Results tagged “wine”

Last week, Chuck posted the news of Bin 36's renovation and all-new menu. After a year of specials to celebrate their 10th anniversary, Bin 36 is trying to freshen things up, which is understandable for a restaurant that has flourished for so long in our competitive restaurant market. more ›

Two weeks ago Drinks Over Dearborn owner Kyle McHugh, facing the closure of his River North liquor store, unable to pay his vendors and receive a small business loan to float him until his books were in the black, announced an ambitious plan to raise funds to keep the store open long enough for his projected profits to start to show. The "500 Benjamins or Bust" campaign was created to raise the necessary funds for McHugh to pay off his creditors, but only if DoD was able to find 500 customers to open $100 accounts with the store. If McHugh couldn't reach that goal, DoD would close its doors March 5. more ›

Eleven years ago, Wall Street Journal wine columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher decided to say "screw it" to waiting for a special occasion to open that bottle of wine and just don it. They birthed the now annual and global celebration "Open That Bottle Night." Tomorrow, wine enthusiasts near and far will celebrate this night with something they hope may have been cellared to perfection or one that sits like a devil on your shoulder begging you to open it now. more ›

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BIN 36 just followed up a year-long 10-year celebration by unveiling a $100,000 renovation of their interior, a new American bistro menu and an expanded cheese menu, including "a fresh array of eight composed flights to encourage exploration." The revamped menu by chef John Caputo incorporates artisan cheeses throughout, including Gougeres with Truffle Honey and a Grilled Cheese Trio and Brown Sugar-Cured, Slow-Roasted Pork Loin Chop with gorgonzola polenta. All menu items may be paired with wine recommendations from BIN 36's Brian Duncan. more ›

We're putting the finishing touches to a BIG HONKIN' Valentine's weekend dinner roundup, but wanted to share this for our more frugal readers. You know who you are. more ›

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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 ›

I'm a big proponent of the social aspects of dining in groups: talking, breaking bread together, sharing plates and laughs with both friends and strangers. It's no coincidence that some of my favorite restaurants encourage communal or family-style dining — the Publican, mado, the Bristol and Urban Belly, to name a few. All these restaurants tap into an emotional well that make me feel better about myself and the world around me, if just for an evening. It's probably naive to feel that way, but it is sincere. more ›

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 ›

Loyal readers, this is a terrifying tale. A tale of a foodie taken in because he didn’t read a label. A tale of a disgusting faux-wine, ingested by accident. A tale of wasting… six dollars. Alright, maybe it wasn’t that bad after all, but the public must be warned! more ›

• This year's version of Bell's Hopslam, which is, in our opinion, the best beer the Kalamazoo brewery has introduced to Chicago since they returned to the market last year, receives an official release party at Sheffield's from 7-10 p.m. at the Beer School bar. They'll also be tapping a firkin of Expedition Stout. (3258 N. Sheffield, 773-281-4989)
• ENO at the Intercontinental Hotel (505 N. Michigan, 312-321-8738) will look at the wines of Washington this evening at 7 p.m. Cheeses and light noshes will also be served with each of the four wines being poured. Cost is $25.
• The Chopping Block's Lincoln Square location (4747 N. Lincoln, 773-472-6700) will conduct a "Realistic Resolutions" cooking class starting at 7 p.m. Learn how to make easy and healthy entrees that you can feel good about eating, like steamed bass with black bean ginger glaze and sauteed baby bok choy; maple orange glazed chicken breasts with oven-roasted sweet potatoes; eggplant, tomato and chickpea stew with saffron-infused couscous; spiced pork chops with caramelized onion and cherry relish. Cost is $40.

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, usually for a living. more ›

Let's put this to bed for the weekend, shall we? We're tired from last night. more ›

We are big fans of the Greek influence --- Gyros, Saganaki (ok, we know this was invented in Chicago) and ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding.’ What we didn’t think we would be so thrilled about is Greek wine. more ›

We like: Twisted Oak 2006 Calaveras County *%#&@! more ›

• Friday: The House of Glunz's annual champagne, sushi and caviar event takes place this evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sushi will be provided by Sai Café, Carolyn Collins Caviar. This event tends to sell out so call 312-642-3000 or visit the House of Glunz website to RSVP.
• LUSH Wine & Spirits' West Town location is now open at 1412 W. Chicago Ave.
• Saturday: If Anthony's photo essay of Toni Roberts's dessert plating didn't have you wanting to go to C-House, maybe their $25 High C Holiday brunch will. This prix fixe brunch menu includes your choice of two cocktails between "The Rudolph" (vodka or tequila, tomato juice, fresh horseradish, lemon juice and tobasco); "From the North" (a soothing mix of red wine, vodka, port, cloves, orange zest, accompanied with cinnamon sticks); "Winter Wonderland" (bourbon, heavy cream, egg whites, and nutmeg); "The Poinsettia" (sparkling wine, cointreau, and cranberry juice). All mimosas, bloody marys and sparkling wines are being sold for $5. (Affinia Chicago Hotel, 166 E. Superior, 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Reservations recommended).

