A quick glance at happenings in the Chicago area restaurant world.
Under renovation and new ownership, Chianti Ristorante (207 S. 3rd St., Geneva) is forging ahead in downtown Geneva under new general manager James Ginger. Ginger is also the man behind Foxfire Restaurant Group’s Foxfire restaurant and Randall Street Cafe. 630-232-0212.
Ramp Fest, 6-9 p.m. Saturday, at Michael Roberts Studio (1314 W. Randolph St.), celebrates the first greens of spring–wild leeks–with a benefit for The Land Connection featuring Chicago chefs, including Paul Kahan (Blackbird), Dean Zanella (312 Chicago), John Bubala (Thyme), Jason Hammel and Amalea Tshilds (Lula Cafe) and Greg Christian (Greg Christian Catering) serving ramps in a variety of dishes. Cost is $75 per person; reservations required at www.chicagocooks.com. For more information call 773-761-2957.
Arlington Park Racecourse (2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights) will hold the annual Chefs’ Fest, 5-8 p.m. Tuesday. There will be food, wine and beer samples, along with flower arranging and cooking demonstrations from restaurants and food industry companies such as Le Titi de Paris, Apple Haus, GameWorks, Barn of Barrington, Irie Jamaican Cafe and Pepsi Cola Bottlers. Cost is $30 per person. 847-490-1010.
The old school vs. new school rivalry even occurs in winemaking. Compare varietals made in the old world style to those made using modern techniques at The Noodle (1875 Grove St., Glenview), 7 p.m. April 18. Cost is $75 per person; reservations required. 847-724-2228.