For July, owners Lisa and Michael Kornick have extended mk The Restaurant's annual seasonal closure to undergo dining-room renovations. In August, the restaurant will reopen to reveal the refreshed interior design, new bar, and an enhanced lounge space with an expanded row of window seating. Along with the updated space, Chef Kornick and Executive Chef Erick Williams will introduce a new lounge-specific menu.
Grass Fed, 1721 N. Damen Ave., is starting a "Keys to the Kitchen" series, providing local chefs the opportunity to showcase their gastronomic talents. This guest chef series is 7-8:30 p.m. on Sundays for $30 per person (excluding tax, gratuity and beverages). Only 50 seats are available; call 773-342-6000 (and a 48-hour cancellation policy is required).
Fox & Obel, a gourmet grocer at 401 E. Illinois St. in Streeterville, abruptly closed July 15 and remained closed through at least the following morning, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Department of Health ordered the store closed after finding Fox & Obel had not corrected several violations after an inspection July 5. A follow-up found nine violations, including fruit flies in the main prep kitchen.
The wine lounge ENO (in the Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Dr.) has launched a series of "ENOversity" education classes. Remaining classes are on Aug. 20 (Viva La France), Sept. 17 (California Dream), Oct. 15 (Because It's Ladies' Night), Nov. 12 (I Have a Bubbly Personality) and Dec. 17 (Santa's Little Helper). All classes are at 6 p.m. and are $30 each; call 312-946-8953 or email Daniel.freedman@fairmont.com .
The Illinois Restaurant Association invites Bon Appetit presents Chicago Gourmet fans to prep their palates this summer at a special series of Wine & Spirits Dinner events. July events involve South Water Kitchen and Quay Restaurant & Bar; Lockwood, Deca Restaurant & Bar, and Hearty Boys are hosting August events. The main event will be in Millennium Park Sept. 27-29. Visit www.chicagogourmet.org .
Rosemont's Hofbrauhaus Chicagothe first and only German microbrewery, beer hall and restaurant in the Chicago areahas officially unveiled its Stein Master Club Membership. The restaurant will offer 200 lockers for regular guests who want to safely store their personal beer steins. For more information, visit hofbrauhauschicago.com .
Chicago Gourmets, marking its 16th year, is joining forces with Evanston French-American seafood restaurant Oceanique (celebrating its 25th year) for a degustation event Tuesday, July 23, at 6 p.m. at Oceanique, 505 Main St. Items will include Virginia Misty Point oysters, wild Maine diver scallops, sorbet, wild Delaware skate and Valrhona chocolate Marjolaineall with different wines. The cost is $89 for Chicago Gourmets members and $99 for non-members; visit www.chicagourmets.org or call 708-383-7543.
READY Coffee, a new independent coffee shop, has opened at 1562 N. Milwaukee Ave. All of the READY Coffee blends are roasted locally by legendary Chicago coffee roaster Greg Stivers. Prices of items are $1-$3, and the prices start with READY's one-dollar "Buck Cup," a 12-ounce cup of premium drip coffee made from the 100-percent Arabica house blend. See readycoffee.com .
Throughout July, Fulton's on the River, 315 N. LaSalle St., is offering a four-course prix fixe menu that features watermelon. Items include watermelon and tomato salad; Alaskan halibut with melon consomme, pickled watermelon and heirloom radish; prime sirloin with shallot and watermelon jam; and buttermilk panna cotta with macerated watermelon and mint. The menu is $50/person; visit www.fultonsontheriver.com .
Vital Bridges Center on Chronic Care, a program of Heartland Health Outreach, Inc., has announced the Chefs and the City Summer Tasting & Croquet Garden Party Sunday, July 28, at Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie St., 12:30-5 p.m. Attendees will sip on cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose Vodka and sample items from more than 15 of Chicago's most elite and experienced chefs including Bill Kim of BellyQ, Shin Thompson of Kabocha, and Brian Huston of The Publican. Tickets are $150 each ($600 for a croquet team of four to six people); visit www.heartlandalliance.org/vital or call 773-271-9161.
For the fourth straight year, DMK Burger Bar is partnering with Make-A-Wish Illinois to help raise funds and grant wishes for local children with life-threatening medical conditions. As part of the 365 Days of Giving efforts, during the month of July, DMK Burger Bar will offer Kianna's Burger in honor of one special Make-A-Wish friend. Priced at $10 each, 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to the Make-A-Wish foundation. See www.dmkburgerbar.com .
In honor of National Grilling Month (July), Municipal, 216 W. Ohio St., will offer its signature grilled salmon (Atlantic salmon, wild rice, sugar snaps, grilled pineapple mango salsa; $20). See www.municipalbar.com .
Donley's Wild West Town in Union, Ill., has announced that it will open a reconceptualized restaurant, the South Union Roadhouse, Aug. 1. Signature items include burgers, ribs and specials like the Beer Cheese Fondue made with Lone Star Beer straight from Texas. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Aug. 1, South Union Roadhouse will host a launch party featuring $3 you-call-it drink specials, passed samples from the new menu, and live music on the patio featuring Jim and Justin from Modern Day Romeos. See www.wildwesttown.com .
This July, Clark Street Dog and Bar, 3040 N. Clark St., will celebrate National Hot Dog Month. The restaurant has been serving hot dogs, hamburgers, gyros, Italian beef and sausage, chicken sandwiches, salads and other items for more than 36 years. See https://www.facebook.com/ClarkStreetDog.
The fourth Roscoe Village Burger Fest will take place Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., on Belmont Avenue at Damen Avenue. There will be 14 burger vendors, including Banh Mi & Company, Stanley's Kitchen & Tap, Hamburger Mary's, Rockit Burger Bar, Twenty Five Degrees and Goose Island Brewpubs. Sister Hazel and Cowboy Mouth will be among the bands at the festival. The gate donation is $7; see www.ChicagoEvents.com .
Pastry Chicago is holding a free ice-cream social with Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Friday, July 26, 6-8 p.m., at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E. North Water St. There will be tastings as well as a demonstration by Chef Joshua Johnson of The French Pastry School. RSVP at info@pastrychicago.org or 312-726-2419, ext. 208.
Untitled, 111 W. Kinzie St., has upgraded its menu to include summer items such as beef carpaccio, foraged mushroom pasta, nicoise black cod and whole friend loup de mere. In addition, guests can try Soul Brunch Sundays. Menu items are $9-$39; see www.untitled-chicago.com .
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