1. Pick a beer festival, any beer festival
The weekend brings us two excellent celebrations of beer. In the south suburbs, craft brew drinkers will convene at The Open Bottle Fest, where a lineup of local breweries (5 Rabbit Cerveceria, Off Color Brewing, Goose Island and more) are set to pour limited releases and one-off beers for guests. $45; must be at least 21 with ID to attend. Noon to 3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at 7101 183rd St., Tinley Park, www.eventbrite.com. Meanwhile, Headquarters Beercade in River North is hosting its third annual Firkin Fest, featuring 40 firkins (unfiltered beer served from a cask without added nitrogen or carbon dioxide) from 40 breweries. $40 ($55 with buffet); must be at least 21 with ID to attend. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at 213 W. Institute Place, 312-291-8735, www.hqbeercade.com/rivernorth.
2. Celebrate the coolest holiday you’ve (probably) never heard of
We usually just read our books, but on Edible Book Day — a global tradition since 2000 — the challenge for bibliophile bakers is this: Create an edible replica of your favorite title. To celebrate, the Columbia College Chicago Library is hosting a bake-off and, to tie in with this year’s mysteries theme, a culinary murder mystery game. Someone has killed pastry chef Lotta Biscotti, and it’s up to guests to determine whodunit. Meanwhile, vote on the best edible book creation before sampling them all. Free. 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 1, at 624 S. Michigan Ave., http://events.colum.edu More Top Picks Stealth Dyslexia When Bright Kids Fall Through The Cracks
3. Indulge your inner Francophile
Brindille, the sister restaurant to Naha in River North, launches a monthly “Regions of France” menu Friday, April 1. Throughout the month of April, dine on a five-course menu inspired by the Bresse, Savoie and Dauphine regions, with dishes including gougeres crusted with Gruyere, loup de mer (sea bass) with fennel and snails, and grilled quail with bacon shards and Brussels sprouts. $90; $135 with four wine pairings. 534 N. Clark St., 312-595-1616, www.brindille-chicago.com.
4. Eat and drink Vincent Van Gogh-style
The Art Institute of Chicago’s Van Gogh exhibit, the first in North America to gather the artist’s three renowned “Bedrooms” paintings in one place, is drawing record crowds. Headed to check it out? Make your day more delicious with our Van Gogh-inspired food and drink itinerary, from Dutch pancakes to absinthe-soaked cocktails.
5. Order dessert for a good cause
Throughout April, all proceeds from ordering the “Cake in the Can” dessert at David Burke’s Primehouse — a red velvet cake served in a tin can with cream cheese frosting, four scoops of vanilla ice cream and a side of batter-coated mixer beaters, for licking purposes — will be donated to Common Threads, a local nonprofit that teaches kids the importance of healthy eating. We appreciate the irony. But it’s all about balance, right? 616 N. Rush St., 312-660-6000, www.davidburkesprimehouse.com.