Friday 20
If chocolate carries as much weight as wine, check out le Flour’s Chocolate Tasting class. Learn the history, varieties and how to taste. Be prepared to journal and get your chocolate fill. 6701 N Olmsted (leflour.com, make your reservation: 773-631-1400). 6–10pm, $25 (adults only).

Organic School Project is hosting its Fall Harvest Dinner/Fundraiser. G0 and enjoy the seasonal fare prepared by chefs from Rockit, Foodlife and Goose Island. Kick off the season right. Leslie Hall, 1111 N Wells St (purchase tickets). 6–8pm, $40.

The Beaujolais Nouveau is out. Get your fill at Brasserie Jo. Order it by the glass ($8) or the bottle ($39) while you enjoy the chef’s special beef bourguignon pairing. 59 W Hubbard (brasseriejo.com, 312-595-0800).

Saturday 21
La Madia is promoting lazy Saturday afternoons by hosting a Wine and Cheese Class. Sit back and enjoy lunch (pizza and salad) while you learn about holiday entertaining, wine and cheese (you get to eat/drink the wine and cheese too). After all that relaxing, who wants to throw a holiday party anyway? 59 W Grand Ave (dinelamadia.com, call to make your reservation: 312-329-0400). 11am–1pm, $30.

Center on Halsted (serves as a catalyst for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities that links and provides community resources, and enriches life experiences) is hosting a Potluck Thanksgiving Party. Show up with our favorite appetizer or dessert and learn more about their programs. 3656 N Halsted (centeronhalsted.org, call for reservations: 773-472-6469). 3–6pm, FREE.

If you are hitting up the 18th Annual Lights Festival with the kids, head over to Osteria Via Stato for dinner. The restaurant is serving up The Famous Italian Dinner Party menu (aka family style). Kids will dine for half the price. 620 N State (osteriaviastato.com, 312-642-8450). 5–9:30pm. $24.95–$38.95 (full price).

Know the ins and out of beer? How about the ABCs? Check out The Globe Pub’s Beer: A-Z event. Bar-goers will actually taste one beer for every letter of the alphabet while learning some beer basics from Eric Hobbs of Goose Island Brewery. Just make sure you can still say your ABCs at the end of the night. 934 W Irving Park Rd (purchase tickets). 6–9pm, $40.

Take the kids to visit the pickle tree at The Berghoff. In honor of the Bavaria-American tradition, kids can look for the pickle ornament on the holiday tree. Kids who spot it, win a root beer float (and a year of good luck). And you thought we were joking. 17 W Adams (312-427-3170).

If you’re o.k. with sketchy details, a shocker of a dinner and BYOB, then X-marx is for you. Check out this underground dining experience at a place unknown (that is until you sign up).  We do know there will be seven(+) courses, but that’s all we got. (purchase tickets) 7–11pm, $95.

Stop by the Hotel InterContinental and warm up at the Lights Festival with some hot chocolate ($1) or roasted chestnuts ($4). Corner of Illinois St and Michigan Ave. noon–6pm.

One last Lights Festival stop before the end of the night: FREE cupcakes at more. Enough said. 1 E Delaware Pl (312-951-0001). 7–9pm.

Sunday 22
Hosting Thanksgiving…not a clue where to begin? Check out A New Dawn’s class at Whole Foods. They’ll point you in the right direction (demos, tastings, BYOB). 1550 N Kingsbury (purchase tickets). 6:30pm, $45.

Learning how to make pasta sounds like a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon (note: Bears play at night). Make reservations for the how-to class at Quartino. A Sunday with pasta tasting, wine and a new cookbook in hand who needs football anyway? 626 N State (reservations required: 312-698-5000). 1–2:30pm, $24.95.

Need some brioche? Learn how to make it yourself. Head over to le Flour for the tutorial. Best use: French Toast 6701  Olmsted (make reservations: 773-631-1400).  2–4pm, $25.

Upgrade the lousy movie popcorn and soda to a prix-fixe wine dinner at BIN 36. The movie: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Dinner and a movie just got way better.  339 N Dearborn (call for reservations: 312-755-9463). 6pm, $48.

