Dining events: MB Financial Park hosts inaugural restaurant week
MB Financial Park's own restaurant week
MB Financial Park hosts its first restaurant week March 5-12. Restaurants within the park have created special three-course prix fixe menus beginning at $20. Participating restaurants include: Adobe Gila's, Bub City, Five Roses Pub, Fogo de Chão, Hofbräuhaus Chicago, Kings Bowl, Park Tavern and Sugar Factory. MB Financial Park is at 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. (847) 349-5008 or mbparkatrosemont.com.
Cue and brews at new Chicago Culinary Kitchen
Chicago Culinary Kitchen, which has been offering classes on Texas-style barbecue, seasoning, craft beer and meat smoking for the past three months in Palatine, opens to the public as a restaurant at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4. Owners Greg and Kristina Gaardbo have modeled their barbecue style, using locally sourced meats, and service from what they've experienced in Texas. “CCK is a hybrid experience that offers education, amazing food, craft beers and some rock 'n' roll,” Greg Gaardbo says. Hours are 11 a.m. until sold out, weekends only. Chicago Culinary Kitchen is at 773 N. Quentin Road, Palatine. (847) 987-0369 or chicagoculinarykitchen.com/.
Garrett's buffalo ranch is back
In honor of college hoops playoffs, Garrett Popcorn brings back its own slam dunk: the Buffalo Ranch Mix, a blend of two limited-time recipes, the Buffalo CheeseCorn and Buttery Ranch. Through April 3, get it in any tin design and size. $33 for one gallon; $60 for a two gallon; $88 for a 3.5 gallon; $141 for a 6.5 gallon; and $152.95 for a shorty pack that includes 12 one-quart tins. Garrett Popcorn Shops has a suburban location in Woodfield Mall's Grand Court, Schaumburg, and in various Chicago locations, including Terminals 1 and 3 at O'Hare International Airport. GarrettPopcorn.com.
WingFest's heat
Calling all wing lovers! Get a taste of some of the best at the 18th annual WingFest from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at the UIC Pavilion. More than 9,000 pounds of wings will be cooked by participating restaurants, including Rhyme Or Reason, Howells & Hood, Chicago Culinary Kitchen, Son of A Butcher Tavern, River Forest Catering, Q's Tips & Wings Bar-B-Que, Reggie's, Gators Wing Shack, Revel, WHISK, Pizano's Pizza, Fabulous Freddies Italian Eatery, McQ's Bar & Grill, Fire Water BBQ, Buffalo Wings & Rings, Mahoney's Pub & Grille, Downtown Dogs and more. $50 general admission includes all-you-can-eat wings and entertainment; $100 VIP tickets include all of the above, plus access to VIP lounges, five drink tickets and a swag bag. UIC Pavilion is at 525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago. Wingfest.net.