Weekend Planner: Sweet Sundays, Seasonal Slam, Central Coast Wine Dinner

Sweet Sundays at Sugar Hills Bakery

Sugar Hills Bakery is one spot taking the adage "you can have your cake and eat it too" quite literally. With their new Sweet Sundays promo, guests get a free slice of cake with purchase between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Chicago location. More than 14 different cake options are on hand at the bakery, running the gamut from chocoholic-friendly chocolate chiffon cake with straciatella mousse and chocolate glaze, to the more fruit-forward Mango Madness cake with vanilla and chocolate chiffon, mango and chocolate mousse, and whipped cream.

 

Seasonal Slam, Part Two

Seasonal Slam is coming back to TWO for round two. This dynamic culinary competition pits TWO's executive chef Tom Van Lente and head bartender Graham Crowe against two guests from a local restaurant. Taking place Sunday, January 25, the next Seasonal Slam features guest challengers from Sable Kitchen & Bar, executive chef Heather Terhune and bartender John Stanton. Guests get to taste and vote for their favorites during the event, emceed by Chandra Ram of Plate Magazine, who also selected the ingredients each chef and mixologist must use. Said ingredients for this winter round are blood oranges, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes. Whichever restaurant team has the most guest votes by night's end will be named the winner. It all starts off with a cocktail reception at 5:00 p.m., followed by a seated dinner at 6:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $105 per person and tickets can be purchased. 

Central Coast Wine Dinner

The wines of the Central Coast step into the spotlight on January 25 for a special five-course wine dinner at Ada Street. Chef Zoë Schor has created a special multi-course degustation of Mediterranean- and contemporary American-inspired fare to accent the wines from California's Palmina, Presqu'ile, and Dashe vineyards. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. with passed small bites, followed by a first course of grilled head-on prawns paired with Palmina Arneis 2012, a second course of duck egg and ricotta ravioli paired with Bonaccorsi Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills 2012, a third course seared barramundi and clams duo with Palmina Dolcetto 2012, and a fourth savory course of rack of lamb with braised lentils and an accompanying Bonaccorsi Syrah 2006. For dessert, it's olive oil-splashed chocolate ganache with Dashe Cellars Late Harvest Zinfandel 2013. The cost for the event is $210 for two people. Tickets can be purchased by calling..  

- Matt Kirouac