THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

—Chicago chef Judson Todd Allen died of a suspected heart attack on May 5 at age 36, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. A finalist on "The Next Food Network Star" television series, Allen also was the culinary lead at the West Loop restaurant Taste 222. Regarded as an "architect of flavor," Allen's cuisine focused on using spices to make delicious healthy food. It's a culinary creed that helped him drop from close to 400 pounds to 210 and keep the weight off for 14 years.

—Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13—and practically every restaurant will have some sort of special. For example, Cochon Volant Brasserie, 100 W. Monroe St., will a special roasted crab Benedict ( $24.95; asparagus, espelette hollandaise ) alongside brunch favorites like the super green Benedict ( $15.95; avocado, spinach, crispy artichoke ) and the blueberry quinoa pancakes ( $13.95; warm berries, agave syrup ). Call 312-754-6560 to RSVP for brunch, which is 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

—Italian restaurant 312 Chicago, 136 N. LaSalle St., will be treating moms to complimentary mimosas—or Momosas, on Sunday, May 13. Located in the Loop's Theater District and adjacent to the Kimpton Hotel Allegro, Chef Luca Corazzina will also be serving a variety of brunch specials in addition to the regular menu's offerings, such as fresh pasta and bread ( made in-house daily ), brioche French toast with cinnamon-cream cheese, shortrib hash and buttermilk pancakes. There's a limit of one mimosa per mom. See 312chicago.com .

—French spot Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., will offer a special three-course, prix fixe brunch menu on Mother's Day for $42 per person or $56 per person with bottomless mimosas ( 90-minute limit ), exclusive of tax and gratuity. A $20 two-course menu will be available for children under the age of 10. RSVP at 312-944-8400.

—The Florentine, 151 W. Adams St. ( in the JW Marriott hotel ), invites all the special ladies for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 13, to celebrate with a featured menu filled with Italian dishes. Among the dishes will be salmone ( $29 ), with baby cucumbers, Fresno chili, Greek yogurt and fennel vinaigrette; and risotto ( $28 ) with pork belly, fava beans, saffron broth and a sunny-side egg. Call 312-660-8866.

—The Albert, 228 E. Ontario St., is honoring all mothers with a special brunch on Sunday, May 13. In celebration of the day, Hotel EMC2's contemporary restaurant will be extending its brunch menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be offering special amenities for all mothers in attendance. To make a reservation, visit TheAlbertChicago.com .

—Mother's Day programming at West Loop's Ace Hotel Chicago, 311 N. Morgan St., will include photos for mom by Chicago photographer Jen Jansen at her pop-up tintype shop in the Gallery space of the hotel at 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday-Sunday, May 12-13. ( Miniature portraits are for $50, and 4" x 5" photos for $100; email jenjansenphoto@gmail.com . ) Also, restaurant City Mouse will offer a selection of specialty dishes for brunch, including roasted asparagus with egg-yolk jam, XO and kumquats ( $9 ); shrimp and popcorn grits with a fried egg, pea tendrils and marinated tomatoes ( $17 ); and a chocolate glazed strawberry old-fashioned doughnut ( $4 ).

—Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe St., will host a family-friendly Mother's Day brunch on Sunday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adults can purchase a $3 build-your-own mimosa bar and $6 build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. Brunch highlights will include brunch schnitzel, Belgian waffles and more; the kid's menu ranges in price from $5 to $6, with options like bacon and eggs, grilled cheese, mini cheese burgers and chicken fingers. See CommonwealthChicago.com .

—Winnetka spot Michael, 64 Green Bay Rd., is offering a Mother's Day dinner. Dinner will be available 4-8 p.m., and is $68 per guest and $34 for children under 10. ( Restaurant Michael will additionally be hosting a special prix fixe brunch menu 11 a.m-2:30 p.m. Brunch is $58/guest and $29 for children under 10. ) Dinner items include casoulet of scallops, spring mushrooms & asparagus tips, mushroom cream sauce; twin tempura soft-shell crabs, wild rice, lemon caper beurre blanc sauce; and hot fallen chocolate souffle and butterscotch gelato, among other items. See RestaurantMichael.com .

