Autumn is here, and with it a whole new set of flavors to savor at Chicago-area pop-up events. Lincoln Square hosts its annual Apple Fest, you can take in the fall foliage at the Morton Arboretum’s Cider and Ale Festival, and warm up with a chili cook-off at Summer House Santa Monica. Enjoy your favorite comfort foods at Highland Park’s Stews & Brews bash or TenderFest at Navy Pier. Dress in layers and try something new at these 10 October dining events.
Stray Chef Sundays at Alley Cat
The Wicker Park bar brings in a guest chef every Sunday to serve up a dish alongside The Alley Cat’s signature pickled egg for $25. October’s lineup features Stephen Gillanders (Valhalla, S.K.Y.), Donald Young (Duck Sel), Sieger Bayer (Bar Berria) and Oliver Poilevey (Le Bouchon, Obelix). Britt Bogdan prepares a $10 cocktail inspired by the week’s special and you can also get a $7 Miller High Life handshake shot combo.
The Alley Cat, 2013 W. Division St.; reservations at thealleycatchicago.com
Apple Fest
Lincoln Square’s 39th annual bash offers produce from Midwest farms and apple-inspired dishes from local restaurants along with ciders, seasonal beer, art vendors, live music, a dog costume contest and kids’ activities.
3-7 p.m. Oct. 2 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 3-4 on Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Sunnyside avenues; $5 suggested donation; more information at lincolnsquare.org/apple-fest
Cider and Ale Festival
Stroll along the Arboretum’s walking paths while trying pours from 30 local breweries and cideries.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 3 at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle; $75-$85, $12 for kids ages 4-17 at mortonarb.org
Taste of Northalsted
Tour the neighborhood sampling bites and drinks from shops and restaurants, including Izakaya Tokyo, Good Times Brewery and Elevate Coffee. Choose from multiple starting points or come hungry to follow both routes and visit more than 20 spots.
Noon to 3 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. Oct. 3; $30-$50 tickets at northalsted.com
Lincoln Park Wine Fest
The 10th annual benefit for the Wrightwood Neighbors Association offers a wide variety of red and white wines along with local food vendors.
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5-10 p.m. Oct. 9, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood Ave; $30-$68 at chicagoevents.com/event/lincoln-park-wine-fest
Stews & Brews
Try a variety of cold-weather comfort food including pozole, lamb stew, and Hungarian goulash and vote for your favorite at the fifth annual bash, which also features live music and kids’ activities. You can also warm up with spiced wine, mulled cider, hot toddies and firepits.
4-9 p.m. Oct. 10 at Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave., Highland Park; free; more information at enjoyhighlandpark.com/stews-brews
TenderFest
Restaurants including Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Harold’s Chicken and Bub City show off their chicken and sauces at this all-you-can-eat bash, which also features cocktails and music.
Noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 10 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.; $59-$73 at navypier.org/pier-events/tender-fest
DixiePura Kitchen 1st Anniversary Dinner
The Bronzeville restaurant showcases the culinary traditions of Haiti and the Bahamas through a three-course dinner focused on how the African diaspora uses food to build community and express identity. The event begins with a meet-and-greet and Champagne toast. Beverage pairings are available for an extra fee.
4:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at DixiePura Kitchen, 325 E. Pershing Road; $85 at dixiepura.com
Celebrity Chef Ball
More than 50 chefs, including CJ Jacobson (Aba), Javauneeka Jacobs (Frontera Grill) and Jenner Tomaska (The Alston), prepare tableside dishes at the 36th annual benefit for Meals on Wheels Chicago. The six-course dinner includes cocktails, raffles, games and a dessert lounge.
6-11:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at The Geraghty, 2520 S. Hoyne Ave.; $450 at mealsonwheelschicago.org/ccb
Chef’s Chili Cook-Off
Chefs from Sushi-san, Bub City, Gus’ Sip & Dip, The Oakville, Summer House and Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! prepare versions of chili, and you can taste them all and vote for your favorite while watching football. The annual party includes cocktails, beer, wine, passed appetizers and a dessert station.
6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Summer House Santa Monica, 1954 N. Halsted St.; $81 at summerhouserestaurants.com
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
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