Kit Kat Lounge hosting 'Southland,' design bashes
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club, 3700 N. Halsted St., Chicago, goes Hollywood and high fashion with two events. A movie premiere party for "Southland Tales," with special cocktails, is at 7 p.m. today. Kit Kat gives away special screening passes to the film on Nov. 13, plus promotional items from the film.
Kit Kat also celebrates the upcoming season of "Project Runway" on Bravo cable TV with a viewing party each Wednesday and a Design Your Own Martini contest, theme menu & drinks. At the end of the season, a winner is awarded a $250 gift basket of Absolut vodka. Call (773) 525-1111 or visit www.kitkatchicago.com for more information.
French fare: Carlos', 429 Temple Ave., Highland Park, pairs great cinema with a French meal on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. today. Tonight's selection is hinted at as "The Greatest Foreign Film You've Never Seen." Cost is $55 plus beverages, tax and gratuity. Reservations required. (847) 432-0770.
Shh! Fondue! Geja's Café, 340 W. Armitage, Chicago, spills the beans when it hosts "Secrets of Great Fondue" at 6 p.m. Monday. The class includes tips on how to prepare meals, which sauces pair best with entrees and information on wine pairing. Cost is $50 including tax and tip. Call (773) 281-9101 for reservations.
Diwali Fest: Vermilion, 10 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, offers festivities for Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights and New Year this weekend. A special "Nawabi" prix-fixe dinner is available (vegetarian option offered) for $50. Festivities peak on Saturday from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. with dancing after dinner. (312) 527-4060.
Wine events
Bordeaux spotlight: Café Matou, 1846 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, hosts a five-course dinner paired with wines selected by wine director James Rahn at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is $83 per person.
Café Matou also offers a Cru Beaujolias evening of wine specials ranging from $7.50 to $9.50 per glass on Thursday. Call (773) 384-8911.
Beaujolais bash: Café Pyrenees, 1762 N. Milwuakee Ave., Libertyville, presents a three-wine flight of this year's Beaujolais Nouveau from Thursday through Nov. 18. Call (847) 362-2233.
Nickel & dined: Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, serves up a six-course dinner by chef Mark Mendez paired with wines from Far Niente, Dolce and Nickel & Nickel wineries. Cost is $85 per person (inclusive of tax and gratuity). Call (312) 850-5005 for reservations.
Bon Beaujolais: Kiki's Bistro, 900 N. Franklin St., Chicago, celebrates the worldwide release of the Beaujolais Noveau on Thursday with a three-course prix-fixe menu through Nov. 30 featuring a glass of Beaujolais. Call (312) 335-5454.
Beaucoup de Beaujolais: Mon Ami Gabi, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago, and 260 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, both uncork Beaujolais celebrations from Thursday through Nov. 21 with wine flight specials. Call (773) 348-8886 (Chicago) or (630) 472-1900 (Oak Brook) for more details.
Gypsy blends: Morton's The Steakhouse, 22nd and Wolf Roads, Westchester, teams up with Gypsy Dancer Estates for a four-course dinner at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16. Cost is $140 per person (includes tax and gratuity). Call (708) 562-7000 or visit www.mortons.com.
Wines of Oz: NoMI, 800 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, offers Cellar Notes on wines from Australia and New Zealand from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is $30 per person. Call (312) 335-1234.
Free samples: Regina's Ristorante, 629 S. Eighth Street, West Dundee, holds a wine tasting of seven wines with a representative from Heritage wine cellar from 7:30 to 11 p.m. today. (847) 836-0078.
Prohibition era: Room21, a renovated prohibition-era speakeasy at 2110 S. Wabash, Chicago, hosts historian and author Richard Lindberg to speak at a six-course wine dinner at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Cost is $80 per guest (tax and gratuity not included). Call (312) 328-1198 or visit www.room21chicago.com.
Charity wine: WineStyles, 40 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, hosts a wine tasting with admission and wine sales benefiting the Alzheimer's Association -- Greater Illinois Chapter from 6 to 8 p.m. today. The event features appetizers and more. $20 per person. Call (847) 324-0378 for tickets.
Special events
Something's brewing: Emmett's Ale House, 128 W. Main St., West Dundee, holds a four-course Fall Brewmaster Dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Brewmaster Ryan Clooney explains the ins and outs of each selected beer. Cost is $49.95 (tax not included). Reservations recommended by calling (847) 428-4500.
New Orleans green: Heaven on Seven, 111 N. Wabash, Chicago, co-hosts an evening with The Trust for Public Land to benefit New Orleans' City Park from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Preceding the restaurant reception with chef/owner Jimmy Bannos are presentations at the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., Chicago, called "Geographies of New Orleans: Urban Fabrics Before and After the Storm" and "City Park: Progress to Date." Tickets are priced at $125 for both events. $25 for presentations only. $100 for cocktail reception only. Call (312) 427-1979.
Double Anniversary: Tallgrass Restaurant, 1006 S. State St., Lockport, teams up with Carlos', 429 Temple Ave., Highland Park, for a double 26th anniversary dinner on Monday. Cost is $90 for a five-course menu; $130 if paired with wines. Call (815) 838-5566 (Tallgrass) or (847) 432-0770 (Carlos') for reservations.