Low Yield Won't Stop Chicago Beaujolais Nouveau Events
By Chuck Sudo in Food on Nov 15, 2012 5:20PM
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).
"Beaujolais Nouveau Day" has grown into an international event on the level of getting shitfaced the night before Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day, and going out on New Year's Eve. Unlike other major wine events, however, Beaujolais Nouveau Day has done more to remove the stigma and snobbery from being an oenophile. It's vinted fast for consumption so that the better beaujolais could age further—to keep our filthy paws off the good stuff, in other words. Some vineyards' beaujolais nouveau is on a level below Boone's Farm, which makes it great chilled. This is about as close to white wine as a red wine can get. Even though 2012 resulted in a weaker beaujolais harvest than in past years, the enthusiasm for nouveau across the globe hasn't waned.
Here are some restaurants hosting Beaujolais Nouveau events tonight and throughout the week.
Bistronomic
prix fixe menu, which will include a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau accompanied by Chef Martial Noguier's new Banana Brioche Pudding dessert to enhance the flavor of the vintage, will be available for $39. (840 N. Wabash Ave.)
Le Sardine
$42 prixe fixe menu including Saucisson de Lyon, Quenelle de Brochette, Sauce Nantua, Pintade Rôti Grand Mère, and Pear Poached in Beaujolais (111 N. Carpenter)
Chez Moi
$39 prix Fixe menu includes a glass of beaujolais nouveau. Salade Lyonnaise or Onion soup, Braised Beef Cheeks Bourguignon, Apple Tart with Whipped Cream, Warm Chocolate Terrine with Hot Chocolate Sauce (2100 N. Halsted St.)
Cyrano's Farm Kitchen
Chanteuse Claudia Hommel kicks up her heels and accordionist Patricia Spaeth provides the can-can music and parodies to celebrate the arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau.
Claudia and Patricia will kick off the holiday season with Chef Didier Durand's farm fresh salads and soups, the season's first cassoulet, and mousse au chocolat (our favorite!). The 4-course dinner and show is $45 per person. Your first glass of Beaujolais Nouveau is $4. Reservations are recommended (546 N. Wells St.,312-467-0546)
Mon Ami Gabi (2300 N. Lincoln Park West, 773-348-8886) is offering Beaujolais Nouveau inspired specials tonight through Wednesday, Nov. 22 that include Celery Root Remoulade with Pommery Mustard, Oysters du Jour with a Beaujolais Mignonette; Cream of Garlic soup with Savoy Cabbage, Flageolet Beans and Duck Confit; Pan-Seared Whitefish with Red Potatoes, Brussel Sprout Leaves, Caramelized Garlic and a Beaujolais Bacon Sauce; and Blackcurrant Sorbet with Red Wine Syrup.