At long last, Zocalo (358 W. Ontario St.) has opened in the space that once housed Chilpancingo. “It’s still Mexican,” says Edgar Castaneda, who owns the place with his cousin Marcos Castaneda. “But we toned down the colors a bit, added more wood accents–it looks a lot different.” The menu, overseen by executive chef Saul Roman, emphasizes small plates but still includes about nine full-sized entrees. 312-302-9977.
About 30 Chicago chefs will offer food samples, as well as interactive stations on mojito and ceviche making, at a Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation event 7-10 p.m. Monday at the River East Art Center (435 E. Illinois St.). Tickets, $100, will go toward the organization’s effort to end child hunger. VIP tickets (which include an exclusive reception from 6 to 7 p.m.) are $150. Tickets are available at www.tasteofthenation.org or by calling 877-268-2783.
Win a dinner date with . . . Don Shula? That’s the promotion at Shula’s Steak House (Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E. North Water St.), where visitors to the restaurant can enter to win a seat at the legendary football coach’s table on Sept. 12. There will be three winners, announced Sept. 5. 312-670-0788.
Schwa (1466 N. Ashland Ave.), the three-star BYO that makes foodies’ hearts flutter, has switched to a fixed-price format. Patrons now select either the three-course menu (with choices) for $55 or the nine-course chef’s choice menu for $90–though chef/owner Michael Carlson says there are always a couple of “extra tastes” in the chef’s choice option. 773-252-1466.
The Tavern (519 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville) has received the Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine, putting the restaurant in very exclusive company. 847-367-5755.
It’s burger-mania at Rockit Bar & Grill (21 W. Hubbard St.), which, in addition to its turkey burgers, salmon burgers and Kobe burgers, will be featuring a specialty burger each day from Monday through Aug. 13. Order a burger and you’ll be entered in a daily drawing for one complimentary burger per week for a year. 312-645-6000.
Three cult wines will form the basis of a three-course wine dinner Monday at West Town Tavern (1329 W. Chicago Ave.). The dinner is $60. 312-666-6175.
A fondue dinner with German riesling wines will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Geja’s Cafe (340 W. Armitage Ave.). The dinner is $48, tax and tip included. 773-281-9101.
Zapatista Cantina (1307 S. Wabash Ave.) will celebrate its one-year anniversary Tuesday with a birthday pinata, complimentary tres leches cake and beer and tequila specials. 312-435-1307.
A “Bouches-du-Rhone” (tastes of the Rhone) wine dinner will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cafe Matou (1846 N. Milwaukee Ave.). A champagne-cocktail reception will be followed by a five-course dinner with wines. Cost is $61, tax and tip included. Reservations required; 773-384-8911.
Cantina del Taburno wines will be the focus of a family-style dinner at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Vinci (1732 N. Halsted St.). The dinner with wine is $43. 312-266-1199.
Sterling Vineyards will be featured at a wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Signature Room (John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Ave.). The five-course dinner with wines is $75. Limit 40 guests; reservations required. 312-280-0458.
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pvettel@tribune.com