There are two things Gina Howie is passionate about: pastry and brunch. She and Brooke Dailey, a friend she met in pastry school, have devoted themselves to the pastry passion since 2007 at Lovely: A Bake Shop; now the pair have added Howie’s husband—and fellow French Pastry School alum—Bob Hartwig to the team and gotten serious about the brunch at Bakin’ and Eggs, a BYOB, breakfast-all-day spot in Lakeview. But there’s something else the group is incredibly passionate about, and that’s bacon: You’ll find it in the expected places (a breakfast BLT, a caramelized-onion-bacon-blue-cheese frittata) and some less-expected ones (mixed into waffle batter, baked into mac and cheese, pictured). The truly passionate will head for the maxed-out “bacon flight”—a showcase of five bacons, ranging from honey to jalapeño.

3120 N Lincoln Ave (773-525-7005). Mon–Sat 7am–5pm; Sun 8am–4pm.

Chicago Magazine’s Dish reported last week that the peripatetic Goose Island chef and consultant John Manion, who was brought in January to upgrade the brewpub’s menu, would be leaving to get things into shape over at Branch 27. Goose owner John Hall told Dish that Manion would be replaced by an internal candidate, and this morning, Goose PR announced that the company has chosen Andrew Hroza, who has worked at Goose for “several years,” and is a chef and certified Cicerone (beer sommelier), as the replacement. Hroza catered for rockers like Van Halen and Prince before coming to Goose Island, and he’ll be assisted in the kitchen by sous chef Matt Andorka. Last night was Manion’s farewell Thanksgiving-themed dinner, but the kitchen promises things aren’t slowing down: Tonight’s special is housemade goat sausage with pickled Brussels sprouts.

Your where-to-go, what-to-eat daily.

Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club is celebrating nine years in ‘09 with a Love Potion No. 9 party. From 6–8pm party-goers will nosh on free appetizers and Cruzan rum cocktails. All menu items will be on special for $9, and one lucky person will win a cruise to the Bahamas on the love boat. 3700 N Halsted (call for reservation: 773-525-1111). 5:30pm–2am.

Stop in to Sunda after work today—they’re offering half-priced appetizers and sushi/sake pairings ($25). 110 W Illinois St (312-644-0500).

Rockit still knows how to party in Wrigleyville–Cubs or no Cubs. Check out the Thursday specials: $15 pitchers of beer (think Goose Island), $3 Red Bull Vodka and $6 for a dozen buffalo wings. 3700 N Clark St (773-645-4400).

Check out Cityscape’s Vino with a View. This month the bar will feature wines from DFV Wines and appetizers like seared ahi tuna with mango papaya salsa. 350 W Mart Center Dr (call to make a reservation: 312-836-5000). 6–8pm, $15.

Tonight Adam Seger is hosting his monthly Cocktail Class at Nacional 27. Learn how to mix local pumpkin and cranberry libations as you nosh on passed tapas. 325 W Huron (call to make a reservation: 312-664-2727). 5:30–6:30pm, $20.

Need some new inspiration for Thanksgiving leftovers? Check out Stretch Run’s cooking class: Learn What to do with Thanksgiving Leftovers (not that this is something we normally struggle with). They’ll be whipping up gourmet turkey sandwiches, shepherd’s potpie and turkey salad. 544 N LaSalle St (312-644-4477). 6–8pm, FREE.

NAHA is hosting a Rare-Tea Dinner. Doesn’t sound enticing? Maybe the thought of poached black cod and Nantucket Bay scallops served with a fondant of butternut squash and chrysanthemum tea among six other courses and a cocktail hour might change your mind. 500 N Clark (call to make a reservation: 312-321-6242). 6:30pm, $125.

Hamburger Mary’s is hosting a Home Brewing Competition. Go tonight and sample beers from five local teams. Tally your vote and if you agree with the other party-goers, then your favorite new beer will be featured at Mary’s this winter. 5400 N Clark (hamburgermaryschicago.com, 773-784-6969). 7–10pm, $5.

So Twilight’s your thing, huh? Sink Your Teeth Into It at Jbar tonight. They are hosting a pre-movie party with $6 cocktails (The Bite and Volturi Venom) and appetizers from Executive Chef Rick Gresh of David Burke’s Primehouse. If you are without movie tickets, don’t worry: Jbar will be raffling some off. 610 N Rush St (312-660-7200). 9pm.

Put your dancing shoes on, because Eivissa is offering Salsa Lessons. Sip on signature sangria as you learn a thing or two from resident instructor, Jen Dieas. Refuel with the rustic appetizers and be thankful you passed up that gym visit tonight. 1531 N Wells (eivissachicago.com, reservations recommended: 312-654-9500). 7–9pm, $25.

