—To celebrate National Wine & Cheese Day, July 25, Spiaggia and Cafe Spiaggia ( 980 N. Michigan Ave. ) have various cheese-centric dishes. Spiaggia has caviale e burrata ( golden osetra caviar, burrata and chive ), rabarbaro ( cheesecake, strawberry escabeche, mousse and basil ) and the Dolci Board ( crostata, cheese, fruit and crackers ). Cafe Spiaggia will have items such as charcuterie, burrata, cacio d pepe and chicken parmigiana.
—Barrel Aged Hospitality—consisting of the father and son duo behind Slightly Toasted and Little Toasted—have opened Asadito, a modern taqueria and tequila bar, at 30 N. Clinton St. Asadito is serving eight margaritas on its cocktail menu, with selections ranging from mezcal to blood orange to fresh avocado, and each include its own signature tajin. With its extensive list of tequila and mezcal, Asadito can shake more than 2,000 margarita options for guests. Dishes include al pastor tacos, churros, carnitas and more. The restaurant is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday.
—A joint venture between chefs Yoshi Yamada ( Lula Cafe, Blackbird, Babbo ), Zeeshan Shah ( The Biscuit Man, Old Town Social, The Bristol ) and Jason Hammel ( Lula Cafe, Marisol, Pilot Light ), Superkhana International ( 3059 W. Diversey Ave. ) has opened. The spot aims to celebrate Indian flavors, local cooking and the culinary connections between India and the United States. Some dishes include French Fry Manchurian, dhokia and turnips, pork-belly vindaloo and chapli kebob salad. See SuperkhanaChicago.com .
—Play Kitchen & Cocktails, 7 W. Division St., is now open, serving eclectic and creative representations of classics paired with an approachable craft cocktail menu in Chicago's Gold Coast. In addition to drinks, there are culinary items such as the 24-Karat Gold Wings and the Surf and Turf Burger. Encouraging guests to "play all day," One of the more innovative drinks is The Scorpion shot—which features an actual edible scorpion; another is the Neon Black, which has salt foam and elements of charcoal.
—ROOF on theWit—on the 27th floor of theWit Hotel, 201 N. State St.—is unveiling a brand-new renovation that includes a new open-air space, The Gallery. To help celebrate the new renovation, ROOF is hosting the 6th Annual Official Lollapalooza After Party featuring DJ/songwriter Jonas Blue on Saturday, Aug. 3, with doors opening at 9 p.m. In addition to beats and a nightclub vibe, there will be dishes such as lobster paella, spring-pea mint ravioli and shrimp croquettes.
—Bird's Eye Bar & Grill has opened at Lincoln Park Zoo. The 6,000-square-foot eatery, previously known as Café at Wild Things!, showcases an outdoor pavilion setup, giving a bird's eye view of the zoo grounds. Items range from specialties such as burgers and BBQ sandwiches, to vibrant salads and satisfying flatbreads; beer, wine and a variety of non-alcoholic beverages are also available. In addition to food, the new pavilion offers activities and games.
—Parelta Hospitality, LLC has announced that new American cuisine dining destination Harbor, will open in the fall in the former Gioco space at 1312 S. Wabash Ave. Harbor will offer a locally sourced menu by chef/partner Anthony Bernal ( Mastro's Steakhouse ) and a unique beverage program—both influenced by the Great Lakes and the founders' personal passion for sailing. The beverage menu will feature more than 50 wines from around the world, including 16 wines by the glass. Harbor will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. — 11 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 4 p.m. — 12 a.m., with lunch and brunch hours being added soon. For more information or to make a reservation, visit HarborChicago.com .
—In recognition of Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" this July, aliveOne, 2683 N. Halsted St., will offer drink specials including Dogfish Head American Beauty for $5 each and a "Jaws" cocktail for $8 with CH Key Gin, demerara syrup, fresh lime juice and grapefruit La Croix. Also, Castaways, 1603 N. Lake Shore Dr., will offer a special "The Hammerhead" cocktail ( Captain Morgan coconut rum, pineapple juice and blue curacao ) for $9 each during July 28-Aug. 4.
—At Shore Club, 1603 N. Lake Shore Dr., Shark Week ( July 28-Aug. 3 ) will be celebrated with Deep Blue Freeze ( $14 )—a blue take on the restaurant's Frozignon Blanc frozen cocktail topped with shark fin gummies. Shore Club will donate $1 from every Deep Blue Freeze cocktail sold to the Shedd Aquarium. Also, Shark Week programming will be playing on the TVs throughout the week.
—The Albert, 228 E. Ontario St., is celebrating summer with a special "BBQ on the Patio" event at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30. Highlights on the menu include pastrami pork belly, Wagyu brisket, chicken leg confit, grilled octopus, pickled cole slaw, elotes, watermelon walnut salad, Hawaiian rolls and lemon meringue pie. Patio Punch, Bell's Two Heart Tall Boy and Bell's Oberon Tall Boy will also be available for guests to enjoy. Tickets to the event are $75 per person; call 312-471-3883.
—The First Annual Trotter Project Beer Fest, presented by Helios Construction, will debut at The Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Ave., from 1:30-5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11. The ticketed feast and imbibe event is the official kick-off for Charlie Trotter Days, which returns Aug. 11-18. Tickets are $35 for the Aug. 11 event; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trotter-project-beer-fest-tickets-63883105087.
—The Signature Room, 875 N. Michigan Ave., will host its annual Air & Water Show VIP Viewing Party on Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 17-18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Buffet offerings feature a gourmet spread of brunch items from Executive Chef Cardel Reid including chilled shrimp, fresh seasonal salads, artisan cheeses, and various Chicago-inspired dishes, followed by a variety of desserts and fresh fruit. Tickets are $175 per person ( inclusive of tax and gratuity ) per day and include an all-you-can-eat buffet, a premium bar package and reserved seating. Guests must be 21 or older. To RSVP, call 312-280-0465.
—There is a new Picnic in the Park menu from Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 N. Columbus Dr. Created by chefs from its in-house gastropub, Columbus Tap, the Deluxe Park Totes for Two offers the menu for $67 through Sept. 2. Fairmont's Deluxe Park Tote for Two features a variety of dishes, including charcuterie featuring two meats;, two cheeses; a small baguette and assorted olives; Columbus Tap's rotisserie chicken salad with kale; and a choice of dessert such as a slice of flourless chocolate cake, slice of Chicago style cheesecake or the chef's choice. Diners may also choose between a bottle of Robert Mondavi Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon, and enjoy two bottles of Fairmont spring water. They can be reserved 24 hours in advance; visit fairmontchicago.wufoo.com/forms/2019-picnic-in-the-park/ .
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