Mardi Gras 2009

Mardi Gras is music, parades, picnics, floats, excitement ... and one big holiday in New Orleans! Everyone is wearing purple, green, and gold; and adorned with long beads caught from the beautiful floats. They sit on the ground throwing balls, playing music, having a picnic, and watching the crowds walk by between parades.

Not all of us are able to make the trip to New Orleans but that doesn't mean we still can't celebrate! Here are some traditions for you to share with family and friends tomorrow...

1) The baking of a special cake in honor of the three kings called "A King's Cake." Inside every cake is a tiny baby (generally plastic now, but sometimes this baby might be made of porcelain or even gold). The tradition of having King Cake Parties has evolved through time, and the person who receives the slice of cake with the baby is asked to continue the festivities by hosting the next King Cake party. If you aren't a baker and would prefer to purchase A King Cake call upon Alliance Bakery & Cafe (773-278-0366, located in the Bucktown neighborhood http://www.alliance-bakery.com/)

2)Symbolism of Colors gave meaning to the colors: purple represents justice; green, faith; and gold, power. Head to any local party store to grab streamers, beaded necklaces, eye masks and whatever fun party favors to hand out to your guests. My favorite party store is Doolin's (1-800-350-4870, http://www.doolins.com)

3) The drink known to most tourists in New Orleans is the hurricane. During celebrations (and celebrations seem to be every night in the New Orleans French quarter), tourists carry their "to go" hurricane drinks with them. In New Orleans, you can carry your drink out of a bar and down the street, even into another bar. Hurricanes are also the cocktail of choice during Mardi Gras, when thousands come to see the parade and party. For a recipe to make a home click on the following link http://www.drinksmixer.com/cat/364

If you prefer someone else to do all the planning check out the following bars that are hosting their own Mardi Gras parties that you are invited too!

The Fifty/50 - 2047 W. Division St. - East Village / Ukrainian Village
February 24 : 7 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Specials include half-price appetizers, $6 Dragon Bleu martinis, $5 Dragon Bleu vodka cocktails, $4 ice luge shots and $4 Stella drafts.

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club - 3700 N. Halsted St. - Boystown
February 24 : 5:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.
A Fat Tuesday masquerade ball features half-price martinis, $5.50 Cruzan Rum cocktails, a New Orleans-style menu and performances by Kit Kat Diva Traci Ross.

Midtown Kitchen + Bar - 203 N. LaSalle St. - Chicago
February 24 : 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
A Fat Tuesday benefit for homeless women features appetizers, wine, hurricane cocktails, soda and DJ sets. Raffle prizes and silent auction items include two round-trip airline tickets, spa services, wine tastings and more.

Blue Bayou - 3734 N. Southport Ave. - Lakeview
February 26 : 10 p.m.
Red Hot Annie hosts a Mardi Gras party featuring sexy dance performances atop the bar, plus Cajun food and drink specials.

Timothy O'Toole's - 622 N. Fairbanks Ct. - Gold Coast
February 24 : 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Get beads and other giveaways while grazing on a complimentary Mardi Gras buffet of gumbo, etouffee, po' boy sandwiches, cornbread, fried okra and hush puppies.

Harry Caray's Tavern Wrigleyville - 3551 N. Sheffield Ave. - Wrigleyville
February 24 : 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
A special package includes hurricanes and domestic drafts and a Cajun buffet of dishes such as blackened chicken jambalaya, gumbo and cornmeal-crusted catfish.

Wine Trend - Break the Rules

How often have you heard the food and wine pairing rule “red wine with steak and white wine with fish”? And how often have you struggled in the local wine gallery trying to figure out which wine would go best with your evening’s meal? Well, labor no more. Food and wine pairing rules are meant to be broken.

The true foodies and wine geeks know that there is no longer any reason to remain bound by the archaic food and wine pairing rules.With all of the international influence and flavors that we see on any restaurant menu, all of those rules go out the door.

Instead of choosing wines based solely on color, look for balance.Any well-balanced dish will sing with a well-balanced wine. If you are dining out, take advantage of your restaurant’s sommelier for the best wine suggestions for your meal. Likewise, if you are dining in, get suggestions for your meal from your local wine expert. You can also visit WineAnswers.com for delectable food and wine pairings.

Here is the only rule that applies: Drink what you like! Wine and food are meant to be enjoyed together.

Oscar Food and Wine Pairings

This year we're assuming that everyone is looking for an excuse to make a fun night out of staying home – so PICK your choice for the BEST PICTURE and review our suggestions for food and wine on how to create an experience that will make watching fun.

And if you're getting together with a group and want to be really ambitious, try having a potluck with each of the pairings and vote on which you think are the BEST!

