September marks the end of summer, but there are still plenty of opportunities for outdoor dining and drinking. Chef Stephanie Izard hosts a poolside cookout at Cabra, seasonal produce is the star of the Green City Market’s Chef BBQ, and you can sample traditional Nordic fare at South Elgin’s annual Scandinavian Day Festival. Cocktail lovers can take a bus tour to learn about Chicago’s place in martini history, while Manny’s Deli celebrates St. Patrick’s Day six months early. Whatever you’re craving, you can find something delicious at these 10 September dining events.
Chef BBQ at Green City Market
Green City Market to host 25th annual Chef BBQ fundraiser. (Tess Graham)
Chefs including Sarah Stegner (Prairie Grass Cafe), Devon Quinn (Eden) and Leigh Omilinsky (Daisies) prepare tasting-size dishes using ingredients from the farmers market at the 25th annual fundraiser, which also features beer, wine and cocktails.
5-8 p.m. Sept. 10 at Lincoln Park, 1817 N. Clark St.; $250-$375 tickets at greencitymarket.org/chef-bbq
Scandinavian Day Festival
Try Swedish meatballs, æbleskiver, fried herring, kringle and other traditional Nordic fare at the 46th annual bash, which also features folk dancing, craft vendors and kids’ activities.
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin; $15, free for kids 12 and under; more information at scandinaviandayil.com
Sunday Supper at Burl
Burl owners Tom Carlin and Rachel Canfora-Carlin team up with another husband-and-wife team, Nick Goellner and Leslie Newsam of Kansas City izakaya Anjin. The duo shows off the fare that earned them a spot among this year’s James Beard Award finalists for Best New Restaurant at a special dinner focused on live-fire cooking.
5 p.m. Sept. 13 at Burl, 2545 Prairie Ave., Evanston; $175 tickets at burlevanston.com
End of Summer Crab Dinner at Summer House Santa Monica
The crab dinner at Summer House Santa Monica. (David Borzkowski/Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants)
Get messy by feasting on Chesapeake blue crabs, corn and potatoes slathered in butter. The meal starts with Maryland oysters and a welcome cocktail, and includes beer and rosé.
6:30-9 p.m. Sept. 15 at Summer House Santa Monica, 1954 N. Halsted St.; $85 tickets at summerhouserestaurants.com
Hispanic Heritage Month Menu at Amaru
Chef Rodolfo Cuadros’ Wicker Park restaurant celebrates Latin American culinary traditions Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 with a special $55 three-course menu including Andean carrot salad, Yucatán-style marinated chicken and guava cheesecake.
Amaru, 1904 W. North Ave.; reservations at amaruchicago.com
Cabra Cookout
Chef Stephanie Izard hosts an end-of-summer bash at the rooftop pool deck featuring cocktails and bites from Cabra, Girl & the Goat, Duck Duck Goat and Little Goat Diner.
6-9 p.m. Sept. 17 at Cabra, 200 N. Green St.; $80 tickets at cabrachicago.com
Martini Expo
Celebrate the classic drink with a week of events. Learn about the drink’s history during a bus tour on Sept. 17 that ends at Billy Goat Tavern with cheeseburgers from “Hamburger America” director George Motz. The Duck Inn hosts a four-course dinner with martini pairings on Sept. 18. Bartenders from around the country serve up their spin on the drink, accompanied by oysters and caviar, at Hawksmoor on Sept. 19.
Multiple locations; $100-$180 tickets at martiniexpo.com
Burger Battle
Try wagyu burgers prepared by 10 chefs along with craft beer, cocktails and other food. The competition also features live music and kids’ activities.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 20 at Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois St., Lake Forest; $75 tickets (free for kids under 10) at revelryfoodandwine.com
Halfway to St. Patrick’s Corned Beef Festival
Feast on corned beef, potato pancakes, cabbage slaw and green drinks at a celebration featuring Irish music and dance performances and kids’ activities.
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 20 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Manny’s Deli, 1141 S. Jefferson St.; $15 tickets at chicagoevents.com/event/st-patricks-corned-beef-festival
Asian Night Market
Kick off Chicago Gourmet by celebrating the flavors of Asia with bites from restaurants including Momotaro, Mirra and Indienne, plus cocktails and dance performances.
6:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Zhou B Art Center, 1029 W. 35th St.; $99 tickets at chicagogourmet.org/page/asiannightmarket
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
Dining and Cooking