Weekday Planner: Between Bites, FIG + OLIVE Dinner, Allagash Beer, Dough Masters
Between Bites
The latest edition of Between Bites, the quarterly storytelling series featuring themed tales by local food writers, chefs, and personalities, takes place October 20 at Frontier. This season's theme is the Witching Hour, just in time for Halloween and actual witching hours. Expect short personal narratives from the likes of Chuck Sudo (Chicagoist), Ina Pinkney (nee Ina's), Liz Grossman (Plate Magazine), Kevin Boehm (Boka Restaurant Group), Matt Lynch (Thrillist), and Lauren Viera (beverage writer). The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes appetizers, wine, and cocktails. Snag tickets here.
Olive Oil Tasting and Dinner at FIG + OLIVE
Olive oil is the star of the show at a special tasting and dinner at FIG + OLIVE on Monday, October 20, the perfect way to slide ever so elegantly and deliciously into the work week. Hosted by FIG + OLIVE founder Laurent Halasz and Xandra Falcó of Marqués De Griñón Estates, the event entails a five-course spree of oil- and wine-filled dishes and glassware indicative of the restaurant's Riviera-inspired style. From 7:00 p.m. until 7:45 p.m., the duo will discuss more on the processes involved in olive oil production, along with cooking tips and notes on how to differentiate different oils. This is followed at 8:00 p.m. with a multi-course degustation highlighting the flavors of Spain, France, and Italy. Expect zucchini carpaccio, tapenade-adorned sea scallops, branzino, veal medallions with fig chutney, and green apple sorbet with olive oil and citrus segments. Tickets for the evening cost $95 per person and reservations can be made by emailing oliveoilrsvp@figandolive.com.
(Things are getting doughy at Bar Toma. Photo: Bar Toma)
Allagash Beer Dinner
Portland, Maine is in the house at HUB 51 on October 21 for a special Allagash Beer dinner. The East Coast favorite takes the spotlight for a three-course family-style spread cheffed by Christian Eckmann. Along with the food, which hits the table at 7:00 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to sample five beers and will receive a commemorative glass. The cost for the event is $50 per person. Call 312-445-2973 or email hub51parties@leye.com to reserve a spot.
Dough Masters at Bar Toma
There's a lot happening October 20 apparently. Another event is the next leg of Bar Toma's Dough Masters series, featuring guest chef Abraham Conlon of Fat Rice. This doughy, carb-packed event features pasta, noodles, dumplings, and more, served family-style with beer and wine. For the three-course meal, Bar Toma's chef Erik Freeberg joins forces with Conlon to curate an eclectic dinner like no other. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $75 per person. Visit here for tickets.
- Matt Kirouac