Food 411: This week’s food events

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Best tip from Food Network’s Magazine’s Light issue: Be careful if the veggies on the buffet look nice and shiny. Why? Sometimes chefs toss cooked veggies in oil to make them look good, which means calories you weren’t counting on.

Updated: January 10, 2012 3:05PM

Decline shine

We love the food world. November and December are filled with decadent desserts, deep-fried appetizers and over-the-top entrees. Then January comes along and with a screeching halt, that world embraces the austere, eat healthfully mantra.

Not that we’re complaining. There’s a lot of good information out there on how to trim calories from your diet and eat well. We especially liked the tips from Food Network’s Magazine’s Light issue on how to navigate a buffet. Best tip: be careful if the veggies on the buffet look nice and shiny. Why? Sometimes chefs toss cooked veggies in oil to make them look good, which means calories you weren’t counting on.

Waist not!

Throughout January, Nacional 27 will offer the Look Better Now prix fixe, three courses of Latin-inspired lighter dishes. There’s two or three different options for each course. It’s $20 a person. The restaurant also is offering Feel Better Now cocktails, made with fresh fruits and spirits. Each is $8. Nacional is at 325 W. Huron (312-664-2727).

Heat is on

January is National Soup Month, and both Mon Ami Gabi locations are marking it with a Winter Soup Flight for $5.95. The trio includes Onion Soup Au Gratin, Four Mushroom and Cream of Root Vegetable soups.The restaurant’s Lincoln Park location is at 2300 N. Lincoln Park (773-348-8886) and the Oakbrook site is at 260 Oakbrook Center (630-472-1900).

What’s new

Chicago-based Winestyr launches Friday. Sign up for a free account and get familiar with a new domestic wine every day. Through Winestyr, users can buy a variety of wines directly from wineries, many of whom never get their products to store shelves. Check it out; www.winestyr.com