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Getting older (or younger as the case may be) isn't a bad thing when you a contemplating an aged Bordeaux to go with your burger and fries. Wines of Bordeaux are some of our favorites for this pairing. Consider these vintages that are actually better buys right now 2001, 2003, 1999. If you're impatient, like Benjamin, try one from St. Emilion for a best price bet. And while the 2005s are still a little young for my palate, there's a lot to choose from in every price range. Menu suggestion: Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

Frost Nixon
Around the time of this interview Richard Sanford was hard at work in the Santa Ynez Valley – more specifically the now famous 'Sideways Trail' – with his Sanford Winery and put this area on the map. Richard has moved on from that operation and many new wanna be's are trying to make their mark in this area but his new Alma Rosa Winery has been winning accolades - try the Chardonnay at $18 or one of the fab Pinot Noirs. And if you want to feel like David Frost, drink some Veuve Clicquot or other 'retro' champagne or whip up a 70s cocktail like a Mai Tai.
Menu suggestion: Start with Smoked Salmon on Toast and Serve with Derby Cobb Salad

Slumdog Millionaire
We all think this is the shoe-in for Best Picture and is of our absolute favorites of the season. Whether we'll rely on our favorite Indian for take-out – or attempt to make some at home – remains to be seen. And while the Indian wine industry is really starting to gain momentum, I don't think that most of us will find any selections in our local store so we're going with some Indian beers or some of the fabulous new 2007 Sauvignon Blanc selections to "cool the heat".
Menu Suggestions: Tandoori Chicken

Milk
MSNBC predicted that this film had a 1% chance of winning so don't rule it out as the big surprise of the night. Set in the early 70's in San Francisco, this was the time of the birth of the California Food and Wine Movement with folks like Jeremy Tower and Alice Waters emerging on the scene. Our lives wouldn't be the same without them – much the same as the gay movement really wouldn't have come into it's own without Harvey Milk. And while I was still drinking things like Franz Weber May Wine and Mateus in that era, let us not forget that the infamous Judgment of Paris (where CA wines beat out French ones) was taking place putting CA wine officially on the map. Brands like Freemark Abby, Heitz, Chateau Montelena, Chapellet, Silver Oak, Caymus and Beaulieu come to mind as the perfect way to "go back" to those times.

Tasting at Que Syrah on Southort Ave.

Looking for something to do this Friday (February 13th)? RSVP to Que Syrah's upcoming wine and chocolate tasting.A few spots remain for this Friday's Chocolate and Wine tasting! The fun starts at 8 pm and the cost is $20 per person. Don't miss your chance to taste the exquisite chocolate covered coconut brownies, the German and Raspberry truffle cupcakes, the famous Turtle Tort all provided by the fabulous folks over at Sensational Bites and paired up with a host of great wines from around the world! Call to RSVP (773-871-8888).

Que Syrah Fine Wines
3726 N Southport
Chicago, Illinois

The 'Sweeter Point of View'

The Affinia Chicago, located just steps from the famed Magnificent Mile, has recently completed an exciting multimillion-dollar renovation! Located on the 29th Floor with fantastic views of the city is the C-View Lounge. Besides the great views they have something else to offer - the All You Can Eat Candy Buffet!! There are 14 different sweets to sample. Pistachio Brittle, Vanilla Bean Cupcakes and Ginger Snaps name just a few. The buffet happens every Thursday night and costs $14.00/person but the sweet treats and city views won't disappoint!

Confessions of a Shopaholic Event

Shopping sprees meet the silver screen at the W Chicago - Lakeshore and ShopWalk’s VIP premiere party of the fashionable flick, “Confessions of a Shopaholic”.

Get the true Shopaholic experience by mingling with local boutiques and designers and shopping their latest collections, including Michelle Tan, Vika, Veruca Salt, 1154 Lill Studio, Orlando Espinoza and Claudia Kleiner.

Sip Shopaholic-tini’s and confess your shopaholic story for a chance to win a ShopWalk guided shopping tour including personal styling and discounts for you and your best friends.

Then march your Jimmy Choo’s straight to AMC River East with a viewing of the “Confessions of a Shopaholic.” First 60 guests receive a complimentary shopping trolley ride to the theatre. Tickets are $25 and includes admission to the show.

Now, the only thing you have to worry about is not getting any popcorn fingers on your new wardrobe.

Friday Feb 13, 2009

5:30- 7:30

W Lakeshore

Movie following event

Tickets $25 and include your movie admission

RSVP: 773 255 7866

Romantic Wine Bars for V-day

Looking for a little romance in a cozy atmosphere- Check out these intimate wine bars that will impress your Valentine....

