Davanti Enoteca spices up your weekend mornings with a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar

Have you been bitten by the Davanti bug? The hottest destination in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood just got hotter (or spicier) with the addition of a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar for Saturday & Sunday brunch.  You can choose from 10-15 different hot sauces, various pickled veggies such as cucumbers, carrots, white asparagus, green beans, cauliflower and of course the classic garnishes like limes, olives or celery. Sundays are “Sinful Sundays” you can enjoy this classic brunch beverage, made just as you like it for only $5. Brunch is served every weekend from 11a.m. to 3 p.m.

Francesca's Chefs in Divine Dine and Wine

Jonathan Beatty of Davanti Enoteca (1359 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607; 312-226-5550) and Kevin Ives for Francesca’s restaurants are participating in the West Central Association Chamber of Commerce’s Divine Dine and Wine 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, February 9 at Venue One (1044 West Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60612; 312-327-0111). 

Anne Burrell, star of the Food Network's "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" and author of Cook Like a Rock Star will also be at the event.

Divine Dine and Wine celebrates the locally and nationally recognized restaurants in the West Central Association’s area: the West Loop, Fulton Market, Fulton River District, Randolph Street, Greektown and Taylor Street. Guests will have the opportunity to sample food and wine from participating restaurants and participate in a silent auction to the Chamber of Commerce’s future endeavors. Tickets for non-members are $85 per person and can be purchased online at http://www.wcachicago.org/buytickets.html. 

Divine Dine and Wine is a great way to celebrate some of the great restaurants in Chicago and pave the way for more innovations and development in the area.

Italian Piedmont Wine Dinners at Francesca's Chicago-area Locations

Three Chicago-area Francesca's Restaurants are hosting Italian Piedmont wine dinners featuring the wines of Michele Chiarlo, a modernist in a very traditional region.

 January 19, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s by the River (200 S. Second St., St. Charles, IL 60174; 630-587-8221)
January 24, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s Famiglia (100 E. Station St., Barrington, Il 60010; 847-277-1027)
January 27, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s Vicinato (12960 S. LaGrange Rd., Palos Park, IL 60465; 708-671-1600)

Gino Catalano, a Chicago native and an Italian wine importer Kobrand Corp., will be speaking about the wines during the evening as well. This five-course meal is $65 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.
The meal starts with Ostrica Crudo, Kumamodo oysters with pear, lemon and basil paired with a 2010 Michele Chiarlo Gavi. This is followed by Polpo Grigliato, grilled octopus with fagioli gigantic, marinated sundried tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette. This pairs excellently with a 2009 Barbera d’ Asti "Le Orme." The third course features Coniglio Cacciatore, braised rabbit with crushed San Marzano tomato sauce, cipollini onions and herbs. A 2008 Barbaresco makes a great pair for this course. Filetto e Tartufo, grilled filet mignon with truffled risotto follows this course and makes a superb pair for a 2007 Barolo "Tortoniano." The evening ends with Chiacchera al Limone, fried dough with ricotta dolce, lemon curd and acacia honey. This is the perfect companion for a 2010 Moscato "Nivole."

Piedmont tasting at Davanti
Davanti Enoteca (1359 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607; 312-226-5550) is hosting an informal wine tasting and Question and Answer Session with Gino Catalano of Italian importer Kobrand Corp. 7 p.m. Monday, January 23. Guests will be able to taste Piedmont wines while Catalano shares his insights and answers questions. Davanti Enoteca will also have unique chef’s pairings at this tasting event. 

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Grand Chefs Gala January 27 Oscar-like Benefit for Foodies

GRAND CHEFS GALA

¡VIVA LA REVOLUCIÓN! Come celebrate the 15th annual Grand Chefs Gala/Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence 6 p.m. Friday, January 27. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is again bringing Chicago’s finest chefs to the stunning Fairmont Chicago, Millennium (200 N. Columbus Dr., Chicago).  The diverse collection of award-winning culinary artists will each prepare and present their signature dishes for more than 750 guests. Your senses will be liberated when ¡Havana! showcases mouth-watering food, festive decór, and premium silent and live auction items. The Oscar-like atmosphere will be abuzz when the Jean Banchet Awards are bestowed upon Chicago’s outstanding chefs, restaurants, catering companies, mixologists, and sommeliers in their respective categories. The only weapons you'll need for this insurgence are hope, joy, generosity, kinship and, above all, celebration. !VIVA PARA UNA CURA!


This year's chef chair is Curtis Duffy of Grace. More than 40 chefs and mixologists will be featured including Davanti Enoteca’s Jonathan Beatty. Other chefs and their respective restaurants include: Blackbird, David Posey; The Bristol, Chris Pandel; Gaetano's, Gaetano DiBenedetto; Heaven on Seven, Jimmy Bannos; Inovasi, John des Rosiers; Lockwood, Greg Elliott; Mercadito, Patricio Sandoval; Piccolo Sogno, Tony Priolo; The Purple Pig, Jimmy Bannos, Jr.; Rockit Bar & Grill, James Gottwald & Amanda Downing;Vie, Nathan Sears;

The Fairmont Chicago, Brad Parsons; BOKA, , James Gottwald & Amanda Downing; The Bristol and Balena, Amanda Rockman; Pump Room at Public Chicago, Kady Yon; and Sarah's Pastries and Candies, Sarah Levy.


Visit here for a complete list of chefs and mixologists. Purchase tickets here.


EVENING PROGRAM

5:30pm – 6:30pm
VIP Reception – Ambassador Room
for silver sponsors and above and their guests

6:00pm
Cocktail Reception and Hors d’oeuvres – International Ballroom
featuring Chicago ’s Finest Chefs

8:00pm
Dinner and Program – Imperial Ballroom
featuring dinner prepared by The Fairmont Chicago Chef, Brad Parsons
Master of Ceremonies - Steve Dolinsky
Presentation of the Founders' Award
Presentation of the Jean Banchet Awards presented by Chef Jean Banchet
Presentation of Eurest People's Choice Award
Live Auction, Bid for a Cure and Silent Auction

9:30pm – 12:00am
Nightcap - Imperial Ballroom
featuring Chicago ’s Finest Pastry Chefs and Chicago ’s Hottest Mixologists
Dancing to live music by Matt Lewis and The Union

Black Tie Preferred



TICKET INFORMATION

All proceeds help benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's research for a cure.

Please see our Sponsorship page for information on table purchases and sponsorship info.

Individual Ticket $400 (includes Nightcap)
$235 of each ticket is tax deductible.

"Nightcap" Ticket $75
$55 of each ticket is tax deductible.
9:30p-12:00a
Desserts, Mixologists and Dancing

[Side note] Attention all charities and non-profits: Do you have an event or news that you'd like to publicize? Here at Kurman Communications, we are proud to feature FRT- Free Release Tuesdays. Send us news on your upcoming event, including links, photos, etc. We'll pick our top selections and post them right here on the Got Buzz blog! Got Buzz receives thousands of page views monthly by consumers and journalists who are looking for things to do and content to feature. KCI is pleased to help you spread the news!