Celebrate National Wine Day May 25 at Benny's Chop House

Wine has been an important aspect of human culture for thousands of years. Archaeologists in Speyer, Germany discovered the oldest bottle of wine in existence while excavating two Roman stone sarcophaguses in 1867. The bottle dates back to at least 325 AD. It is now on display at the History Museum of the Pfalz in Germany.

In spite of wine's longevity as a worldwide cultural staple, one might think that National Wine Day on May 25 was created with Benny's Chop House in mind. Benny's, a modern and sophisticated take on the traditional American steakhouse (444 N. Wabash, Chicago; 312-626-2444) has made its wine program one of the finest in Chicago.

Many restaurants like to boast about their Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Yet Benny's Chop House surpasses them-it is one of a select few restaurants in Chicago that has earned the Wine Spectator "Best of" Award of Excellence.

According to Wine Spectator, the "Best of" designation gives "special recognition to restaurants that clearly exceed the requirements of the Award of Excellence. These lists typically offer 400 or more selections, along with superior presentation, and display either vintage depth, with several vertical offerings of top wines, or excellent breadth across several wine regions."

"We have succeeded in creating an exceptional wine list that wine lovers will truly appreciate," said Mitchell Schmieding, Benny's Director of Operations. "Nothing makes a wonderful dining experience more memorable than an excellent, enjoyable glass or bottle of wine. Since our menu includes a great variety of dishes in addition to our USDA Prime Natural steaks, Prime Dry-aged steaks and Prime Wet-aged steaks, we have built a wine collection that complements many different foods while catering to a wide range of wine preferences."

Benny's also has a unique wine locker program that enables frequent guests to purchase wines from the wine list by the case and store them on-premises in climate controlled lockers.  

Benny's Wine List features many hard-to-find New World and Old World wines, by the glass or bottle, at a variety of price points. "We search for wines that are excellent values at whatever price level," said Schmieding. "Quality and variety are our most important criteria, and we make sure that all of our guests are given excellent guidance from one of our Sommeliers in picking the wines that fit their mood and choice of meal."

Wines by the glass range in price from $11 to $35.  Benny's will also serve a 3-ounce "half pour" serving of any wine by the glass. The pinnacle of the wines by the glass is the collection of Fine & Rare Selections, stored using the EnoMatic® preservation system which keeps the wines in their most pristine condition through the use of argon.  Benny's also offers two outstanding private label red house wines by the glass which are delicious and exceptional values: Benny's Chop House 2006 Merlot and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, both from Howell Mountain, California and priced at $17 per glass.

Benny's wines by the bottle are extensive and wide ranging-more than 1,200 labels are on hand.  Bottles range in price from $34 to an eye-popping $4,500 for the exceptionally rare and prized 2003 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti en Magnum, Èxchézeaux Grand Cru. Benny's stocks more than 200 white wines by the bottle, covering numerous styles and points of origin. Guests can choose from Champagnes and sparkling wines, including the increasingly popular Brut Rosé. Other white wines include Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Rhône Varietals, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Spanish Varietals, Mediterranean Varietals and Rosé.

In keeping with its status as a top-tier steakhouse, Benny's stocks nearly 1,000 red wines that comprise a world-class collection from across the wine spectrum. The Pinot Noirs emanate from the Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise regions of France but there are also selections from Germany, Austria, Slovenia, South America, New Zealand, Oregon and California.

Benny's Rhône wines originate in the Northern and Southern Rhône Valley of France as well as from the Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence regions, plus Australia, Washington and California. The Bordeaux wines come primarily from the Pauillac and Saint-Èstephe, Saint-Julien and Margaux regions of France, but there are also Bordeaux-style wines from Italy, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa and domestic versions from Washington and California.

The Cabernet Sauvignon collection comes primary from the United States, including the Napa Valley region and Washington. Other excellent selections originate in Australia, while there are some delicious Cabernet Franc wines from the Loire Valley of France. Merlot selections are domestic, from California and Washington, while the Malbec wines are from France, Australia and Washington.

Benny's wine list continues with an extensive collection of interesting Spanish red wines. Tempranillos are primarily from the La Rioja and Castilla-León regions, with a few domestic versions from Oregon and Washington. Wines made from the Spanish Garnacha grape are from Priorat and Catalonia regions of Spain.

Italian wines are well represented as well, with Sangiovese wines from Toscana; Barbera and Dolcetto wines from Piemonte; Nebbiolo wines from Piemonte and California; numerous regional wines from Barbaresco, Amarone della Valpolicella, Sicily, Umbria and Calabria.

Zinfandel lovers will find a varied collection of wines from California and Washington, and there are some interesting varietals including Lagrein, Gamay, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Pinotage from both the Old and New World that are not to be missed.

