Dining out: New DeNucci’s in Hinsdale, Wicked afternoon tea and more
Mangia!
DeNucci’s has opened a third location, bringing its approachable take on Italian American cooking to Hinsdale. The new restaurant at 8 E. 1st St. opened for takeout orders in December and began full service dining on Jan. 13.
Specialties include dishes such as branzino piccata, eggplant Parmesan, spaghetti cacio e pepe and Veal Marsala, alongside nightly specials such as lasagna Bolognese and Monday’s New York-style pizza. Gluten-free pastas and Sicilian-style pizza are also available.
It’s the 14th restaurant for Chicago-based Ballyhoo Hospitality and joins DeNucci’s locations in Highland Park and Lincoln Park.
Oh, Canada
Niche Restaurant in Geneva is looking to the Great White North as the inspiration for its next themed dining experience.
The North of Niche: A Canadian Winter Dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 28, will feature four courses of comforting dishes inspired by northern flavors along with a curated wine pairing from France and Canada.
The evening starts with Mouclade (a traditional French-inspired dish of mussels), followed by duck cassoulet, then grilled elk chop with cheese curd pomme Dauphine, curd espuma and maple-foie gras jus. A salted maple-glazed potato doughnut with beef tallow caramel, crispy potato crumb and cheese curd ice cream will be served for dessert.
The dinner is $95 per person and the optional wine pairing is an additional $40. Call (630) 262-1000 for reservations.
Wicked
If you can’t get enough “Wicked,” Lucille at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace is inviting you to step behind the curtain for the Wickedly Elegant Oz afternoon tea from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays through March 28.
Emerald lights, soft snow crystals and whimsical touches will greet guests along the yellow brick path. You can capture the moment with a family photo or selfie in front of a sparkling backdrop at the emerald portrait corner.
Pastries inspired by the magic of Oz such as vanilla-bean scones with emerald sugar, ruby-fruit tarts, witch’s-hat chocolate petit fours as well as savories infused with orchard herbs and winter citrus will be served with fragrant teas.
It’s $65 for adults and $30 for kids 12 and younger. Reservations are available at OpenTable.
Never too cold for beer
Mikerphone Brewing will host its first Mikerphone Winter Fest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at 121 Garlisch Drive, Elk Grove Village.
Rather than hide from winter, the brewery is embracing it with special beer releases, live music from Beer and Loathing and food from Greeque Smoked Meats. There will be fire pits for s’mores and a beer poker for Bierstacheln. A costume contest will celebrate the best vintage ski looks from the 1980s.
• Email dining events to rwest@dailyherald.com.