Passover, the holiday commemorating the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt, begins at sundown Wednesday. Several area restaurants are featuring a traditional Passover dinner, called a seder, which is held on the first two nights of the eight-day observance:
– The Pump Room, Omni Ambassador East Hotel, 1301 N. State Pkwy., will serve a classic, four-course seder from 6 to 9:45 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Cost is $29.95; $19.95 for children 12 and younger. Reservations required; call 312-266-0360.
– The Marc, 311 W. Superior St., will feature a six-course seder Thursday. Cost is $42; $19.50 for children under 10. Call 312-642-3810.
– Maggiano’s Little Italy, in Old Orchard shopping center, Skokie, will offer its first-ever Italian Passover menu Wednesday through April 10. This is an a la carte selection, featuring Sephardic culinary traditions such as carciofi alla Guidi (Jewish-style artichokes, coated with matzo and fried). Note that the Old Orchard location is the only Maggiano’s featuring this menu. Call 847-933-9555.
– Bones, 7110 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood, will offer a five-course seder Wednesday and Thursday. Cost is $19.95; $9.95 for children under 12. Carryout items available with advance notice. Call 847-677-3350.
– Phil Vettel
A TALE OF TWO EXPOS
Expo for Today’s Black Woman will feature continuous entertainment including live music, fashion shows, book signings, poetry readings, seminars and vendors from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. The expo will be at McCormick Place East, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive. Tickets are $8 general, $5 senior citizens and children under 13; 312-913-9334.
A second expo, the Love & Style Expo, will feature fashions by Armani, Calvin Klein, Versace and more, along with a series of seminars on relationships in the ’90s. Hours are from 2 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive. Tickets are $8; 312-525-9140.
– Shirley Henderson
SPRING DOG SHOW
Dogs doing what they were originally bred to do will be a highlight of the 10th Annual Spring International Cluster of Dog Shows at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive. Throughout the day Saturday and Sunday, herding dogs will drive sheep, and golden retrievers will fetch objects. At 11:15 a.m. both days, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department police dog squad will demonstrate how it searches for narcotics. In all, more than 2,200 dogs will participate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to about 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, followed by the “World Series” of the dog shows until 8 p.m. when best in show is named. Admission is $9, $6 senior citizens, $3 children under 12; 312-237-5100.
– Steve Dale
