident. (As for the side of truffle fries, my dining companion said they were among the best fries he's ever had, and he's quite the fry connoisseur.) There were also drinks like the Yes! Chef (a heady mix of tequila, house sour, Cointreau and blue curacao) and Fire (Bombay Sapphire gin, Campari and Carpano Antica vermouth).
When I asked him what the best part of being on the show was, Hedin responded, "Being yelled at by Chef Ramsay." As for the worst part, he said it involved "the weak-ass contestants."
I'll be watching future episodes (Thursdays at 7 p.m. on Fox). The Florentine's website is www.the-florentine.net/ .
National Dessert Day is Saturday, Oct. 14—and what better way is there to celebrate than with one of Top Chef alum Fabio Viviani's JARS?
Earlier this year, Viviani launched JARS. The company features treats, pies and desserts from all over like tiramisu, cannoli, cakes, classic pies, s'mores and others—all served in reusable, single-serving jars.
Check out www.jarsbyfabioviviani.com .
The Evolved Network (founded by Chef Sebastian White) will host "Eat and Evolve II" on Monday, Oct. 16, 6-9 p.m. at eden, 2734 W. Roscoe Ave.
Joining White that evening will be some of the area's best chefs, including Sarah Stegner (Prairie Grass Cafe), Paul Kahan (One Off Hospitality), Devon Quinn (eden), Tigist Reda (Demera), Lindsey Anderson (UVAE Kitchen & Wine Bar) and Darnell Reed (Luella's Southern Kitchen), among others.
White has noted that, through the generosity of others, The Evolved Network has created "positive impact through the power of food for 546 youths on the South, Southwest and West sides of Chicago since January 2022."
Tickets to the event are at https://theevolvednetwork.org/eat_evolve.
NOTE: An expanded version of this column is at future3733.substack.com .