There’s More to Burgundy than Beaujolais. Find out why at Bistro 110’s Tour de France wine tasting. Six different wines will be on hand for tasting as diners nibble on cheese, charcuterie, veal blanquette and poached salmon. 110 E Pearson (bistro110restaurant.com, 312-266-3110). 6–8:30pm, $25.

Thanksgiving is a week away, but you can get in on the action now at Goose Island’s Thanksgiving Beer Dinner. The restaurant will feature beers like Pilgrim Pale Ale and traditional holiday fare like Swan Creek Farm’s roasted turkey. 1800 N Clybourn (call for reservations: 312-915-0071). 6:30pm, $40.

Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap is tapping the hard-to-find Brown Sugga’ Ale tonight. Stop in for a pint and some specialty chicken wings ($11.95). 41 E Superior (312-266-0400). 6pm.

Everybody just calm down a minute: The extremely anthropomorphic, vaguely sexual, highly entertaining and somewhat disturbing mural that you’ve seen countless times at Jake’s Pup in the Ruf is not—I repeat, not—gone forever. I know, because yesterday I called Jake and asked him why the mural wasn’t there anymore.

“Because we took it down,” he said. “Why? Who wants to know?”

Then he answered his own question by saying, sarcastically: “It’s only been on there for 49 years.”

In the half-decade the mural has been up it had gotten a little shoddy, so Jake wanted to refresh it. I suppose this is a good thing for  Jake’s, Jake’s customers and also people like me, who have never actually stepped foot inside of Jake’s, but rather treated it more like public art. But there is always that worry when iconic things get updated that things will change, maybe get a little more contemporary. What I’m saying is, I don’t want to see any Obama references on this window, you know? I want to see more dancing hot dogs.

Luckily, before Jake rushed off the phone, he told me that the mural, when completed, would be exactly the same as what it was. Only now, he said, “it’s going to be perfect.”

Your where-to-go, what-to-eat daily.

Take s sip of the good life at Fine Wine Brokers’ Spirits and Sparklers 15th Anniversary Party, where they will be serving what they call “the finest libations known to man.” 4621 N Lincoln (fwbchicago.com, call to make a reservation: 773-989-8166). 7:30pm, $35.

If you cannot wait any longer for Thanksgiving dinner, we have the solution: The Heritage Turkey Dinner at Osteria Via Stato, where a Caveny Farm Bourbon Red Turkey will be served alongside Candid Wines. Place an order for your own free-range heritage turkey and take home recipes at the end of the night. But not before you chow down on the Wisconsin pumpkin pie. 620 N State (call for reservations: 312-642-8450). 6:30pm, $65.

Hosting a holiday party? Time to learn how to make martinis. Chen’s Holiday Martini Class should do the trick. Bartenders Christopher Bagall and Frank Chen will show you how to mix the classics, as well asa few seasonal inspirations. Appetizers will be provided. 3506 N Clark (call for reservations: 773-549-9100). 6:30–8pm, $20.

If you work in the western ‘burbs, stay out that way for dinner. Meson Sabika is hosting a Wine Dinner with Jorge Ordonez. There will be a cocktail hour and a five-course dinner with Spanish wine pairings—so hopefully you brought a designated driver. 1025 Aurora Ave, Naperville (reservations required: 630-983-3000). 6:30pm, $59.

Get a taste for Thanksgiving at Webster Wine Bar’s Alsace: Thanksgiving and Beyond. Alsace is the province at the crossroads of Germany and France, and it’s a delicious breeding ground for wine. The Webster crew will be showing off their Alsace collection of wines and how they pair (so nicely) with thanksgiving classics. 1480 W Webster (reservations required: 773-868-0608). 7:30pm, $45.

Learn How to Host a Latin Dinner Party at Carnivale. The Carnivale team is ready to give you a hands-on experience on how to mix specialty cocktails, create killer appetizers and how to host a party like a rock star. And with cocktails samples and menu tasting, the class promises to be a party in itself. 702 W Fulton Market (reservations required: 312-850-5005). 6:30–8:30pm, $35.

Your where-to-go, what-to-eat daily.

Head over to Frasca Pizzeria and Wine Bar for their Pizza Cooking Class, where you’ll learn how to cook pie in the wood-fired oven. Choose between the margherita or the pepperoni while you sip on two glasses of wine. 3358 N Paulina (frascapizzeria.com, call for reservations: 773-248-5222). 7pm, $25.

