The 2016 Hamburger Hop, sponsored by Buckhead Beef and Blue Moon Brewing Company, kicked off the ninth annual Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet. Chef Martial Noguier of Bistronomic was named the judges' Buckhead Beef Hamburger Hop Award winner with his Le French Burger, while Chef Moosah Reaume of Rosebud Prime earned the People's Choice Award for the Rosebud Patty Melt Slider. Each chef took home a magnum of wine from Josh Cellars, a premium chef's knifeand ultimate bragging rights.
Specials are being offered for National Coffee Day, Sept. 29. Bernie's Lunch and Supper, 660 N. Orleans St., is celebrating with "Living la Vida Mocha" ( $13 ) a coffee cocktail featuring Mesh & Bone Arakku, Creme de Cacao, Luxardo Amaretto di Saschira, black walnut bitters, Sparrow Nitro Frappe and sea salt caramel housemade gelato. Also, Cochon Volant Brasserie, 100 W. Monroe St., will offer a free hot coffee with any bakery purchase, all day. In addition, The Kitchen Bistro, 316 N. Clark St., will have the "Cafe Cinchona," featuring Licor 43, Carpano, NOLA Coffee Liqueur and lemon zest for $12, available all day.
The 28th Annual Oyster Fest Presented by Shaw's Crab House returns to Chicago on Friday, Sept. 30, 3-10 p.m., at the corner of Hubbard and Rush streets in River North. Oyster Fest will feature six varieties of oystersboth East Coast and West Coaston the half shell as well as other festival favorites like king crab bites, lobster rolls, clam chowder, fish tacos and more; there will also be local blues bands including headliner Bumpus. Admission is $20-$50; visit OysterFestChicago.com .
Toni Patisserie and Cafe is marking its fifth anniversary. To mark the occasion, Toni ( which has locations in the Loop and in Hinsdale ) has launched a Five Ways to Celebrate sweepstakes, giving away five different prizes ( including a catered office party for 15 people ). Customers can join Le Club at ToniPatisserie.com by Oct. 31 to enter the sweepstakes. Winners will be announced by mid-November 2016.
Chop Steak House, 1017 S. Delano Ct., invites guests to sample a selection of Heritage wines, appetizers and music from DJ Freddy Phatz on Wed., Sept. 28, 6-8 p.m. For $5, guests can enjoy wine selections, including Bricco Riella Moscato D'asti, Cono Sur Sauvignon Blanc, Tintonegro Malbec and Super-Tuscan Poggio Al Tufo paired with appetizers including bruschetta topped with roma tomatoes, cold-pressed olive oil and Genovese basil; and mini-burgers with mac 'n' cheese.
People are urged to join Edible Chicagoa member of the James Beard Award-winning Edible Communities Publicationsfor a one-day thought forum on how people will source, view and share food in the years to come. The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 1, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. Admission ( $55 ) includes a box lunch; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/edible-institute-2016-tickets-27178926902?err=29.
This October is National Pizza Month, and Parlor Pizza Bar is celebrating by giving back to No Kid Hungry. Throughout October, Parlor will offer an exclusive pizza titled "The Beefer Sutherland" ( $16 ), made with Italian beef, provolone cheese, Italian seasonings and a choice of hot giardiniera or sweet peppers. Available at both the West Loop and Wicker Park locations, $1 from each pizza will be donated to No Kid Hungry, with the goal of raising $10,000 to benefit the organization.
Filini Bar and Restaurant has put together a menu of three special pasta dishes for the Chicago Marathon in addition its pasta and pizza dishe. Chicago Marathon pasta specials include tagliatelle with wild mushrooms, prosciutto di parma and ricotta salata ( $24 ); orzo with caramelized root vegetables, spinach and pecorino grand cru ( $19 ); and oOrecchiette with rapini, pine nuts and parmigiana reggiano ( $19 ), all crafted by the restaurant's new Executive Chef Rick Starr.
Identita Golose returns to the United States for the third annual Identita Chicago on Oct. 1-2. Eataly Chicago, 43 E. Ohio St., will host the event, which features some of Italy's most revered chefs along with esteemed U.S. chefs, all from prominent Michelin-starred restaurants. Admission is $75 for the Oct. 1 master classes, and $150 for the Oct. 2 lunch; see IdentitaGolose.com .
In celebration of National Pasta Month this October, Phil Stefani's Tuscany Restaurants in Chicago, Oak Brook and Wheeling will offer a chef's pasta flight for $20. ( Flight items include fettucine boscaiola, raviolacci di brasato and ziti al salmone. ) The special will be available Sunday, Oct. 2, through Monday, Oct. 31, at lunch and dinner ( Sunday through Friday only, and not valid with any other offers of promotions ).
The River North Business Association will hold its 8th Annual OctoberFeast, a tasting tour, on Tuesday, Oct. 4, with an afterparty at Untitled Supper Club, 111 W. Kinzie St. ( Registration is at Bottled Blonde, 504 N. Wells St., at 5-6 p.m, with the tour taking place 6-9 p.m. ) Some of the restaurants include Kinmont, Siena Tavern, Morton's Steakhouse and Maggiano's Little Italy. Admission is $75 each; visit OctoberFeastChicago.com .
To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Caffe Umbria, 346 N. Clark St., will donate $1 from every 12-ounce bag of Gusto Crema Blend ( $11.50 ) purchased at the cafe in October to the Lynn Sage Foundation's In Good Taste Campaign.
French restaurant Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., will offer a Beaujolais Nouveau three-course prix fixe menu available from Nov. 17-22 beginning at 5 p.m. each evening. The special menu will feature classic French dishes that are designed to be paired with a glass of Beaujolais wine. Seasonal and local ingredients will be used in the three-course menu that also a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau wine for $39 per person. Call 312-944-8400.
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