Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Lite Bites: What Your Favorite Chefs & Mixologists Are Up To Around Town This Week

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Sixteen Executive Chef Thomas Lents (Photo: Trump Chicago)

Marriage Equality for all!

If you're one of those people who has a knack for picking the freshest produce at the farmer's market yet hasn't mastered how to cook them, this summer series is for you. Sixteen's Thomas Lents recently collaborated with some of the country's top markets for a unique spin on farm-focused dinners. Diners choose produce from the restaurant's pop-up market, then Lents creates a menu showcasing those ingredients. Courses range anywhere from four to 12, so prices vary.

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Bar Toma chef Erik Freeberg hooking up his latest batch of barrel-aged Negronis (Photo: Bar Toma)

• Everyone's gushing about the girlie, slushie-like Negroni at Parson's Chicken & Fish, but my mouth waters deeply for the six-week, barrel-aged one over at Bar Toma. It's made with the local North Shore gin, and ideal for sharing with a sig other. The 187 ML bottle serves two and is prepared tableside as the server pours them in rocks glasses garnished with an orange slice.

• Chefs from David Burke's Primehouse, Fountainhead, G.E.B., Paris Club, Publican Quality Meats and other spots compete against one another in Brewery Ommegang's first-ever Hop Chef Chicago. Chefs are challenged to create the perfect beer and food pairing, and you'll get to sample. They'll be judged by a panel of local and national food critics. The event takes place 7-10pm July 1 at Paris Club. Tickets are $60 (get them here) and a portion of the proceeds benefits Common Threads.

• Through September, Takito Kitchen's David Dworshak showcases seasonal ingredients from his favorite local farms. The $35 per person, three-course farm-to-table prix fixe menus rotate every week and feature ingredients from the likes of Mick Klug Farm, Maple Creek Farm and Genesis Growers. It takes place Tuesdays through Thursdays and reservations are required by calling the restaurant.

Berkshire Room opens June 28 with Benjamin Schiller behind the cocktail menu. Look for three tired sections: "cocktails" (all $12 each), "barrel-finished cocktails" (all $15 each) and "dealer's choice" (all $13 each).

Three Aces is the place to be at 6:30pm July 15 when the second-annual WXRT-FM/Supreme Lobster Rockin' Lobster Bash commences. It's a chance to indulge in the lobster creations from fantastic chefs like Ryan McCaskey (Acadia), Giuseppe Tentori (Boka/GT Fish & Oyster), Paul Virant (Vie/Perennial Virant), Matt Troost (Three Aces), Phillip Foss and Matt Dubois (EL Ideas), Ryan Poli and Eric Jorgensen (Little Market Brasserie), Mark Steuer (Carriage House), Doug Psaltis (RPM Italian/Paris Club/RPM Steak) and Thai Dang (Embeya). It's $65 and tickets may be purchased right here.

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