Eno (505 N. Michigan) - Wine, chocolate and cheese -- the specialties of the front bar of the Hotel Intercontinental -- make for a powerfully romantic combination.

Webster's Wine Bar (1480 W. Webster) This unpretentious wine bar offers an intimate atmosphere that's good for conversation. A little east of the Webster Place cinemas, it's a great place to go either before or after a movie. Different regional wines are featured every month, and there's a large by-the-glass selection.

The Tasting Room (1415 W. Randolph) - Guests can order by the flight, glass or bottle from a selection of over 100 wines. Upstairs offers comfortable seating, eclectic sounds and a breathtaking view of downtown Chicago. Wine-friendly nibbles, such as cheese flights, pate and desserts, complement sippers.

404 Wine Bar (2852 N. Southport) - 404 offers an atmosphere that's almost like home. As patrons sip from a large selection of wine, they can sink into leather sofas and relax by the fireplace, or get close and personal with the bartender at the bar.

Maeve (1325 W. Wrightwood) - The name of this Lincoln Park spot means "she who intoxicates" in Gaelic. There's no question about the bar's ability to administer a good buzz, and judging by the crowds at this packed neighborhood spot.

A fun filled (planned) night out for your significant other is much more impressive then a box of chocolates!

Bring That Bottle Night

Every year since 2000, on a special Saturday night in February, friends, couples and groups around the world get together to enjoy particular bottles of wine, champagne and spirits. 'Open That Bottle Night' is the event you have been waiting for...the time when you are entitled to uncork that cherished bottle and enjoy the contents. It doesn't matter if the wine is expensive or low cost or white or red. What matters are the memories. On Saturday, February 28th, (12) participating Chicago restaurants invite guests to BYOB without incurring a corkage fee.

The participating restaurants include:

• Angelina Ristorante: No corkage fee. 3561 North Broadway, Chicago 60657, 773-935-5933 angelinaristorante.com
• PARK 52: No corkage fee(this event kicks off no corkage fees on Sundays, starting March 1. 5201 S. Harper Avenue, Hyde Park 60615, 773.241.5200, park52chicago.com
• Red Kiva Lounge: No corkage and 50% off the entire wine and champagne bottle list. 1108 W Randolph Street, Chicago 60607, 312.226.5577, redkiva.com
• ZOCALO: No corkage fee and 30% off entire bottle wine list. 358 W. Ontario Street, Chicago 60654, 312-302-9977, zocalochicago.com
• Nacional 27: No corkage fee and 30% off reserve wine list. 325 West Huron, Chicago 60654, 312.664.2727, nacional27.net
• D.O.C. Wine Bar, Chicago: No corkage fee and 50% off select wine bottles. 2602 North Clark Street, Chicago 60614, 773.883.5101, docwinebarchicago.com
• D.O.C. Wine Bar, Lombard: No corkage fee and 50% off select wine bottles. 326 Yorktown Center, Lombard 60148 , 630.627.6666, docwinebarchicago.com
• Dunlays on the Square: No corkage fee and 50% off select wine bottles. 3137 West Logan Blvd, Chicago 60647, 773.227.2400, dunlaysonlogansquare.com
• Dunlays on Clark: No corkage fee and 50% off select wine bottles. 2600 North Clark Street, Chicago 60614, 773.883.6000, dunlaysonclark.com
• Smoke Daddy: No corkage fee and 50% off select wine bottles. 1804 West Division, Chicago 60622, 773-772-6656, thesmokedaddy.com
• Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar: No corkage fee and 50% off select wine bottles. 3358 North Paulina Street, Chicago 60657, 773-248-5222, frascapizzeria.com
• Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club: No corkage fee on your first bottle and 20% off the entire bottle wine list. 3700 North Halsted, Chicago 60613, 773.525.1111, kitkatchicago.com

Cheers!

Chicago Restaurant week 2009

Food lovers get ready to embrace their inner 'foodie' during Chicago's Restaurant Week. Tables are set at over 130 tantalizing eateries throughout the city for the 2nd Annual Chicago Restaurant Week. From February 20-27, food lovers will enjoy amazing opportunities to revisit their favorite spots – or sample some they've always wanted to try – for just $22 for 3-course prix-fixe lunches and $32 for 3-course prix-fixe dinners (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity).

Whatever your taste – spicy sizzle, scrumptious seafood, or 5-star sophistication - you're sure to find plenty to savor during Chicago Restaurant Week. Visit the list of participating restaurants at Opentable.com to make your choices by restaurant name, neighborhood, or type of cuisine.

I have already made my reservations have you?!?