City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St.—a concert venue and the city's only fully operational winery—will present an eclectic mix of the most respected names in pop, rock, jazz, blues and world music, when it opens its doors Aug. 1.
Among the headliners are Lewis Black (Aug. 15-19); Howie Day (Aug. 23); soul/R&B legend Sam Moore of Sam & Dave fame (Aug. 24-25); Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac (Aug. 26-27); the jazz-bluegrass combo the David Grisman Sextet (Sept. 6-7); singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega (Sept. 8-9); Brazilian pop chanteuse Bebel Gilberto (Sept. 14-15); pop star Matthew Sweet (Sept. 20-21); Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople fame (Sept. 28-29); jazz sensation Esperanza Spalding (Oct. 1-3); jazz vocalist Kurt Elling (Oct. 21-22); singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin (Nov. 7-8); Israeli singer-songwriter and guitarist David Broza (Nov. 12); singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash (Nov. 18); gospel/R&B superstar Mavis Staples (Nov. 23-24); The Blind Boys of Alabama (Dec. 8); and, in two New Year's Eve performances, Los Lobos (Dec. 31).
City Winery Chicago's VinoFile membership is now available. For more information on becoming a VinoFile member ($75 annual fee), call 312-733-WINE (9463) or visit www.citywinery.com .
Local dining news: Clos du Bois launches; Trump changes culinary team
—Chicago VIPs, influencers and wine lovers recently convened at Maude's Liquor Bar to celebrate the launch of Clos du Bois Winery's newest wine, Rouge, along with Clos du Bois Winery Ambassador Katie Lee and winemaker Gary Sitton. Clos du Bois Rouge was feted with traditional can-can dancers and a "Lady Marmalade" musical performance. There were also a French-themed caricature artist and French bites such as pommes frites.
—Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, 401 N. Wabash St., has added two to the property's award-winning culinary team at Sixteen: Patrick Fahy as executive pastry chef and Christopher Heisinger as executive sous chef. Fahy served as executive pastry chef for the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, and has also sered at Publican, Avec and Blackbird.
—Lillie's Q, where chef/owner Charlie McKenna serves BBQ along with Southern favorites and sides at 1856 W. North Ave., is brewing a signature beer at Goose Island Clybourn with head brewer Jared Rouben called the Lillie's Q Inferno Imperial IPA. The Lillie's Q Inferno Imperial IPA is a double India pale ale brewed with a trio of hops, and it is infused with inferno chili peppers.
—Michael Jordan's Steak House, 505 N. Michigan Ave., will mark its one-year anniversary Aug. 23 with a variety of highlights. Among those will be surprising 23 tables by covering the check of the group assigned with the 23rd ticket. There will also be a $10 special for the six-ounce Italian beef-style hanger steak with fries, onion jus and spicy giardiniera. For reservations, call 312-321-8823 or visit www.mjshchicago.com .
—Old Town Pour House, 1419 N. Wells St., has a new brunch menu with items such as Bailey's Stuffed French toast, adult bacon and eggs made with smoked pork belly and a wide variety of morning cocktails such as the Churchill Bloody Mary. Old Town Pour House brunch is available Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Visit www.oldtownpourhouse.com or call 312-477-2800.
—Cornerstone Restaurant Group has announced that Gregory Elliott is the new executive chef of WAVE, located in the W Chicago-Lakeshore, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr. This announcement comes as W Hotels Worldwide recently revealed a plan to reinvent more than 10 properties across North America, including the W Chicago-Lakeshore. See www.waverestaurant.com .
—Bar Umbriago, 6 W. Hubbard St., is now open for lunch. Chef Michael Ponzio is offering items such as seafood salad, steak tartare, porchetta sandwich, muffuletta, goat cheese gnocchi and spaghetti amatraciana. Additionally, Bar Umbriago will now offer a hospitality industry discount; guests who show their industry business card will receive 15 percent off on food and alcohol on Mondays and Tuesdays.
—Bleeding Heart Bakery & Cafe in West Town, 1916 W. Chicago Ave., will revamp into West Town Bakery & Diner, and will no longer be associated with the Bleeding Heart brand. It will reopen Saturday, July 28, at 7 a.m. Greg Mohr and Scott Weiner—who co-own and manage The Fifty/50, Roots Handmade Pizza and Homestead—will still head West Town.
—Shaw's Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard St., welcomes Bonny Doon winemaker and owner Randall Grahm for a six-course wine dinner featuring the wines of Bonny Doon Friday, Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m. The menu includes Hog Island oysters, Maine lobster toast and spice-glazed New York strip steak, among other items. The price for the evening is $85 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Reservations are required and can be made by calling Kate VanFossen at 312-527-2722.
—Rosebud on Rush, 720 N. Rush St., is now open for weekend brunch, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The menu will include items like peppercorn-smoked salmon, omelets, eggs Benedict, French toast and more, ranging in cost from $5 to $14. Call 312-266-6444 to reserve.
—The Florentine, 151 W. Adams St., is now offering picnic dinners for two. For example, the "Italian Summer in the City" basket ($40) includes homemade beet chips; chicken-and-avocado panini; heirloom tomato, watermelon and buratta salad; baby arugula, toasted hazelnuts and pickled fennel; and ricotta cheesecake. Call 312-660-8866 at least 12 hours prior to pick-up.
—In news involving the doughnut shop Glazed and Infused, Francesca's on Chestnut (200 E. Chestnut St.; 312-482-8800) is now serving the company's artisan doughnuts 8-10:30 a.m. Also, in honor of National Milk Chocolate Day (July 28), Glazed and Infused will be making special chocolate doughnuts during the entire week. The cost per doughnut is $2-$3.25; email pre-orders to sales@goglazed.com .
—Benny's Chop House, 444 N. Wabash Ave., is joining an effort to save the world's largest sockeye-salmon fishery with a Bristol Bay menu complete with three salmon courses and a cocktail. The dishes are a soup, salmon tartare and a coddled sockeye-salmon dish; the cocktail is made with sparkling pink rose and Small's gin. For more info, visit www.savebristolbay.org or www.bennyschophouse.com .
—The family owners of Gino's East, famous for deep-dish pizza since 1966, have opened a new upscale sports bar concept in the South Loop at Printer's Row, 521 S. Dearborn St. Among the offerings are wild venison pizza, with venison sausage, apples, cremini, white cheddar and fried egg; and Jalapeño Blue, with bacon, blue cheese, sausage, caramelized onions and blue cheese-bacon stuffed jalapeños. See www.GinosEastSportsBar.com .
