Dining events: Restaurant Michael adds a taste of spring to the menu

Restaurant Michael welcomes spring

Spring sprang at Restaurant Michael in the form of new menu items. Chef Michael Lachowicz's creations include ceviche of baby octopus with shrimp and scallops and a vanilla citrus vinaigrette; duo of jumbo lump crabcake and pan-roasted scallop; duo of grilled Scottish salmon and escolar; grilled quail filled with truffle risotto and foie gras; duo of lamb; pan-roasted loup de mer; and house-cured and smoked salmon. Restaurant Michael is at 64 Green Bay Road, Winnetka. (847) 441-3100 or restaurantmichael.com.

Liccioni flies into the Loop with Cochon Volant

Chef Roland Liccioni is at it again. Former chef/owner of Wheeling's Le Francais, Liccioni's latest adventure, Cochon Volant, recently opened in the Hyatt Centric Hotel in the Loop. Cochon Volant's menu, created with partner chef Matt Ayala, features French specialties such as croissants and pain au chocolat and classics like steak frites, escargot, mussels, roasted chicken and salmon salad Lyonnaise. Cochon Volant is at 100 W. Monroe St., Chicago. (312) 754-6560 or www.cochonvolantchicago.com.

Shakou brings stylish sushi to St. Charles

Shakou brings its modern Japanese cuisine and urban vibe to St. Charles. Chef Sang Choi's specialties include the black widow, with black rice, lightly battered fresh water eel, avocado topped with tempura crunch, sauteed scallops, tobiko and unagi sauce; and golden lobster, featuring lobster tempura, avocado and masago, wrapped in soy paper topped with seared garlic egg yolk sauce, unagi sauce and wasabi mayo. The restaurant, which has been in a hit in Libertyville since 2013, will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Shakou is at 312 Main St., St. Charles. (630) 444-0850 or shakousushi.com.