In honor of Baconfest this weekend, Staytion Market & Bar, 1 W. Wacker Dr., will host the all-day-long celebration "Bacon, Bacon, Bacon," Friday, April 29, at 11 a.m. The celebration will feature all things bacon, including complimentary Bacon Maple Bacon Shake Shooters, and a specially curated Bacon Washed Old Fashionedmade with Old Forester Whiskey ( $10 each ). Entry to the event is complimentary, with additional food and beverage available for purchase.
The 6th Annual Pastoral Artisan Producer Festival ( APF ), presented by The Specialty Food Association, will take place Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Chicago French Market, 131 N. Clinton St. This free event, created by Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, showcases the talents of local, national and international producers of high quality artisan foods and beverages. APF attendees can sample small-batch food, beer, wine and spirits from nearly 100 culinary artisans. Proceeds from this event will benefit Purple Asparagus and the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award, a scholarship fund for aspiring cheese professionals.
Imperial Lamian, 6 W. Hubbard St., has launched lunch service. Starting weekdays at 11:30 a.m., the lunch menu features soups and salads, BBQ dishes, fried rice, lamian, dim sum and wok dishes, and also introduces a "Lunch Set" option. The menu is at www.imperial-lamian.com/lunch/ .
Catalan restaurant Mercat a la Planxa commemorates eight years by giving guests the opportunity to dine with Iron Chef Jose Garces by entering a special raffle. Four winners will be chosen from the pool of raffle purchases for an eight-course dinner with Chef Garces on Friday, May 3, at 7 p.m., and each winner can bring one guest. Guests can purchase raffle tickets for $8 each, with proceeds benefiting No Kid Hungry; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-anniversary-dinner-with-chef-jose-garces-tickets-24658047885.
The Dearborn, an 8,000-square-foot restaurant and lounge by sisters and partners Amy Lawless and Clodagh Lawless, has named Courtney Joseph as pastry chef of their forthcoming project, at 145 N. Dearborn St. Joseph's Training under James Beard-recognized chefs began after she switched from studying chemistry in college in favor of attending culinary school in Indianapolis. She moved to Chicago as part of a mandated externship, which she completed at HotChocolate working under pastry chef Mindy Segal ( James Beard Award Outstanding Pastry Chef, 2012 ).
The Eastman Egg Company, with two locations in the Loop, has launched The Burger, expanding its variety of lunch options beyond just egg sandwiches and bowls. In addition to two beef patties, the burger will feature American cheese, romaine lettuce, house pickles and Eastman Sauce ( toasted chili mayo ) atop a potato roll. The burger is offered for $7.95 with the option to add a fried egg also from Slagel Family Farm for $1. See EastmanEgg.com .
Brewers John and Ben Saller of Atlas Brewing Company announce a rebrand of their brewery to a new concept, Burnt City Brewing, opening in Chicago this May. Burnt City Brewing comprises a brewpub ( 2747 N. Lincoln Ave. ), which offers a dozen rotating beers on tap and eight intimate bowling lanes for a distinctive craft beer experience in Lincoln Park, and a canning facility ( 825 E. 99th St. ) located in the former Jays potato chip plant in the Pullman neighborhood.
A pop-up diner inspired by the television series Saved by the Bell is staying in Chicago longer than planned, according to WGNtv.com . Saved by the Max is coming to the city's Wicker Park neighborhood, at 1941 W. North Ave., on June 1. Reservations for the entire month of June are already sold out. The diner is staying open until Aug. 31 to meet with that demandbut tickets are now only available for the "Solo Dinner at the Max"which means there's a one-ticket limit. Walk-ins for brunch and late-night service are also available. Paying $35 covers an appetizer, an entree and a dessert; see SavedByTheMax.com .
Three Dots and a Dash, 435 N. Clark St., will host its second annual Tiki Luau & Pig Roast on Sunday, May 1, 1-4 p.m. There will be local and national bar talent such as Three Dot's Julian Cox, Sparrow's Peter Vestinos, Pub Royale's Kristina Magro and David Greteman of St. Louis' Taste. See ThreeDotsChicago.com .
Peruvian restaurant Tanta, 118 W. Grand Ave., is launching its new lunch programoffered Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.on Monday, May 2. Just a few of the dishes include De la Huerta ( mixed field greens, cherry tomatoes, red beets, avocado, shaved radish, with an option of the aji amarillo or yogurt dressing ), Super Soltero ( frisee, kale, peashoots, wheat, chickpeas, choclo, mint, queso fresco, cucumber, onions, parsley and cilantro ), Caprese salad and Pan con Chicharron ( crispy pork belly, sweet potato and mint criolla, on a French roll ). Also, the restaurant plans to offer a "Peruvian Power Lunch" option, featuring a selection of prix fixe dishes. See TantaChicago.com .
