Erba (4520 N. Lincoln Ave.) has opened in Lincoln Square, after a couple of delays that included a power outage last week. The northern-Italian concept is owned by Robert Butterfield, who also owns nearby Brioso (4603 N. Lincoln Ave.), a contemporary Mexican restaurant.
“We tried a fusion,” jokes Butterfield, “but it didn’t work.” The restaurant has 50 indoor seats and a 45-seat patio out back; the chef is Paul Niekrasz, who, way back when, worked with Butterfield at the late Carlucci restaurant on Halsted Street. 773-989-4200.
Fred Ramos, a former Bocuse D’Or finalist last seen running the kitchen at the late Pili Pili, is the new chef at Gioco (1312 S. Wabash Ave.). “We haven’t done too many changes yet,” says Ramos, who has been on board for a month. “I put an artichoke heart on the menu, a scallop dish, a couple of new pastas and a ravioli of the day category. We’ll make more elaborate changes in the fall.” 312-939-3870.
Piece (1927 W. North Ave.) is celebrating its fifth anniversary today by tapping a new beer–Quintet Anniversary Ale, an American strong ale brewed with five malts and five hops–“a huge beer for a huge milestone,” in brewer Jonathan Cutler’s words. It’s $4.50 a pint and will available through Aug. 15. 773-772-4422.
In conjuction with the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum, Lawry’s the Prime Rib (100 E. Ontario St.) will host a Pyramid Beer Dinner at 7 p.m. Friday, featuring a five-course menu matched to products from the Pyramid Brewing Co. (which hails from Seattle, not Cairo, but what the hey). Cost is $60; special VIP tickets to the exhibit will be available for an additional $30. 312-787-5000.
The fifth annual Wing Fest, a benefit for the Woodfield Area Children’s Organization, will take place from noon-5 p.m. Sunday at Alumni Club (871 E. Algonquin Rd., Schaumburg). A $15 donation covers unlimited wings, two drink tickets and live entertainment–and patrons will judge which of the many participating restaurants makes the best wings. Must be 21 or older. 847-397-3100.
Mark Baker, John Bubala, Yoshi Katsumura, Carrie Nahabedian, Ryan Poli and Paul Wildermuth are among the celebrity chefs participating in the second annual “Chef & the City” gala, a benefit for Vital Bridges, at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 4 in the Grand Ballroom of the Peninsula Chicago (108 E. Superior St.). Tickets are $175 for the event, which includes food and beverage stations, silent and live auctions and live jazz. Tickets are available through Vital Bridges: 312-948-2786 or www.vitalbridges.org.
Morton’s, the Steakhouse (various city and suburban locations) is offering a three-course dinner that includes salad, dessert and a Grilled Trio entree (filet, sesame tuna, grilled shrimp). Cost is $59.
Think pink on Tuesday, at least if you’re having cocktails at Parlor (1745 W. North Ave.), which is showcasing a menu of pink drinks through August. Order a pink drink any Tuesday, and half the money will be donated to Y-ME Illinois. 773-782-9000.
———-
pvettel@tribune.com
