The Chicago Traveler

• Sip on specially-priced $29 bottles of wine from past leap years (2000 and 2004) at the Leap Year Dinner at Café Matou. (Feb 29)
• Shane Salois of Cream Wine Company and sommelier Rashed Islam lead a tasting of more than 12 champagnes with appetizer pairings at the Leap Year Champagne Seminar at Viet Bistro. (Feb 29)
• At the Leap Year Celebration at Zocalo, get a flan dessert for $2.29 (in honor of the day 2/29) plus half-price appetizers and live music in the bar. (Feb 29)
• The Leap Year Celebration at Café Penelope features buffalo frog legs, “frog’s leap” …read more

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“Foodies” can be pretty particular about their eating-out choices, as they look for that “something extra” in restaurants. Bonsoirée in Logan Square offers just that with an exclusive dining experience.
This subtle café and catering company serves up French and American delicacies. While it’s open to the public most of the week, every Saturday night they offer an invitation-only prix-fixe dinner, perfect for the true foodie with a sophisticated taste. They call it their “underground” restaurant. The menu changes weekly, and anyone can sign up on the website. However, only a limited number of people are chosen at random and e-mailed …read more

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Whether you’re lovesick or sick of love, there’s something in town for you.
• All three locations of Adobo Grill in the Chicagoland area will be putting out a menu made for love. Dishes include empanadas con pétalos de rosa (empanadas stuffed with Oaxacan cheese, fresh corn, and chipotle-rose-petal salsa), parrillada de corazón (adobo-marinated lobster tail, grilled lamb chops, sea scallops, beef tenderloin, and homemade chorizo), and corazón de chocolate (Mexican chocolate cake filled with chocolate mousse and raspberry-corazón tequila sauce). (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., menu prices) (map) (link)
• You may not …read more

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• Join the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement at Shikago Restaurant for their 2007 Holiday Party. Enjoy cocktails and modern Asian cuisine, all while taking in the beautiful city views. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. A $5 discount will be given at the door to those who donate professional apparel. (Dec 7)
• Want to support a Democratic candidate? RSVP for Change Rocks, a concert for Senator Barack Obama at the Riviera Theatre. Performers include Jeff Tweedy, Stephan Jenkins, and Jill Sobule. (Dec 7)
• The fifth annual Winter Arts and Crafts Expo at the Evanston Art …read more

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• The Young Women’s Leadership Council will be hosting its 2nd Annual Fall Fundraiser featuring a performance by Spitfire Comedy, a raffle, and a silent auction at the Mad River Bar & Grille. Selective complimentary drinks and food are included. (Nov 15)
• Jimmy Eat World performs live at the Riviera Theatre, while Ralph Stanley (the best banjo picker in bluegrass) shows off his skills at Fitzgerald’s. (Nov 15)
• This is the last weekend to catch “Runaways” in Humboldt Park. Local playwright Elizabeth Swados’ gritty musical drama takes place on Lower Wacker Drive, featuring hip-hop, rock, R&B, reggae, and mambo …read more

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Inside the green-roofed hut of Irazu, you’ll find a good mix of Chicagoans in a friendly, casual atmosphere—the trendy Wicker Park crowd, Lincoln Park yuppies, the artists from Bucktown, and the professional Gold Coasters—many of whom only found out about Irazu via word of mouth. People can’t stop talking about the menu, which has something for everybody. The Costa Rican cuisine is generally much tamer than most traditional Mexican foods, making it much easier on those with more sensitive, untrained palates.
The casado is a house specialty: thin rib eye steak or chicken breast caramelized with onions, served with white rice, …read more

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• A ghoul’s gotta eat. The Dead Diner (a.k.a. the Orbit Room) will be serving up Halloween-themed food and drink specials, along with ghostly tunes, horror flicks, and a midnight costume contest with a cash prize. (Oct 27, 31)
• Eat, Drink, and Be Scary at the Museum of Surgical Science. Hosted by the Foundation for Community Betterment, this costume party and fundraiser features festive drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and tours of the unique venue. An after-party and raffle complete the celebration at aliveOne. Proceeds benefit 7-year-old Mallory Langill, diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at birth. (Oct 27)
• Vision and Excalibur come together …read more

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Friday, October 19, Y-ME Illinois will honor all those that have been affected by breast cancer and their supporters. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., The Big Night Out at Union Station will raise funds that will allow Y-ME to continue their work in the community, supporting and educating women. Guests will be treated to the delicious treats of Ethel’s Chocolate, Geja’s Café, Garrett Popcorn, Argo Tea, Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels, Starbucks Liqueur, Aveda Institute Chicago, Touch Salons, and Martini Park. A Mini Cooper will be raffled off at the event, and live music …read more

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Head of Femur, a Chicago indie rock band, will be performing at the Logan Square Auditorium tonight. After going through several musicians to fill out and complete their sound over the years, the group is now settled on a five-piece lineup. Staying true to their trademark funky sound, they continue to produce inventive and bold music. Be sure to catch this free show before the band begins its three-week nationwide tour.
The popular open-end show “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” continues on this weekend as it has for the past nineteen years, making it the longest-running show in …read more

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