Spring Food Events with Kurman Clients

A round up of April and May food events in Chicagoland

Birch River Grill
75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, Ill.

(847) 427-4242

www.birchrivergrill.com

@birchrivergrill

Birch River Grill at the 17^th Annual Chefs' Fest

Celebrate 70 of the best restaurants in Chicago's northwest suburbs when Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau hosts the 17^th Annual Chefs' Fest, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 11 at Arlington Park Racecourse (2200 Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights). Birch River Grill provides samples for the event, which benefits the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Admission is $30 in advance and $35 at the door, which includes samples of food and beverages, cooking demonstrations, a silent auction and entertainment. All attendees receive a limited edition coupon book featuring hundreds of dollars in savings for local restaurants and attractions. Donation of non-perishable foot items to the Greater Chicago Food Depository is encouraged. Purchase tickets online at www.chefsfest.com or by call (847) 490-1010.

Mother's Day at Birch River Grill

Bring the family to Birch River Grill for Mother's Day Brunch, offered 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday, May 9. Enjoy a feast including Seafood Station, whole smoked King Salmon, whole smoked trout and peel and eat cocktail shrimp; Continental Station, bakery fresh bread, muffins, croissants, Danish, mini bagels, fresh fruit and berries; Made to Order Station, eggs, omelets, waffles, fresh Belgium waffles with strawberry coulis and cinnamon whipped butter, sage country sausage links and peppered bacon, and red skinned breakfast potatoes with caramelized onions and peppers; Carving Station, sirloin of beef and roasted turkey breast; Hot Buffet, fire roasted rainbow trout with wild rice pilaf and citrus butter, pan seared breast of chicken picatta, cheddar cheese au gratin potatoes, pasta with asparagus and sun dried tomatoes, and Tuscan green beans with roasted peppers; Salad Station, mixed field greens with Mandarin oranges and citrus dressing, baby hearts of Romaine with anchovy Parmesan dressing, red skin potato salad with charred red onions and scallions, and tri-color pasta salad with white wine vinaigrette; Kidz Buffet, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, mac and cheese, pizza sticks, French toast sticks and fruit cups; and Desserts, assorted mini French pastries, mini fruit tarts, Birch River Grill's signature carrot cake, cakes and tortes.

Adults can indulge in the Birch River Grill Bloody Mary Bar, served with Smirnoff Vodka, flavored bloody mary mixers, assorted stuffed olives, cubed cheeses, fresh asparagus spears, green beans, cocktail onions, Serrano and jalapeño chiles, celery sticks, carrot sticks, cured salami, sport peppers, fresh limes and grated horseradish. Each drink is an additional $6.95.

The brunch is $31.95 for adults, $13.95 for children 10 and under and children under four are complimentary. To make a reservation, call (847) 427-4242 or visit www.birchrivergrill.com.

About Birch River Grill

Birch River Grill serves rustic American gourmet comfort food. Breakfast is served 6 a.m. until 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lunch is served 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Sunday, with only the lounge menu available from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. Dinner hours are 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Sunday, and 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the lounge open one hour later daily. All major credit cards are accepted. Complimentary parking is available. For reservations or more information, please contact Birch River Grill at (847) 427-4242 or visit www.birchrivergrill.com.

CHICAGO FRENCH MARKET
131 N. Clinton St., Chicago, Ill.

(312) 575-0306

www.frenchmarketchicago.com

@chifrenchmarket

Tuesday Tastings at the Market

Join Chicago French Market at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday in the public dining area for the Tuesday Tastings at the Market series.

On Tuesday, April 13, newest vendor Pappardelle's Pasta showcases a fresh twist on summer pasta salad, the Fanciful Fruit blend pasta and fresh fruit. Enjoy complimentary samples.

The following week, Tuesday, April 20, Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine hosts Leslie Cooperband from Prairie Fruits Farm to give an inside look into how and why she started her farm, how she became involved with cheesemaking, where she sources her sheep milk and the importance of producer relationship. She'll share samples of fresh chevre. After her presentation, join her at Pastoral's booth for a tasting of her Ewe's Bloom until 7 p.m.

