What they're saying on Facebook . . .

Todd Stein, executive chef of the soon-to-be opened theWit Hotel hot spots Cibo Matto, State and Lake, and Roof. (Photo: Todd Stein)


Todd Appel (Mixologist/Crimson Lounge): "Thinking about juleps."

Jesse De La Pena (Deejay): "Spinning at Jbar tonite 610 N. Rush St. no cover 21+ 9pm-1am. Stop by."

Caroline Hamilton (Mixologist/MK: "Working on a new 10 cane cocktail at MK tonight. Who wants to come be my taste tester?"

Charles Joly (Mixologist/The Drawing Room): "Getting ready for our first At the Bar dinner!"

Mark Liberson (Partner/Hydrate): "Hopes you help support the Red Cross Thursday at hydrate- "flirting for disaster" begins at 6 p.m."

Todd Stein (Executive Chef/Cibo Matto, State and Lake, Roof): "Happy to be in Chicago today."

It's a Heatwave!

OK, not really, but hey it's close enough at a record 50 degrees this weekend. But let's not get carried away and try to do alfresco, OK?!

And you have absolutely no excuse to stay indoors . . .

THURSDAY

Head to Edgewater for the $23 prix-fixe deal at Broadway Cellars. For an additional $5, they'll throw in three ounce wine pairings. That's every Thursday.

Get a jumpstart on your Valentine's Day festivities with a Wines for your Valentine tasting at WineStyles. Sample various vino (including sparkling!) that should get your sig other in the mood for amour. 6-8pm. Free.

Simply sexy sounds will be the focus during Funk Du Monde, featuring offbeat DJ Madrid & Friends. Held at Cat's Meow, get ready for exotic beats and $5 Effen cocktails. 9pm-2am. No cover.

FRIDAY

The annual Starlight Children's Foundation's Dream Date returns to the Park West. This is the premier live auction event with packages presented by Chicago's most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Also, open bar, buffet, live entertainment. Sells out every year, so you may or may not get tix. Doors open at 6pm. $55 in advance; $65 at door. Get 'em here.

Specials galore at Between—the restaurant where "Top Chef: New York" contestant Radhika Desai is the queen of cuisine. Indulge in the $30 trio special, which includes three sharing plates (offered from 6-7pm) or a $5 Hot Buttered Rum Pot for two served with tea cookies, $25 single-malt scotch flights and $30 tequila flights.

Whimsical deejay/emcee Biz "Just a Friend" Markie rocks Rednofive at 11pm. $20.

SATURDAY

Head to Pops for Champagne for a special Egly-Ouriet Champagne tasting. You'll get to sample three cuvées from this house that was one of the first grower champagnes to be distributed in the United States. 3-5pm. $20.

We've got the vegans covered too this weekend with an event happening at Trotter's To Go. Chef Charlie Trotter will sample dishes from Linda Long's Great Chefs Cook Vegan! cookbook. They'll pair each bite with wines. 2:30-3:30pm. Free.

It's the perfect evening to TOAST on The Magnificent Mile, the month-long, Moët & Chandon-sponsored event celebrating Michigan Avenue and all its luxury shops, night spots and restaurants. Peep all the events happening right here, which include 6:30pm fireworks at Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River (with viewing at 401 N. Michigan Ave.), Bistro & Bubbles at Bistro 110 and 25 percent off Moët & Chandon bottles all month at China Grill.

Choco-holics, please remain calm. The French Pastry School is hosting its annual fundraiser For the Love of Chocolate, where everything in the room is made of chocolate (just try not to eat the servers and bartenders!). Several rooms feature spectacular sweets in every type, so you can go completely nuts. 6:30-10pm. Get the $95 tix here. 226 W. Jackson Blvd., 312-726-2419, ext. 211.

SUNDAY

Sushi Samba has changed its brunch program so many times that it makes our heads spin. This time, they've managed to get it right with a $16 deal that includes three cocktails. Sunday Funday dishes: South American frittata, Doce de Leite French Toast, raw bar selection and Sunday Morning Sushi.