The Friday Buffet
- 'Tis the season for free champagne tastings. Get started tonight at the Artisan Cellar (located on the first floor of the Merchandise Mart) with a sample of some rare bubblies from 4-6 p.m.
- Learn all about the history of smothered foods from author Wilbert Jones, the author of Smothered Southern Foods. Jones' lecture, "Smothered - Southern Style" is being held Saturday at the Chicago History Museum, sponsored by the Culinary Historians of Chicago. The lecture starts at 10 a.m. Saturday.
- Underground supper club alert: Efrain Cuevas teams up with San Francisco-based clothing designer Joui Turandot to launch the Chicago debut of her Vagadu clothing line with an evening of food, fashion, art and music. The whole smörgåsbord starts at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Orphanage in Bridgeport. Tickets are available here only.
- Delilah's annual Christmas and Winter beer tasting runs from noon - 5 p.m. Saturday, and coincides with their new annual arts show and sale, so you can spend more money on gifts. Cost is $20.
- If you somehow budgeted $125 for a good dinner this week, then head to the Signature Room at the 95th for an evening of champagne and caviar from Collins Caviar. The four-course dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
- "Holiday Bubbles" is the theme Monday at D.O.C. Wine Bar from 7-9 p.m. Cost is $35.
- Adobo Grill Wicker Park just launched a $20, two-course tasting menu on Tuesdays. In case you don't have $125 for champagne and caviar.
- This month's winemakers dinner at onesixty blue focuses on Domaine Chandon. The dinner will be co-hosted with special guest Serafin Alvarado, master sommelier for Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois. The $85, four-course dinner begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
- This may only appeal to UW-Madison alumni, but it is for a charitable cause. Mad River Bar & Grille is having a guest bartending featuring four "retired" alumni bartenders to raise money for Christmas Angels, a charity that provides underprivileged families with Christmas gifts and supplies. The $30 event begins at 9 p.m. Wednesday.