Results tagged “tastings”

A couple months back we wrote about Hum Spirit a rum-based liqueur infused with hibiscus, cardamom and ginger. Seger is ready to foist Hum Spirit on the rest of the world with a launch party at Pops for Champagne (601 N. State St., 312-266-7677) the Hum Spirit launch will feature cocktails crafted by Seger, Charles Joly of the Drawing Room and the Violet Hour's Stephen Cole. If that doesn't draw you over to Pops, maybe the $3 PBRs and $5 Jameson shots will. this is all part of Pops's "Shift Drinks" series featuring guest bartenders every Monday night in their downstairs bar.

Head to Red and White (1861 N. Milwaukee Ave) tonight from 6-8 for a free tasting of Vin de Constance, a rare dessert wine from South African winery Klein Constantia.

• Tonight: Blue Sky Inn's annual "A Taste of Success" fundraiser is being held at the Flat Iron Building's Around the Coyote gallery (1935-1/2 W. North Ave.). Enjoy signature cocktails by Southern Wine & Spirits and the United States Bartenders Guild, hors d'oeuvres created by Blue Sky Inn's Albany Park bakery and café, cocktail jazz, a live auction featuring "Dream Job Opportunities" including: trainer at the Shedd Aquarium, chef at Tru, Food & Wine Critic at Time Out Chicago, craft beers by Two Brothers Brewing Company, and artwork created by the youth who benefit from Blue Sky Inn's programs. $45.
• Tonight: Shaw's Crab House kicks off its annual Oysterfest with its tent party at the downtown Shaw's (21 E. Hubbard). $10 suggested donation, 3:30-11 p.m.
• Saturday: The Chopping Block's Lincoln Square location (4747 N. Lincoln Ave.) is featuring a cooking class on Japanese-Style grilling. "Backyard Benihana" will focus on preparing Miso Soup with Grilled Sake-Marinated Tofu; Grilled Shiitake Mushroom Salad with Gingery Ponzu Dressing; Chicken and Vegetable Yakitori with Honey Soy Glaze, Spicy Sesame Dipping Sauce and Mustard Dipping Sauce; Authentic Salmon Teriyaki with Sticky Rice. 7-9:30 p.m., $85.

If there was a world without beer (perish the thought) and we had to drink wine all the time, we'd go with a good rioja all the time. Well, most of the time.

• Today:Don't Forget that tickets are still available to Nourish: Meals on Wheels annual celebrity chef ball, 6-10 p.m. at Macy's on State Street.
• Saturday: Lycée Français de Chicago's Fall French Market takes place from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sunday hours are noon-4 p.m.). Experience the tastes, sounds, art and antiques of a traditional French marketplace. $10 per child or $15 per family with a recommended maximum of two hours. (Lycée Français de Chicago, 613 W. Bittersweet Place)
• Sunday:The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is hosting a benefit wine tasting at Geja's Café (340 W. Armitage) from 1-5 p.m. The wine tasting will be moderated by Patrick W. Fegan of Chicago Wine School. $50

• Tonight: The Store (2002 N. Halsted) is hosting "Martini Madness," benefiting Cabrini Connections, an organization that provides mentoring and tutoring to children living in Cabrini Green. $40, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
• Saturday: VeganMania, a festival of all things vegan, takes place at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse (1419 W. Blackhawk) from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Best thing about this is it's free.
• Sunday: The Publican's monthly beer dinner will feature selections from St.Feuillien. Cost is $40 for the family-style dinner, $15-$20 extra for the beer. (837 W. Fulton Mkt., 5-10 p.m.)

We created a monster here at Chicagoist on July 13, 2006 with a review of Trumer Pils, which we cheekily dubbed our "Beer of the Week." It's a series that shows no sign of stopping soon due to the sheer breadth of brew options available to us. But Trumer will always hold a spot dear to us for being the beer that kicked off the series.

So we didn't get the Olympics? Relax! People still gotta eat and, regardless of the outcome, supporters and opponents of the bid would have had a reason to drink tonight. Here are some events coming up in the next week of note.

Oktoberfest formally ends tomorrow, but that isn't stopping Rick Gresh from celebrating a few days after. The Executive Chef at David Burke's Primehouse is also an avid homebrewer and he'll be featuring a few of his creations at a Sunday dinner kicking off Primehouse's "OktoBEERfest." The selections Gresh and the Primehouse staff will be pouring include I-PAC (an IPA infused with chamomile); a wheat ale brewed with Seedling Farm peaches called "Stoned Wheat" and one beer Gresh calls "Working Man's Champagne."

A couple weeks back a friend purchased Chicago Gourmet tickets via the half-price special Groupon offered. She asked for advice to prepare for the festival. We told her to pack a lunch.

Faith and Whiskey invites you to stop in tonight from 7 - 9 for an informative, free discussion (read: SAMPLES!) of Knob Creek, Canadian Club, and Laphroaig to learn more about the differences between bourbon, whiskey, and scotch. Experts will be on hand to guide you through the tasting and provide some history and education on these spirits. RSVP: 773.248.9119 or greatwhiskeydebate@gmail.com.

