On Monday February 13th, The Gwen Hotel is hosting a special Galentine’s Day event on their sixth floor open-air venue, The Gallery Terrace, with small bites & cocktails, curling, La Mer skincare consultations, a live sketch artist, permanent bracelets from Alexandra Marks Jewelry with and stunning Chicago skyline views from the brand new fully heated terrace.

You can register to attend the event at the link here.

Guests and locals alike are invited to join Fairmont Chicago for an evening of curated cocktails. Each one of the cocktails will be paired with a reading from a novel, hand selected by Chicago’s own Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery. This event is great for those looking for a winter evening worth staying indoors. Reservations can be made on Tock, linked here.

Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park second annual winter experience, Fairmont Lodge, is excited to partner with Make-A-Wish® Illinois for a special event. This Saturday, December 3 from 9:30am to 12:00pm community members are invited to a breakfast with the one and only, Santa Claus. Entertaining activities include photos with Santa, cookie decorating, and an antler decorating station, along with a sumptuous breakfast buffet complete with mimosas and Bloody Mary’s – perfect for the entire family to enjoy. Reservations can be made on Tock, linked here, and are $55 per ticket.

Join The Simple Good on September 29 in celebrating the 10 year anniversary of The Simple Good at their annual ‘City of Big Dreams’ Fundraiser! COBD is a one of a kind evening of live music, visual arts, dance, and poetry complete with interactive experiences. 100% of the proceeds from this event will go directly toward raising $90k to support TSG’s Arts Residency Programs for youth in Chicago and beyond to support over 1,000 students this school year.

Guests of this intimate evening, will connect with Chicago's diverse and vibrant arts culture, while intentionally engaging with arts activism to support The Simple Good youth. 

The event will be held at Chop Shop, one of Chicago's most unique spaces in the heart of Wicker Park. The space will be activated with live art, a silent auction, a curated gallery, specialty cocktails, and an unforgettable DJ set and artist lineup featuring Chicago's emerging artists who we believe spread the simple good through their art. 

Give back and have a good time at one of Chicago’s most fun spots!

WINE RIVAL brings together the nation’s sommelier community and wine aficionados for a blind tasting tournament. It’s the world’s most exciting wine event! Sixty-four individuals will go head-to-head to advance to the championship round with the ultimate hope of taking home the grand prize: $10,000 cash. That’s a whole lot of vino!

The event kicks off with an over-the-top Tailgate Tasting, the exciting pre-party to the main event that will run through the first half of the competition. Ticket holders will have access to more than 300 luxury wines in a walk-around tasting as well as a grand display of endless bites. While feasting on fancy finger foods and a selection of sweets, guests will sample from wineries that include some of the most iconic names in the world, including Jordan, Moet Hennessy, Louis Roederer, Heitz, and more. At 7pm, the official WINE RIVAL Tournament begins. All ticket holders can watch the tournament while the registered competitors try their luck at the tasting tournament led by renowned judges. Judge luck to them!

While ticket holders look on, each competitor will partake in a blind taste test, tournament-style! The winner will advance to the next round, similar to March Madness. For a chance to compete in the 4th Annual WINE RIVAL Tournament, visit https://winerival.com/compete/. Registration is open now and final seedings will be announced on September 19th, 2021. General admission tickets can be purchased here. See you there wine-lovers!

To celebrate Connors Park, the newest Jeni’s scoop shop in Chicago, they’re throwing a grand opening party on Thursday, 9/8 from 6-10PM. There will be FREE scoops for everyone all night long (yes, you read that right!), including the first of our fall flavors, Pumpkin Cake Roll, and classics like Salty Caramel and Brambleberry Crisp. Plus, the first 50 people in line will get extra Jeni’s goodies. The event will be held at the scoop shop located at 871 North Wabash Avenue. More details can be found here. 

Of course, Jeni’s ice creams aren’t new to the greater Chicago area. Connors Park will be their 10th location—just after Naperville, which opened last November. And you can find some of our best-selling flavors, like Brown Butter Almond Brittle and Gooey Butter Cake, by the pint in and around Chicago at Whole Foods Market, Jewel-Osco, Foxtrot, and Mariano's.

