The Friday Buffet

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jul 17, 2009 7:30PM

• Today: Dunlay's on Clark Street (2600 N. Clark) and 10 Cane Rum are hosting an patio party featuring a Trinidadian sugar cane crusher. guests will be able to taste fresh-squeezed sugar cane juice. 3-7 p.m.
• Saturday: Eivissa chef Dudley nieto will lead guests on a crash course in making paella. The $25 course includes samples, instruction and sangria; a take home paella kit is also available for an extra $10. (1531 N. wells, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Saturday-Sunday: The debut Taste of River North festival will be a great way to sample food from @Spot Café, Citizen Bar, PROSECCO, Zocalo, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Ai Japanese Restaurant, Italiasia, Bella Luna, Excalibur, Fleming’s, Roy’s Chicago and others. tickets for food are $1 each.
• Monday: Carnival recognizes Colombian Independence Day with a special a la carte menu through July 26. (702 W. Fulton Market)
• Tuesday: Stephanie Izard is gearing up for the debut of her Wandering Goat dinner series with a cooking demonstration at the Chopping Block's Merchandise Mart location. The $150 per person demonstration runs from 6-9 p.m.. Reservations? Oh, they're required; call 312-644-6360 or sign up at www.thechoppingblock.net.
• Wednesday: Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation pre-party takes place at HUB 51 from 6-9 p.m. among the chefs in attendance will be Izard and event co-chair Mindy Segal. attendees will be able to purchase half-price tickets for the August 13 event, the only time this discount will be offered. [Disclosure: this Chicagoist staffer is on the planning committee for the event.(51 W. Hubbard, $25 at the door.)]
• Thursday: Bistro 110's Tour de France wine tasting series continues with a tour of wines from the Loire Valley on their newly opened outdoor patio. Select wines will be paired with regional specialties such as Valencay-Style Chicken with Grapes & Muscadet Wine Sauce, chilled cucumber soup and Swiss Chard and Goat Cheese Gratin en Cocotte. (110 E. Pearson, 6-8 p.m., $25.)