To Escape The Cold, These Restaurants Transport You Somewhere Else . . . For One Night Only

To fight off Monday's frost, two red-hot events are happening that you don't want to miss:

Red Door hosts a tiki-themed event benefiting the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

They've gathered some of the biggest names in local mixology—Charles Joly (The Aviary), Lynn House (Blackbird), Josh Pearson (Sepia), Jay Schroeder (Red Door)—to shake up Polynesian-inspired drinks to complement food by Freddy Nonaj and Graham Stein of avec.

Admission is a suggested donation of $25, which includes four drink tickets and food. That happens 8pm-midnight.

Chicago Travel Launches On About.com With Dining, Drinking, Shopping, Theater-going & More

Naniwa's ultra fresh sashimi offering. (Photo: Naniwa)

My latest venture, Chicago Travel at about.com, launched earlier this week.

I'm most excited about editing this new visitor's guide because it reminds me of the old metromix.com days when I passionately wrote about all the cool goings-on in Chicago, including our vibrant theater and dining scenes, unique cultural offerings and offbeat shopping districts.

I've grown a lot more since those days and taken time to explore our city to the fullest, and I'm thrilled to get the rich opportunity to show it off to visitors.

It's Time To Book Reservations For 'Chicago Chef Week,' Happening March 17-22

Matthias Merges (from left) photo via chefsconnection.com; Ryan McCaskey (Photo: Acadia); Andrew Zimmerman photo via Splash Chicago

Chicago Restaurant Week is a thing of the past. It's now time for Chicago Chef Week, in its fifth year and happening March 17-22. To entice you to participate, more than 70 chef-driven restaurants will be offering three-course, prix-fixe deals for lunch ($22 where served) and dinner ($44).

I'm telling you this so far in advance because for some of these spots you might want to book as soon as possible. For example, this year's event boasts three of the biggest winners of the recent Banchet Awards: Chef of the Year Matthias Merges (Yusho), Best Restaurant recipient Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia) and Best New Restaurant winner Ryan McCaskey (Acadia, with Jason Prah winning for Best Sommelier).

Senza Introduces All-Gluten Free Bakery . . . And The Items Look Tasty!

Senza's new gluten-free muffins are offered daily at the bakery. (Photo: Senza)

Susan McMillian and Amelia Fonti are accomplished bakers who also happen to own the critically acclaimed, gluten-free Senza restaurant in Lakeview. And now that the spot's gotten into its groove, it's time for them to do what they do best.

They recently launched a bakery inside the tiny space that's only open during the day. It's open 9am-noon Tuesday through Friday and the lineup includes:

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

Sola's Carol Wallack with her Hanger steak in chocolate demi. (Photo: Sola)

Sweet sensations . . .

• Valentine's Day may be long over, but Sola's Carol Wallack is still celebrating with a chocolate prix-fixe menu that's available throughout the month, Monday through Wednesday. Highlights include the cocoa nib-balsamic salad and Hanger steak with mashed sweet potatoes, Chinese broccoli and chocolate demi. It's $30.

• Here are the locals who made the cut for the James Beard semi=finalists. Those who made it to the finals will be announced in March. Good luck to all!

• Cheers—the only beverage business publication devoted to full-service restaurants, bars and hotels—recently honored the Tippling Bros. (Little Market Brasserie, Mercadito, Tavernita) with the Beverage Industry Innovator of the Year Award. That's mostly for the duo's creative kegged cocktail system at Tavernita.

Are Carrots The New Fois Gras?!

According to Grant Achatz (Alinea, Next) in his twitter they are.

A Brilliant 'Bond Brunch,' Plus More Festive Oscar-Themed Parties Set For Sunday

Les Misérables. Life of Pi. And 50 years of Bond.

With all the exciting movie themes set to play out at this year's Academy Awards ceremony, why is it that Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club is the only spot in town cashing in on the fun?!

For the occasion on Sunday, Feb. 24, the Lakeview restaurant plans to throw a brilliant Bond Brunch that's followed by the Life of Pi Oscar Party. These bashes sound like a blast with the brunch highlighting the iconic 007 series by showing many of the films on seven HD projection screens.

There will be live performances as Diva Madam X sings some of the series most notable theme songs, including "Die Another Day" and "Skyfall." Of course there will be cocktail specials (shaken, not stirred!) and staffers will be decked out in Bond Girl and villain costumes. A $10 drink package includes mimosas, sangria and a special Octopussy cocktail. The brunch is 11am-3pm and the regular menu will be served.

If you're still standing, hang tight for Kit Kat's annual Oscar party, which starts at 5:30pm. The restaurant and lounge will be transformed into a glowing island of meerkats, and the staff will dress as zoo animals. There will be more live performances, plus half-price cocktails. Guests are encouraged to dress in black-tie attire or Life of Pi-inspired costume.

Additional parties happening around town:

Chicago's Culinary Heavyhitters Share Thoughts & Recipes During Black History Month

Brian Duncan of BIN 36. (Photo: BIN 36)

"Black History Month is a brilliant opportunity for us to share the monumental accomplishments of so many past and present with our children," says Brian Duncan, partner/wine director at BIN 36.

He is one of several accomplished local African Americans in the culinary industry I spoke to recently on their thoughts about the significance of Black History Month.

Find out what others had to say, including chefs Erick Williams (MK) and Trevor Hoyte (IPO) as well as sommelier Wanda Cole (Dining Room at Kendall College).

They also share recipes, including one for Powdered Doughnut Beignets with Apple Rum Sauce from Frontier chef Brian Jupiter.

Yum!