Maxwell's at the Club hosts Al Fresco Wine Tasting Dinner June 26

Just in time for summer's grilling season, Maxwell's at the Club (500 N. Kingsbury St.; 312-527-5800, Ext. 301) is hosting an al fresco wine tasting dinner 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, June 26. For $35 each, guests will feast on Maxwell's favorite summer fare paired with hand selected seasonal wines.

The menu has been designed especially for this event by East Bank Club's executive sous chef and Maxwell's at the Club head chef, Rick Hall. General manager, Charles Reid, worked with Chef Hall to select wines that would best pair with dishes in each of the menu's four stations.

The first station includes Baba Ganoush with grilled pita; Lemon-Oregano Chicken Brochettes; Roasted Potatoes; and Grilled Summer Vegetable Skewers. The second station features Crostini with grilled tomatoes and fontina; Roasted Mussels; Planked Salmon; and Heirloom Tomato Salad with balsamic glaze. The third station has a Spanish theme with Southwestern Flank Steak, pico de gallo and grilled tortillas; Roasted Cauliflower; and Grilled Corn with chipotle-lime butter. The final station includes desserts like Grilled Peaches with raspberry sauce; Mini Apple Pies; and Mini Strawberry-Blueberry Shortcakes.

"We've selected a number of seasonal wines that complement the meal that Chef Hall has put together," says Reid. "We're also featuring favorite wines from Maxwell's current wine list, as well as introducing new wines that are not on the list."

Wines that have been selected for the al fresco dinner include an Alvarinho, 2007 from Portugal; and a Garnacha Rose, 2007 and Monticello, Crianza, 2004 from Spain to pair with the Spanish course. Reid has also selected Sacred Hill, Sauvignon Blanc, 2007 from New Zealand; Veramonte, Sauvignon Blanc, Reserva, 2008 from Chile; and Sonoma-Cutrer, Chardonnay, 2007 from California. Red selections include La Crèma, Pinot Noir, 2006 from California; Yangarra, Shiraz, 2006 from Australia; Rodano, Chianti Classico, 2004 from Italy. Dessert wine for the evening is Mosca Bianca Moscato d'Asti, 2007. These wines normally range $20 to $36 per bottle. from

Chefs will be on-hand at the event to answer questions and offer grilling tips to guests. Reservations for the event, which is held at Maxwell's at the Club and its nearby outdoor terrace overlooking the Chicago River, can be made by calling Maxwell's at the Club at (312) 527-5800, Ext. 301.

Maxwell's at the Club is located in Chicago's East Bank Club (500 N. Kingsbury St., 312-527-5800, Ext. 301). It is open for weekdays for lunch, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. for dinner. The bar/lounge area is open 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Valet parking is available across the street. For more information, please visit www.eastbankclub.com or www.maxwellsattheclub.com.

Dining Deals: Birch River Grill, Dine, Glen Prairie and Karma

Looking to spend $20 or less on a meal or drinks this weekend, June 5 through June 7? Visit one of these restaurants for a great deal.

Birch River Grill

75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, Ill.

(847) 427-4242

http://www.birchrivergrill.com/

Birch River Grill is offering a prix-fixe meal for dinner this weekend, June 5 through June 7. Enjoy an appetizer, entrée and dessert for only $20.

For an appetizer choose from the BRG Salad, baby greens, shredded Michigan carrots, beefsteak tomato wedges and seedless cucumber slices; Granny Apple Onion Soup, paprika parmesan croutons, Wisconsin Swiss and provolone cheese; or the Soup of the Day.

Try out one of these entrées, like the Grilled and Blackened Pork Medallions, Wisconsin white cheddar cheese grits, steamed broccolini and chipotle rémoulade sauce; Portobello Mushroom Ravioli, lemon garlic cream, shaved parmesan and julienne scallions; or the Roasted Tom Turkey Breast, smashed Yukon gold potatoes, green beans and sage pan gravy.

Cool off with Berry Sorbet, served with fresh berries, for dessert.

Birch River Grill serves rustic American gourmet comfort food. Weekend hours for the restaurant are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The lounge stays open one hour later. All major credit cards are accepted. Complimentary parking is available. For reservations or more information, please contact Birch River Grill at (847) 427-4242.

Dine
733 W. Madison St., Chicago, Ill.
(312) 602-2100
http://www.dinerestaurant.com/

This summer, join Dine for some drinks out on the patio. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. try a refreshing drink for $7 to $9.

Sip on the Tropicana, a fruity breeze with banana liquor, vodka and rum topped with pineapple juice, garnished with a sugared pineapple slice; Sunburn, an unbeatable refreshing cocktail with Grey Goose Pear, Pama and champagne, topped with cranberry juice, garnished with a cherry and lemon twist; Tangerita, a twist on the classic margarita with tequila, lime juice, triple sec and orange juice, garnished with an orange wedge; or the Mojito, the minty cool classic with rum, club soda, mint leaves, lime and sugar.

Check out the martini madness and try the Strawberry Lemonade, a vibrant concoction with Bacardi Limon, Strawberry Pucker and lemonade; Summer love, refreshing melon menagerie of Grey Goose Citron, Melon Pucker and sour mix, topped with a cherry; Blueberry Hill, Stoli Blueberi, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice and white cranberry juice, garnished with blueberry and lemon twist; or the Purple People Eater, a berry-licious brew with Bacardi Dragonberry, Chambord, and Blue Curacao, topped with cranberry juice and lime twist.

