Eat outings

THU 5
The claim: Julius Meinl is way more than a coffeehouse. The proof: a four-course, all-things-duck Neighborhood Dinner, featuring housemade duck prosciutto, roast-duck spaetzle and root vegetables from the Meinl garden. For dessert: duck-fat-fried doughnuts. Case closed. 4363 N Lincoln Ave (773-868-1876, ext.5). 7pm, $40.

FRI 6
Farmers’ markets may be winding down, but Chicago’s Downtown Farmstead will be kicking all through winter. Stop by on Fridays for Vendor Trunk Shows: Today, Sweet Considerations (noon–2pm) and Misericordia’s Hearts & Flour Bakery (2–4pm) will be sampling. 66 E Randolph St (312-742-8412). Free.

SAT 7
The Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS hosts Table Hop & Taste, a fund-raiser featuring food from Bonsoirée, Old Town Social, Duchamp and others, set up on tables designed by the likes of Maria Pinto. Proceeds go to AIDS organizations. Merchandise Mart, eighth floor (312-644-6412). 11am–3pm; $40 in advance, $50 at the door.

SUN 8
The recently launched Salon Series at the Bluebird turns Sunday nights at the Bucktown gastropub into cultural conversations with Chicago artists John Coyle Steinbrunner and Mary Livoni. The night begins with a sparkling-wine reception followed by a wine-paired communal dinner. 1749 N Damen Ave (773-486-2473, bluebirdchicago.com). 7pm, $30.

MON 9
West Town Tavern’s 86 Hunger Dinner sold out. The only way we can console ourselves is with Fried Chicken Mondays, when chef Susan Goss fries a half-chicken and serves it with garlic mashed potatoes, Swiss chard and buttermilk biscuits—all swimming in gravy. 1329 W Chicago Ave (312-666-6175). Dinner, $16.95.

TUE 10
Binny’s and Louis Glunz Beer have teamed up to showcase 70 limited-edition seasonal craft beers at a Winter Beer Tasting at Binny’s Ivanhoe Castle & Catacombs Tasting Room. If it’s hard to be a Jew on Christmas, try the Jewbelation 13, a new release from Shmaltz Brewing. 3000 N Clark St (773-248-3905). 6:30–8:30pm, $15–$25.

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