Lookingglass Theatre, Frontera Grill and Silverguy Entertainment present the return of Rick Bayless in Cascabel: DinnerDaringDesire, the theatrical adventure featuring a feast, world-class circus acts and a love story starring celebrity chef Rick Bayless that premiered in spring 2012. The culinary/theatrical experience runs at the Goodman Theatre's Owen Bruner Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., for four weeks only, July 30-Aug. 24. Tickets to Rick Bayless in Cascabel are now available at www.lookingglasstheatre.org, by phone at 312-337-0665 or at the box office at Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave.
The 13th annual Taste of River North will take place July 18-20. Thousands are expected for the event ( $5 admission ), which encompasses A. Montgomery Ward Park, 630 N. Kingsbury St., and the surrounding streets. Among the restaurants that have already committed are Kinzie Chophouse, Sholado, BlackFinn Ameripub, The Melting Pot, Taco Joint and Pranzi. Go to www.tasteofrivernorth.com or call 312-633-2600.
On Saturday, May 24, the second annual West Loop Craft Beer Fest will take place on Clinton Street in front of the French Market between Lake Street and Washington Avenue, 12-5 p.m. The festival celebrates the conclusion of the Fifth Annual Chicago Craft Beer Week, which the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild organizes. Tickets are $50-$75, and include 20 tastings; visit westloopcraftbeerfest.brownpapertickets.com .
Japonais by Morimoto, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto's new restaurant, has unveiled a new lounge called the Blue Room. Located adjacent to the breathtaking River Walk, the Blue Room will also display national and local painters, sculptors and photographers in a bimonthly revolving art show. The Blue Room is open seven nights a week starting at 5 p.m., and is available for private events. Visit www.japonaismorimoto.com .
The Fifth Annual Chicago Craft Beer Week runs through May 25. Among the many business taking part are Firkin, Monk's Pub, Division Ale House, Public House, Hopleaf Bar, Addison's Bigby's Pour House and Burbank's Chuck's Voodoo Lounge. See chibeerweek.com .
La Brea Bakery is celebrating its 25th anniversary by bringing its fresh-baked bread to Chicago for a week-long "Breaking Bread" sampling tour beginning May 29. La Brea Bakery brand ambassadors will visit hot spots around the city handing out free, fresh-baked bready. The bakery will be sharing updates from the tour using #BreakingBread, and invites fans to follow along on Twitter and Instagram @labreabakery.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation ( JBF ); Don Welsh, president/CEO of Choose Chicago; and Sam Toia, president/CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, to announce that the James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception will be held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on May 4, 2015. This will be the first year the prestigious JBF Restaurant and Chef Awards Gala will be held outside New York City.
The first-ever Mac & Cheese Fest will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the UIC Forum from noon to 3 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. Visit www.macandcheesechicago.com or contact Melinda@raymiproductions.com .
Anteprima, 5316 N. Clark St.in honor of its seventh anniversaryis offering some of its mainstay dishes that have been on the menu since the beginning for seven dollars through May 24. Among the dishes are grilled octopus, house-selected antipasti, orecchiette, housemade ravioli and grilled polenta. See www.anteprimachicago.net .
El Mariachi Tequila Bar, 3906 N. Broadway, has announced a partnership with Sorbetsmith for Chicago's first-ever "Almost Summer" sorbet dinner. The event is Thursday, May 22, at 7 p.m., and plantain-crusted halibut and sorbet tacos will be among the dishes offered. The cost is $45 per person; call 773-549-2932 or email jose@elmariachitequilabar.com .
The dec Rooftop Lounge + Bar at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, 160 E. Pearson St., has opened with completely new food and beverage menus. Situated 12 stories above Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile, The dec features views and a mixologist-driven cocktail program. Among the eats are snacks, salads, flatbreads and burgers/sandwiches. Visit www.fourseasons.com/chicagorc/dining/lounges/thedecrooftoploungebar/ .
Tuscany Restaurant in Wheeling, 550 S. Milwaukee Ave., now has a gluten-free menu. Menu items range from $7 to $23 each, and highlights include Pollo alla Parma, Scaloppine alla Marsala, gluten free pizza and more. Visit www.tuscanychicago.com/tuscany-wheeling.
LagerJam IV will return to Mahoney's Pub & Grille on Sunday, June 1, 12-3 p.m., and this fourth installment will benefit Variety: The Children's Charity. ( LagerJam IV is an afternoon of craft beer and sausage sampling. ) LagerJam IV will provide patrons, ages 21 and over, a variety of three-ounce samples of 25 craft beers per person, paired with bite-sized samples of complementing sausages for $25 per person. Visit www.EventBrite.com, keyword: LAGER JAM.
On Saturday, June 14, South Water Kitchen will host a special five-course Father's Day Eve Beer Dinner, 5-10 p.m. Each course of the menu, crafted by Executive Chef Roger Waysok and Head Bartender/Certified Cicerone Dan Rook, is infused with local craft beer. The cost is $68/person; visit www.southwaterkitchen.com or call 312-236-9300.
This Father's Day, dads will be celebrated while enjoying new Head Chef Jérome Bacle's three-course seasonal meat-centric Father's Day Dinner Menu at Bistronomic, 848 N. Wabash Ave. Showcasing a variety of French techniques, the carnivore-focused menu will be available 5-9 p.m. on Sunday, June 15. Reservations are available through OpenTable.com, and are strongly recommended.
Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com or follow on Twitter @Azygous60610.