—Stan's Donuts & Coffee has partnered with Passion House Coffee Roasters on two custom coffee roasts that will be freshly brewed in all nine Stan's stores starting Friday, May 18. To celebrate the launch, Stan's is designating May 18 as Free Coffee Day; all guests will get one free cup of coffee each, no purchase necessary, at all nine Stan's locations. See StansDonuts.com .
—In time for the Royal Wedding, Magnolia Bakery is offering a limited-edition royal wedding cupcake and cake. Developed with the same flavor profile that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will have in their wedding cake, the elderflower cake is filled with lemon curd and topped with an elderflower meringue buttercream. Available as a cupcake ( $4.25 ) finished with a beautiful lace cupcake wrapper and crown or cake ( $55-$85 ) finished with pearl borders and a fleur-di-lis design. The royal wedding cupcakes and cake are currently available for advance order, and will be available in stores May 16-May 19.
—Kings Dining & Entertainment will celebrate the newest addition to the Star Wars films with two new force-filled drink features May 25-28. The drinks will be a "Mai Tai Fighter," a spin on the classic Kings Mai Tai with spiced rum, fresh fruit juices, almond liqueur and a dark rum float, complete with a Tai Fighter fruit arrangement for $9.99; the "Did It All for the Wookie" has vanilla vodka, Godiva chocolate liqueur and sweet cream with a Wookie-themed garnish for $8.99.
—Former Chicago athletes Derrek Lee ( Cubs ), Adam Burish ( Blackhawks ) and Dax McCarty ( Fire ) were among those who attended the new Ballast Point Brewing Company Tasting Room & Kitchen in Chicago's Fulton Market District ( 212 N. Green St. ) on May 10. The brewpub itself opened to the public May 15. See www.ballastpoint.com .
—Fat Rice chef/owner Abe Conlon was the only Chicago winner at the James Beard Awards that took place May 7 at Chicago's Lyric Opera building. Chicago chefs and restaurants were finalists in six categories, including all five nominees for Best Chef: Great Lakes, Eater Chicago noted. Boka Restaurant Group ( which includes spots like Girl & the Goat ) went hone empty after getting four nods. The Chew's Carla Hall hosted the ceremony.
—Pork & Mindy's has announced its partnership with music icon Paul Oakenfold. Oakenfold will help develop and position Pork & Mindy's presence abroad and around the world. Also, he will be music curator for the brand, creating a selection of artists and styles of music that will be streamed in all Pork and Mindy's locations as well as online, where it will also be available for purchase.
—This Mental Health Month, people can help support Picking Me Foundation for the 2nd annual Mental ( W )illness Event taking place on Friday, May 18, at Mahoney's Pub & Grille, 551 N. Ogden Ave. , 6:30-9:30 p.m. Picking Me Foundation NFP is a donor-supported nonprofit that spreads awareness and inspires acceptance for body-focused repetitive behaviors, particularly dermatillomania ( also known as skin-picking disorder ). Visit http://pickingme.org/mentalwillness.
—Lottie's Pub, 1925 W. Cortland Ave.—recognized for playing a role on NBC's Chicago Fire as Molly's Bar—has partnered with Spiteful Brewing to releasing the "Molly's By Day IPA." This 5.2 IPA brew will be available seven days a week on draft at Lotties Pub. To celebrate the launch of Molly's By Day IPA, Lotties will host a Happy Hour at 6-9 p.m. on Friday, May 18. Guests can enjoy $3 Molly's By Day IPAs, and can win free Molly's pint glasses and Spiteful Brewery group tours. Additionally, guests and Chicago Fire fans can win the chance to tend bar. For more details and to enter to win, visit Lottie's Pub's Facebook page.
—To kick off Chicago Craft Beer Week ( May 18-25 ), Dove's Luncheonette, 1545 N. Damen Ave., is hosting Burnt City Brewing, a local Lincoln Park brewery, on Wed., May 23, 6-10 p.m. Guests will be welcomed to the Wicker Park diner with a Burnt City can and receive five-ounce pours from each of the taps from the brewery's full takeover, including Face Melter Hibiscus IPA, Balloon Boy Farmhouse Ale as well as a beer from the Sour Series Launch. Dinner will be served buffet style with an assortment of culinary stations prepared by Chef de Cuisine Tom Carlin. Tickets are $40 each; email corina@doveschicago.com .
