Waterleaf's Wine Program Offers Excellence at Moderate Price Points

Waterleaf restaurant's excellent wine service, coupled with globally-influenced contemporary American cuisine, is rapidly cementing the fine dining restaurant's reputation as a top DuPage County dining destination.    

Recipient of Wine Spectator magazine's prestigious Award of Excellence in both 2012 and 2013, Waterleaf's wine program features extensive offerings that express the restaurant's philosophy and cuisine. "Our wine selections offer a wide variety of choices, both domestic and international, that are excellent accompaniments to our food and offer real value for our guests," said Jean-Pierre Leroux, Waterleaf's general manager.    

Updated regularly, Waterleaf's wine list features exceptional, yet reasonably priced wines from around the globe. International offerings include: Varichon & Clerc Brut NV, Rhone Valley, France; Prendo (Pino Grigio) from Vigneti Delle Dolomiti, Italy; 2010 Steenberg, South Africa and 2009 F. Weins-Prum (Reisling), Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett, Mosel Valley, Germany.    

Domestic favorites include: 2009 Darioush, Russian River Valley, California; 2009 Chappellet, Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley, California; 2007 Miner Family Winery, The Oracle, Napa Valley, California; and the 2009 Sequoia Grove Winery, Napa Valley, California.    

The collection also includes a global collection of after dinner dessert wines and Portos. While the collection will certainly grow over time, Leroux stressed that the emphasis remains on moderate pricing. "So far, we have succeeded in keeping wine prices down, but the wine quality very high," he said. "We want ensure an excellent wine can be enjoyed by everyone who desires the Waterleaf experience."  

Buzz About Kurman Restaurants

Congratulations to Kurman restaurants featured in the May issue of Food Arts magazine. I couldn’t agree more with the title of Barbara Revsine’s piece, “Second To None,” because it seems like genius chefs constantly invade Chicago’s restaurant scene with their talents. And who can complain about that?!

Haven’t picked up the latest issue? Not to worry, I’ve posted the Kurman restaurants here:

Sample sophisticated fare at Powerhouse Restaurant & Bar (215 N. Clinton St., Chicago; 312-928-0800), “a stylish restaurant tucked into an historic building that originally housed the power plant for a local rail line. Diners can sample full flavored starters such as slow roasted chicken thigh paired with toasted faro before tucking into equally flavorful entrees such as grilled wild striped bass with chorizo sausage.”

At Aigre Doux (230 W. Kinzie St., Chicago; 312-329-9400), the “seasonally attuned menu… features dishes like glazed duck breast partnered with huckleberry compote, rack of lamb with truffled grits, and sticky toffee pudding.”

The mag also sent kudos to Shochu (3313 N. Clark St., Chicago; 773-348-3313), where “contemporary American cuisine with an Asian edge is featured... Named for Japan’s best-selling liquor, the restaurant focuses on small plates and features cocktails made with its signature spirits.”

Listed as noteable newcomers include suburban eateries Haussmann Brasserie (305 Happ Road, Northfield; 847-446-1133) and Maijean (30 S. Prospect Ave., Clarendon Hills; 630-794-8900).

Thinking about all the stellar food at those restaurants makes me hungry. Dinner date anyone?!

Congratulations to Kurman's "Best New Restaurants"

We at Kurman Communications, Inc. are proud to announce the May issue of Chicago Magazine has named several of our clients as the city's "2008 Best New Restaurants." In case you haven't snagged a copy yet, the magazine named 21 of their favorite new spots in the city:

Congratulations to Powerhouse Restaurant and Bar (215 N. Clinton St., Chicago; 312-928-0800), named by the mag as Best New American Restaurant, "Powerhouse is located in an imposing restored 1909 building that once housed railroad generators but now harnesses a different kind of power. Chef John Peters--an alumnus of Trio, Alinea and Naha--serves up surprisingly sophisticated seasonal fare emphasizing artisinal producers in a retro supper-club atmosphere." -Dennis Ray Wheaton

Kudos are also in order for Maijean (30 S. Prospect Ave., Clarendon Hills; 630-794-8900), who earned the title Best New French Restaurant. "Chef/owner Nadia Tilkian's comfortable art nouveau bistro is named after her grandmother, and it's obvious the lady would have approved. Maijean brings traditional French and slightly eclectic cooking to a lovely suburb, and locals have welcomed it with open arms and eager bellies." -D.R.W.

Kurman was also happy to see the new Uncommon Ground location earn props as Best New Contemporary Restaurant. The Edgewater restaurant opened last winter and boasts a commitment to sustainable and local ingredients.

And let's not forget Chicago Magazine's shoutout to Shochu (3313 N. Clark St., Chicago; 773-348-3313). Shochu's opening (in late April) has been highly anticipated. I know I'm ready...show me the shochu.