Dine is a 1940's inspired retro supper club and martini bar that serves American classics revived with a contemporary flair. Dine is open Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The martini lounge hours are noon to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and noon to midnight Friday and Saturday.

Glen Prairie

1250 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn, Ill.

(630)-613-1250

http://www.glenprairie.com/

Taste seasonal, local fare at Glen Prairie and enjoy a prix-fixe meal, prepared with locally grown, fresh ingredients. For the entire month of June, stop in for an appetizer, entrée and dessert for just $20 after 5 p.m. everyday.

Begin with the Farmer’s Garden Salad, baby greens, grilled sweet corn, green onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and champagne-cider vinaigrette for your appetizer.

For the main course, choose the Miller Farms Herb Marinated Roasted Half Chicken, grilled market vegetables and roasted fingerling potatoes; or the House-Made Spaghetti, summer squash, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and pepato cheese.

Finish up with the Daily Sorbet for dessert.

Glen Prairie serves contemporary American cuisine, with a strong emphasis on local Midwest flavors and products. Glen Prairie is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday. The lounge remains open one hour later than the restaurant each day. For more details, contact the restaurant at (630) 613-1250 or http://www.glenprairie.com/.

Karma

510 E. Route 83, Mundelein, Ill.;

(847)-970-6900
http://www.karmachicago.com/

Throughout the entire month of June, enjoy Karma’s weekend dinner special for just $20. The prix-fixe meal includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert.

For the appetizer, pick from either the Miso Soup, tofu, sautéed shitake mushrooms, scallions and roasted nori; or the Karma House Salad, crisp lettuce, napa cabbage, cucumber, daikon and carrot ginger dressing.

Choose an entrée such as the Thai Chili Beef, stir fried spiced beef tenderloin with Chinese noodles and baby bok choy, in mirin-miso beef broth (may be substituted for shrimp or chicken; Seared Breast of Peking Duck, duck confit moo shu crepe with raspberry and Thai sauce; or the Asian BBQ Salmon, forbidden rice, sweet potato crisps, wok tossed spinach, napa cabbage and shitake mushroom.

Enjoy Sorbet or Ice Cream for dessert.

Karma is a sophisticated restaurant with a zen-laced atmosphere that serves Pan-Asian cuisine. Weekend dinner hours for Karma are 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The lounge stays open one extra hour each night. Karma is located adjacent to the Crowne Plaza Chicago North Shore at 510 East Route 83, Mundelein, Ill. 60060. For reservations, call Karma at (847) 970-6900.

Ernest J. Schweit and Nancy Shumm-Burgess "Wisconsin Barns" Book Signing

Check out Ernest J. Schweit and Nancy Shumm-Burgess on WGN-TV discussing “Wisconsin Barns.” To view the segment click here.

Why barns? Shumm-Burgess and Schweit know that these historic structures are being replaced with subdivisions, resulting in a diminishing agrarian culture. Those who are left are being encouraged to update their barns with more modern and efficient structures. It is not too late to save these castles of the prairie before they are gone forever. Barns are a great symbol of American heritage and should remain the temples of the prairie.

To learn more visit http://www.saveabarn.com/ or visit http://ernestjschweit.blogspot.com/.

To see an exhibit of 24 images from the book, view them at Uncommon Ground, 1404 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, Ill.; (773) 465-9801. The show runs through August 3. Visit http://www.uncommonground.com/ for more information.

US News & World Report - On Obama, Pancakes, & Pamela's P&G

In case you missed the recent blog post in US News & World Report regarding Pamela's P&G recent pancake breakfast with Obama at the White House, here it is again complete with a terrific once in a life time graphic by Ed Wexler. Thanks Ed, Paul Bedard, Nikki Schwab and everyone at US News! It doesn't get much better than this for Pamela's P&G or their publicists at Kurman.


Obama Calls on Pittsburgh to Prepare Memorial Day Pancakes

May 30, 2009 11:53 AM ET

Paul Bedard, Nikki Schwaub

By Nikki Schwab, Washington Whispers

The prez sure has been giving a lot of love to Pittsburgh lately. He announced he'll hold the next G-20 summit in the Steel City, entertained the Pittsburgh Steelers at the White House (he divulged to the Super Bowl champs that he has a "terrible towel," the black-and-gold rag fans wave in the air), and even invited the owners of local fave Pamela's to help make Memorial Day breakfast.

Why bring in out-of-towners to do the job? One word: pancakes.

The president loved Pamela's unique, crepelike pancakes when he wolfed down a platter while campaigning for the Pennsylvania primary. So when the White House needed to make a top-notch breakfast for families who have lost a loved one at war, it was Pittsburgher Gail Klingensmith of Pamela's P&G Diners who got the call. "I thought it was a joke, everybody thought it was a joke, and it wasn't a joke," Klingensmith tells Whispers.

She and co-owner Pamela Cohen were in a frenzy at the prospect, but they quickly began making arrangements to get themselves and their secret ingredients to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When the pancake supplies arrived, Klingensmith received a text message from White House executive chef Cris Comerford: "The Eagle Has Landed."

And pancakes are just the beginning. There has been a lot of talk about the Obamas bringing all sorts of culinary talents into their kitchen. Most who have prepared food so far have been big names. Spike Mendelsohn of Top Chef fame and Spanish chef José Andrés cooked outside at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Art Smith, Oprah's former chef who now operates Art and Soul in Washington, was there for Easter, too. And we hear that he returned to the White House recently to whip up a lunch.

Illustration by Ed Wexler for USN&WR