1 Kouzina (National Hellenic Museum) Billed as the Second City’s hidden gem food event, this celebration of Greek cuisine on the top floor of the National Hellenic Museum features chefs like Louis Alexakis of Avli, Nate Henssler of Portsmith, Peter Kappos of Greek Islands and David Schneider of Taxim. (November 1)
2 Passport to France (Zhou B Art Center) French food and wine provide confirmation that the French are the preeminent foodies on the planet. (November 15)
3 Christkindlmarket (Daley Plaza) The twenty-third annual gathering of German and Austrian craftspeople and cooks provides a little bit of Europe in the center of Chicago. Try the glögg, or mulled wine. It’s warming and winter is the right time to drink it. (November 16-December 24)
4 Festival of Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer (UIC Forum) Chicago is home to fine craft beers, and this event with over 200 breweries present, demonstrates what can be done when you age the stuff like a fine wine. (November 16-17)
5 Thanksgiving Seafood Buffet (Shaw’s Crab House) Most prefer turkey for Thanksgiving, we’d rather have caviar and crab, and for the holiday, Shaw’s lays it on. (November 22)
Dining and Drinking Editor for Newcity, David also writes a weekly food column for Wednesday Journal in Oak Park and is a frequent contributor of food/drink and travel pieces to the Chicago Tribune, Plate Magazine and other publications. David has also contributed chapters to several books, including Street Food Around the World, Street Food, and The Chicago Food Encyclopedia. Contact: dhammond@newcity.com
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Dining and Drinking Top 5: November 2021 As of this writing, these Chicago events are still scheduled for November; check the respective websites for updates or changes and for COVID requirements requiring masks, social distancing, and vaccination status.
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