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

Sprout chef Dale Levitski celebrated his 40th birthday during a surprise party on Monday. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)

Let's get on with it: Bring on spring.

• Dale Levitski (Frog N Snail, Sprout) is experiencing an especially busy season. The former "Top Chef" finalist turns 40 today (April 3), celebrates the first anniversary for Frog N Snail on April 5, and recently transformed the menu over at Sprout. Levitski has been spending much of his time lately at Sprout, where he's turned the menu into a multi-course, prix-fixe experience for $65 per person (an extra $35 with wine pairings). The menu is seasonal with the signature, whimsical accents that originally put Levitski in the spotlight. There's a lot of game on the menu (think foie gras, rabbit, exotic fishes), but also a few inventive preparations with vegetables. And to continue the celebration of his 40th bday—and Frog N Snail's anniversary—Levitski's special event takes place on April 5 where diners get to "choose their own adventure" for $40. They'll get an appetizer, entree, dessert and complimentary glass of bubbly.

• David Morton and Michael Kornick (Ada St., DMK Burger Bar, FishBar) are moving fast with their plans for a chef-driven BBQ joint in Little Italy. The name for the project is County and it takes over the space formerly occupied by the iconic Italian eatery Gennaro's. MK Executive Chef Erick Williams will oversee the menu. Look for items such as Texas-style brisket, smoked lamb shanks, veal breasts, Kansas City-style spare ribs and a daily signature cocktail when the restaurant opens later this year.

Sequins, Chefs & Socializing For Good Causes

A few very stylish soirees go down this week, and you'll want to know about them if you consider yourself a fashionable foodie.

Looking to meet some of Chicago's most fabulous movers and shakers?! Head to Cru Kitchen & Bar at 9am April 5 for Sequins For Breakfast. The event is meant to empower women and proceeds benefit Bright Pink. Attendees, of course, are encouraged to wear their best sequins, and nothing is too dressed up. The first 50 guests get a memorable swag bag. Purchase the $35 tickets right here.

While Sequins for Breakfast caters to the well-dressed woman, Common Threads' event at belly Q targets dapper dudes. Fashion Rocks showcases hot spring looks from haberdash with delicious food and libations to satiate. There will be cooking stations from the likes of David Burke's Primehouse, Spiaggia, Carriage House, Frontier and Jam, plus local craft beers, live fashion installations and kegged cocktails. Tickets are $150 and available right here. 6:30-9:30pm April 7.

Quite a few events are happening concerning the ambitious and first-ever Fête: A Weekend-long Festival of Food & Design April 4-7. There's a food-and-design market featuring notable chefs and designers; tours around the city; a one-night only pop-up restaurant featuring food from Pecking Order, Ruxbin and Trenchermen, as well as other events. Proceeds benefit mobile produce market Fresh Moves, and ticket information may be found right here. Times and venues vary.

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

Eric Mansavage of Farmhouse (Photo: Farmhouse)

The sun will come out . . . today.

• Farmhouse Executive Chef Eric Mansavage is incredibly busy these days. He recently launched a new brunch menu that has already garnered a steady stream of fans on Saturday and Sunday. The menu's seasonal, of course, keeping in line with the restaurant's philosophy of using local and fresh ingredients. Highlights include the Farm Egg Scramble, which comes with spicy breakfast potatoes, and sweet potato biscuits & gravy with venison sausage. There's also a small list of brunch cocktails, which include a signature Bloody as well as seasonal cocktails listed as "savory," "sweet" and "sour." Farmhouse is also planning an expansion to Evanston, which Mansavage will oversee when it opens in late May.

• Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar this week introduced an enormous chef's bento box that should certainly leave you satisfied. It comes with 12 items, which are customized to your tastes. It's available during lunch and dinner.

• Peter Balodimas steps down as Rosebud restaurant group's corporate chef to open Domestic in the just-shuttered Rosebud Trattoria.

Indulge: March 27 is 'World Whiskey Day'

GT Fish & Oyster's signature Old Money (Photo: GT Fish & Oyster)

My mouth is watering just thinking about Whiskeys of the World, a one-night only event happening at Mercadito at 7pm April 2.

Whiskey master Kyle McHugh will take guests on a tasting trip of whiskeys around the globe, and $25 gets you appetizers and plenty of booze. The event is part of a monthly educational seminar series at the cocktail-focused restaurant and lounge, and I'm certain it will fill up quickly.

In the meantime, if you need something to quench your thirst, you'll be happy to learn that March 27 is World Whiskey Day. In honor of this momentous occasion, I've gathered five of my favorite whiskey-based cocktails in the city so that you can celebrate right now.

For instance, GT Fish & Oyster's Benjamin Schiller created a version of the classic Old Money that's been on the menu since the restaurant opened in 2011. It's barrel aged for three months with Benchmark bourbon, Aperol, Nux Alpina walnut liqueur and allspice.

Here are more of my faves:

It's Time Again For 'Arami Noodle Night'

(Photo: Arami)

Arami's "noodle night" happens every last Wednesday of the month, and so far it's gotten a pretty good reception from the area's foodie crowd.

March 27 marks the slick Asian spot's third installation, and the menu will feature seven to eight ramen dishes, including staples such as the kimchi, Arami and vegan ramen. Look also for a few new creations.

What's especially cool is that diners may order half or full sizes, so it's a chance to mix it up a bit with several orders. The full sushi menu will also be available.

The staff has also put together a few new cocktails that should pair well with the dishes; shochu and whiskey drinks will be highlighted.

See the menu below:

Recently Ousted RL Bartenders Have Landed At Local Chicago To The Delight Of Their Fans

Curt Rose (left) and Russell Shulman (Photo: Jorge Gera Photography)

Expect the cocktails to be a whole lot better at Local Chicago now that two veteran bartenders have landed behind the stick.

Longtime RL drink makers Curt Rose and Russell Shulman were recently ousted from the Mag Mile social gathering spot (after 14 years!), and we're certain their fans will be happy to know that they're in a spot just a few blocks away.

West Town's Leopold Is Set For New Ownership & A Brand New Concept?!

Leopold interior (Photo: Leopold)

I received this curious email early Monday from Leopold owner Christy Agee regarding the future of her buzz-worthy, chef-driven restaurant in West Town:

"It has been our pleasure to welcome our guests into Leopold over the last 2+ years. It was an honor to work with so many talented, dedicated, creative and hard-working staff members.

"I've always said any restaurant in Chicago would be lucky to have the team that made Leopold such a success. That being said, we're looking forward to a new beginning at 1450 W. Chicago with new ownership.

"The last night of service as the Leopold you know and love will be this Saturday, March 30th."

Easter Is This Sunday . . . Here's Where To Make Brunch Reservations

Roka Akor's banana pancakes (Photo: Roka Akor)

Chocolate bunnies, Easter egg hunts or roasted leg of lamb?!

From an afternoon cruise on the Spirit of Chicago to bountiful buffets featuring Asian, Italian and French fare, we've gathered the very best Easter brunch options to share with family and friends on March 31.