—James Beard Award-nominated Chef Brian Jupiter is teaming with one of TIME Magazine's Next Generation Leaders, Chef Tunde Wey, to host "Hotter than a Mother Clucker: a Collaborative Dinner and Discussion" at Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., on Thursday, Nov. 7, with seatings at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. The chefs are partnering with My Block, My Hood, My City for this event; attendees will be encouraged to abandon their comfort zones and will be seated based on the neighborhood they live in, with the goal of connecting people with different backgrounds, levels of income, and race. Tickets are $45 each; visit TheFrontierChicago.com/happenings/ .
—After seven years, La Sirena Clandestina ( La Sirena ), 954 W. Fulton St., will close on the eve of the new decade following a New Year's Eve 2020 celebration. ( The cost of doing business in the West Loop became too prohibitive for the independent 40-seat restaurant. ) Among the upcoming events are Mas Pop-up Dinners on Nov. 29-30, spontaneous live music performances, a return of the menu's greatest hits ( such as the pork Milanesa ), a final run of merchandise and "NYE: The Last Sirena Supper." Email Jack Mercola at jack@lasirenachicago.com to make reservations for the final event.
—Founders Brewing Company settled a lawsuit with a former employee who claimed he was called the N-word by co-workers, denied a promotion because of his race and ultimately fired when he told a manager he was going to human resources, NBC News reported. The Grand Rapids, Michigan, company announced in a statement that the suit filed by Tracy Evans was dismissed after the two parties came to an agreement under undisclosed terms. In a deposition regarding Evans' claims, Founders' General Manager Dominic Ryan said he could not definitively say whether Evans is Black; when the interviewer continued to question Ryan and asked the manager if he knew whether Michael Jordan and former President Barack Obama are Black, he responded that he had never met them.
—Buffalo Wild Wings is firing the employees involved in an incident at its Naperville restaurant after a group claimed they were asked to change tables because of their skin color, ABC7Chicago.com reported. A group of mostly African-American people were celebrating a birthday party at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Naperville when they allege they were asked to change tables because of their skin color.
—Steve Easterbrook is out as McDonald's CEO/president after the board determined that he violated company policy, CNN reported. Easterbrook, who became CEO in 2015, "demonstrated poor judgment involving a recent consensual relationship with an employee," McDonald's said in a statement. He has "separated" from the company and has been replaced in both roles by Chris Kempczinski, effective immediately.
—Umami Burger has revamped its menu for the first time in a decade with new burgers, shareables and drinks in both Chicago locations ( 945 W. Randolph St. and 480 N. Milwaukee Ave. ). Among the new items are the Plain and Simple burger ( American cheese, pickle chips, minced onions, miso mustard and umami ketchup ), cauliflower bites and the Mule Royale cocktail ( with Stoli vodka, creme de fraise, ginger beer and arugula ). See UmamiBurger.com .
—Virgin Hotels Chicago's Commons Club, 203 N. Wabash Ave., has a new fall menu—and, for the first time, has seasonal breakfast ( 7-11 a.m. ) and lunch ( 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ) offerings for local and hotel guests. Breakfast options include the churros French toast, topped with apple compote and honey crisp apples; Broken Benedict, with torn English muffin, fresh asparagus and Duroc ham topped with hollandaise sauce; and a Bloody Mart cart, among other items. Lunch choices include roasted chicken pot pie, with buttermilk biscuit crust; triple meat lasagna; and Chicago-style pork ribs.
—Panango—described as "a joyful, fast casual concept rooted in the Mexican tradition of artisan bread-making—has opened at 720 N. State St. Derived from pan ( bread ), Panango is led by a team of craftsmen and craftswomen from Mexico City. In addition to an array of authentic sweet treats, guests can also enjoy freshly baked loaves of bread, including Macha, Mexican Seeds and Huitlacoche ( corn mushroom bread with charcoal ) variations; there are also sandwiches made with Panango's signature breads as well as salads, healthy bowls, soups and natural snacks.
—Forest Park spot The Heritage, 7403 Madison St., has several dishes that sport the honey from its own rooftop as well as 10 off-site locations in Lake Zurich and Barrington. They include honey pie, nightshade salad ( eggplant, tomato, parmesan foam and honey vinaigrette ), Humboldt fog goat cheese, Herbaceous ( coconut confit chai, honey, sweet orange peel and lemon ), and ricotta and honey toast. See TheHeritageForestPark.com .
—Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry ( an event for those 21 and older ) is returning to Chicago for the 30th year on Friday, Nov. 8, at Revel Fulton Market. Notable chefs like Heather Terhune ( Tre Rivali ) and Justin Sutherland ( Pearl & the Thief ) will be serving items. All of the proceeds support the No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in this country. See events.nokidhungry.org/events/chicagos-taste-nation/ .
—Meals on Wheels Chicago's signature fundraiser, the Celebrity Chef Ball, is taking place Friday, Nov. 8, 6-11:30 p.m. at Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N. Morgan St. The evening of food and philanthropy brings more than 80 top chefs, mixologists and Chicagoans together to help homebound neighbors. Tickets are $200-$400 each; visit MealsOnWheelsChicago.org/ccb.
—The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild announced the return of North America's largest barrel-aged beer festival and competition, the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer ( FoBAB ). It will take place with three tasting sessions Nov. 8-9 at the UIC Forum, 725 W Roosevelt Rd. See FoBAB.com .
—On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, Passion House Coffee Roasters will exclusively be serving Veteran Roasters' Coffee in all three of its Chicago cafes ( Logan Sqaure, Goose Island, Politan Row ). Passion House has partnered with Veteran Roasters Coffee since its inception to help source and roast coffee with its team of all-veteran employees, Bags of their coffee will also be available for purchase. See VeteranRoasters.com and PassionHouseCoffee.com .
