Hoist a pint to the season at winter beer tasting
Here's what's happening on the Chicago-area dining scene.
Winter beer tasting: Delilah's, 2771 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, will host its Ninth Annual Christmas and Winter Beer Tasting event from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
More than 100 beers from around the world will be available. Some of the brands featured include six vintages of Christmas Ale and Sam Smith's Winter Welcome, five vintages of King & Barnes Christmas Ale, Lake Holiday Spice Lager and Goose Island Christmas Ale.
The cost to attend is $20. Information about the beers and sample tickets will be provided. (773) 472-2771.
Meet Santa at the Cadillac Club: Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, will host a Breakfast with Santa in its Cadillac Club, with two seatings at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
The holiday-themed brunch will feature a visit from Santa Claus and his elves.
Robbie Gould, kicker for the Chicago Bears, will greet guests and sign autographs. And families can snap a holiday photo of themselves on Soldier Field after they dine.
Admission is $50 for adults; $25 for children ages 3-13. Children ages 3 and younger eat for free. Call (312) 235-7669 for reservations. Visit www.soldierfield.net.
Holiday wine dinner: Café Matou, 1846 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, will host its annual "Holiday in Paris" wine dinner at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Chef Charlie Socher will present a five-course meal with a Parisian flare, along with wines chosen by James Rahn, the restaurant's wine director.
The menu will include lentil-spelt soup, salmon tartar, Yukon gold potato and watercress salad, roast goose stuffed with spaghetti squash, and for dessert a choux pastry with chocolate banana cream and a bitter chocolate sauce.
The all-inclusive cost is $89 per person. Reservations are required. Call (773) 384-8911.
Shake things up: Kafein, at 1621 Chicago Ave., Evanston, offers its guests a cozy place to study, work or visit with friends while enjoying unique shakes, desserts, smoothies and espresso drinks.
The restaurant's Kafeinator specialty dessert features ice cream, a brownie, biscotti, Heath bar, Butterfinger, Oreo cookies along with chocolate and caramel syrup and whipped cream -- topped, of course, with a cherry.
How about trying a Pop-Tart or chocolate-covered peanut butter cookie shake?
Kafein also offers hummus plates, salads, chili, soups and sandwiches. (847) 491-1621.
Zagat's top 10: Highland Park is now home to one of America's top 10 restaurants, according to Zagat's 2008 America's Top Restaurants survey.
Carlos' Restaurant at 429 Temple Ave., Highland Park, was honored by Zagat's for its French fare and wine program. The restaurant received a nearly perfect 29 rating -- with 30 being the highest possible rank.
Carlos' Restaurant opens at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Monday for dinner; closed on Tuesdays. Call (847) 432-0770 or visit www.carlos-restaurant.com.