—SideDoor, 100 E. Ontario St., has launched brand-new lunch and dinner menus. The new menus feature elevated fare with a local, seasonal twist courtesy of Executive Chef Ryan Wombacher. In addition to gastropub staples, Chef Wombacher also dedicates a portion of the menu to fresh seafood. Dishes include warm cheddar biscuits, housemade Angus beef jerky, lamb meatballs, and oyster and tartare selections, among other items. See SidedoorChicago.com.
—The Field Museum will celebrate its 125th anniversary at a pop-up installation at Logan Square cocktail bar The Whistler, 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave., that will have scientists discussing the history, science and uses of alcohol. (Also, The front windows of The Whistler will be transformed into a diorama featuring original specimens from the 1893 World’s Fair, where the Field Museum got its start.) Events will take place Sunday, Sept. 9, 6-7 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 18, 7-8 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 30, 6-7 p.m. The above programming is free and 21+; visit FieldMuseum.org/diorama125.
—Ballyhoo Hospitality’s Walton Street Kitchen + Bar (@waltonstreetchicago), an upscale spot at 912 N. State St., will open on Wed., Sept. 12, with two distinct restaurant and lounge experiences: the Kitchen + Bar and The Lounge. Chicago-based design group 555 International is behind the interior design of the two-level space as well as much of the custom-fabricated details and furnishings inside it. See WaltonStreetChicago.com.
—Chicago French Market has announced four new vendors opening now through October. New additions include Blue Spot Sushi (full menu, including sushi burritos), Joker’s Cajun Kitchen (New Orleans Cuisine), Bang Chop (Thai favorites) and Jiangbing Guy (Chinese Street Food). In addition to these grand openings, three more vendors are expanding their offerings: Wood Fire Counter, B.I Tea and Dim Sum, and The French Lunchbox have all added new items to their menus. See FrenchMarket.com.
—Arami is now open and serving travelers coming from near and far inside Chicago Midway International Airport’s newly-opened Concourse A Food Hall. The Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Japanese restaurant has attracted diners to its original West Town location since 2010. For more information about Arami and all new concessions at Midway Airport, visit AramiChicago.com and MidwayPartnership.com.
—Eater Chicago reported that a former busboy at The Purple Pig claims restaurant employees routinely harassed him on the job. Rodrigo Soto alleges that two male co-workers would regularly grab him, hurl anti-gay slurs at him, show him pornography, and hit on him—and claims that supervisors ignored his complaints about his co-workers’ behavior. The restaurant responded with a widely distributed statement mentioning a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and discrimination.
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—Italian Loop restaurant The Florentine (in the J.W. Marriott Hotel) is offering its annual summer picnic baskets. The featured baskets include Saluti! (chef’s selection of meat and cheese, olives, crackers, dried fruit and nuts. Choice of red or white wine; $35), Estate Italiana (mixed green salad, chicken panini, rosemary dusted chips, cannoli. Choice of red or white wine; $50), Ciao Bella (mixed green salad, grilled semi-boneless Cornish hen, roasted potatoes, charred broccoli and cannoli, with a choice of red or white wine; $75). Sides include imported burrata, Caesar salad, pasta salad, cannoli, tiramisu, grilled vegetables ($10 per addition).
—Shore Club, 1603 N. Lake Shore Dr., is hosting a series of events running through October. Events include Rose Fest on the Beach (Saturday, Sept. 15, 2-5 p.m.), Whiskeyfest on the Beach (Saturday, Sept. 22, 2-5 p.m.) and Oktoberfest on the Beach (Saturday, Oct. 6, 12-4 p.m.) For more information, visit www.ShoreClubChi.com.
—Bon Appetit presents Chicago Gourmet’s event Hamburger Hop returns Friday, Sept. 28, on the Harris Theater Rooftop at 6-9 p.m. To celebrate Chicago Gourmet’s overall Rock the Fork theme, the evening’s DJ will spin crowd-pleasing, old-school jams while 15 chefs compete for the title of burger champ. The competitor line-up includes chefs from Miller’s Pub, Virgin Hotels Chicago, Kinzie Chophouse, Cochon Volant Brasserie and other restaurants; chef/author/TV figure Carla Hall and Chef Tony Mantuano are among the judges. Visit www.chicagogourmet.org/page/HamburgerHop.
—The James Beard Foundation (JBF) announced the cities and dates for its sixth annual Taste America national culinary tour: Sept. 28-Nov. 17. Chicago will share the dates of Oct. 26-27 with San Francisco. Chicago events include the Taste Chicago Benefit Dinner on Oct. 26 at Prime & Provisions/Builders BLDG, and free demos on Oct. 27 at Michigan Avenue’s Sur La Table with Karen Akunowicz and Big Jones chef Paul Fehribach. See www.jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica.
—Noyane, 101 E. Erie St., is offering a special branded lunchbox promo with a portion of the proceeds go toward CPS just in time for back to school. Guests can add the souvenir lunch box to their orders for $9 to donate ($5 going to CPS fundraisers) through Sept. 30 during Lunch & Dinner service (opens at 11 a.m. daily). Noyane will be donating proceeds to the Back To School Campaign.
—On Sunday, Sept. 30, at noon-10 p.m., Thalia Hall and Dusek’s Board & Beer are hosting the 4th Annual Blocktoberfest. Located outside Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., the free event will feature a variety of craft beers and specialty cocktails for purchase. In addition, there will be items such as Dusek’s soft pretzels with house-made beer mustard ($4); garlic sausage served with chips, sauerkraut and beer mustard ($5); and local apple streusel ($5). There will also be DJs like Jesse De La Pena, Darryn Jones and Yessenia G.
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