Dining out: Craft Beer Fest returns to Long Grove Saturday

Craft Beer Festival

Beer lovers can rejoice when Long Grove hosts its outdoor Craft Beer Festival from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 28. Held under a big-top tent, the event features samples from 24 local brewers, including Long Grove's Buffalo Creek Brewery, Crystal Lake Brewing, Lincolnshire's Half Day Brewing Company, Buffalo Grove's Prairie Krafts Brewing Co., Ten Ninety Brewing Company, Wild Onion Brewery and more, plus two local wineries. Enjoy music by Bellwether Blues from noon to 2:30 p.m. and Jake Mack and the Lesser Stags from 3 to 5:30 p.m. There will be multiple local food vendors on-hand, too. Tickets, for 21 and older only, are $40 in advance or $50 at the door and include a commemorative 3-ounce glass and unlimited beer samples. Nondrinker/designated driver ticket costs $15 (includes a commemorative glass and water). Buy tickets at eventbrite.com/. The Craft Beer Festival is in the Stemple parking lot in front of Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove, longgrove.org/.

Hindsight Wine Dinner at Morton's

Morton's The Steakhouse in Schaumburg invites wine lovers to a Hindsight Wine Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 27. The tuna poke appetizer will be served with Hindsight Chardonnay, 2014, while the burrata cheese salad is paired with Hindsight 20/20, Red Blend, 2014. The filet mignon entree comes with a glass of Hindsight Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2014, and Hindsight, Howell Mountain, 2013. Fragoli Red Russian will be served with the strawberry cheesecake dessert. Dinner costs $149, including tax and gratuity. Make reservations at (847) 413-8775. Morton's The Steakhouse is at 1470 McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg, (847) 413-8771 or mortons.com/schaumburg/specialevents/.

Miller's turns 10

Miller's Ale House in Lombard is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a party Sunday, April 29. There will be specials throughout the day, plus live music from 2 to 6 p.m. and a DJ from 8 p.m. until close. Don't miss your chance to enter to win a pair of Cubs tickets, too. Miller's Ale House is it at 455 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard, (630) 241-3371 or millersalehouse.com/locations/chicago-lombard/.

Raising the steaks and seafood

Oak Brook's Devon Seafood + Steak recently expanded its menu with more steak offerings featuring Midwestern-raised USDA Prime Aged Black Angus beef and traditional sides such as the wedge salad, French onion soup and au gratin potatoes. Also added to the menu are regional fish from Lake Superior, including lake perch and walleye. New three-course prix fixe meals are now available for both lunch and dinner, including seafood, steak and surf and turf options for $39 or $48. During Devon's Finest Hour (aka happy hour) from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, specials include $7 appetizers such as ahi tuna tartare and smoked salmon flatbread, chef's daily oysters for $1, and daily drink specials including $7 house wine, $7.50 handcrafted martinis and cocktails, and $1 off draft and bottled beer. Devon Seafood + Steak is at 17W400 22nd St., Oakbrook Terrace, (630) 516-0180 or devonseafood.com/.

Free lunch, dinner at Naf Naf

Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill will open its 16th Chicago-area location on Monday, April 30, in Schaumburg. Stop by the new location for a free lunch or dinner (including a side and drink) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the mayor of Schaumburg, free swag, a live DJ and photo opportunities Monday. Naf Naf is located at 1715 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, nafnafgrill.com/.

Erath Wine Dinner

Celebrate spring with an Erath wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 30, when executive chef James Woodfork pairs a five-course menu with Erath Wines. Start off with nigiri sushi and a glass of Oregon Rose of Pinot Noir '17. Then move on to Parmesan-crusted baked clams paired with Oregon Pinot Gris '16, followed by scallop and rock shrimp cous cous paired with "Resplendent" Pinot Noir '15. Rosemary duck breast will be served with "Prince Hill" Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills '12, followed by cherry crostata for dessert. The dinner is $90, plus tax and gratuity. Reel Club is at 272 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 368-9400 or reel-club.com/.

Francesca's takes it outside

It's finally time for dining al fresco, if the weather cooperates. Francesca's patios open Tuesday, May 1. Francesca's Intimo in Lake Forest has an outdoor dining capacity for 96, with a fenced-in patio with cushion seating. Francesca's Famiglia in Barrington offers outdoor dining for 70. Francesca's Passaggio in Naperville can accommodate 80 on the patio, which includes a bar and a fire pit. Francesca's at the Promenade in Bolingbrook has one table for four and four tables of two. Francesca's Intimo is at 293 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, (847) 735-9235; Francesca's Famiglia is at 100 E. Station St., Barrington, (847) 277-1027; Francesca's Passaggio, 3124 S. Route 59, Naperville, (630) 946-0600; Francesca's at the Promenade, 641 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, (630) 739-6300. miafrancesca.com/.

Q-BBQ fetes BBQ month

Q-BBQ kicks off National BBQ Month on Tuesday, May 1, with a monthlong $10-off special on their "Papa Q" Platter for two. For $19.99, the platter includes a portion of all smoked meats (Carolina pulled pork, sliced turkey, hand-pulled chicken, dry-rubbed spicy wings, Memphis wings and Texas spicy sausage) plus brisket, Memphis ribs and brisket burnt ends. Two sides (barbecue baked beans, cornbread, Mexican corn, mashed potatoes with brisket gravy, creamy slaw, fries, Mac-Q-Roni or Q-cumber tomato salad) and hush puppies are part of the deal. Q-BBQ is at 103 S. Main St., Naperville, (630) 637-6400; 70 S. La Grange Road, La Grange, (708) 482-8700; and 124 N. Marion St., Oak Park, (708) 628-3421. q-bbq.com/home.

New drinks, eats at Main Event

In time for warmer weather, Main Event has added some new drinks to its lineup. Try the Mai Tai, Prickly Pear Margarita, 1800 Watermelon Margarita, Triple Strawberry Margarita, Tito's Spiked Lemonades and Island Pina Colada. Plus, there's more: Main Event has added new spring bites. Shareable appetizers include the honey sriracha barbecue wings, cheddar cheese bites and pretzel dippers served with warm cheddar cheese queso and whole-grain honey mustard dip. New pizzas include The Works 2.0 (Italian sausage, pepperoni, Virginia ham, roasted mushrooms and onions, green peppers, fresh shaved Parmesan, mozzarella and provolone) and the Ultimate Sausage & Pepperoni (double pepperoni and sausage). Main Event is located at 2575 Pratum Ave., Hoffman Estates, (847) 645-1111, and 28248 Diehl Road, Warrenville, (630) 393-9400. mainevent.com/.

Dawn's Boatyard Bar opens

Dawn Humer, who owns Dawn's Beach Hut in St. Charles, recently opened Dawn's Boatyard Bar and outdoor patio next door. At the new bar, drinks Pirate's Punch, Purple Barnacle, Blue Shark and Mermaid Water match the nautical theme. One of the most popular drinks is Humer's secret recipe for The Boatyard Shot. Besides mixed drinks, unique beers are also on tap. There are 24 seats inside the bar, plus seating for 72 on the patio in back. Dawn's Boatyard Bar is at 214 W. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 549-0711.