Dining out: Suburban restaurants make their mark at Baconfest Chicago
Pork-a-palooza
It's bacon time! As in Baconfest Chicago, which returns Friday and Saturday, April 5-6, to the UIC Dorin Forum in Chicago. Billed as a bacon wonderland, Chicago and suburban chefs will be handing out bacon snacks while mixologists and brewers will be serving up bacon-inspired cocktails, beer and wine. Try bacon bites from suburban restaurants such as BBQ'd Productions (Lake Zurich, Third Lake), Bull Dog Ale House, El Tapeo (Oak Brook), The Heritage (Forest Park), McWethy's Sports Bar (Bolingbrook), Michael Jordan's Restaurant (Oak Brook), Murray Bros. Caddyshack (Rosemont), Pinstripes, Rack House Kitchen & Tavern (Arlington Heights), Tap House Grill, Vie (Western Springs) and more. Plus, artisan bacon-makers and entrepreneurs will be selling a variety of bacon products. General admission tickets, which cost $85, include a three-hour unlimited tasting session and seven drink tickets good for beer, wine and cocktails. Bacon-only tickets cost $60. VIP tickets ($160) allow one hour early entry. Friday hours are 6 to 7 p.m. VIP and 7 to 10 p.m. general admission. Saturday hours are 11 a.m. to noon VIP and noon to 3 p.m. general admission and 6 to 7 p.m. VIP and 7 to 10 p.m. general admission. Baconfest Chicago will donate a portion of proceeds to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The UIC Dorin Forum is at 725 W. Roosevelt, Chicago, baconfestchicago.com/.
OMG for 2
How does dinner for two sound? Now through April 30, Bonefish Grill is offering the O M G (Ocean Mixed Grill) three-course dinner for two for $49. Start off with the Bang Bang Shrimp before moving on to a house or Caesar salad. Then nosh on a selection of four wood-grilled seafood dishes including Atlantic salmon, Caribbean cobia, shrimp and scallop skewer and the Neighborhood Catch. Plus, enjoy three sides - potatoes au gratin, jasmine rice and a seasonal vegetable. Add a bottle of red, white or rosé wine for $25. Bonefish Grill is at 1604 Randall Road, Algonquin, (847) 658-9268, and 180 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, (847) 534-0679, or bonefishgrill.com/.
Sweet treats
Keep the kiddos busy Saturday morning with a hands-on Spring Cupcakes cooking class at Maggiano's Schaumburg. Kids will learn baking techniques from the chef from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6. The class, which includes a breakfast buffet and nonalcoholic beverages, is $25 for kids 12 and younger and $15 for adults (who are required to stay during the class). Reservations are required. Maggiano's is at 1901 E. Woodfield Road, Schaumburg, (847) 240-1600 or maggianos.com/.
National Caramel Popcorn Day
Saturday, April 6, is National Caramel Popcorn Day (yes, it's a real thing and why not?), and popcorn fans are in luck. Garrett Popcorn Shops will be giving out a complimentary small bag of CaramelCrisp or Garrett Mix with any purchase over $10. Limit one per customer. Garrett Popcorn Shops has locations at Woodfield Mall's Grand Court, 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, and at O'Hare and in Chicago, garrettpopcorn.com/.
Spring to it
In time for spring, Texas de Brazil recently added two new menu items that are available now through June. The new grilled shrimp is marinated with garlic, cayenne pepper, oregano and parsley. For dessert, indulge in the mousse de maracuja (passion fruit mousse), which is finished with semisweet chocolate shavings. Texas de Brazil is at 5 Woodfield Mall, Suite D312, Schaumburg, (847) 413-1600, texasdebrazil.com/locations/schaumburg/.
Laugh it up
Who needs a laugh? And a three-course dinner? You can have both at Maggiano's Serves Something Funny! featuring standup comedian Sonal Aggarwal. The fun starts at 6 p.m. Monday, April 8, at the Vernon Hills restaurant. Dine on a family-style meal featuring chopped salad, calamari fritte, braised beef contandina, four-cheese ravioli, house wine and more for $55. Must be 21 or older to attend. Space is limited. Tickets, which are required, can be purchased at eventbrite.com/. Maggiano's is at 307 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills, (847) 918-0380 or maggianos.com/.
Email clinden@dailyherald.com with suburban dining and night life events.