Taste of Hope brings award-winning chefs and Chicago foodies together to celebrate the American Cancer Society's progress in the fight against cancer. ​The 8th Annual Taste of Hope will be held on November 4, 2021. Taste of Hope has always featured wonderful Chicagoland restaurants and this year is no different.

Now in its eighth year, the event is hosted annually by the American Cancer Society’s Taste of Hope Executive Leadership Committee and has raised over $2,300,000 to support the American Cancer Society’s mission and goal of eliminating cancer as a major health problem.

​While enjoying the best of Chicago's culinary scene, you can raise your glasses to:

• Leading the fight for a world without cancer

• Preventing 2.9 million cancer deaths since 1991

• Promoting healthy lifestyles including eating right and staying active

​Learn more here and mark your calendars!

An expanded variation of the Grand Cru takes place in person at the Harris Theater Rooftop. The exclusive affair will showcase the world’s finest wines curated by the nation’s leading wine experts, an enhanced focus on artisanal craft spirits in a newly added Artisanal Cocktail Lounge, and unforgettable cuisine prepared by Chicago’s award-winning chefs.

 Enthusiasts will taste and learn in “grand” style with Master Sommeliers including Serafin Alvarado and extraordinary master mixologists like Daniel de Oliveira (both with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits), while master chefs will prepare decadent bites to match. 

$255 per person, exclusive of taxes and fees, 21+. Space is limited.

Camaraderie and legacy are at the heart of this multi-course dinner hosted by Owners Clodagh and Amy Lawless of The Dearborn. They, along with Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri and Pastry Chef Julianna Westgor, will welcome Sophie Evanoff of Vanille Patisserie to their kitchen as the trio invites guests on a journey of iconic recipes originated from leading women figures in culinary history. Wine expert Alpana Singh and owner of Terra & Vine will emcee as she presents wines from women-owned wine and spirits-makers.

Two sessions offered (5:30 p.m. cocktails, 6 p.m. seated dinner; 7:30 p.m. cocktails, 8 p.m. seated dinner); $130 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity; The Dearborn (145 N. Dearborn St.)

Book your table seating now!

Green City Market is bringing Chef BBQ back — one of Chicago’s most anticipated food events of the year!

In a food festival unlike any other, Chicago’s top restaurants, brewers, winemakers, and mixologists provide tasting portions of locally-inspired dishes and craft beverages highlighting ingredients from Green City Market’s local, sustainable farmers. Tickets include all food and beverage available at the event; no need to purchase additional tickets once inside.

What's even more delicious? Your attendance benefits Green City Market’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit mission to secure the future of food by deepening support for sustainable farmers, educating our community, and expanding access to locally-grown food. 

Join us for year 20 of Chef BBQ and lift up your local food system. Get your tickets today!!

Participating Restaurants and Beverage Purveryors:

August Hill Winery | Baked Cheese Haus | Bazaar Meats | Big Delicious Planet | Big Jones | Bistronomic | BLVD Steakhouse | Carnivale | Chilam Balam | Cira | City Water Seltzer | Coda di Volpe | Cruz Blanca Brewery | Dablon Vineyards & Winery | Daisies | Dusek's Tavern | Eden | Eli's Cheesecake | Fisk & Co. | Formento's | Found Restaurant | Game Room | Gayle V's Best Ever Grilled Cheese | Gemini | Goose Island Beer Company | Goose Island Brewhouse | Hickory Creek Winery | Hoosier Mama Pie Company | Hopewell Brewing Company | Intelligentsia Coffee | JK's Farmhouse Ciders | Kikwetu Kenya Coffee Company | Kilogram Tea | Kite String Cantina | Lillie's Q | Longman & Eagle | Mercat a la Planxa | Milk Money Brewing | Momotaro Restaurant | Off Color Brewing | Old Pueblo Cantina | One Off Hospitality | Piece Brewery | Pizza Friendly Pizza | Prairie Grass Café | Pretty Cool Ice Cream | Quincy Street Distillery | Recess | River Roast | Rose Mary | Sushi Suite | Swift & Sons | Table, Donkey and Stick | The Bristol | Twilight Kitchen | Vitani Spirits + many, many more

A culinary and cultural evening filled with hope and awareness to #EndGenderBasedViolence in Tigray…

This evening is a cultural, educational, invigorating, and culinary journey led by Tigist Reda, master chef of woman-owned Demera Ethiopian Restaurant, a pillar in our Chicago community since 2007. It is part of the newly founded Hope 4 Tigray Women nonprofit initiative aimed at aiding the girls and women of Tigray.

