Christkindlmarket Opens, SF’s Tusk to Cook at Boka, More Intel

—Happy Friday. If you’re into massive tourist crowds, steins of mulled wine, German-American food stands and outdoor shopping, you’re in luck. That’s because the 21st annual Christkindlmarket opens today at Daley Plaza in the Loop, and will be open until Dec. 24. Click here for a map and details on all the vendors which include DonerMen and Dinkel’s Bakery, just don’t expect to drink out of those ceramic boots — organizers switched to steins this year.

—Acclaimed chef Michael Tusk of San Francisco’s three-Michelin-starred Quince will be cooking for one night only in Chicago. The dinner happens at Boka on Dec. 12 and it’s pricey ($165) but you’ll get eight courses laden with white and black truffles. Reservations are available by calling the restaurant or emailing reservations@bokagrp.com.

—In other Boka Group news, their acclaimed Japanese eatery Momotaro has a new pastry chef and desserts. Maree Rogers, formerly of Grace as well as Washington, D.C. restaurants, has masterminded a few new Japanese-inspired sweets such as Kabocha Keki (pumpkin cake, chai ice cream, Okinawa hot fudge) and cotton cake (huckleberries, yuzu curd, citrus lavender sherbet).

—Hot new culinary brewpub Old Irving Brewing Co. now has brunch service on Sundays. Dishes include cinnamon French toast with cardamon pumpkin butter and vanilla creme, and chicken schnitzel with Sicilian caper and parsley salsa verde and fried egg.

—And finally, Jack C. Newell, the writer/director of the movie "Open Tables" that was shot in many Chicago restaurants and was covered by Eater as far back as 2013, is working on a documentary about 42 Grams chef/owner Jake Bickelhaupt named "Courses." Expect more details on it in the future. "Open Tables" will also be available on iTunes beginning Dec. 2.