• Artist and interior designer Diane Schroeder's latest exhibition is on display at the Tasting Room at Randolph Wine Cellars. Free passed appetizers will be served from 6-8 p.m. (1415 W. Randolph St., 312-942-1212).
• A reminder that Chicago's French Market (aka the MetraMarket) opens today at 131 N. Clinton.
• Rick Bakas from St. Supéry winery will be at Binny's South Loop (1132 South Jefferson Street) for an in-store tasting of his Napa Valley estate grown, biodynamic wines from 3:30-5 p.m. The tasting will also serve as a tweetup (use the hashtag #stsupery to follow). And say hello to our new wine and cooking class correspondent Carrie Becker whether you're at Binny's or on Twitter. RSVP by calling 800-942-0809 x 23

What's a wino to do in a down economy? Drink cheap wine! And we say "cheap" in the most deserving way. more ›

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. more ›

One of our more versatile wine rack staples is Sofia Mini Blanc de Blancs 187ml cans. The beauty of these little beauties is it allows you to dole out the right amount of bubbly without worrying that you will be left with a half empty bottle that may go flat. more ›

There's more to Lynfred Winery than being the state's largest and oldest continuous operating winery. Its expansion eight years ago involved expanding their tasting room and retail operations to include a bed and breakfast that makes for a beautiful daytrip. Marketing Director Christina Anderson-Heller took me for a tour of the operation while we waited for Winemaker/GM Andres Basso to show me the winemaking plant. more ›

Wine dinners abound throughout the city. 312 Chicago is hosting a dinner tomorrow night at 7 p.m. featuring the latest release from Hewiston Wines' "Mad Hatter" shiraz. It's part of a national tour promoting the 2006 vintage just hitting restaurants and wine shops right now. Winemaker Dean Hewiston will be in attendance. more ›

"We had a booth at the Windy City Wine Festival last month and I told plenty of people who don't own a car how easy it is to reach the winery by train," said Lynfred Winery marketing director Christina Anderson-Heller as we met at the Roselle Metra stop. "Almost all of them asked, 'What train?'" And it is a fairly painless trek, although navigating Union Station during morning rush is something out of the Divine Comedy. When my train stopped at Roselle, Anderson-Heller was there waiting to drive the final mile to the winery. I've long had an open invitation to tour Lynfred's facilities, and last week they received a 30-ton shipment of petite syrah grapes. "Would you be interested in seeing the grapes being processed? Maybe help out in the winery and taste out some barrels?" Anderson-Heller asked. more ›

Pop-open the bubbly - It’s Wednesday! The holiday season is upon us and in typical true-blooded American fashion we begin the season of over-indulgence - more food, more booze, larger waistlines. We also take the opportunity to pick up an extra bottle of something special - maybe a nice bottle of bubbly. more ›

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. more ›

The last time Sam's Wine and Spirits had a warehouse sale we made out like bandits, buying nearly $600 worth of wine for just over $100 after discounts. They're doing it again from October 14-25, slashing up to 75% off of their inventory. Some lucky shopper will also win a six liter bottle of Reignac Rouge Bordeaux 2003, which will be given away in a raffle more ›

Continuing its year-long celebration of ten years in business, BIN 36 is serving $3 cheese flights throughout the month of October. The promotion also coincides with the rollout of BIN 36's new cheese menu. more ›

Taxim, the Wicker Park restaurant that has received overwhelmingly positive reviews (in our opinion it's probably the best new restaurant to open this year) for its innovative take on Greek cuisine, is teaming up with one of Greece's best wineries to put together a dinner that, on paper, is going to blow diners away. more ›

Ever stumbled in to your neighborhood Walgreens to grab a six-pack before realizing, "Dammit, they don't sell booze at Walgreens!" Your troubles will soon be over, friends. The Deerfield-based company has announced that within the next 12-to-18 months, beer and wine will be available at its stores once it completes the complicated licensing process. [Fox 32] more ›