Dining events: Schaumburg welcomes upscale Zeal
Zeal opens in Schaumburg
Chef Vincent Pecora recently opened Zeal, an upscale yet casual restaurant in Schaumburg. Specialties include pizza fritta, $20; homemade gnocchi, $15; stuffed Melrose peppers, $10; baked clams, $14; and the Zeal seafood tower with split king crab legs, jumbo shrimp, cherry stone clams, ahi tuna and lobster meat, $65 for half or $95 for full portion. Half-plate entree options include the veal tortellacci Bolognese, $15; oversize stuffed meatballs over polenta, $12; and tenderloin tornadoes with potatoes bravis, $16. Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays for now.
Zeal is located at 680 Mall Drive, Schaumburg. (847) 995-0188 or zealforfood.com.
Chooch's tableside music
Listen to modern rock covers performed by Tony Sheehan while you dine at Chooch's Pizzeria at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1. Chooch's offers several chicken specials only available on weekends: chicken Vesuvio, $16; chicken giambotta, $17; chicken Parmesan, $15; and chicken Marsala, $17, all served with a fresh garden salad. No cover.
Chooch's Pizzeria is at 64 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. (847) 888-0211 or choochspizza.com.
Dinner for Trotter
Eight top Chicago chefs come together at Cyrano's Farm Kitchen at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2, for The Million Dollar Dinner series. The series raises money for a bust to be made of the late legendary chef Charlie Trotter to be displayed in the Chicago Culinary Museum and Chefs Hall of Fame. The evening includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and a sit-down degustation dinner. $150 all inclusive.
Cyrano's Farm Kitchen is located at 546 N. Wells St., Chicago. (312) 467-0546 or opentable.com.