—Come together: The Latina Exchange will host its largest gathering to date on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Union League Club of Chicago. Two hundred guests are expected.
With 15% of ticket sales directed to the Chicago Food Depository, this gathering will provide an estimated 6,000+ meals to families in need. The featured speakers will be Nuestra Cocina founder/President Berenice Tenorio, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza and veteran news anchor Erika Maldonado.
The evening will also feature acknowledgements of inspiring community advocates, floral arrangements by MJM Occasions and special activations throughout the night. In addition, guests will receive holiday gifts and keepsakes. Tickets can be purchased at this link.
And now on to culinary items…
—Let’s make a deal: The Fish Guy, a fishmonger in Irving Park, is selling lobster rolls to go for under $17 each.
Other deals include the salmon burger, crab cake sandwich and the fresh tuna-salad roll, each for $14. Customers can order ahead of time by calling 773-283-7400.
—Basque in the spotlight: Don’t forget to read my review of the Basque restaurant Asador Bastian. Did this spot live up to the hype when I visited it recently? Find out!
—Stopping by: And speaking of Basque, globally known chef/humanitarian José Andrés stopped by Mariano’s Ravenswood in Chicago on Nov. 13. Read more about the visit at SAVOR with Andrew.
—End of an era: After almost 50 years in Streeterville, the acclaimed French restaurant Les Nomades closed in mid-October as its lease expires and its historic building at 222 E. Ontario St. is being sold, according to Eater Chicago.
Restaurateur Jovan Trboyevic opened Les Nomades in 1978 as a private club with a mission of bringing understated French elegance. In June 2024, the three-story brownstone that houses Les Nomades was listed for $3.5 million, according to the building’s broker. Earlier this summer, owner Mary Beth Liccioni told CoStar she didn’t expect the restaurant to continue after the sale—but a message on the restaurant’s OpenTable page indicated otherwise.
—”Wicked”-ly good: Stan’s Donuts & Coffee is kicking off the holiday season with its full November/December lineup, including a one-day-only Wicked donut on the day of the movie’s release: Nov. 21.
Some of the other highlights at Stan’s include pumpkin old-fashioned minis (through Nov. 27); various holiday donuts through Jan. 1, including Peppermint Bark Old Fashioned, Holiday Sprinkle Cake Donuts and Cherry Olive Oil Le Stan, among others; holiday drinks, including protein refreshers; and even a gift-card offer through Jan. 1 (buy $25, get $7.50 free).
—Drag ladies: On Nov. 21 and Dec. 21, Juliana Restaurant & Nightclub, 3001 W. Peterson Ave., will feature “SPOTLIGHT: The Dinner Drag Show” (7-10 p.m.) and “SPOTLIGHT: Holiday Drag Brunch” (11 a.m.-3 p.m.), respectively.
Angelique Munro will host the events, with performers including Milani, Miss Sassy Trade and Alex Kay for the Nov. 21 show. The fee for the events (for those 18 and older) is $55.20 each; click on the links above to purchase tickets.
—Kiss-tletoe: Mistletoe at Mordecai returns Friday, Nov. 21, debuting a refreshed holiday experience in their first-floor dining room—a winter hideaway just steps from Winterland at Gallagher Way.
There will be nine festive cocktails, including Sleighcation (coconut daiquiri with toasted marshmallow), Candy Plate (rum, chocolate, mint and Andes crunch) and more. In addition, weekday specials will include Fondue Mondays and Wine Wednesdays, among others.
—Spice, spice, baby: James Beard Award-winning Chef Zach Engel and the team behind Galit are teaming with spice master Lior Lev Sercarz of La Boîte for a one-night-only dinner experience at Cafe Yaya on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 6:30 p.m.
Guests will enjoy an intimate evening with Sercarz, whose journey from growing up in Israel to training in France and working alongside Daniel Boulud has made him one of the culinary industry’s most influential figures. There will be a menu of dishes from both restaurants, each one built around La Boîte’s globally inspired spice blends. Tickets can be bought via Resy for $190 each, plus tax.
—Espresso lane: River North restaurant/bar Dearly Beloved is hosting an Espresso Martini Fest on Nov. 23 (National Espresso Day) at 7-10 p.m.
Each guest will try eight premium martini tastings crafted by local mixologists from renowned establishments, with each bartender showcasing a signature take on the espresso martini.
—Let’s make a deal: Toro Chicago has launched Toro Fixe—a three-course Pan-Latin prix fixe menu that is being promoted as “equal parts elevated and accessible.”
Available Sundays–Thursdays, the menu includes three courses and a drink for $60/person. Guests choose from starters like smoked guacamole or butternut squash soup; entrées such as short rib al carbon or salmon achiote ponzu; and housemade churros drizzled in brandy dulce de leche.
—Cause and effect: The organization Let It Be Us—a licensed child-welfare agency and a leader in adoption and foster-care innovation—will host Candy Cottage for a Cause: Gingerbread Holiday Fundraiser for Foster Care and Adoption at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook on Thursday, Dec. 4, 5:30-8 p.m. The adults-only event will feature gingerbread house decorating led by a professional pastry artist, seasonal refreshments and a festive evening supporting Let It Be Us programs that help children and teens in foster care find permanent, loving homes. Tickets can be purchased on the organization’s site.
The write stuff: Be sure to read and subscribe to my other Substack—Pop-Eds: My thoughts on pop culture. (Like SAVOR, it’s less than $5/month to access everything.) Columns have discussed Labubu, cheating, R&B music, the Epstein files, vampire facials and the Kim Kardashian show All’s Fair, among many other topics.
Until next time…