Chicagoist is starting a new series to get better acquainted with our local wine experts. We'll be chatting with sommeliers, wine directors, consultants, suppliers, vitners, bloggers...a lot of people who drink a lot of wine for a living. more ›

Since 2007, underground dining project X-marx Chicago has been dishing out fine cuisine to Chicagoans lucky enough to have gotten word of their dinners. This weekend, join X-marx co-creator and executive chef, Abe Conlon, along with guest chef Jeff Pikus for a Southeast Asian Wine dinner, featuring wine pairings by Craig Perman of Perman Wine Selections. Inspired by a recent trip to Vietnam, Chef Pikus will be focusing on Vietnamese flavors while Chef Conlon creates intricate and thoughtful Cambodian and Thai dishes, for this ten course tasting menu in X-marx's warm and welcoming south loop loft space. more ›

Yesterday we wrote a bit about Perman Wine Selections as part of our look at newer boutique wine stores yesterday. Although owner Craig Perman is a dedicated oenophile, he has the flexibility and good business sense to stock some select liqueurs and beer. A couple of recent "Beer of the Week" selections have come from Perman. more ›

When it comes to liquor stores we tend to be equal opportunity. We'll search high and low, near and far, for the best deals at stores large and small. While the boxy superstores like Sam's, Binny's and Armanetti's have their merits, the smaller stores are noted for their more personal touch. The LUSH Wine & Spirits locations in University and Roscoe Villages are wonderful for customers because they can sample practically everything LUSH has to offer and will work with customers to acquire hard-to-find wine, beer and spirits. more ›

Our favorite new wine store, hands down, is Perman Wine Selections in the West Loop (802 W. Washington Blvd., 312-666-4417). Craig Perman (a former Sam's Wine and Spirits staffer and avid wine collector) has taken the space formerly occupied by Bennett Wine Studios, done some slight expansion for small tastings and events, and stocked the shelves with a wide variety of wines. Perman is also free with his opinions on his selections without the slightly domineering tendencies of his predecessor in the space, former Bennett Wine Studios owner Liesel Bennett. more ›

A couple of localvore items of note to start: more ›