Spanish Wine Tasting at Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine

Join Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 15 for a complimentary pouring of Spanish wines: Beso de Vino (Syrah), El Hada (Verdejo-Viura) and Acustic (Garnache-Samso).

Les Fleurs Offers a Gift for Administrative Professionals

Give a gift of flowers to show appreciation of work performed by administrative professionals during Administrative Professionals Week, April 19 - 24, and during Administrative Professionals Day, Wednesday, April 21. Highlight the importance of their role in the workplace and receive 10 percent off a floral purchase of $40 or more by calling (312) 463-1111 or e-mailing les.fleurs@yahoo.com. Visit Les Fleurs at Chicago French Market.

Dine

733 W. Madison St., Chicago, Ill.

(312) 602-2100

www.dinerestaurant.com

@dinerestaurant

Mother's Day at Dine

Celebrate Mother's Day at Dine with a brunch buffet offered 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Sunday, May 9. Enjoy the Carving Station, smoked bone-in ham, oven roasted turkey and beef tenderloin; Build Your Own Omelets, select from a variety of fresh ingredients; Breakfast Selections, scrambled eggs, peppered bacon and sausage links, biscuits and gravy, waffles with maple syrup, smoked salmon and fresh fruit and berries; Lunch Entrees, stuffed chicken marsala, poached salmon, beef stir-fry, rosemary roasted potatoes and sautéed green beans and carrots; Build Your Own Pasta, featuring a selection of homemade sauce with fresh meats and vegetables; Assorted Seafood, including shrimp, oysters, clams and mussels; Kids Station, macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, cheese pizza and creamed corn; and Assorted Gourmet Desserts, petit fours, cookies, brownies, pies and cakes.

Mother's Day brunch at Dine is $39 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under and complimentary for children five and under. For reservations, call (312) 602-2100.

About Dine

Dine, the west loop's 1940's inspired retro supper club and martini bar, serves American classics revived with a contemporary flair. Dine is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The martini lounge hours are noon to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and noon to midnight Friday and Saturday. For more information, call (312) 602-2100 or visit www.dinerestaurant.com.

Glen Prairie

1250 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn, Ill.

(630) 613-1250

www.glenprairie.com

@glenprairie

Glen Prairie's April Prix Fixe Menu

Head to Glen Prairie during the month of April for an affordable dining experience. After 5 p.m. in April, Glen Prairie offers a daily three-course budget friendly prix fixe dinner menu that supports local farmers and ranchers.

The appetizer is OrganicBaby Spinach Salad with Stickney Hill Farm goat cheese, dried cranberries, roasted almonds and raspberry vinaigrette. The entrées include either Simply Grilled Atlantic Salmon with shoestring potatoes, whole grain mustard, fennel and blood orange salad; or Grilled Pork Tenderloin with caramelized fig and port sauce, Minnesota wild rice and baby carrots. The dessert is a choice of the daily sorbet. The three-course dinner is $20 per person and is in addition to the regular dinner menu.

Glen Prairie at the Gluten Free Cooking Expo

Food allergies are common, and those with gluten restrictions should visit theGluten Free Cooking Expo 2010, an opportunity to learn how to create delicious gluten-free meals from professionals chefs, nutritionists and cookbook authors, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, 18 at the Wyndham Lisle-Chicago Hotel and Executive Meeting Center (3000 Warrenville Rd., Lisle; 630-505-1000). Glen Prairie general manager Mark Imburgia and executive chef Daniel Ovanin, who crafted the restaurant's popular gluten-free menu, will be present at the event and answer questions about preparing gluten-free food.

All guests at the event receive a gourmet gluten-free lunch, printed recipes to follow along with presenters, and a take home gift bag of gluten-free products, literature and offers, all included in the price of admission. Admission is $15 and children under 12 are complimentary. Space for the event is limited, so sign up soon at http://gfreelife.com.

