Restaurant events
Prairie Grass Café, 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, may not celebrate any labor holiday, but observes May Day nonetheless from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. Anyone who brings in "May flowers" or potted herbs gets a free slice of spring rhubarb pie. (847) 205-4433 or www.prairiegrasscafe.com.
Brasserie JO, 59 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, salutes France's national "Fete du Travail" (Labor Day). Show up between 5 and 9 p.m. on Thursday and get a free French-style hot dog, served on a baguette with mustard. (312) 595-0800 or www.brasseriejo.com.
Adobo Grill, 2602 N. Clark St., Chicago, kicks off its weekend-long Cinco de Mayo bash from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. For $40, you get heavy appetizers and cocktails. Proceeds go to Humboldt Park's recently fire-damaged New Moms Inc., a shelter for homeless teenage mothers. (773) 252-9990 or www.adobogrill.com.
Savor spring
D.O.C. Wine Bar, 2602 N. Clark St., Chicago, welcomes spring with a selection of crisp, lighter-bodied wines from Washington, Oregon, New Zealand, France and other locations. It's from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, costs $35 and reservations with a credit card are required. (773) 883-5101 or www.docwinebarchicago.com.
The Drawing Room, 937 N. Rush St., Chicago, takes inspiration from spring for its next cocktail dinner. Master bartender Lynn House pairs refreshing concoctions with chef Nick Lacasse's three-course seasonal menu at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Everyone goes home with planting pots, seeds, bulbs and an herb starter plant. It costs $45 and reservations are required. (312) 266-2694 or lepassage.com.
Think drinks
Sullivan's Steakhouse, 244 S. Main St., Naperville holds a five-course dinner paired with wines exclusive to its cellar at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Proceeds from the $175 dinner benefit the Naperville Heritage Society, which administrates historic Naper Settlement. (630) 420-6010.
The Grape Vine, 206 E. State Road, Island Lake offers a five-course California wine dinner with Pacific-influenced cuisine. It begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Monday and costs $59.95. (847) 526-8700.
RA Sushi's "Sake and Sushi Social" includes appetizers, tastings of three different sakes and the opportunity to create your own sushi roll following a hands-on tutorial. It costs $25 and reservations are required. Socials start at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Lombard location, 310 Yorktown Center, (630) 627-6800, and at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Glenview location, 2601 Aviator Lane, (847) 510-1100 or www.rasushi.com.
Carlucci Restaurant, 1801 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove welcomes Australia's Mollydooker Wines for a tasting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Taste a variety of nine wines and enjoy appetizers by chef Andy Webber, all for $30. Make reservations at (630) 512-0990 or www.carluccirestaurant.com.
Niche Restaurant, 14 S. Third St., Geneva hosts quirky winemaker Jay McDonald of EIEIO & Co. Courses are paired with six wines from Oregon's Willamette Valley, including the new releases of pinot noir and Chardonnay. It costs $100 per person and reservations are recommended. (630) 262-1000 or nichegeneva.com.
Vine Tastings, 123 E. Main St., Roselle features pizza, wine, chocolate and live music during "Unwind Wednesday," a social event from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday. The pizza and chocolate are $6, while wines are a la carte. (630) 529-1825 or vinetastings.com.