Embeya, 564 W. Randolph St., is inviting guests on a new culinary excursion: "A Journey Through Asia." The first stop on the journey is Thailand, starting Monday, May 2. Chef Mike Sheerin's three-course tasting menu is $39featuring his favorite dishes on the menu and available for dinner Monday-Fridayand there is the three-course business lunch for $25. Some of the Thai choices include steamed mussels, Northern tumeric pork sausage, spring chicken satay, grilled snapper and warm coconut rice. See Embeya.com .
River North's Rockit Bar & Grill invites those looking for a fiesta all week long to Cinco Days of Cinco de Mayo from Monday, May 2, to Friday, May 6. Featuring menu specials each day from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Rockit marks the holiday with cilantro-lime shrimp tacos ( $16; whole wheat tortillas, shredded red cabbage, pico de gallo, salsa verde ), chicken tortilla soup ( $5 cup, $8 bowl ), chicken chili verde nachos ( $14; tomatillo salsa, queso fundido, jalapeños, guacamole ), and steak quesadillas ( $14; chopped steak, onions, chihuahua cheese, salsa roja, guacamole, sour cream ). See RockitBarAndGrill.com .
At RPM Steak, 66 W. Kinzie St., there will be a butcher demo and dinner with Italian butcher Dario Cecchini on Thursday, May 4, at 7 p.m. Bringing along his cooks and own arsenal of ingredients, Cecchini will demonstrate the techniques of properly breaking down beef and pork and present guests with a multi-course dinner including his Florentine steaks accompanied by wines from two Italian wineries, Gaja and Il Poggione. Reservations are $265 per person ( plus tax; gratuity not included ) and can be reserved at RPMRestaurants.com .
For Cinco de Mayo, Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe St., will offer $6 margaritas, $6 Mexican Mules and $5 Dos Equis tallboys. Guests can pair their beverages with Commonwealth's queso fundido ( roasted poblano, chorizo and Chihuahua cheese, served with tortillas, $10 ). See CommonwealthChicago.com .
Mezcaleria Las Flores, 3149 W. Logan Blvd., will be serving $8 margaritas in honor of Cinco de Mayo. The margarita contains Milagro blanco, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur and simple syrup, garnished with salt and poured over ice; there are also drinks like the Falconry Demonstration, which includes Mezcal Pelot�"n de la Muerte, Busnel Calvados, fresh blood orange cordial, Luxardo Maraschino, egg white and hibiscus. Visit mezcalerialasflores.com .
For Cinco de Mayo, Moneygun ( 660 W. Lake St.; MoneygunChicago.com ) has a strawberry margarita available for $10.75 that is mixed with tequila blanco, pink curacao, fresh strawberries and lime.
State and Lake Chicago Tavern at theWit, 201 N. State St., will host a Kentucky Derby celebration on Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. There will be food and drink specials as well as prizes for those who choose to sport appropriate Derby Day attire. Festivities include food specials such as crispy chicken thighs with mustard slaw, bourbon honey and pepper vinegar ( $11 ). Drink specials will include Large Format Mint Juleps ( $100 ) and Mint Julep ( $12 ). Guests are encouraged to enter the Best Dressed Instagram Contest for a chance to wine a $150 Wit gift card.
Clark Street Dog Bar, 3040 N. Clark St., will offer a Kentucky Derby special on Saturday, May 7. There will be $7 Maker's Mark mint juleps. The entire food menu will also be available, with items like the Italian beef sandwich, pizza puffs and chili cheese fries. See ClarkStDog.com .
At Tavern on Little Fort, 4128 N. Lincoln Ave., guests will enjoy $7 Buffalo Trace Mint Juleps and $6 Kentucky Mules ( Moscow Mule with bourbon ) on Saturday, May 7. Large groups are invited to book parties in the beer garden, which accommodates up to 68 guests. See LittleFortTavern.com .
This Mother's Day, French-inspired patisserie Vanille is celebrating mom with a first-of-its-kind photo contest. Through Sunday, May 8, mothers and children of all ages who stop by one of Vanille's three Chicago locations can snap a photo of themselves enjoying any of Vanille's artisanal specialties for the chance to win an Afternoon Tea party for 10 people inside the luxurious Vanille Salon located at the Lincoln Park location, 2108 N. Clark St. ( To enter the Mom, Me & Vanille Photo Contest, guests need to post their photo on Facebook or Instagram using #MomMeVanille. They must also tag Vanille at @VanilleChicago on Instagram or "Vanille Patisserie" on Facebook. ) Visit VanillePatisserie.com .
