EAT
Neighborhood Nosh
Swedish American Museum 5211 N. Clark St. 773-728-2995
Grab a passport and nibble your way through the neighborhood at the Taste of Andersonville Dinner Crawl, which features a vegetarian-friendly Salt Route (Lady Gregory's, M. Henry and more), a meat-oriented Pepper Route (Vincent, Marigold and more) or The Whole Enchilada (all 20 restaurants). 6-9 p.m. $25-$30 per route or $40-$50 all-inclusive. RSVP by noon: andersonville.org.
Napoleon Complex (Free!)
Maison 330 E. Randolph St. 312-241-1540
Prepare to storm the Streeterville brasserie—in honor of Napoleon Bonaparte's 243rd birthday, the first 100 dine-in guests are treated to a free French Picnic Lunch featuring a demi-baguette, pate, salad, eggs mayonnaise and accompaniments. Late to the gate? You can still fete the pint-sized French emperor with $2.43 tap wines all day (11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 5-11 p.m.).
Sweet Child
Old Town Social 455 W. North Ave. 312-266-2277
Long before the Food Network blew up, Julia Child was the chef to watch. Tonight, chef Jared Van Camp celebrates her 100th birthday with a three-course prix fixe featuring recipes from her iconic tome, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," including broiled chicken with potato-endive gratin and wine-braised artichokes. 6-10 p.m. $30 plus tax and gratuity.
DRINK
Brew and Improved
Prost 2566 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-880-9900
Lagers get lively with the beer hall's new Beertails menu, which features seven German beer-based seasonal cocktails ($8-$12) including Der Bierhund, made with Radeburger German Pilsner, fresh grapefruit juice, a house-made, thyme-based simple syrup and Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
DO
Beachy Keen (Free!)
12th Street Beach 1200 S. Lynn White Drive 312-692-2739
You could spend your lunch hour surfing the Web. Or you could volunteer at Shedd Aquarium's Adopt-a-Beach beautification event, which includes an overview at the lifeguard station, 30 minutes of clean-up and free pizza with the group. BYO water bottle and sunscreen; Shedd provides recycling containers and gloves. 12-1 p.m. RSVP: sbugg@sheddaquarium.org.
REDEYE TIP OF THE DAY
Head to the South Shore Cultural Center at dusk for a free outdoor screening of "Carmen: A Hip Hopera": chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Julia Borcherts is a RedEye special contributor.
