—Chicago q, 1160 N. Dearborn St., has announced new menu items. Among them are the "BBq" manicotti ($16.75) and the Yukon Gold potato salad ($7.25). Call 312-642-1160.
—Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is offering a Valentine Celebration Dinner Feb. 14-17 for $69.95 per person. Among the items patrons can choose from are citrus-marinated salmon tartar and roasted lobster tail. Visit www.flemingssteakhouse.com .
—On Valentine's Day, Eduardo's Enoteca, 1212 N. Dearborn St., will show the movie Casablanca while offering dinner (in addition to a bottle of Prosecco to go). The dinner and film is $55 per person (not including tax and gratuity) with three seatings at 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Call 312-337-4490 or visit www.eduardosenoteca.com .
—The Cookie Joint—known for its cookie fries (cookies that resemble French fries)—is making a Valentine's Day offer: a three-pack of the fries with a trio of four-ounce mason jars containing apple, cherry and blueberry pie dips. Heart themed gift-wrapping completes the package ($38 to $41); call 847-461-3068 or visit www.thecookiejoint.com .
—Lawry's The Prime Rib, 100 E. Ontario St., will present a three-course Valentine's menu created by Executive Chef Victor Newgren Feb. 13-15. The meal ($125 per couple, excluding tax and gratuity) includes a glass of Champagne, and items such as prime ribs or Scottish salmon along with a heart-shaped red velvet cake for two. Call 312-787-5000 or visit www.LawrysOnline.com .
—French restaurant Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., invites guests to enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu for $55 (without tax or gratuity) Feb. 14-17. There are many items for diners to choose from, including Waldorf salad, John Dory a la dieppoise, beef tenderloin a la berrichone and crepes Suzette. Call 312-944-8400.
—Shaw's Crab House Chicago, 21 E. Hubbard St., will mark Mardi Gras Feb. 7-12. Specials will feature specially-ordered-from-New Orleans crawfish as well as Cajun and Creole dishes such as the crawfish po'boy ($16.99); blackened or sauteed redfish with crawfish sauce ($23.99); and crawfish pot pie ($18.99). Call 312-527-2722 or visit www.shawscrabhouse.com .
—Bridge Bar, 315 N. LaSalle St., currently has the Slipper Slope cocktail available. The concoction contains hot apple cider and W.L. Weller bourbon. The cocktail is available throughout the month of January at $11, and is half-priced on Tuesdays.
—The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group owners Greg Mohr and Scott Weiner have hired former Sixteen veteran Chris Teixeria as the new executive pastry chef at West Town Bakery & Diner, 1916 W. Chicago Ave. Other recent additions to the West Town Bakery & Diner team include manager Eddie Mahoney.
—mk, 868 N. Franklin St., will offer 50 percent off all bottles of wine Sunday through Thursday until Jan. 31. (The promotion includes any selection from mk's portfolio, which features more than 1,000 choices.) Additionally, every Wednesday at 6-9 p.m., mk invites guests to relax and unwind in the restaurant's lounge space with "Wine on Wednesday," the popular wine-and-menu tasting series. For reservations, call 312-482-9179.
—The Goddess and Grocer is opening a fourth location in early February—this time at 901 N. Larrabee St. in the River North area. The 1,600-square-foot space will be able to seat 36, and will feature made-to-order and ready-to-eat items such as sandwiches, salads, soups and entrees. The Goddess and Grocer on Larrabee will be open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily; the phone number is 312-988-9870.
—Ceres' Table, 4882 N. Clark St., is offering a three-course chef's menu Feb. 14-16. Menu choices include tuna tartar, seafood and saffron risotto, roasted Skuna Bay salmon, or a beef duo (filet mignon and braised short ribs). The cost is $50 per person (plus tax and gratuity); reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 773-878-4882.
—In celebration of Groundhog Day on Saturday, Feb. 2, both The Pony, 1638 W. Belmont Ave., and Lottie's, 1925 W. Cortland Ave., will offer a signature $10 Ground "Hog" Burger (made from pork). Also, The Pony will host an exclusive bus trip Tuesday, Feb. 12, for the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks game at the United Center.
