Fasta Pasta, a new, European-inspired fast-casual booth, allows the customers to choose their pasta and sauce from a daily variety. The meal is cooked to order and served fresh in a recyclable container in less than two minutes, perfect for eating right away, or taking back to the office or home.

Customers begin by choosing pasta, like Fusilli, Campanelli and Whole Wheat Penne; or choose a premium pasta, from a selection that includes Beef Tortellini, Mushroom Ravioli and Gnocchi. Sauce choices include Marinara and Alfredo; or for a low extra price, premium choices include Vodka, Sweet Red Pepper Basil or Bolognese. Complimentary topping choices include Parmesan and Fresh Basil.  For protein lovers, premium additions to the pastas like Meatballs and Chicken are also available. Customers have already been returning to Fasta Pasta to try the many different combinations that enable them to create their “own” special pasta.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our new concept, Fasta Pasta, to residents, commuters and Chicago-area folks,” says Scott Suckow, president of Really Nice Restaurants, developers and operators of Fasta Pasta. “We look forward to serving fresh, fast and great-tasting pasta to Chicago French Market customers.”

“Fasta Pasta adds to our already diverse group of food offerings at Chicago French Market,” says Sebastien Bensidoun of the Bensidoun family, co-owners and operators of Chicago French Market. “Not only can our visitors find fresh produce and ingredients for home cooked meals from Chicago French Market, but customers can also enjoy a variety of made-to-order meals from our dozens of vendors.”

Chicago French Market is a European-inspired market offering an array of local produce, meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheese, wine, chocolates, pastas, artisan-made goods, flowers and a seating area for customers. Chicago French Market’s nearly 30 vendors stay open year-round, six days per week, and is located within the new MetraMarket development at 131 N. Clinton St. (between Washington and Randolph Streets). For more information, visit www.chicagofrenchmarket.com.

Chicago Restaurant Week is an amazing time when over 170 Chicagoland restaurants offer special discounted menus. Restaurants of all different cuisines, locations, and prices are featured. Check out the website for a full list of restaurants and their special menus.

This weekly event, every Monday, began back in January and has been a big hit so far.  The social networking world is abuzz with the half off wine specials and free wine tasting (brought right to your table!).  If you’re looking for a way to unwind after work, head over to Rockit Wrigleyville for some great wine, food and service.

Rockit Wrigleyville
3700 N. Clark St. [google map]

Time Out Chicago’s Dining and Libation Society presents Butcher Block and
Brew at The Bristol (2152 N Damen Avenue) on Thursday, February 25th at
6:30pm. Complete with a nine course meal and beer pairings by Goose
Island, guests will also experience a tutorial on the butchering process
led by Chef Chris Pandel. Tickets are $95. More information:
http://www.dlschicago.com/

Check out the full menu and pricing by visiting the website at: http://espnzone.com/biggame/ESZ-1325+SuperBowl+Menu_web_Final.pdf

Did you hear?? It’s National Pizza Week! According to Osterio Via Stato anyways, where they’ll be serving up a variety of thin crust pies by chef David DiGregorio for half off the regular price, Monday through Friday this week only from 2:30pm to 4:30pm!  Even for the hard core, Chicagoan-Deep-Disher, these thinner, crispier versions are a delicious must try!

Osteria Via Stato www.osteriaviastato.com 620 North State Street Chicago, IL 60654-3853 (312) 642-8450 Get directions

SUSHISAMBA is hosting the first ever nationwide meet and tweet.  So far there are 75 people attending and there’s still over a week to RSVP!  Enjoy great specials and meet many of the people that you tweet with day in and day out.  This is sure to be the event that is talked about for months! For more information and to RSVP, visit http://tweetvite.com/event/ssrio

Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Location: SUSHISAMBA Rio 504 N. Wells St. Chicago
Time: Chicago (6:30-8:30pm)

Join the conversation on Twitter: #sstwtup

Menu:
Salt and Pepper Squid $4
Spicy Crunchy Tuna Roll $4
Salmon Avocado Roll $4
Chilled Mediterranean Mussels on the half shell  $4
Japanese Chicken Wings $5
Mini Yellowtail Seviche $5
Crispy Yellowtail Taquitos $5 each
Rock Shrimp Tempura $6
California Roll $6
Lobster Taquitos $6
Roasted Peruvian Scallops on the half shell $6

TWITTERoll : Tuna, Avocado, Jalapeno and Fresh Tomato Salsita in Rice Paper  $8

Caipirinhas and Mojitos $5

All guests registered guests will receive a special gift at the door!

It’s hard finding the motivation to bundle up and get to the bar during these brutal winter months.  But what if the promise of delicious soup waited for you at the bar?  You can’t avoid socialization for another four months, so here’s a pleasant alternative. The Hideout brings a variety of delicious soups to bar-goers ever Wednesday, prepared by staff, regulars, and local chefs, allowing patrons to pair the relaxing comfort of a cup of soup on the couch, with the excitement of actually LEAVING your house.  So lace up your snow boots and layer your mittens, and enjoy a drink and some soup with friends! Donations at soup and bread nights are accepted to benefit a different charity each week.

Hideout www.hideoutchicago.com 1354 West Wabansia Avenue Chicago, IL 60642-1519 (773) 227-4433 Get directions

It’s time to start fretting over which new years party to chose, or in my case, find one to go to at all. Not to worry, Tocco is holding a Brillante Italian New Years celebration with live entertainment as well as the option of three different meal/drink packages– #1: $65 per person for a 5 course meal package (two seatings at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.), #2: $60 per person for the open bar package (from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.), and #3: $115 per person for the package combination.

Tocco will provide an elegant evening that will allow attendees to feel as if they have been transported to a fine European affair. The decadent five-course meal will include lobster, truffles and seafood salad with two antipasti, one primi, one secondi, one dolci and one glass of champagne. That’s so insanely swanky I’m not even quite sure what it means.

If you’re interested in ringing in 2010 in true Italian style at one of the more sophisticated spots, RSVP to the restaurant at 773-687-8895.

Tocco Chicago, 1266 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

On Dec. 10th, Chicago’s Borbeaux MatchMaking wine tasting event will commence. Wine tasting and passed hors d’oeuvre from 7 to 9pm will be followed by a party animated by renowned DJ’s until midnight. This is less of a wine tasting and more of a wild night out.

How it works is you first go to the Bordeaux website and take a little survey. I know what you’re thinking, but this survey is designed to understand your personal taste in wine. Upon arrival, you’ll be paired in a group of people with similar tastes in wine as well as cultural interests. This really is the perfect event if you’re new to the city and eager to meet a set of friends with common interests; it’s totally normal to attend alone. Don’t worry if you’re no wine connosseiur; there’s a beginner’s table!

The event is limited to 150 guests, so jump on it and register. Some reviews of the events from different cities rave about the attractive young crowd and the lively dance party at the end. Seems like a pretty hip spot to be seen this Thursday!

Register here and get the full details.