Bites & benders

Health Food
Finally, an excuse to overeat without guilt. When you have a meal at one of the more than 80 restaurants participating in the April 28 Dining Out For Life program (Cafe Spiaggia, La Creperie and Avenue Tavern among them), a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit AIDScare, a residence and service provider for people living with HIV/AIDS. The more you eat, the more you give, so order dessert. See www.diningoutforlife.com for a complete list of restaurants.

Opening wide
Dedicating plazas to themselves and protecting constituents from obscene public-transit fare hikes (or not) can build up a mayor's appetite. Neo-Futurists Chloe Johnston and Seth Zurer found the favorite recipes of Chicago's last six mayors in the 1989 Chicago Celebrity Chefs Cookbook and, as Neo-Futurists are prone to do, made a play about it. Watch as they perform The Mayor's Mouth, a show that has them gossiping about the city leaders while actually cooking dishes like Richard M. Daley's beef stew and Jane Byrne's "Snow Birds," a concoction so tacky it's worth the $25 ticket just to see it. Mon 25, May 2 and May 9 at 7pm. Kendall College, 900 N Branch St at Halsted St (312-642-4600).

Head of the glass
You shouldn't have trouble staying awake in this class. Every last Thursday of the month, Mas holds Wine University, a wine class and dinner for 30 people. Each month focuses on a different varietal and this month it's the current darling of the wine world, pinot noir. For $50, you'll get schooled during a five-course meal with pinot pairings. Apr 28 at 7:30pm. 1670 W Division at Paulina St (773-276-8700 for reservations).