Big Jones, 5347 N. Clark St., will hold the next event in its whiskey dinner series Thursday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m. ( with a 6:30 reception ) . It will feature special guest Harlen Wheatley, master distiller of Buffalo Trace Distillery. Among the food items will be fried green tomatoes; barbecued mutton; and a shortcake of heirloom buckwheat and ham drippings. The cost is $50 ( including tax and gratuity ) ; call 773-275-5725.
Cru Cafe & Wine Bar, 25 E. Delaware St., has reopened after a brief hiatus. Lunch highlights include grilled salmon skewers ( mixed greens, shaved seasonal vegetables ) , salad Lyonnaise ( crispy pork belly, poached eggs ) and a lobster sandwich. Dinner items include duck breast with polenta, grilled broccoli and hazelnuts; and scallops with pork belly, lemongrass and bok choy. See www.CruWineBar.com .
The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group is marking summer with the introduction of its new menu features at its nine locations. ( In Chicago, it's at 318 N. State St. ) Among the array of new starters include the "Salmon Three Ways"gravlax marinated in Gosling's Rum and citrus, pastrami salmon with a spice rub and ceviche with lime and red onion; and the "Jumbo Lump Crab Cake," which is served with cognac mustard and ginger sauces. See www.smithandwollensky.com/sw-chicago.
Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., has announced its line-up of "Odd Bit Monday" specials for June. Items will include beef cheek ( June 11 ) , fried gator ribs ( June 18 ) and lamb neck gyro ( June 25 ) . See www.FrontierChicago.com .
The inaugural Chicago Craft Beer Festival will take place Friday-Sunday, June 29-July 1, on the grounds of St. Michael, 1633 N. Cleveland St. The festival will take on a Chicago-meets-Belgian beer fest theme and also include food, music and arts and crafts. General admission for the festival is $5; see www.ChicagoEvents.com .
Fulton's on the River, 315 N. LaSalle St., is bringing back its "Get Baked On The River" Summer Clambake Seriesan all-you-can-eat clambake with two ice-cold libations for $35. The series will continue July 10 and Aug. 7, 5-8 p.m. Items include assorted clams with brown butter bread crumbs, mussels, corn on the cob, roasted potatoes, shrimp, chilled watermelon salad, boursin potato salad and honey jalapeño cornbread. Call 312-822-0100 or visit www.fultonsontheriver.com .
Shaw's Crab House is celebrating Maine lobsters this summer at its annual Lobster Festival. Stop by a Shaw's location ( Chicago or Schaumburg ) June 1-July 31 to enjoy lobster specials, such as Shaw's New England lobster boil ( $36.99 per person, plus tax and gratuity, minimum two people ) . See www.shawscrabhouse.com .
ItaliAsia will host the fifth installment of its monthly cooking demos Thursday, May 24, at 350 W. Mart Center Dr. Chef Johnny Foster will showcase two of his favorite Asian dishes from the ItaliAsia menu: Mongolian Tenderloin and Fiery Chicken. The demo is free ( with food samples and wine pairings ) , but enrollment is limited to 40. Email italiasia@martplaza.com .
Vivo, 838 W. Randolph St., has opened its patio for spring and summer outdoor dining. The longtime Italian restaurant has a wine list with European items, and Vivo has private dining rooms that can accommodate 10-150 guests. Call 312-733-3379 or visit www.vivo-chicago.com .
Carmine's, 1043 N. Rush St., is now open for brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Items will range in price from $5 to $14. Offerings will include peppercorn-smoked salmon, breakfast quesadillas, white chocolate raspberry French toast, sausage Benedit and various omelet. See www.rosebudrestaurants.com/rest2.php or call 312-988-7676.
In honor of the brief Wild Alaskan halibut season, Chef/Partner Jason Paskewitz of Gemini Bistro and Rustic House is presenting a variety of seasonal preparations. Sample dishes include pan-seared halibut with pea shoots, roasted baby carrots, caramelized onions and a lemon beurre blanc ( $32 ) at Gemini Bistro. At Rustic House, a pan-seared Atlantic halibut is prepared with a corn purée, sauteed asparagus and shimeji mushrooms ( $28 ) . See www.geminibistrochicago.com and www.rustichousechicago.com .
Brasserie by LM, the recently opened traditional French brasserie in Chicago's Essex Inn at 800 S. Michigan Ave. ( replacing Tribute ) , announces new menu items. Led by Chef Partner Brad Phillips, Brasserie offers a destination for breakfast, lunch, dinner, as well as a menu du jour; and a $25 three-course prix fixe that includes soup or salad, entrée and dessert. See www.BrasseriebyLM.com .
Evanston's Koi, 624 Davis St., is offering three courses for $15 per personavailable every day for guests seated before 6 p.m. The courses are hot and sour or miso soup; house maki roll; and a Chinese plate entree. See www.koievanston.com .
Chicago q, 1160 N. Dearborn St., has launched boxed lunches as part of its catering menu. Boxes include a chicken, brisket or pork sandwich; Pig Powder chips; and a chocolate-chip cookie or an oatmeal with candied bacon cookie. The lunches are $13 each, with a 10-person minimum. See www.DiningIn.com or call 312-642-1160.
Ceres' Table, 4882 N. Clark St., has unveiled its spring menu. Among the items are arancine ( fried risotto balls with artichokes, saffron and taleggio cheese ) , baby artichoke salad, trio of seafood ( salmon, laughing bird shrimp and grilled octopus ) , Skuna Bay salmon, Becker Lane pork chop, goat cheese ravioli, almond tart and Sicilian seafood stew. See www.cerestable.com or call 773-878-4882.
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