Monday, September 26, 2011

More Pop-Ups & Fall Previews . . .

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Some tasty fall happenings to keep you warm this season:

The brand-new menu at CHICAGO q will change your mind if you think of it as only a summertime spot. Executive Chef Lee Ann Whippen has added to dinner BBQ shrimp with lemon-infused grits, a smoked salmon salad with roasted beets and candied walnuts, and linguine with smoked seasonal veggies, olive oil and fresh herbs. There's also a happy hour menu 3-6pm Monday through Friday where you'll get dishes for half-price ($3.25-$3.75), including bacon cheddar hush puppies, fried green tomatoes and smoked dry-rubbed wings.

Wicker Park's exotic and intimate Between Peruvian Cafe & Lounge is gearing up for a busy October with two very spirited events. On Oct. 6, guests can familiarize themselves with pisco, South America's oldest liquor, as appetizers are paired with six different ones, including a house-made plum-infused pisco. The $30 fee includes three different appetizers. And on Oct. 12, Fountainhead bartender Mike Rigoli leads a beer-focused dinner that plans to be interactive for diners with "smell" boxes, worksheets and the opportunity to whip up Pisco Sours. Five beers will be paired with dishes. $20. Both events start at 7pm.

Wagyu Wagon's first pop-up dinner at Ipsento Coffee House and Roaster is pretty awesome for two reasons: It's only $19 per person and offers a vegetarian option. Guests can choose from a marinated Tempe Banh Mi, three Wagyu beef tacos with Spanish rice or a meatball sub served with roasted red pepper potato salad. 7-8:30pm Oct. 3. Get the tickets here.

And this is the first legitimate pop-up restaurant I've heard of on the South Side and I'm pretty excited about it. The Parrot Cage, in South Shore, is doing an eight-course dinner paired with wine. The Washburne chef student-run kitchen will be cranking out African-inspired dishes from Nigeria, South Africa and Brazil, so it will be interesting to see how they're paired with vino. It's $50, or $65 with wine pairings. 6:30pm Oct. 15. Get the tix here.

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