Dining out: Tuscany mixes up Halloween cocktails, Francesca's fetes National Pasta Day
Spooky drinks
It's Halloween time - why should kids have all the fun? Just for adults, Tuscany in Oak Brook and Wheeling is serving up festive fall cocktails during October. Try the Dark and Stormy (Myers's Dark Rum, ginger beer, bitters and a lime wedge), The Devils Margarita (tequila blanco, lime juice, simple syrup and red wine) or the Apple Cider Moscow Mule (vodka, apple cider, lime juice, ginger beer, cinnamon sprinkle and garnished with an apple slice). The drinks, which are available through Oct. 31, cost $10 each. Tuscany is at 1415 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, (630) 990-1993, and 550 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, (847) 465-9988, tuscanychicago.com/.
Bakery bash
Labriola Cafe, founded by artisan baker Rich Labriola, is celebrating 10 years in Oak Brook with an anniversary bash from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14. For $10 per person, guests can enjoy gelato, bakery treats, live music and more. Buy prepaid wristbands at eventbrite.com/. Labriola Cafe is at 3021 Butterfield Road, Oak Brook, (630) 574-2008 or labriolabakerycafe.com/.
Pasta Day specials
National Pasta Day is Wednesday, Oct. 17, and to honor the day, Francesca's Restaurants is offering select pastas for $12.95. Specially priced dishes include linguine al fagottaro (cold sauce made with homegrown tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil with fresh mozzarella served over hot pasta), fettuccine al funghetto (sautéed in a brandy-veal sauce with porcini and wild mushrooms, mascarpone cheese, white truffle oil and fresh oregano), rigatoni alle verdure (sautéed with wild mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, broccoli, escarole, garlic, olive oil and pine nuts in an herb broth), rigatoni con scarola (sautéed with Italian sausage, roasted cherry tomatoes, oregano, white beans, escarole, garlic and pine nuts in a light herb broth) and ravioli con carciofi (artichoke-filled pasta with garlic and tomato-basil sauce topped with fresh mozzarella). Francesca's has restaurants in Arlington Heights, Barrington, Bolingbrook, Chicago, Elmhurst, Naperville, St. Charles and more. miafrancesca.com/.
Bourbon and Bonfires
Dress for the weather and head out to the patio at Three Embers in the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort for the next Bourbon and Bonfires event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17. Sit around the lakeside patio firepits and fire table while sipping on bourbon flights paired with bourbon-inspired courses. Try chargrilled shrimp with Jack Daniel's No. 7; roasted beet salad with Jack Daniel's Single Barrel; artisan cheese and meat with Woodford Reserve; Colorado lamb steak with Woodford Reserve Straight Malt; and Key lime bar with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. It's $45, including tax and gratuity. Make reservations at eventbrite.com/. Three Embers in the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort is at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 634-0100 or threeembersrestaurant.com/.
Third Thursday
It's time for Third Thursday cocktail tastings at One Fifty One Kitchen | Bar in Elmhurst. Stop by between 6 and 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, for complimentary gin tastings. And stick around to try a fall cocktail made with handcrafted tinctures, shrubs or spirit infusions. One Fifty One Kitchen | Bar is at 151 N. York St., Elmhurst, (331) 979-7198 or 151elmhurst.com/.
Brewmaster dinner
Emmett's Brewmaster Dinner Series is back. And it's a good deal. For $60, you get a five-course dinner, four beers, a brewery tour and a beer reception, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Palatine location. The menu features pan-seared sea bass appetizer with Uncharted Dampfbier; sweet potato bisque with Sinister Mind Munich Dunkel Lager; Bartlett pear sorbet; and herb-marinated airline chicken breast with Greed Belgian Dubbel. And for dessert, try The Fat Elvis (a yeast-raised doughnut sandwich with peanut butter, crumbled bacon, fresh bananas, chocolate frosting, crushed peanuts and a chocolate-covered banana "pop") with the Dark Horse Dunkelweizen. Advance reservations and payment are required. The next brewmaster dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Wheaton location. Emmett's is at 110 N. Brockway St., Palatine, (847) 359-1533 or emmettsbrewingco.com/.
Wine and dine
Antico Posto in Oak Brook has paired up with Cambria Estate Vineyard and Winery for two upcoming wine dinners. Make reservations for the 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, or 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, dinner created by executive chef/partner John Chiakulas. It's $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity; reservations are required. Antico Posto is at 118 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 586-9200 or antico-posto.com/.
• Email clinden@dailyherald.com with suburban dining events.