Bacon Makes Everything Better… Baconfest & Francesca’s Forno!

Chicago’s hottest ticket in town is Baconfest on April 14th.  If you weren’t lucky enough to snag a ticket (they’ve been sold out for weeks), get in on the fun at Francesca’s Forno.  In conjunction with the event, they’ll be featuring their Baconfest creation in-house for restaurant guests on Saturday, April 14th… Yes, the same creation to which only Baconfest ticket holders are privy.  Get your bacon-fix at Francesca’s Forno!

Start your weekend out right with Friday night music events at Francesca’s

Sit back, relax & unwind with friends at Francesca’s Bellezza every Thursday 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. & Friday night from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Live jazz, a glass of wine & a bite to eat will make the hustle-bustle of your work week seem like a distant memory.  Seats are first come, first serve and there is never a cover charge, so arrive early!

Raise a glass to the end of tax season with a Wine dinner event at Francesca’s Bryn Mawr

April 17, 7 p.m. – Francesca’s Bryn Mawr (1039 W Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL 60660; 773-506-9261)

Uncle Sam’s annual day of reckoning is upon us…. (drum roll please) TAX DAY.  If April 15th is a day to celebrate in your household, chances are you are receiving a tax refund; but if you owe, the tone is surely not so upbeat.  Whether you are drowning your sorrows or toasting to your own financial windfall, we have an event for you.  “Uncle Sam meet Auntie Vino” is a 4-course wine dinner hosted by Francesca’s Bryn Mawr.  Guest speaker, Danny Kleiman, of Heritage Wines takes you through a guided tour of Italian wine varietals paired with an innovative Francesca’s menu.  $48 plus tax & gratuity, reservations required.

The evening begins with Citrus House cured Salmon with shaved fennel and extra virgin olive oil. This is paired with Voveti Prosecco DOC. Following this is English pea filled ravioli, soft poached hen egg, in a parmesan broth with browned butter asparagus, paired with Inama Soave Classico 2010. The next course features Prosciutto wrapped seared ahi tuna with braised pork cheeks, morels, and spring onions. The Endrizzi Teroldego 2009 wine pairs perfectly with this course. The dinner ends with Grilled lamb chop with sweet garlic puree, petit spring vegetables, anise scented lamb au jus. Tenuta Sant’ Antonio Valpolicella Ripasso Monti Garbi 2008 is paired with this course.

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.