Photo from toasty cheese.

Toasty Cheese will be serving up gourmet grilled sandwiches at The Nosh in Wicker Park. 

Monday, 7/8: The Peninsula Chicago (108 E. Superior St., 312-337-2888) kicks off its monthly dinners, Peninsula Chef Series, with a seafood-themed menu from Guiseppe Tentori (GT Fish & Oyster, BOKA Restaurant). The five-course dinner will be served in the hotel’s fifth floor dining room, The Lobby. Tickets cost $85 and include pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, call (312)573-6695 or e-mail diningpch@peninsula.com for reservations.

Monday, 7/8: Red Door (2188 N. Damen Ave., 773-697-7221) is partnering with UN86’D to host a dinner benefitting restaurant worker Michael Davis, who has been hospitalized since June 17th. Chefs Cosmo Goss (Publican Quality Meats), Dave Ford (The Bluebird), Chris Curren (Homestead), Adam Wendt (Bangers & Lace), and Michael Gottlieb (Bistro Bordeaux) will compete to create the best-topped hot dog. The BBQ runs from 4 to 9 p.m. and costs $20.

Wednesday, 7/10: If eating a piece of a 1,000 lb. cheesecake was on your to-do list this week, you’re in luck. Eli’s Cheesecake (6701 Forest Preserve Dr., 773-736-3417) will celebrate their 33rd birthday by handing out free slices of the gargantuan baked good at the Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. Stop by at 11 a.m. to satisfy your sweet tooth and ogle at all that cream cheese.

Saturday, 7/13: Ten food trucks, five tickets for food samples, two wine/beer tickets and one lovely afternoon of horse racing–this is what Arlington International promises with it’s inaugural food truck festival. Tickets are $25 and include the above perks along with admission to the races. Look for participating food trucks GiaVia Sweets, The Fat Shallot, Toasty Cheese, and others.

Saturday, 7/13: Tour de Fat, New Belgium Brewing’s bike parade and party tour, is coming to Chicago. Things will literally start rolling at 11 a.m. when the parade launches from Palmer Square (costumes strongly encouraged). Both bikers and non-wheeled pedestrians are invited to enjoy live music and New Belgium brews back at the park throughout the afternoon. The event is free, but all proceeds from refreshments will be donated to West Town Bikes.

Saturday, 7/13: Wicker Park is home to Chicago’s newest foodie event, The NOSH. Kicking off this weekend, NOSH will be held every Saturday at the A.N. Pritzker School playground from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over thirty food vendors are booked to serve up fresh food and artisanal goods.

Saturday, 7/13: Grab the kids and head over to Hotel Lincoln (1816 N. Clark St., 312-254-4700) for a good, old-fashioned ice cream social. The hotel will provide free Oberweis ice cream and sundae toppings from 1 to 3 p.m. Events like the sidewalk chalk contest, face painting, and potato sack races, and live music will offer entertainment for sweet tooths of all ages.