New Holland Brewery is showing up at Bluebird tonight for a tasting of their usual suspects (Mad Hatter IPA), some seasonal brews (Cabin Fever), some gin (yes, they make gin) and some rare beers for Chicagoans (Blue Sunday). Bluebird will be doing their part by serving  flatbreads and snacks. 1749 N Damen (bluebirdchicago.com, call for reservations: 773-486-BIRD). 7:30–9:30, $25.

Know a thing or two about wine? Sign up for the Winemakers Crossfire Challenge at Just Grapes. You will compete with wine lovers of all knowledge backgrounds. You will have three minutes to answer as many questions possible about wine. If you do well, you’re looking at a possible trip to California or memberships to some exclusive wines clubs. Go to compete or just to watch—either way there will be a glass of wine waiting for you. 560 W Washington (justgrapes.net, 312-627-WINE). 6pm, $25.

Crofton on Wells wants to see you at the Crofton for Cambodia Dinner. The restaurant will feature a menu highlighting the country’s regional cuisine, with proceeds going to Cambodia’s New Hope Community Centre. There will be four courses with dishes like the steamed red snapper wrapped in collard greens simmered in coconut curry. It should prove to warm you up and make you feel good. 535 N Wells St (croftononwells.com, call for reservations: 312-755-1790). anytime from 5–9pm, $45.

Like the sound of spicy duck wings with raita? Don’t miss the Dishes and Dirt (a new local food website) event at Old Town Social. Chef Jared Van Camp will be preparing a five-course tasting menu while you Taste, Mingle and Learn. 455 W North Ave (Purchase tickets at: brownpapertickets.com). 6:30–10pm, $30–$35.

Your where-to-go, what-to-eat daily.

Never had Peruvian food? Carnivale has you covered with its Tour of the Americas dinner, which focuses on Peru tonight. The Niman Ranch beef filet with roasted peppers, potatoes, aji panca and white rice should do the trick to get you hooked. Or, if not, perhaps the dulce de leche sandwich cookies with apple cider ice cream? Either way it will be a very cultured (and filling) evening. 702 W Fulton St (carnivalechicago.com, 312-850-3017).  November 16–22.

In the mood for a glass of wine (or maybe seven)? Check out the Chopping Block’s Desperate House Wine class with Master Sommelier Fernando Beteta (NoMI).  Merchandise Mart location, suite 107 (reserve a spot, or call 312-644-6360). 6–7:30pm, $65.

PBS fiends, take note: Jack Bishop—one of the hosts on America’s Test Kitchen and the Editorial Director of Cooks Illustrated magazine—speaks tonight at Barbara’s Book Store. 1100 Lake St, Oak Park (708-848-9140). 7pm, FREE.

Food & Wine magazine is in Chicago to celebrate the 11th Annual Entertaining Showcase at the MCA. Chefs like Stephanie Izard (Druken Goat), Art Smith (TABLE Fifty-Two), Paul Virant (Vie) and Grant Achatz (Alinea) will be featured. You’ll walk away with the latest entertaining tips—a belly full of the city’s best food. MCA, 220 E Chicago Ave (foodandwine.com/promo/chicago/ 212-827-6418). 6:30–9:30pm. $125 at the door.

In the midst of this week’s Big Star pandemonium, perhaps there are a few of you out there who’d like to take a moment to remember the Wicker Park institution known as the Pontiac Café? If so, here’s some good news. Former Pontiac owner Buddy Eggert has moved the bar’s Honky Tonk Bingo over to Stanley’s Kitchen & Tap in Lincoln Park, every Tuesday at 8pm, “with the original Pontiac cast” intact, Eggert says. Along with bingo rounds, all pints are $3, Texas Tipsy Tea is $6, and shots of “Jim, Jack, Jose or Jamey” are $5. In keeping with the theme, whether intentionally or not, the menu at Stanley’s offers frito pie, “trailer chips” with bacon-cheddar ranch dip and giant burgers topped with green chile served with tater tots and a fried pickle, each of which comes in under $10.

Honky Tonk Bingo at Stanley’s, Tuesdays at 8pm, 1970 N Lincoln Ave (312-642-0007).

Your where-to-go, what-to-eat daily.

Friday 13

If you love Anthony Bourdain, you should know that he’s coming to Chicago (on Saturday April 24th, pm). Tickets go on sale today at 10am, so get your reservation before it’s too late. Purchase tickets: thechicagotheatre.com, tickets start at $43.

