—Leghorn Chicken, 959 N. Western Ave., which promotes itself as a "socially conscious" BYOB chicken shack, has opened. Chef Jared Van Camp, Chef Sieger Bayer and Element Collective ( Kinmont, Old Town Social, Nellcote, RM Champagne Salon, Owen + Alchemy, Quality Social, Ampersand ). The restaurant has stated that 2 percent of its gross profits will go to gay-rights organizations.
—In celebration of its 25th anniversary at the flagship Rush Street location, Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse will kick off "25 Days of Gibsons" on March 27—in which more than $25,000 worth of exclusive prizes will be awarded to lucky patrons. Gibsons will organize a raffle drawing, in which the winners will receive two tickets to the 2014 Chicago Gourmet with one-night hotel accommodations along with a $250 gift card to Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse. People can enter at www.GibsonsSteakhouse.com through April 21. Also, all Gibsons locations are offering all of its steaks ( including its $99 Gibsons 42 chop ) for $25 on April 21.
—Devon Seafood Grill, 39 E. Chicago Ave., will start its new Sunday Brunch Buffet on April 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and with Easter Sunday Brunch ( April 20 ) 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Traditional items such as scrambled eggs and petite Belgian waffles will be augmented with the Premier Station ( prime rib, crab legs ), the chilled seafood display and the sweets table. Costs are $45 for adults and $16 for children 4-12, plus tax and gratuity. Call 312-440-8660 or visit www.DevonSeafood.com .
—Davanti Enoteca, 1359 W. Taylor St., hosts a "Wine Dinner Duel" on Thursday, March 20, at 7 p.m., featuring the Piedmontese wineries of husband and wife Ferruccio Grimaldi and Enrica Scavino. For $70 each ( plus tax and gratuity ), patrons will enjoy Langhe Nebbiolo paired with risotto con tartufo as well as variations of Barolo accompanied by Carne Stagionata con Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale—a Slagel Farms 60-day, dry-aged ribeye with aceto balsamico and sea salt. See www.davantichicago.com .
—Wicker Park restaurant Nando Milano Trattoria, 2114 W. Division St., will launch its first series of cooking classes in April. Led by Executive Chef Alessio Vullo, Nando's cooking classes will focus on "fare de mangiare per la famiglia" or family-style meals. Classes ( limited to 10 people ) will be held on Sundays, 12-1:30 p.m. The cost is $80 per person. Call 773-486-2636.
—April 9 is Chinese Almond Cookie Day, and Bartlett restaurant TL's Four Seasons Chinese & Japanese Restaurant, 110 W. Bartlett Ave., has teamed with Chicago's Chiu Quon Bakery. Guests dining at TL's on the food holiday will receive complimentary almond cookies all day from the bakery. See www.tlsfourseasons.com .
—To commemorate National Grilled Cheese Month ( April ), Sedgwick's Bar and Grill, 1935 N. Sedgwick St., is offering the "Wiki-cheese-ia." The special grilled cheese starts with layers of American, Swiss and Gouda cheeses, topped with a grilled tomato and packed with smoked crispy pancetta and avocado all in between a soft pretzel bun. The $10 sandwich will be available April 1-30.
—DMK Restaurants co-founders David Morton and Michael Kornick have announced the opening of two new concepts at 14 W. Hubbard St. in Chicago's River North area. The restaurant group ( behind such eateries as DMK Burger Bar, County Barbeque and Fish Bar ) will redevelop an 8,000 square-foot, two-story space, converting it into two concepts.
— The White House is losing its executive pastry chef, according to USA Today. Bill Yosses told The New York Times that he is moving to New York to teach children and adults about healthy eating, citing the inspiration of First Lady Michelle Obama. Then-First Lady Laura Bush hired Yosses in 2007.
—In honor of National Ravioli Day ( March 20 ), Tuscany on Taylor Street, 1014 W. Taylor St., will offer Executive Chef Victorio Moreno's Ravioli Alla Pera with roasted pear, parmigiano, toasted nuts, sun-dried tomatoes and mascarpone cream for $17. Also, City Dough, 2955 N. Sheffield Ave., will offer its spinach-and-goat cheese ravioli for $10 during lunch only.
—Chicago Chefs Week will take place through March 21. Dozens of restaurants will offer three-course lunches for $22 and/or four-course lunches for $44. Among the participating restaurants are Jellyfish, Antique Taco, Graham Elliot Bistro, Slurping Turtle, The Publican, Avec, Azzurra and Hot Chocolate. See www.ChicagoChefsWeek.com .
—For Lent ( through 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 .
—In observance of Lent, Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe St., will feature a hot buttered lobster roll special from Executive Chef Kevin Church. The dish will be available during Friday dinner hours starting at 4 p.m., at market price. See www.CommonwealthChicago.com .
—ACME Hotel Company, 15 E. Ohio St., is kicking off Baconmedia April 1. Among the events are a Baconfest Bacon Month Kick-off Cocktail Party ( April 1 ), Makin' Bacon Cocktails with Benjamin Schiller ( April 8 ) and Kevin Bacon Movie Night ( Thursdays in April ), among others. See www.acmehotelcompany.com .
—Brasserie by LM, 800 S. Michigan Ave., has a new executive chef, Christian Gosselin. Gosselin was chef de cuisine at Bistronomic and executive chef at The Boarding House. He also worked for Sofitel Hotels for seven years, including the establishments in Montreal and Chicago.
—In honor of Aretha Franklin's birthday, Untitled Supper Club, 111 W. Kinzie St., will pay tribute to her on March 19, 7-10 p.m., with a night of live soul music by Chicago's Brooke and the Nice Things covering a selection of her greatest hits. Admission for the event is complimentary; RSVP at arethafranklintribute.eventbrite.com .
—MAK: Modern Asian Kitchen, 1924 W. Division St., is marking National Noodle Month with two specialty dishes available through March 31. Specials include MAK's version of pad thai and MAK Lo Mein. Both dishes are available for $8 each, with the option to add protein for an additional $2. See www.MAKRestaurant.com .
—Fish Bar, 2956 N. Sheffield Ave., is holding its seasonal crab roll on March 20. For $40 per person ( excluding tax and gratuity ), patrons get lobster bisque, a half Dungeness crab, boiled potatoes and a Red Hook ESB. All of the proceeds benefit Shedd Aquarium as part of DMK Restaurant's Friends of Fish program. Seatings are at 6:30/7 p.m. and 8:30/9 p.m. For tickets, visit fishbarhascrabs.bpt.me.
—In honor of National Noodle Month this March, City Dough, 2955 N. Sheffield Ave., announces a "Design Your Own Pasta" contest. Amateur cooks are invited to share an original pasta recipe for a chance to be featured on City Dough's menu for the month of April and win a $50 gift certificate. See www.CityDough.com .
—Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., is offering seasonal menus for Passover and Easter. The $35 three-course Passover menu ( available April 14-22 at 5 p.m. nightly; price does not include tax or tip ) incorporates Chef Martial's French technique and style into the traditional Jewish holiday cuisine. The three-course Easter Brunch Menu will be available on April 20, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m; the price is $29 for adults and $15 for children. See www.bistronomic.net .
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