A Delightful Dinner and a Riveting Panel…

Join us for a sit-down 3-course dinner that will feature a cocktail and mingling hour and a riveting evening filled with creating awareness on: How to inspire hope, and empowerment for women facing heinous sex crimes in this region.

All proceeds go to #hpn4tigray

Executive Pastry Chef Felicia Mayden has tapped some of the city’s top pastry talent for a bit of healthy competition in Flour & Flower, a botanical bake-off event at Ace Hotel Chicago. In partnership with Asrai Garden, local florist Elizabeth Cronin has assigned each participating chef an individual flower species to serve as inspiration for their tasty treat. On Sunday, August 22nd, participating chefs will present bite-sized portions of their floral-inspired creation, and after sampling each, attendees will vote for the chef they believe should take the cake. All ticket proceeds will be split between two organizations: one chosen by Cronin, and one chosen by the winning chef.

THE LINEUP + FLORALS:

• Faith Taheny, Sugargoat – Rose

• Mai Giffard, Bang Bang Pie – Iris

• Val Taylor, Loba – Chamomile

• Ashley Johnson, Petal and Moon Pastry – Pansy

• Kelly Dull, Kasama – Bird of Paradise

• Danielle Marelli, Coda di Volpi, Sophia Steak – Hellebore

• Ashley Robinson, Dusek's – Anthurium

• Nicole Guini, Adalina – Queen Anne's Lace

• Danielle Snow, Prequel Cafe – Poppy

• Felicia Mayden, Ace Hotel Chicago – Carnation

Get your tickets now!

Chef Maurice Jackson, renowned nationally as one of America's great barbecue pitmasters, boasts truly unique events based on offerings around his signature Southern cuisine. As part of No Bad Days, Chef Maurice is expanding his purview into the realm of social philosophy, intending to exhibit through good food and drink, that even in a world full of problems and strife, harmony through community is never more than one good meal away.

Guild Row is a new multi-building social club in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood, and the first of their No Bad Days events will take place on July 17 (starts at 2pm) - 18 (starts at 11am).

The event will feature four different meal options along with beer partners. Cajun BBQ Chicken with your choice of sauces, Grilled Pork and Beef Smoked Sausage, Baby Back Ribs, and Blue Cheese & Onion BBQ Burgers. Each plate comes with a side of Four Cheese Mac, Carmel Baked Beans, Apple Coleslaw, and Buttermilk Jalapeno Cornbread ($29 big plate with sides/$39 big plate with two beers or two canned margaritas). Joining Guild Row and Chef Jackson are Apologue Liqueurs, Big Star Margaritas, Pilot Project Brewing, and ROVM Hard Kombucha.

Make reservations by emailing reservations@guildrow.co to reserve your spot.

Mark your calendars for a drag show that can’t be missed during Pride in the Park weekend. Four talented performers will offer a mix of colorful costumes, music and dancing on the second floor of FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel.

Hosted by Lucy Stoole with performances by Rachel Slurrz, Nico and Dusty Bahls the show on June 26 is the perfect pre-event celebration to the festivities happening later in the day at Grant Park.

Tickets include admission into the show as well as access to the Brunch Bar. Menu items include: fresh fruit, breakfast potatoes, smoked applewood bacon, sausage, smoked salmon, pastries & breakfast breads, scrambled eggs, french toast, parfait cups and more. Each ticket also includes bottomless mimosas! 

Who says running has to be tough? When Foxtrot and Outdoor Voices are involved, you can bet this work out will be a fun one! Guests will start and finish their runs at Foxtrot- Lincoln Park. The Outdoor Voices teams will lead these free runs and guests will be able to return to the patio for a glass of wine when they’ve completed their run! Cheers to that indeed!

