Lite Bites: What Your Favorite Chefs & Mixologists Are Up To Around Town This Week

It's officially fall in a few days.

• There's never a bad time to drink French wine, yet French-focused Sofitel Chicago dedicates an entire week to the luscious grape. French Wine Week runs Sept. 23-30, and its purpose is to celebrate a new program promoting top French wines selected by French wine authorities Bettane & Desseauve.

Both Le Bar and Café des Architectes get in on the action with a series of promotions and events during the week. One of the highlights is the Les Amis du Chef dining series on Sept. 26.

Executive Chef Greg Biggers and pastry chef Leigh Omilinsky pair a multi-course dinner with some of the juiciest grapes in the region. The communal-style dinner is $150 and includes tip and tax. Call Café des Architectes for additional information.

For a more casual outing that's ideal for after work, Le Bar's hosting a French wine tasting 5-8pm Sept. 24. Guests get to enjoy pre-selected flights paired with cheese. It's $35 per person.


Here's hoping that the Chicago outpost will be as successful as the original Eataly in New York. (Photo: Eataly NYC)

• Here's what to expect when Mario Batali's Eataly arrives in Chicago later this fall.

• If you're looking for something beyond the usual fancy feasts, then Local Chow may be right up your alley. The emphasis, of course, is on local produce and ingredients and it's all coming from the Logan Square Farmers' Market. Think pork belly, carnitas, spare ribs, charcuterie and house-baked breads. Local beer and wine also included in the price. It's $60 per person and you can order tickets right here. The event's held at Logan Share (2864 N. Milwaukee Ave.) 7:30-10pm Sept. 21.

• With the Chicago Bears off to a great season, everyone's excited about football. Here's something else to get excited about: Barn & Company's Pigskin Pitmaster, which sounds completely over the top. Gary Wiviott's pairing several courses with Brooklyn Brewery beers for $50. Get ready for 50 Yard Pass Porchetta (hickory-smoked pork belly wrapped around pork tenderloin), Touchdown Chile with smoked pork and pear pie from Hoosier Mama. The event occurs 7-9pm Sept. 25. Call the restaurant for reservations.

• Just the thought of heirloom tomatoes makes my mouth water. It's that time of year, and Osteria via Stato's David DiGregorio shows his excitement with an annual dinner highlighting the flavors. The four-course feast includes wine pairings and is $68 per person. Just to get you drooling, here are some of the dishes to expect: house-made pork sausage with roasted tomato risotto; pan-roasted Faroe Island salmon with heirloom tomatoes and melted fennel; and Slagel Farms dry-aged ribeye with wild mushroom and tomato ragu. The dinner takes place at 6:30pm Sept. 30.