• Today is the final day of the annual Berghoff Oktoberfest in Federal Plaza. You've been warned.
• Tomorrow: Drinks Over Dearborn is hosting a free bourbon tasting from noon-3 p.m. While you're there, buy some of what you've sampled ans SAVE D.O.D. Kyle McHugh stocks some amazing product. (650 N. Dearborn, 312-337-9463)
• Tomorrow: Wicker Park Lutheran Church is hosting its fifth annual "World's Largest Potluck" from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will go to help restore the 103-year-old landmark. (2112 W. LeMoyne)

This weekend is jam-packed with events. Social butterflies plan accordingly.

More people are moving south to Pilsen and Bridgeport in search of cheap housing and rents, and that's led to a slow but steady increase in dining options for our part of town; we'll have a review of Nana Friday. 18th Street in Pilsen has even seen some diversity with the recent openings of Ristorante al Teatro and Ciao Amore, and Honky Tonk BBQ before that.

It's Labor Day weekend, but that doesn't mean all of us are grilling for possibly the final time this season. Here are some events, tastings, dinners and special offers to keep you busy this weekend and beyond:

• Today: This is the final day to get the all-new C-Wich, a crab cake sandwich, for $5 at C-House in the Affinia Hotel Chicago (166 E. Superior). Additionally, select sides, sweets and specials will also be offered for $5.
• Tonight: Celebrate Michael Jackson's birthday at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club with a $19 menu special featuring blackened chicken with cheddar potatoes and roasted corn. A "Black and White" martini made with VOX vodka, dark chocolate liqueur, vanilla is also for sale for $5. Kit Kat's resident "diva," Traci Ross, will be performing as both Michael and Janet Jackson. (3700 N. Halsted)
• Sunday: Goose Island's going hog wild with a pig roast to benefit Slow Food Chicago. Clybourn brewpub chef John Manion, Blackbird's Mike Sheerin, Pat Sheerin of the Signature Room at the 95th, Jackie Shen of Red Light, the Bristol's Chris Pandel and Brian Millman of Uncommon Ground will each have a pig to roast at the brewery on Fulton. Purchase tickets here. (1800 W. Fulton, 3-7 p.m., $55)

Last year at Chicago Gourmet we attended a "Pairing Cheese with Beer" seminar led by Greg Hall from Goose Island. To our surprise the last course paired dark chocolate with Goose Island's Pere Jacques. Augh. It was soooo nice. Join Vosges Haut-Chocolate and Goose Island this Friday from 7-9pm for a Chocolate and Beer Soiree. Pair Vosges Naga truffle, which has a sweet Indian curry powder, coconut and milk chocolate, with Goose Island's Sofie Belgium Style Ale, which has been aged in wine barrels with orange peel giving you hints of citrus with a creamy vanilla finish. The party is at Vosges Lincoln park storefront (951 W. Armitage Ave.) and is $30/ person, which includes 3 chocolates paired with artisan beers from Goose Island along with open bar of Goose Island 312 beer. Also receive a 10% discount off any chocolate purchase during the event.

• Today: Chicago Wine School is hosting a course on Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This will include tasting a really good Pape and learning of some of the grape varietals that go into this classic French blend. (The Wine Consortium, 123 E. 23rd St., 6:30-8 p.m., $45.)
• Tomorrow: The highlight (such as it is) of Taste of Lincoln Avenue this weekend will be the Jimmy John's-sponsored sandwich making and eating competition. Recent Chicagoist podcast guest Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti, Tim "Gravy" Brown and others try to eat as many sandwiches as Jimmy John's can make. Who can forget Marcus and Stolpman's visit to this last year? Laura didn't even have a zoom lens last year and said that was too much detail. (2:30 p.m., Taste of Lincoln Avenue Montana Stage, Lincoln Avenue at Altgeld)
• Sunday: If Deep Dish and Gravy didn't spoil your appetite, head back to Taste of Lincoln, where FIG Catering will be setting up shop for the day

Morton's the Steakhouse recently released a cookbook and have been touring nationally to promote it.

• Today: Dunlay's on Clark Street (2600 N. Clark) and 10 Cane Rum are hosting an patio party featuring a Trinidadian sugar cane crusher. guests will be able to taste fresh-squeezed sugar cane juice. 3-7 p.m.
• Saturday: Eivissa chef Dudley nieto will lead guests on a crash course in making paella. The $25 course includes samples, instruction and sangria; a take home paella kit is also available for an extra $10. (1531 N. wells, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Saturday-Sunday: The debut Taste of River North festival will be a great way to sample food from @Spot Café, Citizen Bar, PROSECCO, Zocalo, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Ai Japanese Restaurant, Italiasia, Bella Luna, Excalibur, Fleming’s, Roy’s Chicago and others. tickets for food are $1 each.

