photo: courtesy plaza grill
Plaza Grill's seasonal La Quercia Ham Flatbread, made with roasted tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, mushrooms, and a local egg.
Monday 10/7 to Sunday 10/13: Park Grill (11 N. Michigan Ave., 312-521-7275) in Millennium Park holds Fall Fest, a week of seasonal specials such as pumpkin soup and apple pie. The restaurant also hosts a Bears viewing party on Thursday (7:25 p.m.), a beer tasting competition on Friday (5 to 8 p.m.), a farmer’s market on Saturday (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and a Chicago Marathon breakfast and watch party on Sunday (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.).
Thursday, 10/10: Now that it’s officially fall, Carlucci (1801 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove, 630-512-0990) welcomes the new season at its indoor/outdoor End of Summer Patio Party. Festivities start at 6 p.m., the $20 price tag includes a buffet, three drink tickets, seasonal craft brews, $3 drink specials, and live music.
Thursday, 10/10: Duck, goose, and Belgian brews top the menu at Kabocha’s (952 W. Lake St., 312-666-6214) beer pairing dinner with Brewery Vivant. The 6-course meal presented by chef Shin Thompson is $90 for a place at one of the two seatings (5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.)
Friday, 10/11: Caffeine addicts and coffee snobs alike are invited to a workshop at Counter Culture Coffee’s Chicago Training Center (177 N. Ada St., Unit 106) from 7 to 9 p.m. The free event features a presentation by the owners of Finca El Puente coffee farm and Erin McCarthy (2013 World Brewers Cup Champion). Light food and beverages, including a coffee tasting, will be served, and a pop-up shop with coffee beans and merchandise is available for guests to peruse.
Saturday, 10/12: The next cooking demo at BellyQ (1400 W. Randolph St., 312-563-1010) highlights chef Bill Kim’s line of Belly sauces. Kim prepares four separate dishes, step-by-step, for attendees who will then enjoy the food family-style. Tickets are $50; the demonstration starts at 11 a.m.
Saturday, 10/12: Bakersfield (330 E. Ogden Ave., 630-568-3615) opens the patio for its “Pork and Pioneer” pig roast. The unlimited sampling menu costs $30 and features a serving of pork along with side dishes like grilled sweet corn, cowboy-style baked beans, homemade applesauce, and charred fava bean salad. An optional pairing of a glass of Pioneer Cabernet Sauvignon is $7.