Waterleaf in Glen Ellyn to Host Octoberfest Wednesday, Oct., 16 - Saturday, Oct. 19

Waterleaf restaurant (425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, 630-942-6881) is offering a special three-course prix fixe dinner menu in celebration of Oktoberfest, Wednesday, October 16 through Saturday, October 19. The special Oktoberfest menu includes a first course of Gnocchi with Parmesan sauce and prosciutto paired with choice of Lagunitas PILS Czech Style Pilsner or Two Brothers Side Kick Extra Pale Ale; entrée of Braised Beef Short Rib in French country Ale paired with Lagunitas Little Sumpin "Sumpin" Ale or Two Brothers Domaine DuPage French Country Ale, and dessert, Peche Mel Belgium Ale with Peach Juice from Brasserie Dubuisson from Belgium & ice cream floater.  The cost is $38 plus tax and gratuity.

 

Waterleaf Fall Cooking Classes Scheduled

Waterleaf Executive Chef Nadia Tilkian is offering a series of fall cooking classes at Waterleaf (425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, 630-942-6881) beginning with a class on braising, 10 a.m. to noon, October 26. Nadia will be teaching guests how to prepare Braised Beef Short Ribs and Pork Shoulder. The cost of $35 per person.

Additional cooking classes will be held throughout the fall including a Nov. 16 class on "How to Make the Most of Your Thanksgiving Leftovers" and one on December 14 on "Entertaining Made Easy".  All classes are held from 10 a.m. to noon. Details will be available on the Waterleaf website at http://www.waterleafrestaurant.com or by calling the restaurant at  630-942-6881.

Magic Hat Brewing Company Beer Dinner at Francesca's al Lago

June 13, 6:30 p.m. – Francesca’s al Lago (111 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Madison, WI 53703, 608-255-6000)

Francesca’s al Lago will play host to the Magic Hat Brewing Company Beer Dinner, a decadent five-course dinner created by Chef di Cuisine Sergio Lopez, with beer accompaniments.  Tickets are $50 per person excluding tax and gratuity.  Reservations are required. 

The meal starts with Insalata Rucola e Salsa di Limone, with Baby spinach & arugula, blood oranges, candied spicy pecans tossed with light citrus champagne vinaigrette and talleggio cheese; this pairs nicely with Circus Boy (Hefeweizen).  Next will be Capesante con Pancetta e Finocchio, a Pan seared jumbo scallop topped with apple and bacon-brandy compote on a bed of shaved fennel paired with Blind Faith (India Pale Ale).  The third course features Cappellacci di Carne e Funghi, Braised beef filled cappellacci in a mushrooms-bacon ragu topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese paired with Magic Hat (“Not Quite Pale Ale”).  Next comes Filetto di Maiale con Salsa di Mirtilli e Polenta , Almond crusted pork tenderloin in a cranberry-port wine reduction sauce served with mascarpone cheese polenta cake with beer pairing, Over the Pils (Imperial Pilsner).  Finally the dessert course will feature Crostata di Limone con Panna Montata, a Tart filled with lemon curd topped with blue berries and whipped cream  paired with Elder Betty (Hefeweizen).

Lagunitas Brewery Beer Dinner at Francesca’s Passagio – It’s “Doggone Good Beer”

April 12, 7:00 p.m. – Francesca’s Passaggio (3124 South Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564; 630-946-0600)

Whether your beer of choice is a pilsner or pale ale, Lagunitas Brewery is sure to make you a believer in their brews. Enjoy 5 beer selections expertly paired with Francesca’s food. Tickets are $45 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

The beer dinner begins with Carpaccio di Cernia con Finnocchietto Selvatico e Pompelmo, grouper “Crudo” with shaved fennel, grapefruit sea salt, extra virgin olive oil. Lagunitas crispy wheat and pale malt A Little Sumpin’, makes the perfect companion. This is followed by Gambetta di Pollo al Rosmarino, citrus marinated chicken thighs pan seared in rosemary and chiles oil, paired with IPA, India Pale Ale. The third course features Agnolotti con Funghetti, homemade pasta filled with Prosciutto, caramelized onion in a mushroom sauce and Parmigiano. It is a perfect pair for Wilco Imperial, brown Ale. Next is Pesce Bianco Delicato con Faglioni, roasted Lake Superior Whitefish, French Beans, lemon-butter sauce, paired with New Dogtown, Super premium Pale Ale. The meal finishes Mousse di Cioccolato, chocolate Pot au Cream, and is paired with The Censored, rich Copper Ale.

Goose Island Beer dinner at Francesca’s Vicinato

April 12, 6:30 p.m. – Francesca’s Vicinato (12960 S. LaGrange Road, Palos Park, IL 60465; 708-671-1600)

Chef Mario Lopez of Francesca’s Vicinato serves a savory Italian meal with courses paired perfectly with famed Goose Island beers.  Jim De Bolt of Goose Island leads the meal, educating diners on food & beer pairings at this fun, festive dining event.  Reservations are required, $45 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.

The evening starts with Crostini misti, an assortment of crostini’s paired with 312 Urban Wheat Ale. This is followed by Insalata Mista con Gamberi e Granchio, frisee, arugula, lemon & olive oil, jumbo shrimp wrapped in prosciutto stuffed with crab meat, pepper aioli and aged balsamic. It is a perfect pair for Summertime, German Style Kölsch. The third course features Papardelle con Anatra, homemade wide pasta, duck confit, asparagus, roasted artichokes, brown butter sage and parmigiano reggiano. A Nut Brown Ale makes the perfect companion. Next is Lombo di Maiale al Vicinato, grilled pork tenderloin, caramelized onion mashed potatoes, grilled peach and balsamic rosemary demi-glaze, paired with Matilda, Belgian Style Pale Ale. The meal finishes with Brownie alla Moda, chocolate caramel pecan brownie served warm with chocolate sauce, caramel sauce and vanilla gelato paired with Bourbon County Bramble.