Celebrate National Rosé Day with Foxtrot - And a “cheers” with your friends! Guests of this event will receive three sample-sized glasses of rose with purchase of a $15 ticket. Chicago wine influencer, Kristy Wennz will be onsite in each market to talk about her three favorite rosés. There will also be a DJ to keep the energy up at the event!

The State of Illinois is reopening just in time for summer and to celebrate, select Jet’s Pizza locations throughout Chicagoland will be offering free Detroit-style slices of their iconic pizza. In anticipation of Governor Pritzker’s reopening of the state and lifting certain restrictions on June 11, Jet’s Pizza® is celebrating on the eve of the reopening on Thursday, June 10 from 10 am to 4 pm. Guests at participating locations will receive a free pepperoni and cheese Detroit-style slice of pizza, limited to one per customer, while supplies last, walk-in only. No delivery.

For more information including a complete menu, visit www.jetspizza.com and follow Jet’s Pizza® on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Chicago Electric Boat Company has invited beloved donut bakery Stan’s Donuts to help celebrate the recent season launch of its Donut Boats, the newest addition to its zero emission fleet of electric vessels. Donut Boats offer guests beautiful, serene 360-degree views of the Chicago River for groups of up to six people. All guests who book a cruise on a Donut Boat, classic Rockwell Duffy Boat or 1950s & 1960s style Retro Boat launching from Rockwell on the River that day will receive a complimentary box of a half dozen freshly baked treats from the pastel pink Stan’s Van, which will be parked on-site that afternoon. All other visitors to Rockwell on the River are invited to purchase their own donuts to snack on while enjoying the scenic views or sipping a beer from Metropolitan Brewing or coffee from Metropolis Coffee Co.

All Chicago Electric Boat Company boats are BYOB and guests are invited to bring other food onboard to enjoy while cruising. To maintain a safe environment for guests and employees, CEBC is operating at a reduced capacity with increased cleaning standards, making it the perfect socially distanced opportunity to gather with loved ones and get outside away from the Memorial Day weekend crowds.

Reservations can be made through the Chicago Electric Boat Company website here.

Presented by The Trotter Project Associate Board, Mixologist Michael Rubel (from The Violet Hour, Big Star, Billy Sunday, Lone Wolf and Estereo) hosts “Cheers to 7 Years: Virtual Drinks Benefitting The Trotter Project”. The live, online spring event supports the non-profit organization’s commitment to education, sustainable agriculture and community service. The event is put on in partnership with Blue Blazer Cocktails for The Trotter Project.

“Cheers to 7 Years” benefits The Trotter Project, which creates and invests in programs to advance education opportunities, sustainable agriculture and food security. Its people and programs reflect a generosity of spirit and pursuit of excellence within the global culinary and hospitality industries.

“Cheers to 7 Years” provides attendees with two options for a virtual “seat at the bar” as Rubel creates two of the organization’s signature cocktails: The Trotter Project Manhattan and the newest, called Planter’s Punch. Tickets are $60 for one seat, which purchases a pre-made Manhattan and the punch, delivered in advance of the event. Tickets at $100 provides a virtual seat at the bar and the pre-made cocktails for two people. 

To reserve your seat and purchase tickets, visit online at Virtual Dining Chicago.

I|O Godfrey, the esteemed year-round rooftop restaurant and lounge at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago, brings the Kentucky Derby to Chicago with its eighth annual Derby Day viewing event on Saturday, May 1. Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., I|O Godfrey will welcome table-only reservations for up to six guests (per city and state guidelines) with required advance reservations.

Guests are invited to dress in their best traditional Derby attire and cheer on the “greatest two minutes in sports” with a plethora of TVs showing the horse race, sweeping skyline views, and a special menu from Executive Chef Alfonso Martinez inspired by southern cuisine including: Sauced Oysters with a choice of (6) mix & match, Bloody Mary, dragon fruit, or passion fruit ($15); Fish & Chips with tempura-battered Atlantic cod, chipotle aioli, lemon, and fries ($16); Prime Beef Brisket served with two house-made barbeque sauces ($16).

