Make Room on Monday

Monday can be a slow day in the restaurant world since many are closed, but there are some events this coming Monday that will have you eating well.

Celebrity chef Ming Tsai – of PBS’ Simply Ming – will be at Slurping Turtle on Monday, October 29 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm to sign copies of his new cookbook, Simply Ming in your Kitchen. For $25, you’ll get a beer, sake, or cocktail, along with appetizers made by Tsai. You’ll be able to buy a cookbook at the restaurant and have it signed, or bring along your own. The cookbook includes recipes like honey crab wontons, olive oil-poached salmon with tomato tapenade, and Japanese chicken curry, along with desserts like lemongrass panna cotta. You don’t need reservations, so just flee the office a bit early on Monday and head in. Later that night, Tsai and Takashi Yagihashi will be hosting a dinner at Takashi that will feature a six-course tasting menu. The menu is $78 (plus $45 with optional wine pairings), and is available starting at 5:30 pm. For reservations, call (773) 772-6170. 

Slurping Turtle
116 West Hubbard Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 464-0466
Website

Takashi
1952 North Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 772-6170
Website

For another Asian meal, head to Arami, which is hosting a new sake and food pairing event, Kampai Mondays. The event will be run by certified sake professionals and aims to teach diners about pairing nama sake with hot dishes. There will be an eight-course tasting menu of hors d’oeuvres and drinks available from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. It costs $50, which includes tax and tip. Make reservations by calling (312) 243-1535 or sending an e-mail to [email protected].

Arami
1829 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-1535
Website