– Big Bowl, 1950 E. Higgins Rd., in the Streets of Woodfield, Schaumburg, will celebrate Chinese New Year with a traditional lion dance at 8:15 p.m. Jan. 22. Diners who were born in the Year of the Snake will receive prizes and food during the celebration. On Jan. 28 the restaurant will offer a bus trip to the Big Bowl at Ohio and Rush Streets in Chicago for a special dim sum brunch, followed by a bus trip to Chinatown to watch the New Year’s parade. A bus will leave the Schaumburg location at 9 a.m. and return between 4 and 4:30 p.m. Big Bowl will raffle two tickets, during brunch at 10 a.m., for patrons who would like to be a lion dancer in the parade. The restaurant also will give each diner a Big Bowl thermos filled with hot tea and almond fortune cookies. Tickets are $45 for adults, $80 for a couple, $25 for ages 7 to 15 and free for children under 7. To reserve tickets, call 847-517-8881.
– The Milk Pail Restaurant, 14N630 Illinois Highway 25, East Dundee, has announced new dinner hours for Fridays through Sundays, January through March. Dinner hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays. The restaurant, which is closed Mondays, is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday. Breakfast hours begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. On Sundays, a 10 a.m. brunch is served. The Milk Pail will return to its regular weeknight dinner hours April 1. Call 847-742-5040.
– California Cafe Bar & Grill, 5 Woodfield Shopping Center, in the upper level of the Schaumburg mall, will hold a four-course, four-wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24. The cafe will feature wines from the Guenoc Estate Vineyards. The cost is $75 for Cafe Club members and $85 for non-members. Call 847-330-1212.
– Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, is offering the new class “Knife Skills and Basic Kitchen Wares” from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1. The class will teach students how to dice, chop and prepare food items julienne style. The cost is $39 if students bring their own 10-inch knife, or a new chef’s knife is available for $79. Early registration is recommended. To register call the ECC at 847-622-3036.
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