OTOM'S NEW ERA: Thomas Elliott Bowman takes the chef-helm at always-inventive Otom, the informal offshoot of Homaro Cantu's Mad Hatter-esque Moto, where he's slinging sweet-meets-savory style eats pork chops with bacon bread pudding and chicken and waffles. Bonus: Bowman's offering a $5 "Monday Mix" cocktail menu and a three course petite prix fixe called $25 "Tuesday Taste" -- the naively small-waisted beginning to your Wednesday Thursday Friday Fats-a-Thon.
951 W. Fulton Mkt., at Sangamon Street; Fulton Market; 312-491-5804
BRILLIANT BURGERS: Clubby-casual Park Grill grills up Burger Fest 2009, serving bigger/better patties like peppercorn-crusted American Kobe beef version with gorgonzola, balsamic grilled onions and grain mustard on a pretzel bun ($16) and a wild Alaskan salmon sammy with teriyaki glaze, wasabi aioli and bok choy slaw ($12). Through Sunday.
11 N. Michigan Ave., at Madison Street; Loop; 312-521-7275
DIVA-LICIOUS: It's the return of the original '80s riot grrrls when Pat Benatar and Blondie join forces at the Ravinia Festival tonight. Nineties pop tarts The Donnas open. 7 p.m., $16-$55
200 Ravinia Park Rd., at Stonegate Drive; Highland Park; 847-266-5100
Bored at work? Got a tip? No really, bored at work? Send your suggestions for evening activities to Wendy Wollenberg at nightlifemaven@gmail.com
