Tuesday, 2/4

Learn the difference between sake and shochu at Yusho’s 7 p.m. dinner featuring spirits from Sake Story distillers. The five-course meal will cycle through fresh scallops, matsutake mushroom congee, and appropriate alcohol matches for each. Reserve a spot for the $65 meal here.

Thursday, 2/6

In what is possibly the dude-friendliest pairing dinner possible, the folks at Local Root (601 N. McClurg Court, Streeterville, 312-643-1145) will match four Benromach Scotches with a four-course, meat-heavy meal that has both a New York strip steak and lamb skewers on the menu. (Appropriately, dessert is butterscotch pudding.) Call the restaurant to make a reservation for the $60 meal.

Nothing is more metal than matching your burger, beer, and favorite band, which you’ll be able to do starting today at Kuma’s Corner (2900 W. Belmont Ave., Avondale, 773-604-8769) and Kuma’s Too (666 W. Diversey Pkwy., Lake View, 773-472-2666). In the first of three planned Metal Beers & Burgers pairings with DryHop Brewers, you’ll be able to get a full meal inspired by the band Red Fang—the beer is an Imperial Red called Reverse Thunder after one of the band’s songs, and the Red Fang II burger features jalapeño beer cheese, beer-battered onion rings, and barbecue sauce.

Friday, 2/7

Surprise! It’s cold. Appropriate timing, then, for a week of soup specials at Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard St., River North, 312-645-6000) and Rockit Burger Bar (3700 N. Clark St., Wrigleyville, 773-645-4400), ending today with a cheddar-ale soup in a pretzel bread bowl.

Sunday, 2/9

Sunday family dinner without fighting over cooking or cleaning up afterwards: Azzurra (1467 N. Milwaukee, Wicker Park, 773-278-5959) is launching a weekly, family-style meal inspired by different regions of Italy. February’s destination is Tuscany, and dinner is $23 for adults, $12 for kids 8-12, and free for those 7 and younger.