—Signature '18 at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show—a modern take on the traditional keynote—welcomes 66th Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice for a discussion with National Restaurant Association President/CEO Dawn Sweeney. The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show runs May 19-22 at McCormick Place. For more information about this year's Show, visit https://show.restaurant.org/Home.
—The Chicago Dogs are welcoming the world's second Wiener's Circle location at their home ballpark, Impact Field in Rosemont. The destination will feature the brand's marquee and signature menu items, such as char dogs and char burgers.
—City Barbeque ( citybbq.com ) is gearing up to open its third Chicago area location on May 21 in Deerfield. The newest Chicagoland restaurant, located at 365 Lake Cook Rd., is now accepting applications for all positions; interested applicants can find more information at citybbq.com/careers. City Barbeque Deerfield will be the company's 37th location and will host its grand opening celebration on May 26, with further details to be announced.
—Imperial Lamian, 6 W. Hubbard St., will hold a #TeachMeHowToNoodle class on Tuesday, May 22, at 6-8 p.m. The event begins with a hands-on demonstration, while guests kneed, roll and pull the lamian. From there, the expert chefs boil the noodles to perfection and attendees dig their chopsticks into their own creations. Also, wine is served throughout the evening. Tickets are $59 each; visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3390533.
—Local tribute bands, food, drinks, artisans and a community stage featuring entertainment booked by two neighborhood mainstays ( Berlin nightclub and Trader Todd's ) are on tap for the 34th annual Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest, which will take place May 26-27. The event will take place in the shadow of the Belmont El stop on Sheffield Avenue between Belmont ( 3200 North ) and Roscoe ( 3400 North ), noon-10 p.m.
—Chicago-based non-profit Kitchen Possible—which aims to build empowered mindsets in underprivileged kids through cooking—is partnering with several local restaurants to fund its summer programming. During May, Coalfire Pizza ( with its margherita pizza ), Giant ( short rib ), HaiSous ( canh ga chien and goi du du ), Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab ( strawberry rhubarb pie ), Mi Tocaya Antojeria ( steak burrito ), The Allis ( afternoon tea ) and The Duck Inn ( duck wings and cheese curds ) will each donate a portion of proceeds from those dishes to Kitchen Possible.
—"Rhiannon: The Fleetwood Mac Pop-Up" is taking place ypstairs at the Rookery, 2109 W. Chicago Ave., on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through June 17. Cocktails include the Landslide ( tequila, pineapple-infused rum, coconut rum cream, chocolate accents ), Black Magic Woman ( activated charcoal, gin and lychee liqueur ) and the Tarot Cards & Cocktails Special ( getting tarot cards read while sipping a Rhiannon cocktail ). The pop-up is Fridays at 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Saturdays at 9 p.m.-3 a.m. and Sundays 2-6 p.m.; visit www.facebook.com/events/224764041435212/ .
—Spanish brasserie Bar Biscay has opened its doors and, weather permitting, its patio for brunch. Located in Chicago's West Town neighborhood ( 1450 W. Chicago Ave. ), Bar Biscay is the creation of married duo Scott Worsham and Sari Zernich Worsham, who also own and operate East Lake View's mfk. Brunch dishes include tortilla espanola—the egg and potato frittata of sorts found all over Spain—topped with fried squid; also, sausage is represented but here it's a Basque sausage "bun" with espelette pepper maple syrup. Side dishes range from spinach and goat cheese empanada and fried fingerling potatoes to grilled chicken livers. Dinner items include seafood ( e.g., razor clams ), large plates ( like duck breast ) and various cheeses, among other offerings. See www.barbiscay.com .
—Rooftop spot Aire, 100 W. Monroe St. ( on the 24th floor of Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago ), is featuring a pop-up grill from Kuma's Corner to offer guests a new food experience this year on Saturdays at 4-9 p.m. Aire will continue to serve hand-crafted cocktails, seasonal, shareable plates and local craft beers. Visit Facebook.com/airechicago.
—Tied House, 3157 N. Southport Ave., is now offering weekend brunch. Items include shortrib hash, smoked salmon platter, trumpet mushroom, steak and eggs, avocado toast and breakfast ramen dishes, among others. See www.tiedhousechicago.com .
—Through Sept. 2, Second City, 230 W. North Ave., combines comedy and brunch on Sundays at noon. Tickets for the event ( which includes a 45-minute improv show and bottomless mimosas ) are $40 each; visit www.secondcity.com/shows/chicago/improv-brunch/ .
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