Slurping Turtle Top Chef Dinners; Friday Night Special Dinner at The Monarch; More

RIVER NORTH—Slurping Turtle is offering weekly-rotating three-course $40 dinners showcasing chef Top Chef contestant Aaron Cuschieri's talents. Diverting from the Japanese comfort food the restaurant is known for, this week's menu features hamachi kama (Korean BBQ style), citrus-cured duck breast, and miso-cured Washugyu beef. The dishes will also be available a la carte. [EaterWire]

WICKER PARK—If you're looking for a unique dining experience for two on Friday night, consider The Monarch. Chef Michael DeStefano will create a five-course meal with five unique beverage pairings (wine, beer, signature house cocktails) for $100 per couple. Most dishes will be impromptu and guests have the option to personalize their meal as they chat with DeStefano throughout their dinner. Vegetarian options are available with advance notice. [EaterWire]

ANDERSONVILLE—Big Jones' griddled brunch items are now gluten-free. Executive chef/owner Paul Fehribach switched to 100 percent certified organic, whole heritage grain flours for the restaurant's pancakes about a month ago, which turned out to be gluten-free, leading to deep research to find a way to turn everything that hits the griddle free of gluten. The results? The pancakes, French toast and corn cakes are now all gluten-free. [Dining Chicago]

RAVENSWOOD—On August 26, Troquet and Begyle Brewery will offer a burger and beer flight for $20 per person. The special burger menu includes celery root remoulade and fried green tomatoes, red onion marmalade and St. André Cheese, bacon, bleu cheese, fried onion and honey mustard aioli, and ham, fried egg, arugala, and salsa verde. The beer flight will offer choices of Bushel and a Peck Saison, Farmer's Hand IPA, Flannel Pajamas Stout, and Summer Ale. Begyle Brewers' Kevin Cary, Brendan Blume and Matt Ritchey will be on hand to chat from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. The specials run all day. [EaterWire]
[Photo: NBC5]