Dining out: Kick back at Bahama Breeze's Reggae Fest
Taste for the Space
Hungry for local specialties? Then check out the Taste for the Space cooking competition from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Yorktown Center in Lombard where you can sample signature dishes from local restaurateurs, chefs and food trucks vying to win their own dining space at Yorktown and a $140K prize package. Attendees will get to vote for their favorite chef/restaurant. The choices include American Glory (Burr Ridge), Mr. Waffles/Tony's Cakery (Bloomington), Le France Cafe (Lombard), Midnight Mac and Cheeserie (Chicago), Warm Belly Bakery (Chicago), My Little Pastry Shops (Hanover Park), Oferenda (Westchester), Paris Bistro (Bellwood), Ben's BBQ (Chicago), Pain de Chicago (Joliet), CheSa's Gluten Free Food Truck (Chicago), Dagwoods (Roselle) and So Forking Good (Palos Park). The event also features beverages from D.O.C Wine Bar, entertainment, games, kids' activities and more. Tickets, which cost $7 for ages 11 and older, can be purchased at yorktowncenter.com/tasteforthespace-2/. It's free for kids 10 and younger with the donation of a canned food item. The event benefits The York Township Food Pantry. Yorktown Center is at 203 Yorktown Center, Lombard, (630) 629-7330, yorktowncenter.com/.
Grillin' & chillin' with Dad
Here's something that Dad might like for an early Father's Day gift: Chef Adam's Grilling Class at Naperville's City Gate Grille. The two-hour class, from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 16, is $50 per person and includes a grilling demo, a discussion with the chef, a three-course meal, and tax and gratuity. The event is limited to 20 people, so register now at (630) 718-1010. City Gate Grille is at 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, (630) 718-1010, citygategrille.com/.
Hot diggity dog
Hot off the grill: Rookies is offering $1 burgers and hot dogs ($1.50 hot dogs at the Elgin location) during the month of June. This offer is only good for dine-in and with a beverage purchase. Summer also means the return of cruise nights. Stop by from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays in Huntley and 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays in Elgin. Upcoming themes are Pontiac (June 14) and Chevy (June 21) in Huntley and Chevy (June 17) in Elgin. There's no fee; all cruisers receive half-price pizzas. Rookies All American Pub & Grill is at 2486 Bushwood Drive, Elgin, (847) 551-9006; 4607 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, (847) 645-0005; 12220 Princeton Drive, Huntley, (847) 669-8600; and 1545 W. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 513-0681. rookiespub.com/.
Benefit burger
Fuller House Bar in Hinsdale is offering a burger of the month, with $1 from each burger going to People's Resource Center in Wheaton and Westmont. The "Slammin' Salmon" - featuring a homemade salmon patty, homemade pickles, sweet potato fried shoestrings and a side - is the burger of the month for June. Fuller House is at 35 E. First St., Hinsdale, (630) 568-5466, fullerhousebar.com/.
Jet's $2 pizza
Jet's Pizza is opening its 20th location next week at 3510 W. Armitage Ave. in Chicago's Logan Square. To celebrate, participating Chicago-area locations of Jet's Pizza will be offering $2 small Detroit-style pizzas with one topping from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 20. Jet's Pizza has locations in Arlington Heights, Aurora, Chicago, Lombard, Naperville, Schaumburg, Wheaton and Wheeling. jetspizza.com/.
Reggae Fest
It's time to kick back and relax while enjoying the tastes and sounds of Jamaica during Bahama Breeze's Reggae Fest, running now through July 22. Every Saturday during Reggae Fest, Bahama Breeze will host live reggae bands and Caribbean-inspired dishes and cocktails. Bahama Breeze is at 406 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, (847) 884-7060, bahamabreeze.com/.
Sullivan's Bourbon Tasting
Sip and savor at Sullivan's Bourbon Tasting starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 20. The chef-inspired menu was created to pair expertly with bourbons such as Hudson Baby Bourbon, Hudson Four Grains Bourbon, Hudson Manhattan Rye and more. The event costs $45 per person. Reservations are required. Sullivan's Steakhouse is at 250 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 883-0311, sullivanssteakhouse.com/lincolnshire/.
Tapas for a cause
World Tapas Day is Thursday, June 21, and El Tapeo is celebrating by offering an exclusive tapas dish (pimenton de cerdo) that day, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Hinsdale Humane Society. Chef Matthew Cappellini's special pimenton de cerdo tapas consists of pan-fried peppered bacon and a saffron orange dipper. Guests can also choose from a selection of other signature tapas, including datiles (fried medjool dates, marcona almonds and cherry-wood bacon), coca (tomato jam, goat cheese, arugula and flatbread), alitas de cerdo (three miniature pork shanks and orange-jalapeño glaze), gambas al ajillo (sauteed shrimp, garlic, fresh herbs and polenta bread), and vieras fritas (fried bay scallops, chermoula, frisee and espelette) and more. El Tapeo is at 2100 Spring Road, Oak Brook, (630) 828-2044 or eltapeorestaurant.com/.