Your Friday Food Buffet

Let's start the buffet off with this video this video singing the praises of the Harold's 6-piece wing dinner. The language is NSFW, but if you're watching this in the office, you're probably the only one left, so crank it.

Memorial Day is the (un)official start of grilling season. We've had the grill on an eternal flame for two months now, but loaded up on fresh vegetables from the farmer's market, tri-tip steaks from Heartland Meats, wood charcoal and hickory chips, and are raring to go. There are still a lot of things to do this weekend. For example:

- After we finish Bike the Drive Sunday, we're showering, napping, and heading to Shawn McClain's Custom House for an evening of jazz (courtesy of the Chris Greene Quartet) and artisan meats paired with selections from the Unibroue portfolio. It'll also give us a chance to finally meet Spring Restaurant Group beverage director Tim Lacey, who also writes about spirits for Gaper's Block's Drive-Thru blog. The five-course meal is priced at $70.

- West Lakeview Liquors is hosting 2 special tastings this weekend. This evening from 6-9 p.m. select beers from B. United will be available for tasting. Tomorrow from 5-9 p.m. they'll be tasting out Tanqueray's new Rangpur gin, which is distilled using rangpur limes as a botanical (along with ginger and bay leaves) for a gin with a brighter citrus note that falls somewhere between standard Tanqueray and Tanq 10.

- Mrs. Murphy's Irish Bistro will host a "Bubbles & Berries" tasting next Friday pairing select sparkling wines with fresh strawberries, "Chicago-style". We hope that doesn't mean it'll all be slathered in cheese. The cost is $40 in advance, $50 at the door.

- Finally, via the Food Chain, Crust, the all-organic pizzeria spearheaded by Bistro Campagne owner/chef Michael Altenberg, is now open, a mere five months after Laura first profiled it here.