It's a good day outside and with the combination of springing forward the clocks, the South Side Irish Parade Sunday, and warmer temps next week there are plenty of weeks to go out. Start the weekend off by leaving work early and heading to the Artisan Cellar at the Merchandise Mart, where they'll be having a tasting of the new-to-the area Graham Beck wines from South Africa. The free tasting runs from 3:30-6 p.m.,......

The listed events were chosen by the editors of Chicagoist and brought to you by the 2009 Toyota Corolla. Music Spazz-poppers Hidden Mitten play Double Door tonight. The band specializes in turbo-charged melodies and, from what we can tell, super-short mini-skirts. How can that not rock? If you miss them tonight we also hear they're playing The Mutiny tomorrow, mini-pitchers in hand. 1572 N. Milwaukee, 9 p.m., $8, 21+ Wine We used to do......

Let's start things off right this weekend with a grappa tasting this evening from 6-7:30 p.m. at Taste Food and Wine in Rogers Park, shall we? Yes, we shall. As we mentioned a few weeks ago, the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau's first restaurant week, Eat It Up, begins this evening. Through next Friday, participating restaurants three-course price fixe lunches for $21.95 and dinners for $31.95. Congratulations to Provenance Food and Wine, which celebrates......

'Tis the season for free champagne tastings. Get started tonight at the Artisan Cellar (located on the first floor of the Merchandise Mart) with a sample of some rare bubblies from 4-6 p.m. Learn all about the history of smothered foods from author Wilbert Jones, the author of Smothered Southern Foods. Jones' lecture, "Smothered - Southern Style" is being held Saturday at the Chicago History Museum, sponsored by the Culinary Historians of Chicago. The lecture......

This week's listings kick off this evening at Merchandise Mart with "Chill: an International Wine & Culinary Event" sponsored by Luxehome and Wine Spectator. Proceeds from the event benefit the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. The event runs from 5 - 8 p.m. Chicago Professionals for Youth is committed to improving the lives of local underprivileged youth through literacy and mentoring programs, college preparation, job training and career skills assistance. Saturday they're hosting......

We reported on Wednesday sales have been sinking at the flagship State Street store--nostalgic epicenter for Field’s lovers. Meanwhile, Field’s Fans continue to protest. A group of concerned Field's Fans showed up on Saturday to “protest against Macy's business practices here in the Chicago area.” They have scheduled special “leaflet” events on the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving, as well as another rally “Under the Great Clock” at noon on Saturday, December 2. Wednesday’s Trib......

Or, since this will be an Oktoberfest-intensive installment, "Das Freitagsbüfett." Most of these are around the general vicinity of Lincoln Park, Lake View, and Wrigleyville. Things kick off this evening with St. Alphonsus' Sixth Annual Oktoberfest Chicago. Admission is $5, or free if you RSVP at going.com/oktoberfestchicago. First St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church hosts their Oktoberfest Saturday from 5-10 p.m. Cost is $20 ($15 for seniors, $10 for children under 12). St. Michael in Old......

Might as well start this week's installment off by pointing out that Taste of Greece is happening this weekend in Greektown. Half of us (the paternal half) is excited about this. The festival runs from noon until 11 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday. If you are heading to Greektown this weekend, consider attending Alexa Ganakos' Greektown in All Its Glory lecture at the Chicago History Museum before going, sponsored by the Culinary Historians of Chicago.......

Great. Another bar/restaurant with a funky name, overpriced menu, and hipster vibe in the Bucktown/Wicker Park corridor. That’s probably your first impression when you heard of the recently opened Bluebird Bistro and Winebar on Damen in Bucktown. In actuality, though, this casual, rustic spot from owner Tom MacDonald of the popular Webster’s Wine Bar in Lincoln Park will knock those stereotypes right out of the floor-to ceiling-glass window next to the front door. That’s......

Well, after a brief hiatus we are bringing back WJ. This weekend we going to try and enjoy the weather with a few outdoor events. Ending the weekend with some sex wine and chocolate. We are heading over to the 39th annual Sheffield Garden Walk this evening, for a suggested donation of $10 ($6 prior to 5 p.m.) you can take self-guided tour of the 100+ gardens located at Sheffield and Webster. Be sure to......

The big event happening this weekend is the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show at McCormick Place. The event features over 2,000 exhibitors in nearly 900 product categories showcasing the latest kitchen innovations and technology, sustainability concepts, and fine cuisine. Highlights of the show this year include a celebrity bookstore (a new feature where celebrity chefs and restaurateurs will be in attendance signing books) a food fair featuring regional specialty foods from across the country,......

We haven't made our way down to the recently-opened Juicy Wine Company on Milwaukee Avenue yet, but their pricing strategy is something we can definitely get behind. It's also a risky proposition, if it doesn't work. Claiming to sell extraordinary wine and cheeses at "ordinary prices," Juicy doesn't mark up their inventory to stratospheric levels. Instead, they take the wholesale cost of a bottle, mark it up 50 percent, and sell it. Customers looking to......

We can’t turn our backs for a minute without those creatives making all sorts of trouble. Good for them. Let’s catch up and find more excuses to get out of the house this winter: Comedy/Theater Schadenfreude holds their December Rent Party tonight, where Chicagoist editor Scott Smith will read his correspondence with Richard Marx. Will the mulleted 80s rocker show up? No, but he’ll be played by a special guest. The monthly showcase of local......

Ah, Thanksgiving. A time when we, as Americans, make like the pilgrims did so many years ago and cook up sweet potatoes with marshmallows, roasted or deep-fried turkey, and mashed potatoes of various types. Except for 1) the pilgrims didn't do any of this shit, 2) they actually wanted to cook an eagle and 3) there is no reason for you to have to do any of this either if you make your plans now......

Chicagoist never gets the last word. Shows run long after we’ve weighed in, discussions evolve beyond our ramblings, companies grow, companies fold, artists work hard to make a living or to make the next news cycle. For our curious and attention-deficient readers, some quick updates on previously reported stories. Art Fairs and Festivals At the eleventh hour, the Merch Mart saved Art Chicago 2006. Soon after the exhibitors packed up came word that Merchandise Mart......

Even for seasoned singles, dating is difficult. What to wear? What to talk about? Where to go? While some opt for a romantic evening at ESPN Zone, Chicagoist prefers a subtler ambiance. At 2602 N. Clark, D.O.C. Wine Bar proves to be an excellent spot for a cozy date or drinks with friends. Portholed windows and a log-style exterior invoke a nautical theme. In the main front room, the ship theme meets swanky lounge......

Think of a wine store in this this city. Usually the first thing that comes to mind is a superstore like Sam's or Binny's. You've also got Randolph Wine Cellars and the Wine Discount Center if don't want to get lost in a warehouse; or smaller boutique shops like Que Syrah on Southport if you don't want to immerse yourself in the cultivated haughtiness of a wine bar. Now you can add Lush Wine......

Tomorrow is "Beaujolais Nouveau Time!!" Every year at one minute past midnight on the third Thursday in November the newest batch of wine from Burgundy's Beaujolais region is released, with accompanying fanfare (by decree of French law the wine cannot be released until then). The total shipment of 65 million bottles, which accounts for nearly half of the region's wine production, is distributed and consumed around the world. Beaujolais Nouveau is a relatively recent......

Months back a frequent commenter to the site made the claim that “eighty percent of the wine drinkers in America would be fine with a good box wine” in response to an article about a recommended pinot gris. While that number may be dubious and ignoring the possible oxymoronic phrase “good box wine”, the reader sowed a seed that’s now being reaped as this article. We’ve all been somewhere like a party, gallery reception,......