Café Ba-Ba-Reeba says 'Hello, Dali!'
Special events
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba executive chef Tim Cottini teams with the Art Institute of Chicago for an exclusive slide presentation of surrealist Spanish artist Salivdor Dali's life as a war exile in New York City from 1940 to 1948. The lecture also features a multi-course tapas dinner with wines, sherries and brandies at 2024 N. Halsted St., Chicago, starting at 6 p.m. Sunday. The evening is priced at $60 per person, plus tax. Make reservations by calling (773) 935-5000.
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba also concludes its 2007 Bodega Ba-Ba-Reeba! Series with a tasting of Spanish Cavas wine from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is $30 (plus tax). Reservations are required.
Many thanks: Vittorio De Roma Italian Bistro, 154 W. Northwest Hwy., Palatine, has an anniversary party to thank its customers from 6 to 11 p.m. today. There's a raffle, dancing, cabaret performers Nan Mason and Terry Higgins, and a wine tasting with an appetizer buffet. Call (847) 991-7006
Wine events
Down in the Valley: Geja's Café, 340 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, hosts a winemaker fondue dinner paired with the wines of Australia's Wakefield Valley Vineyard at 6:30 p.m. Monday. A wine representative is on hand to answer questions. Cost is $50 per person and includes tax and gratuity. (773) 281-9101.
Veneto vino: The Grape Vine Restaurant, 206 E. State Road (Route 176), Island Lake, hosts a five-course wine dinner featuring wines of Buglioni (single Vineyard Estate Wines of Veneto) at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Cost is $59.95 (plus tax and 18 percent gratuity). (847) 526-8700 for reservations.
Any bidders? Hart Davis Hart puts approximately 800 lots of exclusive wine valued between $2 million and $3 million from the Steven Verlin Collection for a wine auction at TRU restaurant, 676 N. St. Clair St., Chicago. Attendance is open to the public, but reservations are requested. (312) 482-9996.
Divine wine? Holy Family Catholic Community, 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness, hosts a hors d'oeuvre and wine-tasting event from 6:30 to 9 p.m. today. Eight wineries are featured. Tickets are $25. (847) 359-0042.
Pacific Northwest vines:, NoMI, 800 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, continues its "Cellar Notes" open house sessions with wines from Oregon from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is $30 per person. (312) 335-1234
Restaurant news
Early-bird catches …: Carlos at 429 Temple Ave., Highland Park, offers early-bird diners from 5:30 to 7 p.m. today a three-course pre-fixe menu for $55, plus tax, beverage and gratuity. Today is also the end of the "Wines of Carlos" six-course degustation menu with surprise wines drawn from Carlos' cellar for $100 to $155 per person. Call (847) 432-0770 for more information.
Mexican meeting: La Casa del Gordo, 2014 First St., Highland Park, now offers free appetizers, drink specials and live Mexican guitar music from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Call (847) 266-1411 for reservations.
Feast of lights: Citizen bar, 364 W. Erie St., Chicago, offers up $5 latkes and $5 Snow Queen Vodka cocktails for the Hanukkah season from Wednesday through Dec. 12. (312) 640-1156.
Pre-theater special: Cyrano's Bistrot and Wine Bar, 546 N. Wells St., Chicago, has an early bird and pre-theater fall special where two courses are $20 if placed before 6:30 p.m. Call (312) 467-0546.
Give and receive: For every $100 spent on gift cards for Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, Holy Mackerel! and 10Pin bowling lounge, these businesses offer an extra free $25 gift certificate for yourself. Restrictions do apply and gift cards must be purchased by Dec. 31. Visit www.harrycarays.com and www.holymackerel.com for more information.
Jersey beef, Lawry's The Prime Rib, 100 E. Ontario St., Chicago, has select dates through February for its "Jersey Boys Dinner-Theatre Package." The $160 per person price (including tax and gratuity) includes a ticket to "Jersey Boys" at the LaSalle Bank Theatre plus a dinner at Lawry's. Call (312) 787-5000, ext. 25, for more information.
Lunch dates: Morton's The Steakhouse locations in Northbrook, Schaumburg, Rosemont, Westchester and the original Chicago location on State Street open specially for lunch Thursdays and Fridays starting Dec. 6 until Dec. 21. Visit www.mortons.com for more information.
Password? Village Tavern, 135 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, has completed the addition of "The Speak Easy," a new room that can accommodate up to 75 people for private parties and other events. Call (847) 634-3117 for more information.