Wine-Focused Events You Don't Wanna Miss!

This is like the summer of the best dining deals ever.

Of course, absolutely no one can beat that unbelievable 70th anniversary special at Gene & Georgetti.

But Capital Grille comes pretty damn close with its first-ever Generous Pour Wine Event, running today through Sept. 4.

Here's the deal: The national chain's Master Sommelier George Miliotes tasted 100 global wines a week to narrow down the selection to nine perfect picks. And beginning today, guests can drink as much of these generous pours as they like for $25. The vinos come from Australia, California, France, Italy and Spain, with tasty varietals of sparkling wine, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir and port.

Put Eco-Friendly Prasino On Your Radar

Here's your first look at a rendering of the third location for Prasino in Wicker Park. (Photo: Prasino)

Look for "eco-chic concept" Prasino to open in August in the Wicker Park 'hood.

This is the third location (the first opened in LaGrange in 2010 and second in St. Charles) for the popular restaurant that's rooted in seasonal, local and fresh ingredients. Even the drinks menu highlights small producers of wine, beer and spirits.

Club Snub For Top Comedian Turns Ugly

The last thing you want to do is piss off a comedian because it might turn into material gold for their next act.

Rockit Ranch Productions' head honcho Billy Dec found himself the target of rising star stand-up comedian/television writer Hannibal Buress—who's originally from Chicago—after a run-in Friday at his River North nightclub Underground.

Incredibly Cool Spots To Check Out

Frontier's 2,500-square-foot beer garden is one of the newest hot spots to hit up in West Town. (Photo: Frontier)

Food trucks and Fido?! That's the theme behind Truckin' Thursdays, a new event at Ethyl's Beer & Wine Dive in the West Loop.

A number of the city's most popular food trucks gather in the parking lot, and one also offers gourmet goodies for your pooch. Fido To Go is doing hand-crafted canine cookies & doggy ice creams. Other trucks include the likes of Taquero Fusion, Gaztro-Wagon, Tamale Spaceship, Slide Ride, 5411 Empanadas, More Cupcakes and Alexander Beetle Bakeshop. It's 6-9pm.

Additional fantastic food-focused events you don't want to miss:

Margarita Madness All Over Town!

There's no denying that the margarita rules when it comes to summertime sippers.

It doesn't matter whether it's fancy schmancy, skinny or shockingly big, if you tell you friends you're going out for margaritas when it's hot outside, they are certain to show up.

Over at Taco Joint and sister resto Zocalo, they've created the Guava Chipotle Margarita, with $2 of every $10 cocktail benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. It's made with Karma tequila blanco, triple sec, fresh lime juice and guava-chipotle puree with a sugar-chipotle rim. It can be ordered up, on the rocks or frozen.

Also happening at Zocalo is a margarita-making class. Taking place 6:30-9pm July 21, the class will be led by in-house beverage director Victor Baheza, who'll show attendees how to make the Guava Chipotle Margarita as well as additional flavored margaritas. He'll also offer guests an informal tequila tasting and appetizers. It's $20 to attend and to reserve a spot, call the restaurant here. Fifty percent of the proceeds also benefit Make-A-Wish.

Salsa Your Way to a Free Supper

Photo via Ya Salsa.

If you think you've got what it takes when it comes to salsa, prove your moves on the dance floor for a chance to win dinner for four and more at Nacional 27.

The vibrant, Latin-inspired resto in River North is doing its annual Bacardi Sultry Summer Salsa Competition preliminaries over the next few weeks. Register by contacting the restaurant here; dates to dance are 9:30pm July 29, August 5 and August 12 (finals take place August 26). Applicants who register before July 15 will receive a $25 gift certificate to Nacional 27.

Hot Doug's Is #1 . . .

Hot Doug's photo via Complex

This comes as no surprise.

Doug Sohn and his enticing encased meats at Hot Doug's nag the #1 spot in Complex's 25 Best Hot Dog Shops in America roundup:

"Hot Doug's sits on top as the best hot dog shop in America because they can do it both ways. That is to say, they have arguably one of the best Chicago dogs out there for a startling $1.75 (unless you're a stickler for the two tomatoes, two sports rule) and they run a special menu of gourmet sausages that sets the bar for extravagant and creative across the nation. The specials are food porn . ..."

Go, Ryan, Go!

Ryan Poli of Tavernita. (Photo: Ryan Poli)

Let's root on Chicago homeboy Ryan Poli, chef/partner at Tavernita, who's competing Wednesday on Bravo TV's Rocco's Dinner Party.

You might remember when I first told you about the show back in March. This is the fourth episode of the cooking contest in which competitors each week whip up dinner and a party atmosphere to impress Rocco DiSpirito and his celebrity guests. On Ryan's episode, which includes actor Chazz Palminteri and comic Jeffrey Ross, the challenge is to create a "flavorful, yet healthy feast fest."