—For Mother's Day, Bernie's Lunch & Supper, 660 N. Orleans St., will offer brunch at 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Noteworthy items include Lox & Pita ( $16; caper schmear, red onion, cucumber, parsley-sumac salad ), Croque Madame ( $14; Coppa ham, Gruyere, sunny-side egg on sourdough ), brioche French toast ( $10; caramelized brioche, seasonal jam, maple Syrup ) and doughnuts ( $5 ). Call 312-624-9892.

—Steak 48, 615 N. Wabash Ave., will have a special Mother's Day brunch on Sunday, May 13. The custom brunch menu features a selection of elevated appetizers, salads, brunch entrees and sides. Guests can indulge in dishes such as the fresh burrata with tomato jam, smoked sea salt and pickled onion; superfood salad with baby arugula and kale, sriracha sunflower seeds, seasonal berries, goat cheese and champagne fig dressing; and bone-in filet mignon with a fried egg. See steak48.com/steakhouses/chicago/ .

—Tarralyn Jones, cancer survivor and the mother of Chicago Bear Christian Jones, and NBC-5's Zoraida Sambolin, also a cancer survivor, are hosting Mother's Day High Tea Brunch on Sunday, May 13, 1-3 p.m., at The Drake, 140 E. Walton Pl. Admission is $100-$150; visit mothersdayteachicago.eventbrite.com . The dress code is upscale, and hats are encouraged.

—Chicagoans can celebrate National Burger Month this May at Estelle's, 2013 W. North Ave., with half-price burgers on Mondays and a $10 Loaded Nacho Burger special on Sundays. Half-price burgers on Mondays include the Patty Melt ( Swiss cheese, grilled onions served on Texas toast; normally $10 ), and the Surfer Rosa Burger ( portobello, Swiss, red pepper; normally $12 ), among others. See EstellesChicago.com .

—Boxcar Betty's, the Charleston fried-chicken sandwich joint, is due to arrive later this month at Ogilvie Transportation Center, 500 W. Madison St. This will be the first Boxcar Betty's outside of South Carolina. The 22-seat, counter-service restaurant on the concourse level will be open seven days a week, serving sandwiches, sides and sweets. The Chicago location, the first of several planned, also will offer a few things the Charleston spots don't, including a buttermilk biscuit breakfast sandwich and milkshakes.

—After last year's summer pop-up preview of their inaugural dining concept, Chef/Partner Charles Welch ( Sepia, mk Restaurant ) and fellow Out To Lunch Hospitality partners Andrew Miller and Hector Gonzalez announced that Good Fortune has found a permanent home at 2528 N. California Ave. The 2,000-square-foot interior will seat 49, and will include an intimate nine-seat bar as well as an open kitchen, custom furniture and lighting, and a glass-enclosed wine room. It's slated to open this summer.

—On Wed., May 16, Roanoke, 135 W. Madison St., at 6 p.m., will host a four-course wine dinner featuring wines from the California based Prisoner Wine Company. Dishes will include spring vegetable salad, BBQ beef shortrib, rack of lamb and chocolate budino. Admission is $100 each; email baloui@roanokehospitality.com .

—Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, 1482 N. Milwaukee Ave., will host a beer pairing dinners with Forbidden Root Brewery on Wed., May 16 at 6 p.m. Dishes are slated to include tsukemono, chicken karaage with spicy mayo, deep-fried oyster with wasabi tartar sauce, garlic ramen and Japanese shaved ice. Admission is $45 each; visit ttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/kizuki-ramen-forbidden-root-beer-ramen-pairing-dinner-tickets-45448493668.

—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.

—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 .

—FRIO Gelato's Lake View location, 3721 N. Southport Ave., will celebrate one year at that address Saturday, May 19. From noon to 10 p.m., FRIO will give away two-ounce scoops of the Argentine gelato ( one per customer ). See FrioGelato.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 .

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