The Gluten Free Cooking Expo also features a Vendor Fair, 9 a.m. - Noon Saturday, April 17 and 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday, April 18. The Vendor Fair is an open-to-the-public event that includes more than 50 vendors, a children's area, and cooking demos throughout the day. There is no admission charge to the Vendor Fair.

Celebrate Earth Day at Glen Prairie

Dine in dim light on the evening of Earth Day, Thursday,April 22, 2010. In honor of Earth Day, Glen Prairie is dimming and turning off non-essential lighting for the entire evening dining period. Enjoy a delectable meal without worrying about wasting electricity.

New Spring Menus at Glen Prairie

Welcome the arrival of spring with new menus featuring seasonal ingredients from executive chef Daniel Ovanin, launching Monday, May 3 for lunch and dinner at Glen Prairie.

Featured lunch appetizers include Daily Selection of Local Cheeses with crostini and cranberry relish ($9) and Buttermilk Fried, Herb Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, horseradish sauce and garlic chile sauce ($7). Try a variety of salads including Radicchio and Butter Lettuce Salad, shaved red onion, Stickney Hill Farm goat cheese mousse and truffle balsamic vinaigrette ($7) and Prairie Cobb Salad, Amish chicken, Romaine, Nueske's Applewood Smoked Bacon, fresh tomatoes, red onion, farm fresh eggs, avocado, Mindoro bleu cheese and champagne-cider vinaigrette ($12).

Entrees include Express Lunch, a choice of ½ sandwich of the day, soup of the day, field greens or Caesar salad (choice of two is $7; choice of three is $9), Farm Fresh BLT, Nueske's Applewood Smoked Bacon, crisp market greens, fresh tomatoes and toasted challah bread ($8), Miller Farms BBQ Grilled Chicken, housemade bbq sauce, mac 'n' locally farmed cheese and market three bean salad ($20).

For dinner, enjoy starters including Pasture Fed Lamb Chops, buckwheat blini and apple and cherry root salad ($11), La Quercia Organic Prosciutto Plate, grilled sourdough, olive tapenade and olive oil ($9) and Becker Lane Organic Pork Sliders, horseradish root coleslaw and housemade bbq sauce ($8). Try new salads like the seasonal Local Farmed Asparagus, prosciutto, wild mushrooms, truffle baslsamic vinaigrette and Pepato cheese ($8).

Dinner entrees include Pan Seared Wild Caught Sea Scallops, sweet pea and Nueske's Bacon Risotto and organic carrots ($24), Wild Caught Alaskan Halibut, caramelized cauliflower and sautéed organic spinach ($23) and Grilled Dakota Farmed Bison Ribeye, celery root whipped potatoes and grilled asparagus ($34).

For customers with dining restrictions, ask servers about gluten-free menu items. For reservations or more information, call (630) 613-1250 or visit www.glenprairie.com.

Mother's Day Brunch at Glen Prairie

Celebrate Mom with Glen Prairie's special Mother's Day Brunch, offered 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. May 9 in place of the restaurant's regular menu. The buffet features a variety of stations to please all palates, including Mom's. Try the Salad Station with Grilled Vegetable Salad with herb and balsamic glaze, Prairie Salad or Spinach and Berry Salad. The Bakery Station offers assorted house baked breakfast pastries, artisan rolls and maple thyme butter. Enjoy Omelets Made to Order, and try the Farm Fresh Buffet, including Broiled Tilapia with lemon butter sauce, Rustic Skillet Potatoes,Scrambled Eggs with chives and aged cheddar, Applewood Smoked Bacon and Maple Sausage.

Indulge in the Chefs Station featuring Honey and Sage Roasted Turkey Breast with cranberry citrus relish, and Herb Roasted Iowa Farmed Beef Sirloin with marchan de vin. Kids will enjoy Kids Corner, offering French Toast Sticks, Amish Chicken Nuggets, Pasta with Marinara Sauce, French Bread Pizzas and Fruit Cup. For dessert, indulge in the Sweet Table, an array of assorted cakes, pies and mini pastries. Adults can enjoy the Bloody Mary Bar.

