Celebrate birthday of infamous Chicago icon
He may have been born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but gangster Al "Scarface" Capone will forever be tied to Chicago. ROOM21, 2110 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, celebrates the 109th birthday of this notorious Chicago icon with complimentary appetizers and desserts from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. "Capone Cocktails" at $5 a piece are also served throughout the evening. Local author and historian Richard Lindburg is on tap to discuss the building's history as a speakeasy in the 1920s. Call (312) 328-1198 for reservations and more information.
Wine events
Survival wine: Va Pensiero, 1566 Oak Ave., Evanston, welcomes back wine director Jason Prah who took a leave of absence to run the Chicago wine bar Eno. To mark the occasion, Prah hosts a "Wines to Survive Winter With" wine tasting today at 7 p.m. The eight-wine tasting costs $35 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and includes a tasting booklet and light appetizers. Call (847) 475-7779
Cellar notes: NoMI's Cellar on the Seventh at the Park Hyatt, 800 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, continues its Cellar Notes series with "cotes du Rhone" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. This open-house style tasting is $30 per person. Call (312) 239-4030 for reservations.
Special dinners
Belgian beer: Café Matou, 1846 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, launches its quarterly "Bière Nights" on Thursday at 7 p.m. Wine director James Rahn pairs Belgian beers with chef Charlie Socher's special five-course seasonal French menu. The dinner is $57 per person, all-inclusive. Reservations required. (773) 384-8911.
Two for Tuesday: Adobo Grill, 2005 W. Division St., Chicago, continues its "Two-course Tuesday Tasting Menu" offer for $20. On Tuesdays, diners can mix-and-match any item from the dinner menu to create their own personal menu. Call (773) 252-9990 for more information.
Touring India: Marigold, 4832 N. Broadway St., Chicago, offers a three-course tasting menu on Tuesdays featuring foods from different regions of India changing each month. January 2008 is titled "Trail of the Tikka--North West Frontier Cuisine." Cost is $25 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Call (773) 293-4653 for reservations.
Restaurant news
Pages and pitchers: La Casa Del Gordo, 2014 First St., Highland Park, has refashioned its menu and is offering a "book club special" for groups interested in book club meetings. Tapas plates are offered at $6.95 each (plus tax and gratuity), plus pitchers of house margaritas are offered at a buy-one get the second one free. Call (847) 266-1411 for more information on reservations.
New restaurants
Brasserie Ruhlmann SteakHouse recently opened at 500 W. Superior St., Chicago, as an art deco-inspired French steakhouse. Celebrated four-star chef Christian Delouvrier makes his Chicago debut with the restaurant. Call (312) 494-1900.
Stretch Run Sporting Club & Grille, 544 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, is a new sports bar featuring American cuisine and live horse race wagering with televisions at every table. Call (312) 644-4477 or visit www.stretchrunchicago.com for more information.
Foodstuffs Gournet Sausages & Salads recently opened its latest location within Chicago's Merchandise Mart at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago. "Egg scrambles," "build your own salads" and "gourmet sausages" are featured menu items. Call (312) 670-1817.
Emmett's Ale House recently returned to Palatine in its previous space at 110 N. Brockway St. Call (847) 202-1533 or visit www.emmettstavern.com for more information.