MON 5/22
Your rigatoni sealed the sweetheart deal; your mom swears by your chicken soup; your neighbor conveniently stops by at suppertime . . . every night. Don’t ya think it’s time to share your talents with the world? Audition for the second season of Bravo’s reality kitchen competition, “Top Chef.” Bring a resume; appointments not required. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. Free. Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, 1 W. Grand Ave. bravotv.com.
Palatable idea
Can’t boast more than your boiling technique when it comes to cooking? Take a leaf from your boss’s recipe book, and let others do the work for you. A Taste for Every Palate features samples prepped by Chicago restaurants and sips from international wineries, plus raffle prizes, appetizers and Goose Island beer. 5:30 p.m. $75-$150. Proceeds benefit the Howard Brown Health Center. Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave. 773-388-8794.
First impressions
Mondays at work are tedious, at best. Computer viruses, negligent printers and long lines at the microwave make you frazzled and tense. Trade in keyboard clicking for drink clinking at Ladies First, The Motel Bar’s take on the bar-beauty blitz. Sip a cosmo and get either a mini-manicure or 10-minute massage. 6 p.m. $20. RSVP recommended: themotelbar.com. 600 W. Chicago Ave. 312-822-2900.
Take flight
Current gas prices make for a costly summer road trip, but high airline fares mean farther-flung spots are just as budget-busting. Solution: Circle The Globe (Pub, that is) without fretting over more than CTA fare. Stop by before or after Monday’s 7:05 p.m. Sox game (versus Oakland) for a free basket of wings with drink purchase. Deal is good for all Cubs and Sox home games (must have ticket). Bar opens at 11 a.m. No cover. 1934 W. Irving Park Rd. 773-871-3757.
TUE 5/23
Double your pleasure
Summer is only one fly swat away, which means it’s time to rev up the flirt machine. Between practicing those over-the-shoulder hair flicks (ladies) and sensitive-guy gazes (you know who you are), make your way to the Double Age Range FastDater Party. Mix with singles in two age groups (22-36 and 33-48), then meet for three-minute dates. 7 p.m. $42. RSVP required: fastdater.com. Joe’s, 940 W. Weed St. 708-453-2049. And don’t forget to apply for our next Reader Review crew, the Alfresco Flirts, at metromix.com.
WED 5/24
Basque in it
You crossed the Mother’s Day finish line with a mimosa in hand, paraded your pooch at Lakeview Mayfest and already have Memorial Day brats prepped for the grill. Now it’s time to sit back, relax and bask in a job well done at a Basque Wine Tasting. Sample a variety of txakolinas (that’s “chock-o-leen-ahs”) with pintxo (“pin-cho”) pairings. You also could win Gipsy Kings tickets for the group’s July 13 Chicago Theatre concert. 6 p.m. $20. Haro Tapas y Pintxos, 2436 S. Oakley St. 773-847-2400.
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rkpalmore@tribune.com
