Tourism Toronto recently held an event at City Winery that demonstrated that the Canadian city is not only about diversity, but good food and drink as well. Representatives touted not only but the wine country, but also the distinctive neighborhoods and their dishes. For example, the kimchi caprese married Toronto's Koreatown and Little Italy neighborhoods. Also, champion oyster shucker Parick McMurray put his skills on displaying, later doling out some tasty oyster chowder. Additional Tourism Toronto photospread at pink link below the image. Also see www.SeeTorontoNow.com .
The Barrelhouse Flat, 2624 N. Lincoln Ave., is continuing its in-house cotton candy ($5) and expanding the menu with the help of cotton-candy connoisseurs Spun All Natural Confections. New flavors will include salted caramel, fernet, chartreuse, laphroaig and aviation, with the salted caramel as the October flavor of the month. See www.barrelhouseflat.com .
Schaumburg's Tokio Pub, 1900 E. Higgins Rd., will feature a Halloween bash Saturday, Oct. 27, 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Partygoers can sip along to the music of Ear Candy with Tokio Pub mixologist Jason Ackerman's creations such as the Vampire Weekend Martini ($8) and the Witches Brew Punch ($6). There will also be a costume contest with several categories, including sexiest and most original. See www.TokioPub.com .
Eduardo's Enoteca, 1212 N. Dearborn St., has launched a weekend brunch menu, available Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Among the many items are baked omelets ($9), brioche French toast ($10), or a dish like the Salsiccetruffle eggs, Italian sausage, caramelized onions, fresh mozzarella ($8). Call 312-337-4490 or visit www.eduardosenoteca.com .
The Rosebud on Taylor, 1500 W. Taylor St., invites guests to join Director of Culinary Operations Chef Michael Ponzio as he demonstrates several classic Italian dishes for the Rosebud 2012 Culinary Class Series Monday, Oct. 22, 7-9:30 p.m. The cost is $55, and includes food samples and wine pairings. To sign up, call 773-325-9700, ext. 2006.
The restaurant 2 Sparrows, 553 W. Diversey Pkwy., will host its first-ever classic beer dinner Friday, Oct. 19. Just one of the slated pairings involves salmon, onion, creme fraiche and potato with Miller High Life. The cost is $50 per guest; call 773-234-2320.
The Chicago Private Dining Steakhouse Group and the Futures Industry Association (FIA) will host the annual "Futures Industry Association's Futures Cares Great Chicago Steak Out" to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository Thursday, Nov. 1. Fans of Chicago's finest steakhouses may support the campaign online now through November 2 by visiting the Great Steak Out link on www.ChicagosFoodBank.org/SteakRaffle. Every $25 increment donated receives a raffle entry for a chance to win dinner for a year.
Pastry Chicago's Haunted Cupcake Competition will take place Saturday, Oct. 27, 1:30-4 p.m., at the Harborside International Golf Center, 1101 S. Doty Ave. East. Review the rules (such as no baking or decorating done on the premises) and register for the competition at http://pastrychicago.org/calendar/documents/12PC-HauntedCupcakeCompetitionRegistrationForm.pdf.
Clutch, 459 N. Ogden St., is open for lunch and brunch. Lunch is served Monday through Friday beginning at 11 a.m. and features appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, salads, flatbreads and desserts that are $6-$22. Clutch's new brunch menu is available every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes crab Benedict, whiskey vanilla French toast, breakfast burger and more ($2-$16). See www.clutchbar.com .
Butcher & the Burger, 1021 W. Armitage Ave., is celebrating its first anniversary with a special foie gras-stuffed venison burger seasoned with Chef Al Sternweiler's house-made steakhouse seasoning and topped with griddled onions, Dijon mustard and cheddar cheese. It will be available for $30 Thursday, Oct. 25. See www.butcherandtheburger.com .
Benny's Chop House, 444 N. Wabash Ave., is celebrating National Dessert Month (October) with a variety of items. Said items include Michigan apple tart, chocolate souffle, S'mores cheesecake, sorbets and banana cream pie, among other items ($8.99-$12.99). See www.bennyschophouse.com .
Stout Barrel House & Galley, 642 N. Clark St., will host a four-course beer dinner where each course is paired with an American craft beer on Tuesday, Oct. 16. There are only 60 tickets available for the Stout beer dinner for $40 each. Advance tickets can be purchased online at stoutbeerdinner.eventbrite.com .