Executive Chefs Thomas Rice and Kurt Guzowski, in company with Managing Partner Daniel Goodman, have opened TETE Charcuterie at 1114 W. Randolph St. Inspired by the charcuteries and boucheries that shape the neighborhoods of Paris, TETE Charcuterie features an array of house-cured saucissons, composed fresh sausages, terrines, pates and seasonally driven casual fare. Both Old and New World wines, seasonal handcrafted cocktails and local craft beers complement the fare. Visit tetechicago.com .
President Obama visited Chicago Cut Steakhouse, 300 N. LaSalle St., on April 2 as part of a roundtable benefitting the Democratic National Committee. Mesirow Financial Chairman and CEO Richard Price hosted the event, which featured 26 guests. After the roundtable, Obama took photos with members of the Chicago Police Department, Illinois state police and the Chicago Fire Department.
The Tortoise Club, 350 N. State St., will serve a four-course prix fixe Passover dinner April 14-15. The cost is $39.95 ( $19.95 for children 11 and under ). The full Tortoise Club dinner menu also available. See tortoiseclub.com .
Da Lobsta ( 12 E. Cedar St. and 131 N. Clinton St. ) will mark National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day on April 12. Da Lobsta's lobster grilled cheese sandwich ( which will be $9.95 this day ) is made with Texas toast, Havarti cheese and lobster meat, with a side of tarragon mayo for dipping.
Terrace on Clark Bar and Grille, 77 W. Wacker Dr., opened its doors to the public on April 3. The upscale bar and grill offers contemporary American cuisine ( breakfast, lunch and dinner ) courtesy of Executive Chef Chris De La Cueva ( formerly of The Scout in the South Loop and Old Town Pour House ). See www.terraceonclark.com .
The Mother's Day afternoon tea at the Driehaus Museum, 40 E. Erie St., returns for its fourth consecutive year on Sunday, May 11. It's at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; following each one-hour tea service, complimentary guided tours of the Driehaus Museum will be available. Tickets are $60 for museum members and $70 for the public; call 312-482-8933 or visit www.DriehausMuseum.org .
Packing House will open in mid-April at 1113 W. Randolph St. The multi-level space houses a 125-seat restaurant on the first floor, a 130-capacity terrace and bar area with a retractable roof, and a 50-seat sidewalk cafe. The Restaurant Row space also features a rooftop bar with a full 360-degree view of the city. As for the food it has been described as modern American cuisine with a Mediterranean influence.
Shaw's Sushi Chef Naoki Nakashima, an authority on Japanese cuisine and etiquette, will lead interactive Japanese sushi demonstrations at Shaw's Chicago on Saturday, April 26, and Saturday, May 31. Both of the classes will take place 12-3 p.m. The price is $65 per person per class, and includes lunch, libations and a take-away gift. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Shaw's Chicago at 312-527-2722.
The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Pl., will welcome new Executive Chef Stephen Wambach on April 7. Most recently, in 2013, Wambach joined Michelin-starred Restaurant Marc Forgione as chef de cuisine of the contemporary American restaurant in New York.
Elite Traveler, the self-described "Private Jet Lifestyle Magazine," has announced its annual "Elite 100" of the world's best restaurantsand for the third consecutive year, Alinea, 1723 N. Halsted St., sits at the top of the list, The Chicago Tribune reported. L2O, the only other Chicago restaurant to appear on the list, is ranked 62nd.
During April, Azzurra, 1467 N. Milwaukee Ave., is showcasing the cuisine of Laziothe region in Italy where Rome is locatedwith its new Sunday Supper menu. Among the items are olive pesto crostini; sheep's milk ricotta with English peas, toasted walnuts and mint; and lamb with artichokes. The cost is $12-$23 per person; call 773-278-5959.
Wicker Park restaurant Nando Milano Trattoria, 2114 W. Division St., will launch its first series of cooking classes in April. Led by Executive Chef Alessio Vullo, Nando's cooking classes will focus on "fare de mangiare per la famiglia" or family-style meals. Classes ( limited to 10 people ) will be held on Sundays, 12-1:30 p.m. The cost is $80 per person. Call 773-486-2636.
Compass Bar, 433 W. Diversey Pkwy., is now offering a weekend brunch ( 11 a.m.-3 p.m. ) as well as Thursday and Friday lunch service. Brunch items include crab cake Benedict, steak and eggs, cinnamon ginger French toast and breakfast pizza. See www.compassbarchicago.com .
The suburb of Long Grove will host the annual Long Grove Chocolate Fest Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adults are $5; kids 12 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased in advance for a discounted rate at www.visitlonggrove.com .
Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe St., now offers brunch Monday through Sunday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The brunch menu includes items like a breakfast burger; barbecue shrimp and grits; mussels with chorizo, hominy and tomatillo; a seasonal veggie omelet; a selection of breakfast sides; and more. See www.CommonwealthChicago.com .
To commemorate National Grilled Cheese Month ( April ), Sedgwick's Bar and Grill, 1935 N. Sedgwick St., is offering the "Wiki-cheese-ia." The special grilled cheese starts with layers of American, Swiss and Gouda cheeses, topped with a grilled tomato and packed with smoked crispy pancetta and avocado all in between a soft pretzel bun. The $10 sandwich will be available through April 30.
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