Dining out: Limited-time offerings at Portillo’s and McDonald’s, new Finn McCool’s opens in Wheeling and more

Let us eat cake

Celebrations call for cake, and Portillo’s is gearing up for the 63rd anniversary of its original Dog House hot dog stand in April, as well as the first birthday for its Portillo’s Perks program, with a new limited-edition birthday cake and cake shake.

Available now through April 6 at participating restaurants nationwide, the new dessert taps into the classic birthday cake flavor with Funfetti rainbow sprinkles and vanilla frosting. Portillo’s birthday cake can be ordered by the slice, as a whole cake or blended into the brand’s signature cake shake.

New and existing Portillo’s Perks members can enjoy a slice of birthday cake for $1 with a purchase of $5 or more March 9-15.

Big Arch Burger

McDonald’s debuted what they’re calling their “boldest burger yet” on Tuesday with the launch of the Big Arch Burger.

Available for a limited time, the Big Arch features two quarter-pound beef patties, three slices of melted white cheddar cheese, crispy and slivered onions, lettuce, pickles and Big Arch Sauce, described on their website as “tangy, creamy, with the perfect balance of mustard, pickle and sweet tomato flavors.” It’s all served between toasted sesame and poppy seed buns.

Play it cool

Finn McCool’s, a staple of Schaumburg for 20 years, will celebrate the grand opening of its new location in Wheeling Friday.

Located in Wheeling Town Center, next to fellow Ala Carte Entertainment restaurant Moretti’s, Finn’s will cut a ceremonial ribbon at 3 p.m. Friday, March 6, then host a happy hour with a DJ and food and drink specials from 4-6 p.m. The event also serves as a 20th anniversary celebration for the Schaumburg location.

The opening of the Irish sports bar comes just in time for them to celebrate again in a week with a St. Patrick’s Day weekend party Friday and Saturday, March 13-14. Friday’s action starts at 3 p.m. with live music for happy hour and Irish food and drinks. Saturday’s all-day party kicks off at 11 a.m. with a DJ, green beer and more. It all leads to their St. Paddy’s Party at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 17.

National Meatball Day

With March Madness approaching, Billy Bricks Pizza will celebrate National Meatball Day Monday, March 9, with its “Meatball Madness” lineup throughout March.

The menu spotlights customer-favorite meatball dishes, starting with Jose’s Meatballs, featuring house-made meatballs baked in a cast-iron skillet, topped with house tomato sauce, melted provolone and fresh parsley. You can also find those meatballs in the “Meatball Sangwich,” the pasta marinara with meatballs and the meatball vodka pizza, built with vodka sauce, sliced meatballs, house cheese blend and Calabrian chiles.

Billy Bricks has suburban locations in Highwood, La Grange, Lombard, Naperville and Wheaton.

Elevated surf and turf

Eddie Merlot’s is unveiling its new Signature Cut & Coast menu, a limited-time culinary celebration spotlighting the finest cuts of steak alongside the ocean’s most indulgent seafood, beginning Tuesday, March 10.

Menu highlights include a new caviar service; the “Wagyu Trio Around the World,” featuring a tasting of decadent Wagyu steaks from Japan, Australia and the United States; steak Diane, which is flambéed tableside; lobster Thermidor stuffed with a filling of cremini and shiitake mushrooms, onions, Parmesan and gruyère cheese; pan-seared halibut served with Royal Osetra caviar beurre blanc; and a seafood bouillabaisse.

Eddie Merlot’s has suburban restaurants in Burr Ridge and Warrenville.

Hands-on

Labriola Ristorante in Oak Brook is hosting hands-on gnocchi-making classes this month, where you can spend an evening learning the art of handmade gnocchi from the restaurant’s chefs.

Classes will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, March 10-11 and 24-25. The $45-per-person class includes guided instruction, a tasting trio of gnocchi dishes (tomato cream, Bolognese and Genovese pesto), a welcome cocktail, antipasto board, wine pairings, dessert and a batch of gnocchi to take home.

Space is limited and tickets are available on their website.

• Email dining events to rwest@dailyherald.com.