Dining out: Meatless Friday, Pi Day and ‘Top Chef’ finalist brings Ghanaian cuisine to Oak Brook
It’s week two of Lent and Portillo’s has options for meatless Friday. Friday is also Pi Day, or pie day, and Blaze Pizza has a BOGO deal. There’s also a “Top Chef” finalist plating the flavors of his native Ghana in Oak Brook and more.
Lent
It’s the second week of Lent, and if you’re looking for meatless options on Fridays, Portillo’s has a trio of sandwiches (no, I’m not trying to start a “is a hot dog a sandwich” debate) to fill the need.
The traditional pepper and egg sandwich, served on French bread or a croissant, is back every Friday through Easter.
The year-round daily menu also features the plant-based Garden Dog, made with 100% plant-based protein, and the breaded whitefish sandwich served on a brioche bun.
3.14 Day
Math can be hard. Eating pizza is easy. Friday is Pi Day, or 3.14, and Blaze Pizza is continuing its annual tradition of honoring the infinite irrational number with a BOGO deal.
When you buy one 11-inch pizza at Blaze on 3/14, you can get a second one of equal or lesser value for $3.14. They’ll also give out a code for a second BOGO deal that can be used through the end of March.
Blaze has suburban locations in Schaumburg, Niles and Evanston.
A taste of Ghana
Find out more about Ghanaian cuisine from a “Top Chef” finalist during a special dinner Tuesday, March 18, at The Table at Crate in Oak Brook.
Chef Eric Adjepong will present his new cookbook, “Ghana to the World,” and a tasting menu featuring the flavors of his West African heritage.
Tickets are $145 and include the full meal, beverage, tax and tip. Reservations can be made at eventcreate.com/e/chefericdinner.
Or a taste of Spain
Niche in Geneva is taking guests on a flavor tour of Spain for its next monthly special dining event Wednesday, March 26.
The four-course dinner starts with pan con tomate with boquerones, smoked mussels and trout roe, then moves on to arroz negro with charred squid, shrimp, cubanelle peppers and lemon jam. The main course features grilled Iberico presa (a highly prized, oval-shaped cut of pork shoulder from the Iberian pig) with roasted tomato and garlic, pickled jalapeño, sherry and smoked ham hock croquetta. Dessert features chocolate olive oil cake.
Dinner is $95 per person. An optional wine pairing is $40 per person, and a Spanish-inspired cocktail menu will be available. Reservations can only be made at (630) 262-1000.
And finally, a taste of Detroit
Tievoli Pizza Bar in Palatine has added Detroit-style pizza — the thick, chewy, rectangular pan pizza with caramelized cheese edges and crispy corners — to its menu.
Guests can now order any pizza on the Tievoli menu Detroit-style. Prices range from $20-$30.
Street food fest
Tokio Pub in Schaumburg has rolled out its second Street Food Festival, with flavors from around the world including tacos, nachos, fried rice, steamed buns, “garbage fries” and more.
The event brings with it the return of Tokio Pub’s $1 Taco Time. One hour a day, once a week they’ll be offering $1 tacos for dine in (limit six and other restrictions). To find out when, follow them on Instagram @tokiopub for alerts.
What’s for dinner, Batavia?
If you’re asking yourself that question and you’re in or around downtown Batavia, they have a new resource to help you decide.
Batavia MainStreet has released its newly updated Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide featuring 35 local businesses, including restaurants, bars and breweries and coffee and treat shops in downtown Batavia.
The guide, which features photos, menus hours and business details, is available for download at qrco.de/bfmlmW.
• Send dining events to rwest@dailyherald.com.