SWK (710 N. Wells St.), which has been closed for about a week, is scheduled to reopen Friday as Meztiso, a Spanish-Mexican hybrid with an extensive tapas selection. Owner Jona Silva, who oversaw the front room at SWK, is back among the pots and pans for the new concept. “I feel better back in the kitchen,” he says. Besides Spanish tapas, expect Mexican appetizers and entrees, and prices that rarely exceed $15. 312-274-9500.
Open for about six weeks now is Vines (3454 N. Clark St.), a Wrigleyville “American Trattoria.” Salads, handmade pastas, sandwiches and steaks. 773-327-8572.
The lights are out and the phone isn’t working at neighborhood institution Ravinia Bistro (581 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park). And now you know everything we know.
More than 40 Chicago chefs are donating their time and talent, creating appetizers for the annual Great Chefs Tasting Party, a benefit for United Cerebral Palsy, to be held Friday at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E. North Water St. The evening begins with a wine tasting from 5:15-6 p.m., followed by the appetizer tasting. $85 gets you admission, tasting, desserts, drinks and a souvenir cookbook. 312-368-0380, ext. 227.
Frontera Grill (445 N. Clark St.) will hold a “Festival of the One True Taste” on June 12. From noon-3 p.m. there will be a Farmers’ Market Fiesta, featuring a dozen food stations with products from local family farms, plus a wine-tasting bar, mezcal tasting and more; cost is $40 advance, $45 door, $15 children under 12. At 6 p.m. there will be Frontera’s third annual “Dinner Like No Other,” in which Rick Bayless and crew will create six never-before-seen courses, paired with wines; cost is $125, including tax and tip. All proceeds will benefit the Frontera Farmer Foundation. Seating is very limited for the dinner. 312-661-1434.
Marche (833 W. Randolph St.) celebrates the opening of its sidewalk cafe by offering each alfresco guest a complimentary glass of rose wine through Sunday. 312-226-8399.
Ben Pao (52 W. Illinois St.) will again host its Summer Passport Series, presenting a cocktail party that features different Asian regions from 6-8 p.m. the third Thursday of June, July and August. First up: Malaysia/Indonesia on June 16. Admission for each evening, which features food sampling, cocktails and a bit of entertainment, is $30–or attend all three for $75. Reservations required: 312-222-1888.
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! (2024 N. Halsted St.) has launched an “all-Spanish” brunch, featuring a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar (maybe we should change it to “mostly Spanish”) and more than a dozen breakfast tapas creations. Available 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through Sept. 4. 773-935-5000.
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pvettel@tribune.com