For $65 per person, guests will receive a bus ride to and from the United Center, a ticket to the hockey game and refreshments on the bus. Registration for the bus begins at 5 p.m. and the bus will leave promptly at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.theponychicagolive.com .
—Weather Mark Tavern, 1503 S. Michigan Ave., has an updated and expanded rum list. Among the pairings offered as Cruzan Black Strap rum with "Anchors Away" fish and chips as well as Don Q Gran Anejo with a warm skillet cookie. See www.WeatherMarkTavern.com .
—ZED451, 739 N. Clark St., will host "Confections with Kate" Saturday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. Executive Pastry Chef Kate Milashus will discuss/demonstrate tips involving chocolate; guests will also learn how to make a ZED451 signaure cocktail—the balsamic strawberry martini. Tickets are $20; call 312-266-6691.
—Fish Bar Chicago, 2956 N. Sheffield Ave., has announced the launch of its 2013 charitable program "Friends of Fish." Each quarter, the seafood spot teams with a non-profit organization whose efforts focus on sustainable fishing, farming and the aquatic environment. Twenty percent of sales from a different section of the menu will be donated to that quarter's charity, beginning with sales from the soup section being donated to Shedd Aquarium for the month of January, when guests mention "Shedd."
—Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., will celebrate the French tradition of La Chandeleur (Crepes Day) Saturday, Feb. 2, with a special menu. A three-course prix fixe menu ($28) will include caramelized onion soup, chicken confit crepes and crepes Suzette. The regular dinner menu, with new winter fare, will also be available. Call 312-944-8400.
—Garrett Popcorn is offering Big Game Bundles (featuring the limited time flavor Spicy CheeseCorn) in time for Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3. The bundles come with branded party bags, scoops for serving and "Love is Messy" napkins. They are one to 6.5 gallons ($31-$143); see www.GarrettPopcorn.com .
—Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., will host the second installment of the "So You Think You're a Foodie" chef's table Wed., Jan. 30, at 8 p.m. For $60 per person, guests are invited to indulge in a mystery five-course tasting menu. Space is extremely limited; see www.thefrontierlive.com .
—Evanston's Koi, 624 Davis St., is hosting an eight-course tasting at the sushi bar plus a sushi-making demonstration on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. Items will include everything from miso soup to spicy tuna taco to angel shrimp. The price is $45 (all-inclusive); visit http://koi.ticketleap.com/koi-chefs-table/dates/Feb-05-2013_at_0700PM.
—Maxwell's at the Club (500 N. Kingsbury St.; 312-527-5800) is offering its Sunday brunch to the public 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; options include a full omelet bar, a roast strip beef loin carving station and freshly made waffles, among other things. The spot also offers a pound-and-a-half slab of baby back ribs—served with corn on the cob, mashed potatoes and cole slaw—on Thursdays for $18. See www.MaxwellsAtTheClub.com .
—Quay, 465 E. Illinois St., will be the site of a bourbon tasting Jan. 31, 6-8 p.m. Hosted by Woodford Reserve, the event will highlight several bourbons, including Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select, Woodford Reserve Double Oak,and Woodford Reserve Four Wood-Masters Series. The cost is $40; call 312-981-8400.
—From Jan. 24 through March 31, LM Restaurant Group will feature "Passport to LM," a winter rewards program. Guests will receive a passport to travel to the restaurant group's four locations: Brasserie 54 by LM in Andersonville, Brasserie by LM in the South Loop, LM Bistro in River North and Troquet in Ravenswood. With the purchase of an entree, guests will receive a stamp; when guests receive stamps from all four restaurants, they will receive a $35 gift card.
—Jason Wagner is now wine director/sommelier at Henri, 18 S. Michigan Ave., and The Gage, 24 S. Michigan Ave. Most recently, Wagner was responsible for the wine programs at Nellcote and RM Champagne Salon, which gained national press for the wine programs he created.
—Tavern on Rush, 1031 N. Rush St., is introducing its new winter menu items. Offerings include osso bucco ($36.95), crispy half duck ($28.95) and pecan sticky bun ($6), among other things. See www.tavernonrush.com .
Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com, and follow my thoughts on Twitter at Azygous60610.