—SX Sky Bar, 808 S. Michigan Ave., will host the Chicago Gin Fest on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2-5 p.m. Attendees will enjoy 20+ varieties of gins of various origins and styles. Tickets are $20-$30 each; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-gin-fest-at-sx-sky-bar-tickets-73153290461.
—Dos Urban Cantina, 2829 W. Armitage Ave. will host its fourth-anniversary party Monday, Nov. 18, with seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. The event will feature food and drinks from Dos Urban Cantina, along with a variety of neighbors and friends, including Funkenhausen, The Publican, Superkhana International, Bar Sotano and S.K.Y. Tickets are $45 ( for the 8 p.m. seating ) and $65 ( the 6 p.m. seating ); visit DosUrbanCantina.com .
—True Food Kitchen—the award-winning, seasonally inspired restaurant and bar involved with healthful dining that was founded by integrative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil—announces its second Illinois location, in western Chicago suburb Oak Brook. The 32nd restaurant for the health-driven restaurant brand will open its doors at Oakbrook Center on Wed., Nov. 20. Dishes will include the ancient grains bowl, organic Tuscan kale salad, inside out quinoa burger, spaghetti squash casserole, and the flourless chocolate cake.
—ZED451, 739 N. Clark St., will host a Friendsgiving Feast on Wed., Nov. 27, and Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 28, including a special bar menu and cocktail takeover for football fanatics. Admission is $59/guest for each event, excluding tax and tip. Reservations are recommended; visitZED451.com or call 312-266-6691.
—For Thanksgiving, Shaw's Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard St., has a large carryout menu with appetizers, sides, and pies to go. ( People are urged to order at least 48 hours in advance. ) Shaw's Crab House-Chicago will be open to dine in Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28.
—The Goddess and Grocer has a Thanksgiving catering menu for those who want to opt out of cooking but still entertain guests. A portion of the Thanksgiving menu will be available in stores Nov. 18-Dec. 1. All catering orders must be placed by Monday, Nov. 25, by 5 p.m. To place an order, call 773-292-7100 or email catering@goddessandgrocer.com . Thanksgiving Day deliveries will be available 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
—Texas de Brazil domestic locations will open early at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28, for Thanksgiving. All day, diners will enjoy the family-owned Brazilian steakhouse brand's traditional rodizio-style dinner menu plus standard Thanksgiving dishes including roasted turkey with gravy, cranberry relish and sweet potato casserole. An award-winning wine list, specialty cocktails and desserts are all available a la carte. Dinner pricing varies per location.
—theWit Hotel Executive Pastry Chef Toni Roberts has Thanksgiving desserts available for purchase at ABitOfTheWit.com, and ready for pickup at State and Lake Chicago Tavern, 201 N. State St. Among other things, the menu includes three favorites, including a traditional pumpkin pie ( $20 ); chocolate cream s'more pie ( $24 ); and a Golden Chocolate Peanut Butter Turkey ( $28 )—three pounds of dark Valrhona chocolate filled with a creamy peanut butter filling and dotted with chewy peanut butter Rice Krispie treats.
—For Thanksgiving, Grant Park Bistro, 800 S. Michigan Ave., will be offering a special three-course prix fixe menu for $45 per person ( 50-percent off for those younger than 12 ), excluding tax and gratuity. Items will include mushroom ravioli, roasted turkey, grilled salmon, turkey-and-brioche dressing, apple streusel pie and more. Reservations are recommended and can be made at Resy.com or GrantParkBistro.com .
—This Thanksgiving, Krispy Kreme is making holiday dessert "Easy as Pie" with their new collection of Dutch Apple Pie, Chocolate Kreme Pie and Cherry Pie doughnuts. These treats are available at Chicagoland shops located in Homewood, Evergreen Park, Hillside and Chicago ( at Block 37 ) through Thanksgiving. Also, on Saturday, Nov. 23, guests also can get two dozen doughnuts for $13 while supplies last at Chicagoland shops. Customers can redeem the offer on two Original Glazed dozens or one Original Glazed dozen and one assorted dozen, using a barcode available at www.krispykreme.com/offers/friendsgiving ( limit two redemptions at special price per customer ).
—There will be Breakfast with Santa at Hotel Zachary, 3630 N. Clark St., on Nov. 30-Dec. 22 ( Saturdays and Sundays only ). Admission is $60 each for those 13 and older, and $20 each for those 2-12. Reservations can be made at Resy.com . In addition, there's a Teddy Bear Tea Nov. 30-Dec. 29 ( Saturdays and Sundays only ), with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; admission is $35-$55 each; visit http://bit.ly/327F6mF.
—Chef Ben Goodnick of Summer House Santa Monica, 1954 N. Halsted St., is hosting a four-course white truffle wine dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 7-9:30 p.m. Each of the savory courses will feature white truffles shaved tableside, and all of the dishes will be paired with both an Old and New World wines. The price of the dinner is $75/person, tax and gratuity not included; visit www.leye.com/event/old-vs-new-world-white-truffle-wine-dinner/ .
—Greek spot Avli, which will soon open its latest restaurant concept in River North at 702 N. Wells St., has brought on Greek American chefs John Boudouvas ( Francesca Group; Mia Figlia ) and Billy Alexopoulos ( Maple & Ash; Etta ) to lead culinary operations under Chef/Managing Partner Louie Alexakis. Having had success with the menu in Lincoln Park with popular modern Greek dishes like honey & fig saganaki and Kataifi prawns, the cuisine at Avli in River North will aim to elevate the Greek dining experience in the Midwest and expose diners to a richer palate of Greek flavors.
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