Courtright's sends off executive chef with celebratory roast
Au revoir, Harootunian: Courtright's Restaurant, 8989 Archer Ave., Willow Springs, bids adieu to departing executive chef Janthan Harootunian with a celebratory roast at 6:30 p.m. today. The inclusive cost is $125. Call (708) 839-8000 for reservations.
Chronological chow: D&J Bistro, 466 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, serves a six-course 20th anniversary meal today that chronologically represents the evolution of the restaurant's cuisine. Entertainment, including live music and table-to-table magic, are part of the mix. The meal costs $72.50 per person and includes cocktails, dinner, wine, coffee and tax (gratuity not included). Call (847) 438-8001.
So Sweet: The Sweetest Day is celebrated on Saturday with special "sweetheart diners" at three area restaurants: Magnum's Steakhouse at 777 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard; Chandler's Chop House at 401 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg; and Sam Houston's Charhouse, 1175 W. Lake St., Bartlett. Call each restaurant respectively at (630) 573-1010, (847) 885-9009 and (630) 830-7200 for more information.
Hot, hot, hot: Heaven on Seven at 224 S. Main St., Naperville, dares you to try chef/owner Jimmy Bannos' hot and spicy "Hot as a Mutha Dinner" at 7 p.m. Monday. The cost is $35 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Call (630) 717-0777 for reservations.
Pumpkin pickers: Mon Ami Gabi hosts a "Wall O' Squash" tour of the famed Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur, Ill., on Sunday to kick off the restaurant's annual Pumpkin Festival from Thursday to Oct. 31 at 2300 Lincoln Park West, Chicago. The tour includes a meal and a chance to pick pumpkins for the forthcoming festival. The tour is $25 per person. Call (773) 348-8886 for information.
Chocolate treat: Chicago-area Morton's The Steakhouse locations each celebrate National Chocolate Day Oct. 28 by offering each guest a chocolate-covered strawberry after dinner from Monday through Oct. 28. For information, visit www.mortons.com.
Oh, show us the way …: Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro, 3905 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, holds its second whiskey dinner with Master of Whiskey host Martin Duffy at 7 p.m. Thursday. The four-course meal is designed by executive chef Jeanne Carlson to pair with the chosen whiskey. The cost is $50 per person, and reservations are requested. Call (773) 248-3905.
Tequila delight: The Old Town Adobo Grill at 1610 N. Wells St., Chicago, showcases Tequila Herradura at a tequila dinner at 7 p.m. Thursday. The cost is $43 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Call (312) 266-7999.
Oysters 'R' Us: Shaw's Crab House locations at 21 E. Hubbard St., Chicago, and 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, celebrate the 19th annual "Royster With the Oyster Festival" today with an outdoor tent party. There is a "schucking contest" at 4 p.m. followed by a "Grand Slurp-Off" with a $1,000 prize. Respectively call (312) 527-2722 or (847) 517-2722 for information.
Wine events
Wine raider: Café Matou, 1846 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, hosts its 4th Wednesday Wine Cellar Raid on Wednesday when more than 25 wines are offered at $17 per bottle and paired with chef Charlie Socher's fall menu items. Call (773) 384-8911.
Learning libations: Café Pyrenees, a French bistro at the intersection of Route 137 and Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, hosts John Davids of Vintage Wines from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday for a tasting of French wines from Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant. A "Meet and Greet Presentation Dinner" is at 5 p.m. Wednesday and features complimentary hors d'oeuvres along with a wine tasting before a presentation of "Bacchus the Rascal, A Bacchanalian History of Wine Seen Through 4,000 Years of Art." A wine dinner follows for $60 per person. Call (847) 362-2233 for information.
Octoberfest ordering: The Grave Vine, 206 E. State Road Route 176, Island Lake, hosts a five-course Octoberfest Wine and Beer Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Monday. The cost is $49.95 with beer and $59.95 with wine (plus tax and 18 percent gratuity). Call (847) 526-8700.
Double dinners: Hart Davis Hart Wine Company is part of two simultaneous wine dinners at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Pablo Alvarez of Bodegas Vega Sicilia with winemaker Javier Ausás both oversee a "Master Class" wine dinner at the Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario St., Chicago, ($125), and a "Unico" dinner at Les Nomades, 222 E. Ontario St., Chicago, ($500). Call (312) 482-9996 or visit www.hdhwine.com for more information.
Savory 'Umami': West Town Tavern, 1329 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, hosts a four-course "Umami Wine Dinner" (using the Japanese word for "savory") at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Wine director Drew Goss pairs wines to match each course's "umami" in the dish. The cost is $85 including tax and gratuity. Call (312) 666-6175.