Dining events
Splendor in foie gras
Fall in love with foie gras, the controversial French delicacy made from fattened duck or goose livers. Chefs prepare a six-course special menu featuring foie gras for $125. Reservations required.
7:30 p.m. today at Le Titi de Paris, 1015 W. Dundee Road, Arlington Heights. (847) 506-0222 or letitideparis.com
Bunny breakfast
Avoid next weekend's crush and get a photo with the Easter Bunny on Saturday. Eggsperience caters a free holiday breakfast for children and parents, with giveaways including bunny ears. RSVP required.
9 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the "Springtime Fun" space at Glen Town Center, 2671 Navy Blvd., Glenview. (847) 724-2025 or theglentowncenter.com
Sauced up
Bar food queens and kings, get to Bucktown and eat some wings. Cans' second annual Wing Eating Challenge begins Monday, when two-person teams enter the bracket-style chomping contest. A $10 entry fee guarantees two weeks of competition; prizes include Crosstown Classic tickets.
8 p.m. Mondays through April 7 at Cans Bar & Canteen, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. (773) 227-2277 or cansbar.com/chicago.
A free cup of no ordinary joe
If you need an extra pick-me-up on your way to work downtown this morning, stop by PIE, 615 N. State St., Chicago. PIE opens its coffee bar today and offers a free cup of Julius Meinl coffee to customers between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Use the Viennese favorite to wash down one of the bakery's signature mini pies or breakfast pies. (312) 642-4192 or piechicago.com.
Savor St. Pat's
Bistro 22, 500 Ela Road, Lake Zurich becomes "McBistro 22" today through Monday. Chef Marc Montagna promises several Irish specials such as corned beef and cabbage with a French spin. (847) 438-0200 or bistro-22.com.
All Emmett's locations observe St. Patrick's Day by pouring Emmett's Irish Dry Stout and Rafferty Red Irish Ale, with firkin tapping, kilt contests and entertainment also on tap. They're at 110 N. Brockway St., Palatine, (847) 359-1533; 128 W. Main St., West Dundee, (847) 428-4500; 5200 Main St., Downers Grove, (630) 434-8500; and 123 W. Washington St., Oswego, (630) 383-2020 or emmetstavern.com.
On Monday, all Heaven on Seven locations offer a Cajun twist on the holiday classic with Creolized corned beef and cabbage, plus a special on the green Bayou Punch cocktail. To try them, visit 224 S. Main St., Naperville, (630) 717-0777; 111 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, (312) 263-6443; or 600 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, (312) 280-7774 or heavenonseven.com.
O'Donovan's Pub & Restaurant, 2100 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago goes all out with Irish specials from Saturday through Monday. Food specials include a $9.50 corned beef and cabbage dinner, $7 Reubens and $6.50 corned beef sandwiches. Green beer, Guinness and Irish Car Bombs are among the featured drinks, and the Glengael Bagpipe Band performs with Irish dancers after 5 p.m. Monday. (773) 478-2100 or kincadesbar.com/odonovans/home.asp.
Lawry's The Prime Rib, 100 E. Ontario St., Chicago features corned beef and cabbage with boiled potatoes for $13 at its lunch spot, the Ale and Sandwich Bar. It's available between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. today, Saturday and Monday, while the Shannon Rovers stop by with bagpipes at 1:30 p.m., Saturday and 1 p.m. Monday. (312) 787-5000 or lawrysonline.com.
Dinner and drinks
Every Friday after 5 p.m., D.O.C. Wine Bar, 2602 N. Clark St., Chicago presents a special flight of rare and expensive wines, allowing patrons to taste wines normally only offered by the bottle. Today's Bordeaux-themed "Millionaire" flight includes a 2004 Font Villac and a 2002 De Pinchon LaLande "Le Gartieux." The flights range $25-$45 (compared with the bottles, which are typically $75 to $150 each). (773) 883-5101 or docwinebarchicago.com.
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!, 2024 N. Halsted St., Chicago attempts to determine who has better food and wine: the Spanish or the French. Executive chefs from Ba-Ba-Reeba! and Mon Ami Gabi prepare popular fare from each restaurant and answer questions, while representatives from more than 30 wineries in Spain and France are on hand to describe their wares. Reservations are required for the event, which lasts from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and costs $45. (773) 935-5000 or cafebabareeba.com.
Millrose Restaurant and Brewing Co., 45 S. Barrington Road, South Barrington features wines and cuisine of the Pacific Northwest at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. The six-course dinner, hosted by chef Nicola Torres and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates sommelier Chris Smarto, is preceded by a reception and costs $80. Reservations are required. (847) 382-7673 or millroserestaurant.com.
Adobo Grill hosts meals showcasing tequilas at both of its Chicago restaurants this month, with menus by chef Freddy Sanchez including passed bocadillos and seafood entrees. First, the Wicker Park location at 2005 W. Division St., Chicago presents a three-course dinner with Tequila Sauza Tres Generaciones at 7 p.m. Wednesday. It's $35. (773) 252-9990.
The following week, the Old Town location features Casa Noble Tequila during a four-course "La Cocina de Baja, CA" dinner. It costs $43 and begins at 7 p.m. March 27. (312) 266-7999. Reservations are required for both dinners. adobogrill.com.
Café Matou, 1846 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago hosts its monthly wine cellar raid the evening of March 26. Wine director James Rahn pulls more than 25 French wines from the restaurant's wine cellar (ranging from Vin de Pays to Vin de Savoie), which are offered for $17 a bottle with dinner. Reservations are recommended. (773) 384-8911 or cafematou.com.