In recognition of National Soup Month, any guest who donates a canned soup or non-perishable food item at Kanela ( either location ) will receive a complimentary order of loukoumades ( Greek doughnut, lemon honey syrup and toasted walnuts ). Donations will be made to a local food pantry.
Chicago Restaurant Week will actually be 14 days this year ( Jan. 24-Feb. 6 ). The annual culinary celebration will feature prix fixe menus starting at $22 for lunch and $33 and/or $44 for dinner ( excluding beverages, tax and gratuity ). Among the many city and suburban restaurants participating are aria, bistronomic, Siena Tavern, Wood Restaurant, Bistrot Zinc, Jellyfish Restaurant, Henri, Nacional 27 and Oceanique. See EatItUpChicago.com .
Gino's East, which has been in Chicago since 1966, is now open at 500 N. LaSalle St. ( A grand opening is slated for Feb. 6. ) Deep-dish pizza favorites on the menu include the Chicago Fire ( patty-style sausage made extra hot and spicy with fire roasted peppers and red onions ), Jalapeno Blue ( bacon, blue cheese, sausage, caramelized onions, and blue cheese-bacon stuffed jalapenos ) and the BBQ Brisket Za ( barbecue beef brisket, caramelized onions, and red and yellow peppers ). See www.GinosEast.com .
LUXBAR, 18 E. Bellevue Pl., has a new executive chef. Shaun Connolly has worked at several places, including Rockit Ranch Productions, Nightwood, Epic, Takaski and Otom.
Hawaiian-inspired Sola, 3868 N. Lincoln Ave., is offering a three-course prix fixe bacon-focused menu for January for $30. There will be lentil bacon soup; bacon-wrapped cobia with black rice, Napa cabbage and BBQ vinaigrette; and an apple bacon cinnamon egg roll with vanilla miso ice cream, hoisin caramel and bacon brittle. See www.sola-restaurant.com .
Delish Diner, 2018 W. Division St., will have Trivia Night on Wednesdays at 8 p.m starting Jan. 22. Guests will enjoy an $8 burger ( veggie or regular ) and beer special. Trivia winners will receive Delish Diner gift cards.
Roka Akor Old Orchard and Roka Akor Chicago are inviting guests to wine dinners on back-to-back nights ( Jan. 29 and 30, respectively ) to celebrate the award-winning varieties from Laetitia Vineyard and Winery. Eric Hickey, president and head winemaker of Laetitia Vineyard, will be at both events. The cost is $85 each, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Call Roka Akor Old Orchard at 847-329-7650 or Roka Akor Chicago at 312-477-7652.
Both locations of Burger Boss ( 7512 W. North Ave. in Elmwood Park; 3208 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago ) are offering the Banh Mi Burger as their January special. The sandwich is an Angus beef patty with pickled carrots and radishes, fresh cucumber slices, jalapeno peppers, cilantro and sriracha hoisin mayo between two toasted Brioche buns.
Boystown has another eatery, as mEAT has opened at 3339 N. Halsted St. The restaurant's concept revolves around mostly meat skewers that are meant to be ordered like sushicomplete ideas, cut in bite-sized pieces. See www.EatAtMeat.com .
ShowPlace ICON Theatre, 150 W. Roosevelt Rd., will mark National Popcorn Day through Jan. 19 with its Lobby Lounge Cheddar Bacon Popcorn for $6 each. Extras members will receive half-price on the popcorn ( $3 each, plus tax ).
Brasserie by LM, 800 S. Michigan Ave., and Hopothesis Beer Company are holding a special beer dinner Thursday, Jan. 16. The traditional French Brasserie will be offering a prix fixe menu, which includes beer pairings for $20 per person, not including tax or gratuity. The menu will be available from 5 to 9 p.m. See www.BrasseriebyLM.com .
Pan-Asian eatery Jellyfish, 1009 N. Rush St., is now serving brunch Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Items include Crispy Chicken & Green Tea Waffles, Belly of the Beast ( 24-hour marinated Heritage pork belly grilled, ramen noodles and six-minute egg ), lobster mango roll and lychee mimosa. See www.jellyfishchicago.com .
American Junkie, 15 W. Illinois St., is giving customers a chance to win a pair of Blackhawks tickets. During each game, every customer who wears Blackhawks gear while watching will be entered to win. Two drawings for the Blackhawks tickets will be held Jan. 29.
"Chicago's Best WingFest" will take place Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, at the Bailey Auditorium, 1340 W. Washington St., 1-5 p.m. The second block of tickets will go on sale Jan. 2 and the last block on Jan. 22. Tickets ( $30-$65 ) may be purchased directly at www.WingFest.net, and attendees must be at least 21.
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