1 Marz Brewery Dinner (Cantina Laredo) Kimski’s Won Kim and Marz Community Brewing’s Tony Balestreri join Cantina Laredo’s Daniel Espinoza and Damon Workman for a four-course dinner paired with four beers from Marz Community Brewing. $50; Reservations (312)955-0014 (January 5)
2 Wanderlust Cocktail Class (Z Bar) Vlad Novikov leads an intimate interactive class focusing on the history and traditions behind rye vodka from Poland and the Midwest, plus bites of salmon roe, sturgeon caviar and mind-blowing bread. $50 (January 20)
3 “The Big Lebowski” (Angry Pig Tavern) Three-course dinner with unlimited signature honey bacon jalapeño cocktails and everyone’s favorite little movie. Arrive early to get extra White Russians for yourself. $30 (January 23)
4 First Ward Ball (Bassline) Shades of Hinky Dink and Bathhouse John! The legendary debauche of the Gay Nineties returns for a blow-out event, featuring vintage cocktails, burlesque and good-natured naughtiness, staged by Atlas Obscura. $60 (January 25)
5 Chicago Restaurant Week (City-wide restaurants) Two weeks, hundreds of restaurants all featuring a pre-fixe menu for brunch ($24) or dinner ($48), an excellent way to sample the city’s best dining, on a budget. (January 25 to February 7)
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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