For imbibing, visitors can select from refreshing cocktails like a classic Mint Julep; the Run for the Rosés, a breezy, sun-kissed mix of dry rosé, Finlandia vodka, rose water, fresh grapefruit, lemon, and seltzer ($15); and Blackberry Julep made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, fresh blackberry, and mint bitters served over crushed ice ($15).

Tables will be spaced six feet apart and guests must wear a face covering when not at their table. A complete list of the hotel’s mandatory COVID-19 guidelines are available online.

As businesses slowly reopen, District Brew Yards will safely reintroduce "pup parties" with resident brewery Bold Dog Beer Co.

District Brew Yards and Bold Dog invite responsible beer fans and their best four-legged friends to the first pup party on the patio of the West Town brewery collective on Sunday, April 18, 1-5 p.m.! The south-facing patio has ample space to properly spread out and enjoy socially distanced beers outdoors.

Join the Bold Dog crew for this patio hang and official release of Bubba Berry Light Lager, brewed in honor of the brewery's 2020 National Bulldog Day contest winner. Bubba Berry Light Lager is a crisp and refreshing brew with some delicious berry sweetness and will be available in 4-packs of 16-ounce cans for $10.99 and for pouring in the beer hall for 53 cents/ounce. All canines welcome. Note, dogs are not allowed inside the beer hall.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style! Join resident mixologist Zach Overstreet for an evening of delicious and festive cocktails. Expect KOVAL's unique take on Irish Coffee, Beer Cocktails, and of course, a lucky green drink. Tickets for the class are $10 and can be purchased here.

KOVAL Spirits that will be used include Oat Whiskey, Five Grain whiskey, and Barreled Gin. A St. Patrick's Day Spirits Kit ($65 - $128) for the class is available to purchase here.

Let’s Talk is a business initiative - women restaurateurs who are battling jointly to survive this crisis. It is centered on dining and restaurants, an industry the country loves and that is hit hard, and it is a women's story - one of collaboration, hope and battle, amidst doom.

To celebrate women’s positive collaboration, Let’s Talk is hosting its official nationwide debut event on International Women’s Day. Nearly 100 women restaurateurs across nine of its cities come together for “Dine Together & Let’s Talk” on March 8, 2021. This evening features multi-restaurant dining experiences for takeout by the women of Let’s Talk. Guests are invited to Dine Together and join in a Zoom conversation from 7-8pm with the Let’s Talk women. The event is moderated by marquee names, including Congresswoman Marie Newman and bestselling author/TED speaker Angela Duckworth.

Chicago Participants are: Beverly Kim (Parachute and Wherewithall), Julia Momose (Kumiko), Clodagh Lawless (The Dearborn), Rohini Dey (Vermilion), Christine Cikowski (Honey Butter Fried Chicken), Deann Bayless (Frontera Group), Amy Morton (Found Kitchen, Social House), Tigist Reda (Demera), Mary Aregoni (Saigon Sisters), Genie Kwon (Kasama), Sophie Evanoff (Vanille Pâtisserie), Sandra Holl (Floriole), Mindy Gohr (Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe), Julia Shell (The Dandy Crown), Agnes Rapacz (TeeGschwendner), Sarah Stegner (Prairie Grass Café), Laurence Noguier (Bistronomic), Jodi Fyfe (The Paramount Group)

Offering: Surprise multi-restaurant four-course ($85) or eight-course ($160) for two.

Get your tickets now!

The Lodge is turning 64! 64 years of peanut shells being thrown on the floor, bullpen bricks being signed, and jukebox tunes being sung! Join us on Saturday, February 27th at 5pm to celebrate 64 years of The Lodge Tavern and everything that comes with it. Can't join in person? There are two virtual options to celebrate and support your favorite Chicago tavern! Click HERE for tickets and more details.

Join The Chopping Block for a virtual cooking class as you either cook along with a Chopping Block Chef in real time, or watch as a demonstration as the chef teaches you how to make risotto from scratch via Zoom.

Menu:

• Risotto with Sautéed Mushrooms and Spinach

• Mixed Green Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Skills covered in class:

• Working with arborio rice

• Sautéing mushrooms

• Working with dark, leafy greens

• Preparing vinaigrette

• Balancing flavors