—Fulton's on the River is paying special action to Oct. 28, National Chocolate Day, with items such as Fulton's bread pudding croquettes ( served with chocolate cherry sauce, hot buttered rum sauce and Bailey's Irish cream sauce ) and the Chocolate Paradis ( a cake made with Heath Bar crunch and drizzled with a warm caramel-chocolate sauce ). See www.fultonsontheriver.com and www.bridgebarchicago.com .
—"Taste," an exclusive wine event to benefit Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, will take place Monday, Nov. 4, at Everest, 440 S. LaSalle St., 6-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $275 each; visit www.hubbardstreetdance.com/taste.
—Burger Boss is expanding into Lakeview, specifically at 3210 N. Southport Ave. Burger Boss ( currently in Elmwood Park ) gives patrons the ability to "Be the Boss" and customize their meal with ingredients to build their own burgers, or they may choose from the restaurant's signature menu.
—Ryan Poli is no longer executive chef at Tavernita, Barcito or Little Market Brasserie, according to Eater Chicago. He informed Mercadito Hospitality managing partner Alfredo Sandoval of his decision and, although he will remain a partner, he will no longer be involved in everyday operations. Poli said he's going to take time off, travel, and stage in kitchens around the country and abroad.
—Lookingglass Theatre, Frontera Grill and Silverguy Entertainment present the return of Rick Bayless in Cascabel: Dinner-Daring-Desire, the production featuring a feast, circus acts, and a love story starring celebrity chef Bayless. Cascabel will return to Chicago next year when it runs at the Goodman Theatre's Owen Bruner Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., July 30-Aug. 24.
—Jellyfish, 1009 N. Rush St., will mark National Sushi Day ( Nov. 1 ) by offering its Jellyfish signature rolls ( regularly $13-$18 ) for $5. The rolls include El Sol, Kiss of Fire, Fire & Snow, Torched Salmon Atlantic, Pink Flower Roll, Summer Rush, Spicy Tuna Tempura and Lobster Mango Roll. Visit www.jellyfishchicago.com .
—Sola, 3868 N. Lincoln Ave., has announced its fall menu. Among the offerings are a squash salad, with mustard greens, shaved butternut squash, shallots, water chestnuts, and goat cheese with pumpkin-seed vinaigrette; and barramundi with black rice, napa cabbage, apple-fig compote, squash slaw and port wine syrup. See www.sola-restaurant.com .
—Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, 41 E. Superior St., is offering October specials such as the Helloween 4 burger ( habanero and cheddar patty topped with ghost pepper mayo, guacamole, cayenne spiced crispy onions and pepper jack ) along with the Mac 'n Poutine, pumpkin pesto wings and the brew the Victory Festbier. Visit www.jakemelnicks.com .
—The Boarding House, 720 N. Wells St., will host an All Hallow's Eve affair to help benefit Imerman Angels—which provides personalized connections that enable 1-on-1 support among cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers—on Saturday, Nov. 2, 6:30-10 p.m. There will be appetizers, decked-out decor and a costume contest judged by Imerman Angels founder Jonny Imerman. Tickets are $85 each; visit www.TicketLeap.com .
—The Andersonville Dessert Crawl will take place Sunday, Oct. 27, 2-5 p.m. More than 20 restaurants will be involved, and attendees can choose the Caramel Apple or Candy Corn Route. Headquarters will be pH Comedy Productions, 1515 W. Berwyn St. Tickets are $20/advance, $25/day of event; see www.Andersonville.org .
—Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., is hosting its first-ever "Chef vs. Amateur Gumbo Cookoff" Sunday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. The public will determine the winners; the prizes are $500 ( first ), $200 ( second ) and $100 ( third ). Amateurs who wish to compete should email media@papergirlpr.com with their recipes and a photo of the dishes by Friday, Nov. 1.
—In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Roka Akor, 456 N. Clark St., is offering the "Decoding Annie Parker" cocktail—made with Eiko Fuji Sake, Quinta do Tedo, lemon juice, raspberries and strawberries—throughout October. The cocktail is available for $11 and a portion of the sales will be donated to Editha House Rooms in the Illinois Medican District Guest House, which provides affordable lodging for adult cancer patients and their adult caregivers traveling for medical treatment.
—Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse invites guests to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month this October and enjoy a classic pink cosmopolitan ( $12 ). The restaurant will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from cosmopolitan sold to the Lynn Sage Foundation in support of finding a cure for Breast Cancer. See www.gibsonssteakhouse.com . ( Other restaurants in the Gibsons Restaurant Group who are donating to the foundation include Luxbar, Quartino, and Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House. )
—Rhine Hall Distillery is slated to open at 2010 W. Fulton on Saturday, Nov. 2. Co-founded by Charlie and Jenny Solberg, a father-daughter team, Rhine Hall will offer patrons distillery tours, a tasting room, and a full Brandy Bar with hand-crafted cocktails made from house brandy distilled from Michigan fruit. Visit www.RhineHall.com .
—On Friday, Nov. 1, guests are invited to don their best costumes, dance the night away to a live DJ, and enjoy the festive cocktails and décor at "Terror at Tavernita." Tickets to the event ( at 151 W. Erie St. ) are available for $75, and include an open bar from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.; spooky late-night snacks served at midnight; and the opportunity to enter to win a $500 Mercadito Hospitality gift card in a best costume contest.
—The Grid has announced a new restaurant concept that has opened in the former Baume & Brix space, 351 W. Hubbard St. Chef Dirk Flanigan, formerly of Henri and The Gage, serves as the opening chef. Highlights include spicy green curry mussels; roasted swordfish with olive oil, rosemary, caper and fennel salad; and a build-your-own slider board with pulled pork shoulder, pickles and slaw. See thegridchicago.com .
—Throughout October ( Breast Cancer Awareness Month ), Riva ( at Navy Pier ) will highlight several dishes on its menu. Each time a dish designated with a PINK RIBBON is ordered, $1 will be donated to benefit the Lynn Sage Scholars Program at Northwestern University ( www.lynnsagefoundation.org ). Featured dishes include Riva lobster Diavolo ( $42 ) and Atlantic salmon ( $29 ). See www.RivaNavyPier.com .
—Geja's Cafe, 340 W. Armitage Ave., will host its 40th Annual Professional/Amateur Wine Tasting Contest Sunday, Nov. 3, at 1 p.m. ( Amateurs are defined as not having worked in the wine industry for the previous three years. ) To enter, contestants pay an entrance fee of $20 and must be 21 years of age or older; to RSVP, call Geja's Cafe at 773-281-9101.
Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com .
