Karyn's on Green to Host First-Ever Vegan Goose Island Beer Pairing Dinner

By Roger Kamholz in Food on Dec 2, 2011 5:40PM

Seats are already going fast for the Goose Island Beer Pairing Dinner slated for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, at Karyn's on Green. The $60, five-course dinner ($50 if you pay in advance) will be the first time that Goose Island beer has been paired with an all-vegan food menu, according to Karyn's operations manager Thaddeus Dynakowski. And now that the evening's menu has been set (included below), we bet whatever seats remain will be snatched up in no time. Karyn's will be taking reservations - while availability lasts - through Tuesday, Dec. 13. To secure a seat at the event, call 312- 226-6155.

The beer lineup comprises Goose Island's well-respected Vintage Ales series, which includes Goose's best-known Belgian-style pale ale, Matilda. For their part, the chefs at Karyn's have crafted a tempting quintet of dishes. In a couple of places, the chefs have incorporated the beer of the course into the food itself; for instance, Sophie yuzu vinaigrette dresses the first-course salad, which is paired with a glass of Sophie.

Since opening a few years back, Karyn's on Green has been putting out a delicious and gradually evolving vegan menu that has surprised and impressed more than a few carnivores among us. If this beer dinner is any indication, there are more surprises yet come.

Goose Island Tasting Menu

First Course, paired with Sophie
Wild Arugula, Pickled Kumquats, Sophie Yuzu Vinaigrette

Second Course, paired with Matilda
Roasted Beet Tartare, Apple Confit, Crispy Salsify

Third course, paired with Fleur
Seared Crab Cakes, Farro, Chamomile

Fourth Course, paired with Pepe Nero
Smoked Cauliflower, Caramelized Cipollini Tartlet, Hazelnuts

Fifth Course, paired with Pere Jacques
Chocolate Malt Shortcake, Espresso Mousse, Pere Jacques Caramel Ice Cream (GF) (NF)

(GF) gluten free (NF) nut/seed free

Karyn's on Green is located at 130 S. Green St.

(Photo: Karyn's on Green.)