At 312 Chicago, 136 N. LaSalle St., Chef Luca Corazzina and his mother will be in the kitchen for Mother's Day brunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. She will be delivering complimentary slices of her homemade pasta to all moms who join them for brunch. Also, the regular brunch menu will also be served along with specials. Reservations can be made at 312chicago.com or 312-696-2420.
Earls Kitchen + Bar, 1538 N. Clybourn Ave., will offer a Mother's Day brunch with items such as Croque Madame, goat-cheese frittata, spicy sausage + mushroom hash, and sweet Virginia benny. See https://earls.ca/locations/lincoln-park.
LUXBAR, 18 E. Bellevue Pl., will have a Mother's Day meal at 11 a.m.-3 p.m. where patrons can dine al fresco on the patio and find a spread of brunch favorites like the vlassic Benedict, country corned beef hash and Denver omelet. Specialty items are also available, like the LUXBAR mescal cured salmon Benedict plus breakfast delicacies like the glazed apple fritter. See LUXBAR.com .
Dolce Italian, 127 W. Huron St., celebrates mom with its special Mother's Day Brunch menu featuring a distinctive Italian twist. Items include house poached tuna and shrimp with hearts of romaine, fingerling potatoes, roasted pepper, baby green beans, and asparagus; and piccolo filet mignon, with poached eggs, sea salt ciabatta crostini, asparagus and Barolo sauce. For reservations, call 312-754-0700 or visit http://www.dolceitalianrestaurant.com/#!chicago/ctiu.
On Sunday, May 8, at 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., the three-course Mother's Day Brunch Menu will be available at Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash St. The price is $42 for adults and $20 for children 10 and under. Some of the choices include asparagus veloute, short-stack pancakes, deviled eggs, eggs Benedict, house-cured duck confit, Belgian waffles, baked Alaska and crispy hazelnut bars. ( Bottomless mimosas are an additional $16.95. ) Visit Bistronomic.net .
Howells & Hood, 435 N. Michigan Ave., is offering a gourmet Mother's Day for $39 per person at 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; call 312-262-5310. Also, River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle St., is offering a brunch package for four ( $140 excluding tax and gratuity ), including favorites like the whole roast chicken, a small Hogan's charcuterie board, biscuits & gravy, Hogan's peas and a hot apple crisp for dessert; call 312-822-0100.
For Mother's Day, River North's Hub 51 will have brunch classics ( think Brioche French toast ) and more modern takes ( like chilaquiles ) as well as carving, sushi and seafood stations. It's also offering a trip to the Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar for $10. Brunch is $45 per person and $18 for children 12 and under ( plus tax; gratuity not included ). Call 312-828-0051.
Riva Crab House on Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., will host its Mother's Day brunch buffet on Sunday, May 8. Chef Luigi Garcia will showcase an omelet station, carving station, raw bar, fresh fruit buffet and a dessert display. See RivaNavyPier.com .
On Sunday, May 8, Devon Seafood Grill, 39 E. Chicago Ave.,�is offering a special Mother's Day Brunch available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a three-course prix fixe dinner menu available at 4-9 p.m. Devon Seafood Grill's Mother's Day Brunch Buffet costs $38 for adults and $17 for children ages 4-12; children under 4 eat free. The Mother's Day prix fixe menu costs $45. Call 312-440-8660 or visit�www.devonseafood.com .�
On Wed., May 11, The Boarding House's all-female team ( Chef Tanya Baker, Pastry Chef Julia Fitting and owner/proprietor Alpana Singh ) gets bigger for a one-night-only collaborative dinner featuring the culinary talents of Zoe Schor ( of the soon-to-be Split-Rail ) and Diana Davila ( most recently of Cantina 1910 and in the process of opening her own restaurant ). The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., and tickets to the exclusive event are $145. See http://theboardinghouse.ticketleap.com/wonder-women-in-whites/details.
City Lit Theatre, is hosting its annual spring tea Saturday, May 21, at 2 p.m. at the Edgewater Beach Cafe, 5545 N. Sheridan Rd. The tea will feature a high tea, a silent auction and a signature reading of The Nightingale and the Rose, by Oscar Wilde. Tickets are $35 for one person and $55 for two; visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2532159.
Oyster Bar, 1962 N. Halsted St., will now be opening its doors beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Fridays. New menu additions include oyster po'boy, seared yellowfin tuna sandwich and smoked trout melt. See OysterBah.com .
Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com or follow on Twitter @Azygous60610 .