—Quini—an interactive wine tasting, rating and recommendations application and data solutions provider ( www.quiniwine.com )—announced that its wine-tasting mobile app is now available for iPhone and iPad through the Apple App Store. A Web-based version for desktop and laptop computers is also live at quiniwine.com/signup. Quini allows wine experts, enthusiasts and novices to review and rate wines.
—Guests who visit Bellwether, 302 E. Illinois St., on National Margarita Day ( Saturday, Feb. 22 ) will enjoy a specialty margarita created by Bellwether mixologist Amy Grant. The Grapefruit Jalapeno Margarita ( Don Julio Reposado, fresh lemon, lime, simple syrup, splash of grapefruit juice and muddled jalapeno ) will be available for $14 each. See www.bellwetherchicago.com .
—Porkchop, a restaurant/whiskey bar that has been in the West Loop since 2011, is opening a new branch in Hyde Park at 1516 E. Harper Ct. The new space is reminiscent of the Randolph Street venue, complete with a wall of rustic saws; and reclaimed wood tables with bolted-on bars to hold the paper towel "napkins." However, this will also have a stage for a live music lineup that will feature blues, country and rock. See ChicagoPorkchop.com .
—For Lent ( March 5-April 20 ), Chicago Cut Steakhouse, 300 N. LaSalle St., is offering various specials, including yellowfin tuna ( $37 ), Great Lakes whitefish ( $23 ) and Chilean sea bass ( $42 ). See www.ChicagoCutSteakhouse.com .
—Chef Vince's ZEAL has opened at 680 Mall Dr. in Schaumburg. This upscale/casual space offers eclectic continental cuisine with Italian- and Latin-infused dishes passed down through Chef Vincent Pecora's family for generations. Dishes include "build your own" thin-crust pizzas; baked goat-cheese casserole; homemade gnocchi; the ZEAL seafood tower; and oversized stuffed meatballs. Call 847-995-0188 or visit www.zealforfood.com .
—Troquet, 1834 W. Montrose Ave., is offering Oscar-inspired cocktails for $6 each on Sunday, March 2 ( when the Academy Awards take place ). Among the items are American Hustler ( Peach infused vodka and triple sec topped with champagne ) and The Dallas Drinkers Club ( tequila, orange juice and a sugar cube ). In addition, guests who dine at Troquet Ravenswood on March 2 will have the opportunity to fill out a form with their Oscar predictions. ( The prize is a $20 gift certificate. ) See TroquetChicago.com .
—Takito, 2013 W. Division St., will be open for lunch every Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Created by Chef/Partner David Dworshak, the lunch menu is a limited version of the dinner menu, and focuses on salsas and escabeche, shared plates, sides, tacos and sweets.
—Clark Street Dog and Bar is closing in on its 3 millionth hot-dog sale. Clark Street Dog is on track to hit this milestone in early to mid March. The customer who purchases the milestone hot dog will win two tickets to a Chicago Bulls game; a one-night stay at a Chicago hotel; a VIP tour of the Goose Island brewery; a Vienna Beef Chicago Style Hot Dog Kit 16 Pack; and Clark Street Dog and Bar merchandise.
—Four-time Michelin star winner Chef Takashi Yagihashi and James Beard award winner Chef Tony Mantuano are swapping cuisines for a unique dinner Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Takashi, 1952 N. Damen Ave., 5:30-10 p.m. It's $105 each for the seven-course dinner, with an optional wine pairing for another $60. For reservations, call 773-772-6170; a credit card is required to hold reservations.
—Joe Fish, a Rosebud restaurant, will open in March at 445 N. Dearborn St. According to a press release, "Joe Fish is a pescatore [fish] and oyster bar that serves a modern American take on Italy's regional food in the tradition of Rosebud's iconic Taylor Street location." The restaurant will be able to seat up to 155 people in its 5,000-square-foot facility. See www.RosebudRestaurants.com .
—Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., will celebrate Fat Tuesday with an authentic Louisiana shrimp boil on Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. For $33 per person, guests will enjoy a shrimp boil complete with potatoes and corn that Pioneer Tavern Group Corporate Chef Brian Jupiter will prepare. There will also be $8 drink specials, including Hurricanes and Mardi Gras Gin Fizzes. See www.TheFrontierChicago.com .
—Downers Grove restaurant Barbakoa, 1341 Butterfield Rd., is launching its Latin Series with a Brazil cooking class on Feb. 19. The Latin Series takes place from February through April, with cooking-class demos and multi-course dinners. ( Brazilian events are in February, with Argentinian items in March and Peruvian ones in April. ) Each dinner costs $49 per person and each cooking class costs $35 per person. Advanced tickets are required and space is limited; call 630-852-2333.
—The restaurant 312 Chicago, 136 N. LaSalle St., will offer a new weekend lunch menu, available every Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The menu includes favorites such as housemade tortelloni, caprese panini and Piadina flatbread, and new cocktails includes the Bella Bolle ( prosecco and raspberry-peach liqueur ) and the Sicilian Sunrise ( blood orange liqueur, grapefruit juice, orange bitters, soda ).
—Delightful Pastries, 1710 N. Wells St., has introduced a breakfast/brunch menu incorporating traditional favorites like eggs, omelets and Benedict with house specialties like Bacon, Bacon Yum ( two eggs scrambled with ham, two strips of bacon and a slice of extra thick cut Gypsy bacon ), and British Mob Movie ( pan-fried potato, tomato braised beans with mixed vegetables, sunny-side-up eggs, extra-thick-cut bacon and blood sausage ). Call 312-255-0724.
—Tanta is running a special for National Pisco Month ( February ). Tanta is offering its traditional pisco sour for $10 ( normally $12 ) in addition to adding three other varieties of pisco sours to the menu for February only.
—Japonais has collaborated with Chef Masaharu Morimoto to create the restaurant Japonais by Morimoto, which features a brand-new menu showcasing the chef's signature cuisine, a blend of Japanese and Western techniques. Located alongside the Chicago River, Japonais by Morimoto will open the downstairs lounge and riverwalk in the spring.
—Chris Dexter, Chris Freeman, Jared Van Camp and John Warken—who have opened Chicago restaurants Nellcote and RM Champagne Salon—have now launched Kinmont, 419 W. Superior St. With Duncan Biddulph ( Lula Cafe; Rootstock ) as executive chef, Kinmont is being promoted as "the first entirely sustainable fish & seafood restaurant in Chicago." See www.kinmontrestaurant.com .
—In celebration of the newly created Angel's Envy q Bourbon, Chicago q, 1160 N. Dearborn St., will host a special launch party with the bourbon distillery on Thursday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m. For $40 per person, guests can sample a selection of Angel's Envy cocktails with representatives from the label on hand for questions. Call 312-642-1160.
—Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House will celebrate Mardi Gras starting Fat Tuesday, March 4, through Monday, March 10, with a New Orleans specialty, Shrimp etouffee ( $23.50; shrimp, andouille sausage, crawfish tails and rice smothered in sauce ). Guests will also enjoy a classic French Quarter cocktail, the Grasshopper ( $9; Smirnoff Vanilla vodka, RumChata, creme de menthe and creme de cocoa ). See www.hugosfrogbar.com .
—The Streeterville Chamber of Commerce will present a wine-tasting at Ditkas' Restaurant, 100 E. Chestnut St., 5:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25. The cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. See "Wine Tasting at Ditka's Restaurant" at Eventbrite.com .
—"Chicago's Best WingFest" will take place Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Bailey Auditorium, 1340 W. Washington St., 1-5 p.m. Tickets ( $30-$65 ) may be purchased directly at www.WingFest.net, and attendees must be at least 21.
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