Cochon555 – Chicago

Cochon555 is a national culinary competition and Sunday they were in Chicago at Morgan Manufacturing. It was a night full of pork, wine, spirits and great people. Five chefs compete using five hogs to create dishes that ticket holders vote on. The winner from each city meets in Aspen June 20th for the Grand Cochon […]

Dinner on the Amalfi Coast at Osteria Angelo Masuccio – Salerno, Italy

Welcome to the Amalfi Coast, breathtaking views and amazing food – see for yourself! Osteria Angelo Masuccio is a tiny authentic Italian restaurant in Salerno. I discovered cannolicchi and the best homemade pasta with truffle shavings! Salerno is an affordable option for a base to check out the different towns along the Amalfi Coast. The […]

Lunch at Solbar – Calistoga, CA

“You have to eat at Solbar.” After hearing this repeatedly I made my way to Solbar a Michelin Star-rated restaurant in the Solage Resort in Calistoga. A huge outdoor patio full of beautiful trees and surrounded by mountains is a great way to take in Napa. The 95 degree day prompted me to sit inside […]

Brunch at Bread and Wine – Irving Park

With Easter approaching I found Bread and Wine thanks to OpenTable’s Chicago restaurants page featuring openings for Easter brunch. Housed in a former laundromat (with parking in front!) the space is a cozy wood filled room with a bar, chef’s table and small retail space stocked with wine and locally made snacks. Welcomed warmly we […]

I Died & Went to Wine Heaven – Drake Hotel, Chicago

I was lucky to be invited to the Winebow Vintage Portfolio Tasting at the Drake Hotel by Anna Lisa Tempestini. She is the proprietor and winemaker at Fattoria Resta in Buonconvento, Tuscany. Hundreds of wines were showcased from around the world. Getting in early was nice as it gave me time to peruse the tables and […]

Italian Food Lover’s Dream – Ciao, Eataly Chicago!

Mario Batali’s Eataly opened on Monday and is basically Disneyland for foodies. Remember when Whole Foods opened up their store in Lincoln Park and you felt like you could spend hours in there? Well this feels like Whole Food times ten. Two levels full of all the groceries, wine, food, cookbooks and kitchenware you could […]

Pastoral in Lakeview = Best Neighborhood Shop

Imagine a spot where you can stop in and find the perfect bottle of wine, craft beer, cheese, olives, jams, and chocolates for the dinner party/housewarming gift/Ravinia outing/picnic and you are probably thinking of Pastoral. Not only do they have all of these things (several items are local as well) but also they serve THE […]

Boxed Wine, It’s All About The Temp: The Salt : NPR

I have some fond memories of celebrations that involved Franzia so I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for boxed wine. The upside of boxed wine becoming trendy is the bar for quality has been raised. The integrity of the wine will depend, however, on the storage temperature. NPR points out: “Perhaps the […]

Oregon Chardonnay Finds Its Voice – NYTimes.com

This weather is getting warmer and that gets me to start thinking about white wine again. A good friend of mine is a wine maker in Oregon at the Lemelson Vineyards. As any winemaker he is proud of what is produced but so is the wine drinking world. The New York Times rates their reserve […]

Wine Bar In The Works: ‘Check, Please’ Host Patners With Bistronomic Owners

Fans of Check Please!, the show that lets every day people review their favorite Chicago area restaurant, will be happy to know that the host Alpana Singh is opening a wine bar in River North. No word of exact location or estimated opening date but I will be on the look out for more […]