Of special note is Benny's global and domestic collection of half bottles (375 ml) including Champagnes, white and red wines, and dessert wines.  Other notable bottles include large format bottles from Burgundy, Bordeaux, California and Italy.  Benny's is home to the only magnum bottle of Quinta do Crasto Vinha Maria Teresa, from Portugal, in the entire state of Illinois.

 

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Photos courtesy of Benny's Chop House

Figue Mediterranean Joins the Palm Springs Restaurant Week celebration

Figue Mediterranean Restaurant (47-474 Washington Street in La Quinta, CA 92253 telephone: 760-698-9040), the new culinary gem in La Quinta, is joining other area restaurants in celebrating Palm Springs Restaurant Week, May 31 through June 16. Figue will offer a special Three Course Rustic Italian Menu created by Executive Chef François de Mélogue. 

 

"We're very proud and humbled by the many rave reviews we've received from our guests since we opened in late March and we are thrilled to offer our inaugural Restaurant Week Menu," said owner Lee Morcus. "We have designed a unique experience with delicious flavors from the Mediterranean region and are featuring Italy in June with this special rustic Italian menu along with other Italian wine, cocktail and food programs including cooking classes with Executive Chef François de Mélogue. Everything at Figue is made from the finest, freshest organic, sustainable and primarily local ingredients that are at the peak of flavor and exceedingly delicious. Our Restaurant Week menu will give new guests a chance to become acquainted with the Figue experience at a very reasonable price."

 

Figue's Restaurant Week Menu starts with a choice of four Small Plates. Choose from Garden Vegetable Panzanella, an Italian Summer Salad of Tomatoes, Sweet Peppers, Celery and Young Carrots; Seafood Bruschetta, with Calamari, Bay Shrimp and Bay Scallops served over grilled Italian Country Bread; Chicken and Ricotta Polpettine, chicken and ricotta meatballs simmered in San Marzano sauce; and San Daniele Steamed Mussels, PEI Mussels steamed with Caramelized Onions and Prosciutto.

 

The second course features a selection of specially chosen Big Plates (entrées). Choices include Gnocchi Tocco Di Carne, potato dumplings, pork & porcini sauce; Tuscan Fish and Shellfish Stew, with codfish, clams, mussels and shrimp simmered in a tomato-vegetable sauce; Shaved Pork with Summer Fruits, spit roasted pork with arugula, plums and cantaloupe; and Spit Roasted Chicken with charred corn fregula and honey balsamic glaze.

The menu concludes in spectacular fashion with choice of desserts: Citrus Panna Cotta with Organic Cherries; Pistachio, Olive Oil and Fig Cake or Chocolate and Hazelnut Bombolinis.

Those who would like to enjoy perfectly paired wines to go with each of their courses, there are two levels of wine pairings to accommodate. The price of the Three-Course Restaurant Week Menu is $38 per person. Wine pairings are priced at $15 or $25.

 

Figue's seasonal dinner menu also will be available during Restaurant Week. Learn more by visiting EatFigue.com.

Celebrate National Hamburger Month and National Salad Month All Month at Benny's Chop House

You don't need a special occasion to enjoy a delicious salad and hamburger, but when National Hamburger Month and National Salad Month are celebrated throughout the month of May, it's time to savor these American classics by enjoying the extraordinary selections at Benny's Chop House, (444 N. Wabash, Chicago; 312-626-2444).

If you want a burger that's a true culinarian's delight, you'll love the burgers at Benny's. They all are made from USDA Prime Beef that is freshly ground in-house. Benny's Burger is topped with blue cheese, port wine onions and served with a huge order of truffle fries, for only $9.99. Another scene stealer is Benny's Fried Egg and Truffle Oil Aioli Burger, $10.99, topped with delicious house-made aioli, crowned with an organic egg, and accompanied by decadent black pepper-bacon fries. Finally, if you're a burger purist, you'll love the Classic Burger, topped with your choice of cheddar or blue cheese and served with hand-cut French fries, $9.99.

National Salad Month
The Association for Dressings & Sauces launched National Salad Month in 1992 and the celebration's 21st anniversary is this May. According to SaladaDay.org, "less than 50% of the U.S. population (and 80% of women) is getting enough of the essential nutrients for optimal health." Research shows that eating just one salad a day can have a significant positive impact on your health.
 
Benny's Chop House makes it easy to get your quota of fresh organic greens. Stop by for lunch and enjoy generous salads made from the finest fresh ingredients. The Prime Steak Salad features USDA Prime beef with garden greens, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes, lightly dressed with béarnaise vinaigrette and served with hand-cut fries, $13.99. Another delicious choice is the Sesame Atlantic Salmon Salad with asparagus-fingerling potato salad and English peas and served with Dijon-miso vinaigrette, $14.99. The Asian-Blackened Chicken Salad is served with grilled pineapple, edamame, scallion, carrot, cucumber, and mint in tangy ginger vinaigrette, $11.99. The Lobster Cobb combines succulent fresh lobster with tomato, bacon, avocado, and sweet corn with tarragon vinaigrette. The Warm Spinach Salad is topped with a sunny side-up egg in a sun-dried tomato, bacon vinaigrette, $18.99, and Benny's special Caesar Salad is served with focaccia crouton, white anchovy, fresh Parmesan and a zesty Caesar dressing, $5.99 small/ $12.99 large.