Check out what Chicago’s homeless youth have been up to at the Blue Sky Bakery (a bakery giving opportunities to homeless kids through job training and opportunities for creative expression) at the organization’s signature fundraiser: A Taste of Success. Nosh on appetizers and desserts created by the teens. Marwen Gallery 833 N Orleans. 6–9pm, $50 at the door.

If you can’t make it to the Pinot Days Wine Festival on Saturday, you can imbibe at tonight’s Winemakers Table Hop Dinner. (Yes, table hop: The winemakers will be playing “musical chairs” after each course  to chat with guests.) There will be 18 different pinots, four courses and plenty of good stories. Which might actually trump the festival itself. BIN 36, 339 N Dearborn (make reservations at: pinotdays.com). 6–11pm, $130.

Need a reason to leave work early? How about free appetizers and wine? Winemaker Jim Kress will be pouring three of his wines from Domaine Chandon at Sidebar Grille, which will be providing the apps. 221 N LaSalle (sidebargrille.com, 312-739-3900). 3–5pm.

Capture your evening in the HobNob Wines photo booth at Kirkwood’s Capture the Night Event. There will be wine tasting from HobNob and one lucky person will walk away with a free trip (for two) to LA. It’s a photo contest, so make sure you look good before checking in. 2934 N Sheffield (kirkwoodbar.com, 773-770-0700). 9pm–midnight.

Saturday 14

The Culinary Historians of Chicago present A Treasure Trove of Thai. Listen to Nancie McDermott lecture all things Thai—this author/cooking teacher knows her stuff, and if you listen well enough, you will too by the end of the day. Chicago History Museum, 1600 N Clark (culinaryhistorians.org, make your reservation: 708-788-0388). 10am–noon, $5, $3 students.

Heritage Family Farms is hosting their monthly Farm Dinner tonight. The best part: they’re in Elburn (not Central Illinois)—so it’s still a hike, but it’s at least under two hours. Get there early for the carriage rides (3:30–6:30pm) or arrive right on time with the kids in tow (because they offer free babysitting) and get ready to chow down on the bourbon red turkey brined in Seedling Cider or the thinly sliced Heritage Prairie Farm watermelon radish with red onion savory jam. You will be well fed and can even bring your own booze. 2N308 Brundige Rd (hpmfarm.com, call for reservations: 630-443-8253). 6pm, $65.

If fighting is your thing, head over to Luxbar. There’s no cover for the Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto boxing match, and martinis are on special for $7. 18 E Bellevue Pl (luxbar.com, 312-642-3400).

It’s national guacamole day! So get thee to Zocalo, where they’ve been featuring a $10 guacamole trio all week. 358 W Ontario (zocalocicago.com, 312-302-9977).

Meet your favorite Blackhawk at 10Pin’s Chicago Blackhawks Celebrity Ice Bowl, to benefit inner-city education. The Vienna Beef hot dog cart will be dolling out the grub while you kick back with a beer, wine or cocktail. The players attending include: Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Patrick Sharp, Brian Campbell, Cam Barker, Andrew Ladd, Kris Versteeg, Troy Brouwer and Team Captain Jonathan Toews. Not to shabby. 330 N State (10pinchicago.com, call to reserve your ticket: 773.750.4217). 2:30–5:30pm, $50 adults, $25 under 21.

Sunday 15

Zocalo is featuring a taste of Michoacan with its Soul of Mexico dinner. The three-course meal gives diners a choice at every course. For us, there’s no passing up on the birria de puerco, a Mexican pork stew prepared with ancho chiles, clove, cumin and oregan. If you miss the dinner tonight, no problem—it runs through November 26th. 358 W. Ontario (zocalochicago.com, 312-302-9977). $20.

Drink beer and support a great cause. The Chew Chew in Riverside is hosting its annual Fall Beer Festival, featuring over 30 seasonal beers and benefiting Hannah’s Hope for Giant Axonal Neuropathy.  33 E Burlington, Riverside (thechewchew.com, 708-447-8781). 3–9pm, $40.

The Brew Master Series Dinners at The Publilcan are becoming a Sunday night Chicago fave, so sign upbefore it’s too late. You don’t want to miss the Nantucket Bay scallops with celery root, vanilla bean and black truffle paired with Allagash Curieux.  837 W Fulton Market (thepublicanrestaurant.com, 312-733-9555). 5–9pm reservations available, $45 + $10–20 for beer pairings.