Brunch is $29 for adults, $12 for kids ages 5-12 and complimentary for kids four and under.

About Glen Prairie

Glen Prairie serves contemporary American cuisine, with a strong emphasis on local Midwest flavors and products. Breakfast is served 6 a.m. until 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lunch hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Dinner is served 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The lounge remains open one hour later than the restaurant each day. For more details, contact the restaurant at (630) 613-1250 or visit www.glenprairie.com.

KARMA

510 E. Route 83, Mundelein, Ill.

(847) 970-6900

www.karmachicago.com

@KarmaMundelein

Karma Offers a Prix Fixe Three-course Menu

Enjoy an affordable three-course prix fixe menu throughout the month of April at Karma. Offered after 5 p.m. daily, the menu features Asian-influenced favorites.

For starters, try Miso Soup with tofu and roasted nori, or a Karma House Salad with crisp lettuce, napa cabbage, cucumber, daikon and carrot ginger sauce. Choose from three different entrées like the Jumbo Thai Vegetarian Spring Roll with carrots, napa cabbage, marinated tofu and sweet chili sauce; Orange Peel Tempura Chicken with sesame jasmine rice, ginger chili cucumber salad and yuzu orange glaze; or Thai Chili Beef with stir fried spiced beef tenderloin with Chinese noodles and baby bok choy, in mirin-miso beef broth (may be substituted for shrimp or chicken).

End the meal with a dessert of Trio of Sorbet or Ice Cream, both served with fresh berries. The three-course prix fixe menu is $20 per person, and offered in addition to the restaurant's regular dinner menu.

Karma Participates in Chefs' Night & More Tasting Event

Join Karma executive chef Robert Packer at Chefs' Night & More, a gourmet tasting event benefiting The Center for Enriched Living 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 19 at the Lincolnshire Marriott's Grant Marquee Tent and Ballroom (10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire; 847-634-0100). Tickets for the event are $90 per person, and can be purchased at www.centerforenrichedliving.org.

The annual event features an array of appetizers, entrées, desserts and signature drinks, while raising awareness and funds for The Center for Enriched Living. The center provides opportunities for its developmentally disabled members to acquire new skills for social inclusion and independent living. For more information, call (847) 948-7001 or visit www.centerforenrichedliving.org.

Mother's Day at Karma

Enjoy a Mother's Day buffet at Karma, offered 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, May 9. Indulge in the Salad Station, pesto pasta salad, roasted potato salad, grilled vegetable salad, mixed garden greens with dressings, and imported and domestic cheese with artisan breads; Seafood, citrus poached King Salmon, peel and eat shrimp with a plum tomato and horseradish sauce and Creole seafood salad; Omelet Station; Hot Food, scrambled eggs with chives, pepper cured bacon, breakfast potatoes, vanilla French toast and syrup; cheese blintzes with fruit compote, chipotle crème roasted chicken, Asian BBQ seared salmon with braised Bok Choy, spinach and mushrooms, and mustard crusted roast pork loin with Granny Smith Apple demi glace with cornbread stuffing, green beans with roasted red peppers and herb roasted red peppers; Carving Station, with herb and garlic crusted roast beef, oak roasted turkey breast and assorted dinner rolls; and Dessert, assorted mini French pastries and bakery-fresh tortes and pies.

Karma's Mother's Day brunch is $27.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids and complimentary for children under five. For reservations, call (847) 970-6900.

About Karma

Karma is a sophisticated restaurant with a zen-laced atmosphere that serves Pan-Asian cuisine. Breakfast is served 6 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. daily. Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily. Dinner is served 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The lounge stays open one extra hour each night. Karma is located adjacent to the Crowne Plaza Chicago North Shore at 510 East Route 83, Mundelein, Ill. 60060. For reservations, call Karma at (847) 970-6900 or visit www.karmachicago.com.