The Friday Buffet
By Chuck Sudo in Food on Aug 21, 2009 3:20PM
Chicken liver pate, cheeses, pickled red onions and mustard.
So far this week we've already given you the heads-up on the mado/Webster's Wine Bar/Bluebird collaborative dinner and the Chicago Botanic Garden's Pepper Weekend. 'Course the big thing for us is the Publican/New Holland beer dinner Sunday. If those three don't tickle your fancy, try these events.
- Tonight: Kyle McHugh of Drinks Over Dearborn has started a "Save DOD" campaign in the hopes his RIver North boutique retail wine and spirits shop can make its first anniversary in November. This evening from 5:30-8:30 DoD is hosting an artisanal spirits tasting. McHugh and reps from North Shore Distillery, Koval, Death's Door and Templeton Rye will be tasting out their respective products. (650 N. Dearborn, 312-337-9463)
- Saturday: The second annual Oak Park Microbrew Review features 20 midwestern microbreweries will be pouring 50 selections. 3-8 p.m. with a VIP reception at Marion Street Cheese Market from 2-3 p.m. ($40, $35 in advance. $100 for VIP)
- Saturday: Local organic ice cream maker Nice Cream Company and the Neo-Futurists are joining up. The Andersonville theater troupe is bringing back its Vanilla Ice parody "Cool As Ice Cream Social," with a pre-show ice cream social featuring some of Nice Cream's selections. (5153 N. Ashland, 2nd Floor, 7 p.m., $25)
- Sunday: The BLT Bonanza formally kicks off with a $35 event at Osteria Via Stato featuring mini BLTs, house-made tomato foccacia and baconcello. David Cleverdon of Kinnikinnick Farm will be on hand to discuss heirlooms and Candid Wines will pair everything. Call 312-642-8450 for reservations
- Sunday: Red Light is hosting a benefit pig roast for Twin Sisters Farms. Chef Jackie Shen and ABC7's Steve Dolinsky will roast the pig; other chefs giving a hand include Rick Gresh of David Burke's Primehouse, Urban Belly's Bill Kim, Prairie Grass Café's Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris, Mark Mendez of Carnivale and Ina Pinkney. Noon-3 p.m. Rain or shine (820 W. Randolph, 312-733-8880, $50, reservations required) and
- Wednesday: Head to Daley Plaza for Slow Food Chicago's Eat-in from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. This is a rally to support a stronger Child Nutrition Act allowing school kids to have access to better school meals. Speakers at the rally will include State Representative Julie Hamos of Evanston and Slow Food USA President Joshua Viertel. You can bring your own lunch or buy one of the lunches provided by Gourmet Gorilla or City Provisions.
- Wednesday: Tizi Mellou (531 N. Wells, 312-670-4338) is hosting a S.O.B. wine dinner starting at 7 p.m. The "S.O. B." here stands for "sustainable, organic and biodynamic" which explains the wines being sered. Cost for the dinner is $60.