—Booth One, 1301 N. State Pkwy., is hosting a South African wine tasting in the Library Bar on Thursday, Oct. 11, 6-8 p.m. Each glass will be paired with regionally inspired two-bite hors d'oeuvres with sommelier Seth Wilson. Tickets are $35 each; visit BoothOne.com .
—Pheasant pie has returned this season to Tortoise Supper Club, 350 N. State St. The dish is prepared with hand-pulled Wisconsin pheasant, baked in a buttery crust and served with a foie-gras brandy sauce. Visit www.tortoisesupperclub.com .
—Truluck's Seafood, Steak, and Crab House—known for its signature Florida stone crab—has opened its second Chicago-area location, in Rosemont's burgeoning Pearl District. Truluck's Rosemont, located south of Balmoral Avenue and west of the Tri-State Tollway, is a two-story, 12,000-square-foot edifice. Other dishes include miso-glazed sea bass served with crab-fried rice and chilled cucumber slaw; Holland White Dover sole topped with blistered heirloom cherry tomatoes and shaved garlic; Hawaiian ahi tuna; Alaskan king crab; and South African lobster tails, to name a few.
—Some like it hot: Nando's has introduced PERi-PERi VUSA, its hottest sauce ever and with the highest concentration of PERi-PERi peppers. Named 'Vusa,' which means "excitement and fire" in Zulu, the new sauce also contains classic ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. Previously, Nando's hottest offering was its XX Hot PERi-PERi Sauce at its condiment station.
—In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month as part of in Good Taste supporting the Lynn Sage Foundation, Lincoln Park spot Gemini is donating a portion of its raspberry creme brulee sales during October. Also, all Stan's Donuts & Coffee spots will donate a portion of sales of their strawberry glazed donuts.
—The next Lakehouse Dinner Series at Cindy's, 12 S. Michigan Ave., will take place Wed., Oct. 10, 6-9 p.m. Inspired by lakehouse dinner parties, this quarter Cindy's Executive Chef Christian Ragano, Chef de Cuisine Keith Potter, Pastry Chef Jove Hubbard and Beverage Manager David Mor host a new guest chef: Chef di Cucina Carolina Diaz, of Terzo Piano at the Art Institute of Chicago. The menu consists of classic cocktail pairings and five-seven courses for $125, tax and gratuity not included; for ticket reservations, email Beverage Manager David Mor at dmor@chicagoathletichotel.com, or call Cindy's at 312-792-3502.
—Virgin Hotels Chicago's restaurant/bar Commons Club has launched Between the Buns, a guest chef series featuring special limited-time items from four Chicago chefs, including Moosah Reaume ( Commons Club ), Todd Stein ( Nonna's; The Bristol ), Rob Levitt ( Butcher & Larder ) and Art Smith ( Blue Door Kitchen & Garden ). A portion of proceeds from the most-ordered item will be donated to the winning chefs' charity of choice at the end of the series ( Nov. 4 ). Each item will cost $12 and will be available while supplies last in Commons Club at 5-10 p.m. See virginhotels.com/chicago/dine-and-drink/the-commons-club/ .
—Wine Riot presented by Delta Amex Perks will return to Chicago Oct. 19-20 at Revel Fulton Market, 1215 W. Fulton Market, offering a line-up of educational programs designed to take the intimidation out of building one's wine wisdom, along with wine selections from exhibitors like St. James Winery, Fincas La Moras, Blu Nun 24K, Michele Chiarlo and more. Wines will be paired alongside dynamic bites from some Chicago's top restaurants. See WineRiot.com .
—Craft-cocktail lounge Tinker to Evers has opened at 3473 N. Clark St., just below Union Full Board. Seating about 40, guests can grab a seat at the walnut-and-brass bar or at one of the custom-made velvet tufted banquettes. The drink menu includes a wide range of unique local spirits, as well as 14 unique craft cocktails with playful names that offer subtle nods to baseball and all things Americana—including the Empress of Blues ( a tribute to singer Bessie Smith that includes Yama Japanese whiskey, amontillado sherry, Drambuie and lavender syrup. Visit http://unionpizza.com/tinker-to-evers.
—Francesca's Restaurants on Wed., Oct. 17, will celebrate National Pasta Day with select pasta dishes for $12.95 each. Fettuccine al Funghetto and Rigatoni con Scarola, among others. See www.miafrancesca.com .
—The James Beard Foundation's Taste America will present an inaugural kick-off reception on Thursday, Oct. 25, 6-9 p.m., at The Lakewood, 1758 W. Lake St. "Raising the Bar—James Beard Foundation Celebrates Women Shaking Up Chicago's Beverage Scene," will welcome mixologists such as Julieta Campos ( The Whistler ), Natalia Cardenas ( Breakthru Beverage ), Jarmel Doss ( Aviary ), Julia Momose ( Oriole, Kumiko ) and Alpana Singh ( Master Sommelier and Host of Check Please! ) while launching the full weekend of Taste America events. Tickets are $100 each; visit https://www.jamesbeard.org/events/taste-america-chicago-kick-off.
—The Trotter Project is presenting its Second Annual Excellence Gala on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 5:30 p.m. at at Revel Fulton Market, 1215 W. Fulton Market—and the evening celebrating the achievements of culinary scholarship recipients as well as the legacies of Chefs Charlie Trotter and Homaro Cantu will feature headlining Chef Andoni Luis Aduriz. Andoni's visit is supported by a team of alumni from both Charlie Trotter's restaurant and Chef Homaro Cantu's Moto, as well as The Trotter Project culinary supporters; this all-star team is led by host of Cooking Channel's Carnival Kings and Top Chef's Richie Farina. Tickets are $500 each; visit TheTrotterProject.org/excellence-gala-2018/ .
—Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe St., will host a Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 27. Guests will enjoy a $30 per person package from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. that includes call drinks, Miller Lite drafts, wine and an appetizer buffet. Halloween costumes are highly encouraged. For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/commonwealth-tavern-halloween-party-tickets-50712955816.
—On Tuesday, Oct. 30, 7-10 p.m., HopCat-Chicago, 2577 N. Clark St., will host its Ravinia Beer Dinner, featuring fall comfort foods with specially selected beers from Highland Park-based Ravinia Brewing Company. Guests can enjoy a five beer, four-course menu for $40 per person; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beer-dinner-w-ravinia-tickets-49153105261.
—Yes, Thanksgiving will be here soon. To that end, Fairmont Chicago-Millennium Park, 200 N. Columbus Dr., is offering a chef-made "Thanksgiving at Home Dinner." Diners can order, pick-up and experience a holiday spread prepared by Fairmont Chicago Executive Chef Sean Curry, complete with an American Bronze turkey, a variety of side dishes, dessert and more, on Thursday, Nov. 22. The Thanksgiving at Home Dinner package costs $275 plus tax and serves eight; people can visit fairmontchicago.wufoo.com/forms/z169kzka15atqzv/ and place orders through Friday, Nov. 16.
Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com, or follow on Twitter @Azygous60610 or on Instagram at azygous333.
