—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 .
—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.
—Compass Bar has opened at 433 W. Diversey Ave. The beer-centric restaurant and bar concept specializes in craft beer and wood-fired pizzas, and the bar features 180 bottled beers and 20 tap handles. See www.compassbarchicago.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 .
—Bombay Spice Indian Grill, 213 E. Ohio St., has introduced a new catering menu. Espousing a healthful approach, Executive Chef Sunil Kumar does not employ butter, cream or frying. Items include wraps, bowls and salads. See www.facebook.com/BombaySpiceGrill.
—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 .
—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., has launched its Latin Series with a Brazil cooking class. 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.
—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.
—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 .
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