Something New: Cibo Matto, Socca's summer menu

A special mid-summer tasting takes place at Socca tonight. (Photo: Socca)


Cibo Matto, theWit's glamorous Italian eatery, opens today on the hotel's second level. MenuPages catches up with executive chef Todd Stein (who's also at the helm of Roof), who discusses opening-day jitters, favorite menu items and more.

If Cibo Matto's scene a bit much for you on its first day, head to Lakeview as Socca debuts a new mid-summer menu. Exec chef Roger Herring whips up a number of tasting dishes to your delight in the bar area only. That's 5-7pm and free.

Considered somewhat of a brewing "rock star," Tomme Arthur from Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey stops by Bluebird for a special tasting of his beers. You'll sample up to seven, paired with flatbreads and cheese. 7:30-9:30pm. $25.

Wine lovers will indulge in a Mystery Wine Tasting at BOKA. The free event includes four stations pouring a mystery wine out of a decanter for sampling. Attendees will get a ballot and guess what each varietal is. The person who gets the most correct wins a $100 gift certificate to the restaurant. Comped appetizers included. 6:30-8pm.

The first Tuesday of the month means it's Rock Karaoke Night at Debonair Social Club. Get your liquid courage from the $3 well drinks, $3 Absolut Flavor shots and $3 PBR bottles before you make your way onstage. 9pm-2am.

And on Wednesday . . .

Jimmy Sneed of Sugartoad headlines the chef demo at Green City Market. That kicks off promptly at 10:30am, and as usual, the market opens at 7am. Free.

For those who prefer to do their shopping after work, Andersonville Farmers Market occurs 4-8pm every Wednesday. More than 20 vendors, plus live music and socializing should attract a number of neighborhood hot shots. Free.

Got job stress?! Take it out on the Wii on Wednesdays on Jbar's huge 84-inch flat screen television. They're also doing $3 beers, $6 vodka drinks and $2 mini "Burkers." 6-9pm.

Come root for the participants in the first-ever 42RIDE Bike Series at Moonshine. The event benefits Alliance of Biking and Walking, and if more than 100,000 follow the ride on Twitter, 42BELOW will make a $42K donation to the Alliance (pledging 42 cents per person). Riders, including a 73-year-old Texan who bikes 8,000 miles a year and a French sculptor living in Maine, arrive in Chicago Wednesday for the party that includes comped Caipiroska 42 cocktails. 6-8pm.