Curtis Duffy's West Loop restaurant Grace and Grant Achatz's Lincoln Park fine-dining mecca Alinea retained their ratings of three Michelin starsmarking the best restaurants in the world, according to Crain's Chicago Business. Acadia, 42 Grams and Sixteen each rated two stars; and 17 places garnered one star each, including Boka, Sepia, Spiaggia, Goosefoot, North Pond, Parachute, Naha, Tru, Blackbird and Topolobampo, among others.
On Wed., Nov. 4, at Salero, 621 W. Randolph St., Executive Chef Ashlee Aubin will host a culinary event to benefit the James Beard Foundation. The evening will feature a six-course menu prepared by Aubin and other chefs, including Chris Pandel ( The Bristol, Balena, Formento's and Nonna's ), Matt Kerney ( Longman & Eagle ), Mike Sheerin ( Embeya ), Paul Virant ( Vie, Perennial Virant and Vistro ) and Dana Cree ( 1871 Dairy ). The menu will also include wine pairings selected by Salero's Wine and Service Director Christopher Fisher. The cost is $175 per person; call 312-644-1000 or email events@salerochicago.com to make a reservation.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, at 12 p.m., urbanbelly Owner/Executive Chef Bill will host the second annual Ramenfest, where 20 chefs from across the city will prepare their best ramen dish in hopes of being named this year's ramen winner. A portion of all proceeds from the event ( at 1400 W. Randolph St. ) will benefit Common Threads, the non-profit charity founded by Chicago Chef Art Smith committed to educating underserved communities about different cultures through food and art. Visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2272863 .
Chef/Partner Tony Priolo has updated the menus at Italian restaurants Piccolo Sogno and Piccolo Sogno Due for the fall. Examples of fall additions include Salsiccia Di Cinghiale ( housemade wild-boar sausage, stewed cannellini beans, escarole ); ravioli ( Local squash-filled pasta, brown butter, walnuts, amaretto cookies, sage ); and Pizza Diavolo ( Spicy tomato sauce, salami and freshmozzarella ).
The Harding Tavern, 2732 N. Milwaukee Ave., has an updated fall menu. New items include a lemon chicken burger, scorpion wings, rock shrimp, fish and chips, and the tart of the day. See TheHardingTavern.com .
Jackson Chance Foundation hosted the Third Annual Ping Pong Ball on Oct. 29 at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicagoan evening that consisted of ping-pong, culinary fare and libations, and a live and silent auction. The evening raised more than $215,000 through ticket sales, auction items and donations, with an additional $75,000 of in-kind donations that helped offset event costs. In addition, the foundation recently announced an all-time fundraising goal, raising more than $1 million since its inception in 2012.
Old Town Pour House ( 8 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook ) Corporate Executive Chef Paul Katz and Executive Chef Brian Korey invite the neighborhood to say cheese at the Second Annual "Masters of Mac" Cook-Off on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 4-8 p.m. Katz and Korey will go up against top chefs from the western suburbs to create original mac 'n' cheese recipes to be featured as part of a tasting flight. Each portion will be paired with the chef's choice of craft beer. To make reservations, visit www.oldtownpourhouse.com/oakbrook or call 630-601-1440 .
Devon Seafood Grill, 39 E. Chicago Ave., will host a whiskey tasting on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. Selections featured will include Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon 12 Year, Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey, Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bourbon and Koval Four Grain Whiskey; also, a signature passed appetizer will accompany each tasting, such as corn fritters with parmesan garlic aioli, bourbon-glazed shrimp, grilled goat cheese and bacon sandwich, and beef satay. Tickets are $45; call 312-440-8660.
In recognition of Veterans Day, Municipal, 216 W. Ohio St., will offer veterans 50 percent off their bills; this includes active, former or retired military. In addition, Stretch Bar & Grill, 3485 N. Clark St., is offering 50 percent off veterans' tabs with proof of military ID. See MunicipalBar.com and TheStretchChicago.com .
On Thursday, Nov. 12, LuxeHome, in partnership with Wine Spectator Magazine, presents the ninth annual CHILL: an International Wine & Culinary Event. Proceeds from LuxeHome CHILL will directly benefit the local programming ofThe Lynn Sage Foundation, Saturday Place and the Respiratory Health Association. CHILL 2015 will be 6-8:30 p.m. at the Merchandise Mart; tickets ( $95 ) can be purchased at www.microspec.com/tix123/eTic.cfm .
Meals on Wheels Chicago ( MOWC ) will be hosting 60 of Chicago's chefs and more than a dozen mixologists at its 27th annual Celebrity Chef Ball on Friday, Nov. 13, 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m., at Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N. Morgan St. In addition to tastings, guests will also enjoy a silent auction, photo booth and more. Featured chefs will include Bill Kim ( Belly Q ), Danny Meija ( MFK ), Tony Priolo ( Piccolo Sogno ) and Paul Virant ( Perennial Virant ), among others. Visit www.mealsonwheelschicago.org .
Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., is closed on Thanksgiving Day but Executive Chef Brian Jupiter will offer guests the option to order whole smoked Amish Turkeys To-Go which are available for pick up on Thanksgiving Day from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Orders must be placed by Nov. 23; call 773-772-4322.
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in Oak Brook ( 2105 Spring Rd. ) will offer a special three-course menu from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Menu options include roasted butternut and acorn squash soup; roasted turkey served family style with house-made cranberry sauce, candied yams, roasted green beans with almonds, mashed potatoes and seasonal stuffing; chocolate mousse parfait, pumpkin pie and apple purse. The price is $20-$40; see GibsonsSteakhouse.com .
Devon Seafood Grill, 39 E. Chicago Ave., is offering, for the Thanksgiving holiday, a menu ( 11 a.m.-8 p.m. ) that includes three courses of holiday favorites at $38 for adults and $19 for children ages 4-12, plus tax and gratuity. Items will include butternut squash soup, Maine lobster bisque, turkey, cornbread-and-sausage stuffing and cheesecake with fruit compote, among other items. Visit www.DevonSeafood.com/Chicago .
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