Bring in that old bottle of vino to win a gift card at Carlucci's
Here's what's happening on the Chicago-area dining scene:
Restaurant news
Carry in: Carlucci Restaurant, 1801 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove, offers a no corkage fee on Thursdays for a "Bring Your Own Vino" promotion. The patron who brings in the oldest bottle of wine receives a $50 gift certificate. Call (630) 512-0990.
Birthday dessert: Café Matou, 1846 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, celebrates its 10th anniversary in September with a special birthday dessert and wine pairing for $10. It's a housemade buttermilk sorbet served with fresh berries and paired with a glass of wine. Call (773) 384-8911.
Patio partaking: Carlos' at 429 Temple Ave., Highland Park, opens its outdoor dining patio in September with a special menu by chef Ramiro Velasquez. Call (847) 432-0770.
Wine events
Wisconsin wine: The Lake Geneva Wine Festival ripens for its inaugural outing from Thursday through Sept. 9 at two Wisconsin locations: The lakeside campus of George Williams College of Aurora University and in downtown Lake Geneva. The festival serves as a fundraiser for Geneva Lakes YMCA, Holiday Home Camp and Aurora University. For a full schedule of events, see www.lakegenevawinefestival.com or call (262) 249-9460.
California vintage: Stoney River Legendary Steaks, 711 Deerfield Road, Deerfield, presents a four-course wine dinner featuring vintages from Ed Meades Vineyards of Mendocino County, Calif., at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The cost is $65 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations required. Call (847) 948-5221.
Green Valley: Shaw's Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard St., Chicago, hosts a six-course wine dinner with Joyce Sterling, owner of Iron Horse Vineyards of Green Valley in California. The meal is $99.95 per person (all-inclusive). Reservations are required. Call (312) 527-2722.
Windy City wine: Binny's Beverage Depot sponsors the Windy City Wine Festival at Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago, from 4 to 10 p.m. Sept. 7 and from 2 to 10 p.m. Sept. 8. Tickets cost $20. Call (847) 382-1480 or visit www.windycitywinefestival.com.
Half-off heyday: Pete Miller's Seafood & Prime Steak, 1557 Sherman Ave., Evanston, and Davis Street Fishmarket, 501 Davis St., Evanston, present half-price bottles of wine on Tuesday evenings for a limited time. Call Pete Miller's at (847) 328-0399 or Davis Street Fishmarket at (847) 869-3474.
Special meal
Brazil Independence: SUSHISAMBA rio, 504 N. Wells St., Chicago, celebrates Brazil's Independence Day with an evening of samba dancing, capoeira dance/fighting and Brazilian drummers in live shows at 9 and 10 p.m. Sept. 7. The menu also features a few special Brazilian-inspired dishes. Call (312) 595-2300.
New restaurant
Holy Mackerel: Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse and Holy Mackerel! is the newest outpost of Harry Caray's Restaurant Group. The recently opened duo steakhouse and fish house restaurant is located at 70 Yorktown Center, Lombard. Call (630) 953-3400 for information.