Dinner guests will enjoy Benny's signature Grilled Romaine Salad with lemon-garlic vinaigrette, $8.99, a customer favorite, the Belgian Endive Salad with goat cheese, pecans and mustard vinaigrette, $8.99, or Benny's Seafood Salad with shrimp, calamari, octopus and sepia, $14.99.

Chicago-Based Innovative Floral Company is Transforming the Luxury Hospitality Floral Market

Venture-backed start-up Luxe Bloom, LLC™ saves luxury hospitality operators time and money with natural long-lasting rose arrangements made from the world's highest quality Ecuadorian roses and last up to 60 days.

Chicago based start-up, Luxe Bloom™ provides luxury hospitality operators in US hotels, fine dining restaurants and high end spas with exquisite natural, long-lasting rose arrangements on a monthly recurring basis. Luxe Bloom's luxury rose arrangements come direct to the customer's door in more than 20 colors and designs for a variety of hospitality settings. Bespoke colors and designs are also available.

With her background as a brand marketing executive for Fortune 50 companies, launching Luxe Bloom was a natural venture for Founder, Shelley Rosen . "The company was established to solve problems for luxury hospitality operators with a lens on innovation and creativity," said Rosen. "Our floral arrangements last several weeks and do not require water or refrigeration to keep their natural beauty, saving time and money while improving operating costs. Our clients consistently tell us our flower arrangements make it easy and more predictable to run all aspects of their business."

Angela Portella, Spa Director of Guerlain Spa at the Waldorf Astoria of New York commented, "Because the cost and longevity of their rose arrangements are more predictable than fresh floral, we have stabilized our floral costs with Luxe Bloom. The long lasting nature and ease of care has afforded our staff even more time to serve our important guests."

The roses are grown under Flor Ecuador® regulatory governmental agency monitoring environmental standards of Ecuadorian floral firms. Rosen stated, "It's the proximity to the equator that enables Ecuador's farmers to produce the finest flowers in the world. That is why we are closely working with the Trade Office of Ecuador in Chicago to support Keep Trade Going efforts between the U.S. and Ecuador."

"The mission of Chicago's Trade Office of Ecuador, established in 2011, is to promote Ecuador's export offer and to attract investors. One of our star products is the unparalleled Ecuadorian rose. Luxe Bloom and her President, Shelley Rosen, are great collaborators with this Trade Office," said Mr. Borys Mejia, Trade Commissioner of Ecuador in Chicago.

Given the natural aspect of the rose product and operation, a multi-tier supply chain is critical to Luxe Bloom. In addition to selling luxury flower arrangements, Luxe Bloom is the exclusive distributor of San Andres Farms long-lasting roses known as the Kiara Collection. Maria Clara Correa, CEO of San Andres Farms stated, "We are delighted to welcome Luxe Bloom into our clientele. Kiara Collection Preserved Roses and Luxe Bloom have been working together to create high-end products that meet the needs of luxury business operators. Together we are not only selling roses, but we are solving hospitality operators' problems with the long lasting nature of our rose innovation."

Investors believe in the Luxe Bloom concept and are showing their support with early stage capital. "We are pleased to have a Private Hedge Fund manager in New York and a Real Estate developer from Ann Arbor, Michigan who believe in our vision as investors," said Rosen.

Chicago investor, William Conway, of Raputs, LLC. said, "As an angel investor, I look for innovation in an early stage start-up with a leader who can execute and sell the dream. We have found this in Luxe Bloom under the direction of Shelley Rosen."

"Luxe Bloom arrangements are in hotels, spas, country clubs and restaurants in Chicago, New York, Miami, Marina Delray and now Paris," said Rosen. "With the positive feedback we are getting from luxury operators, we know we are meeting an unmet need in the commercial floral market, and we are just getting started."

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Based in Chicago, Illinois Luxe Bloom, LLC. founded in 2103 by former Fortune 50 executive, Shelley Rosen, offers natural, long-lasting rose arrangements to luxury business operators on a monthly recurring basis. Luxe Bloom roses are 100% ethically sourced from Ecuador. Due to the long-lasting innovative nature of Luxe Bloom rose arrangements, which require no water and no refrigeration, operators can save money monthly on luxury floral. Luxe Bloom was named a Finalist for the Best Innovative Products Editor's Choice Awards at the 2012 International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Show. Luxe Bloom will be exhibiting at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago, May 19-21 in Booth #9271. Visit us at: www.luxebloom.com .