There have been so many Bastille Day events happening around town in the past few days you'd think the original thirteen colonies rebelled from France. Since there's a seeming load of Francophiles in town we've compiled a list of Bastille Day events and prix fixe menus for you to consider.

• All Month Long: BIN 36 celebrates 10 years of business with $6 wine and food specials. Enjoy $6 glasses of their house chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah, or $6 gougres or hummus with pita. (339 N. Dearborn)
• Saturday: Ale Fest goes down at Soldier Field from 2-6 p.m. Enjoy over 200 ale selections from 80 breweries. Cost is $40 for 20 selections; $10 designated drivers.
• Saturday: We already mentioned the block party Kuma's Corner is throwing to commemorate its 4th anniversary yesterday. Here's your reminder and a caveat: "free food' does not mean grazing on complimentary Mastodons all day; it's brats and hot dogs. You've now been duly warned - wear your vintage Deicide t-shirt at your own risk. (2900 W. Belmont)

Over the years we've developed a theory that brewmasters are underrated as philosophers, seeing as brewing and drinking beer are often lock-step with social intercourse. We're big fans here of Lost Abbey beers (see our "BotW" review of their "Gift of the Magi" ale). After reading brewmaster Tomme Arthur's blog posts and his sound bites of wisdom, you'll become a fan, as well.

As promotions go, "National 40 Oz. Week" at Fifty/50 (2047 W. Division, 773-489-5050) walks the fine line between inspiration and cliched crassness. Thursday's "Old School Hip Hop Night" is right up our alley, with $5 St. Ides forties for sale and the DJs spinning NWA, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and (hopefully) Eric B. & Rakim, The D.O.C., Ice T and Arabian Prince on the clickwheels of steel.

Koval Distillery in Andersonville has been making some noise of late, as the city's only distillery. They've also been making some amazing spirits and liqueurs, from what we tasted a couple weeks back at Uncommon Ground Devon's Friday Farmers Market.

The online wine community and retailer Bottlenotes is holding its first wine and food tasting at the Museum of Contemporary Art Friday from 7-10 p.m. The event, called "Around the World in 80 Sips," will feature wines from, well, all over: Old World, New World, North and South America, Israel and Lebanon. Those wines will be paired with cheeses provided from Artisanal Premium Cheese.

• Tomorrow: The Alliance Francaise de Chicago's cooking class series focuses on chocolate tomorrow. This interactive class will prepare these easy desserts: Chocolate Sorbet, Frozen Chocolate Soufflé, Chocolate Fondant with Crème Anglaise and Chocolate Chestnut Terrine. $75 Members, $85 Non-Members, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (810 N. Dearborn)
• Tomorrow and Sunday: Gary Wiviott's Low & Slow BBQ: Master the Art of Barbecue in 5 Easy Lessons is in its second printing and the success couldn't happen to a nicer fellow. Wiviott and co-author Colleen rush will be signing copies of the book 11 a.m. tomorrow at The Book Stall at Chestnut Court (811 Elm St., Winnetka) and noon Sunday at Barnes and Noble Oakbrook (297 Oakbrook Center). This book will change the way you approach BBQ.
• Monday: Chalkboard (4343 N. Lincoln Avenue Chicago, IL 60618 773-477-7144) will host Mac McDonald, son of a Texas moonshine maker, winemaker and Owner of Vision Wine Cellars on Monday, June 15 for a four-course wine dinner beginning with a reception at 7pm. The cost of the dinner is $100 per person all inclusive.

Now go get your free doughnuts at Dunkin' Donuts. It's National Doughnut Day.

  

We attended Bottom Lounge's second annual Rum Fest Saturday, which owner Mike Miller hosts in conjunction with Edward Hamilton of the Ministry of Rum. We avoided the Malibu, Bacardi and Tommy Bahama tables, since they're the devils we know, in favor of rooting out some odder notions.

• Today and Tomorrow: Better late than never on this item. These are the final two days to take advantage of the $5 "Burker" Week at David Burke's Primehouse. Primehouse's 40-day dry aged "Burker" is available during lunch for the wonderful price of $5.
• Saturday: With "Top Chef Masters" set to premiere in a couple weeks, "Top Chef: The Tour" hits Green City Market tomorrow with Season 4 also-ran and Izard BFF Antonia Lofaso and Radhika Desai, the former chef at Between Boutique and Café who's headed for New York. Lofaso and Desai will offer recipe tips, do demonstrations and say what an honor it was to be on "TC" from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Tuesday: Happy Birthday to Cyrano's Bistrot and Wine Bar, turning a prepubescent 13. Didier Durand is honoring the occasion with a beaujolais tasting featuring 13 producers of the varietal. the event is sponsored by House of Glunz, which will also take pre-orders on the wines featured for pickup after the event at House of Glunz. the event starts at 6 p.m., followed by a six-course dinner at 7. Cost is $69.95.