Dining events: Chilly Challenge champs
Chili champs
Ruth's Chris Steak House in South Barrington cooked up the People's Choice winning chili at the Arboretum of South Barrington's second annual Chilly Challenge. Nearly 400 people sampled chili from eight restaurants on Feb. 12. L'Eiffel Bistrot's Cajun-infused chili narrowly edged out Ruth's Chris smoky stew as Daily Herald Food Editor Deborah Pankey's top pick. L'Eiffel Bistrot's chili will be available on its daily specials menu through the end of the month; Ruth's Chris chili is not on the menu. For the winning recipes, email food@dailyherald.com.
L'Eiffel Bistrot and Creperie, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. (847) 428-4783, leiffelbistrot.com.
Tequila! Dinner.
Mago Grill and Cantina matches Tequila Don Fulano with authentic Mexican dishes at a dinner at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. The four-course meal includes stuffed crispy corn pastry, chile guajillo hominy soup, pork medallions and a chocolate cake topped with vanilla flan. Don Fulano Tequila pairings include El Corazon, Cupida, LaRosa and El Beso. $45 per person.
Mago Grill & Cantina at The Promenade, 641 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. (630) 783-2222 or magogrill.com.
Dinner with Gallagher
Leave your rain gear at home and dine with funny guy Gallagher Friday, Feb. 17. He promises to go easy on the smashing and mess with a “light sledge” show that starts at 7 p.m. Pair comedy with a three-course prix fixe meal for $50 that includes the show ticket. Entree choices include blue cheese-crusted twin filet mignon medallions, almond-crusted corvina, stuffed chicken breast or blacked corvina. Show-only tickets cost $25 seated and $20 for standing.
John Barleycorn Schaumburg, 1100 American Lane, Schaumburg. (847) 619-5540 or johnbarleycorn.com.