Charlie Trotter Visits; Mullen&Smith Return

Charlie Trotter celebrates his restaurant's last night. [Photo: Kipling Swehla/Eater Chicago]

SOMA—Chicago icon Charlie Trotter isn't dilly-dallying in his retirement; though his eponymous restaurant closed last year, he's still on the road cooking, and is planning to make a stop to team up with Martin Yan at M.Y. China on June 9 in a benefit for the James Beard Foundation. They'll be joined by M.Y. chef Tony Wu, Trotter protege Michael Rotondo (now running Parallel 37), and pastry chef/Millionaire Matchmakee Yigit Pura to serve a four-course dinner. Tickets are $200 and available here. [Inside Scoop]

THE MISSION—Fifth Floor alums Ian Mullen and Jason Smith, otherwise known as Mullen&Smith, are teaming up again for a special dinner at pop-up space Naked Kitchen this Saturday, featuring a five-course seasonal menu inspired by the freshest in spring ingredients. We attended last month, and though the food is different this go-round, we can attest to the quality of the chefs' technique and the convivial atmosphere. Tickets are $110, and there are two seatings, at 6 and 9 pm. [EaterWire]

ALAMEDA—Sadly, well-liked chef Soleil Banguid of Soleil's African Cuisine passed away far too young last year, at the age of 45. Known for his delicious pan-African food and friendly smile, Banguid was a popular figure in the community, and local chefs Monica Trejo and William Wong are giving back by creating a five-course meal inspired by Banguid's food, with proceeds benefiting his wife TJ, who has struggled financially in the wake of his passing. They'll also have a wine bar and African drumming on hand. Tickets are $75. [EBX]

FINANCIAL DISTRICT—Though Jesse Hirsch's final review at Opaque was non-notable on the cuisine front, he was impressed by the difficulty of having to eat in the dark, which many folks with eyesight problems have to do every day. If you're looking to try out the experience without the mediocre food, consider attending the Foundation Fighting Blindness' sixth annual Dining in the Dark dinner, which will raise funds for research to prevent and treat retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and similar diseases. Tickets are $500. [EaterWire]