Weekday Planner: Between Bites, Motown Cupcakes, Pancake Tacos, and Whiskey Week

Between Bites

The next round of foodie storytelling takes place April 21 at Ampersand, the pop-up event space tucked inside Kinmont. The third in a series of roving storytelling events, Between Bites brings together food professionals in Chicago to share themed stories in front of a crowd of eager food-lovers. This season's theme is Lost and Found, featuring stories from a handful of Chicago food writers and editors, plus chef Rodelio Aglibot of the recently opened Yum Cha Dim Sum Parlor. Other storytellers include Lisa Shames, Louisa Chu, J.P. Anderson, Rachel Gillman Rischall, and yours truly. Tickets include entry along with drinks and bites. Purchase yours here. 

Eat Motown Cupcakes

Motown and cupcakes, together at last! Two of life's greatest leisurely joys converge thanks to Magnolia Bakery. In conjunction with Broadway in Chicago, in celebration of the Chicago debut of Motown The Musical, the bakery is serving up Motown-inspired cupcakes now through May 22. The chocolate cupcake features a blonde chocolate buttercream, bedecked with a Motown chocolate disk. Eat it and feel groovy. 

(Motown cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery)

Get Your Coffee, Doughnut, and Breakfast Taco Fix at Taco Joint

Beginning April 21, Taco Joint's River North location unveils a walk-up window brimming with coffee, doughnuts, and breakfast tacos. Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m, the window offerings include hot and iced coffees, churro doughnuts, tres leches doughnuts, margarita doughnuts, and tacos filled with the likes of green eggs 'n' ham and chorizo and eggs. There's also a PANCAKE TACO stuffed with crispy pork shoulder and citrus-chile maple syrup. 

Whiskey Week at Fountainhead

A whole week of whiskey? Christmas came super early this year! Fountainhead makes boozy dreams come true with a weeklong spree of all things whiskey, from a Craft Boilermaker Night to a Roofdeck Smoker Tasting. Craft Boilermaker Night kicks off the festivities on April 22, featuring a slew of whiskey and beer collaborations for patrons to sip. The main event for the week is the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society Dinner and Smokeout taking place April 23 in Fountainhead's Barrel Room. Expect a four-course meal prepared by executive chef Cleetus Friedman, paired with unique Scotch whiskeys for $60 per person. Tickets can be purchased here. Rounding out the week is the Roofdeck Smoker and Tasting event on April 23 at 8:30 p.m., wherein guests get the opportunity to sample Scotch malt whiskey and Updown Cigars. This event is $20 per person and tickets can be purchased here. 

- Matt Kirouac