Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Debuts Bar la Carte Menu

 Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (25 E. Ohio St., Chicago, 312-329-9463 and Lincolnshire, 960 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, 847-793-0333) continues to set the standard in steakhouse dining with the introduction of its new Bar la Carte Menu. Served exclusively in the bar, the menu offers Fleming’s guests six all-new satisfying dishes available any time, any evening. More substantial than appetizers or the typical “bar bites” found at many restaurants, the addition of this Bar la Carte menu makes Fleming’s bar as much a destination for food as it is for wine and cocktails.
   
“Our Bar la Carte menu is a reason to visit Fleming’s any night of the week,” says Russell Skall, Fleming’s Executive Chef. “This isn’t what you usually think of as bar food, instead these are distinctive dishes with a great mix of bold flavors and textures, served in generous portions meant for sharing. Even in the bar, we want to offer our guests a memorable dining experience.”


Each dish had to pair well with both wine as well as a variety of cocktails and beer, and be easily sharable. After a full year of testing and tasting six new items were selected.

The new Bar la Carte menu includes: Salt and Pepper Shrimp served with crispy fried green beans, thin slices of lemon, and a caper-mustard dipping sauce; Prime Steakhouse Meatballs in a spicy peppercorn sauce with shitake mushrooms; Fleming’s Original Prime Rib Melt is slow roasted prime rib stacked on a toasted parmesan baguette with Swiss cheese, sautéed mushrooms, whole-grain mustard, horseradish slaw, and au jus for dipping; Filet Mignon Flatbread is topped with Danish Blue and Monterey jack cheeses, and red onion confit; Cedar-Roasted Mushroom & Artichoke Flatbread has Monterey jack cheese, roasted Christopher Ranch garlic, and roasted red peppers; and Fleming’s Housemade Burrata is served with charred cherry tomatoes, fresh wild arugula, and toasted garlic crostinis.

One additional offering, the Prime Burger, is borrowed from Fleming’s celebrated “5 for $6 ‘til 7” menu. It is served with Wisconsin cheddar cheese, peppered bacon and Fleming’s signature onion rings. “When we were tasting new dishes for the Bar la Carte menu, we knew we had to include the Prime Burger,” comments Skall. “It’s unbelievably popular.”

“Our goal remains as always, to offer an exceptional dining experience, whether it’s in the dining room or in the Fleming’s bar, says Skall.

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).

“Francesca’s Favorites” cooking demonstration

Francesca’s Passaggio (3124 S. Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564, 630-946-0600)

 

Francesca’s Passaggio will be firing up the grill at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12 for a cooking class demonstrating some of “Francesca’s Favorites.”  This is your chance to learn the secrets to some of Francesca’s best and most popular recipes.  A Francesca’s chef will take you through a five course meal from appetizer to dessert and show you how to re-create each dish at home. The class costs $50 per person not including tax or gratuity.  Registration is required.

The appetizer course will be Bruschette alla Romana, followed by Insalata Asparagi. Next, students will learn to execute a pasta course of Linguine con Mare e Monti.  The entree course will be Pollo Arrosto alla Romana, followed by a dessert of Frutta di Sottobosco al Mascarpone.

Upcoming Events at Chicago French Market

June 7, 2012 - Rush Hour Music with Pat Spaeth

4-7 p.m. Complimentary

Notable accordion musician Pat Spaeth will share her musical expertise at The Chicago French Market.  Cast your troubles aside and enjoy traditional French music before your evening commute

June 7, 2012 – Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine Monthly Wine Tasting

5-7 p.m. Complimentary

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine will be hosting its monthly wine tasting held the first Thursday of the month.  Come and enjoy a tasting of several varieties of artisan wines.

June 13, 2012 - Lunch Hour Music with Matt Cantlon

11-2 p.m. Complimentary

Chicago musician Matt Cantlon has been playing guitar and singing for over 20 years. The Chicago French Market is pleased to have him perform a lunch hour concert featuring a selection of classics, rock, country and pop songs for your enjoyment.

June 21, 2012 - Make Music Chicago

Throughout the Afternoon, Complimentary

Come and enjoy the musical talents throughout the day at Make Music Chicago. The festival is complimentary for both musicians and audiences.

June 21, 2012 - Rush Hour Music with Coventry Jones

4-7 p.m. Complimentary

Coventry Jones is a Bob Dylan-inspired singer/songwriter from Milwaukee, WI.  Coventry combines critically acclaimed vocals with style ranging from Folk, Celtic and Blues. Come and enjoy his complimentary concert before your commute home.

June 27, 2012 - Lunch Hour Music with Gabrielle Browdy

11-2 p.m. Complimentary

Thirteen year old Gabrielle Browdy will be performing a complimentary concert at The Chicago French Market.  While she may be young, Gabrielle is an accomplished and talented musician who has accomplished the art of singing a variety of styles.  This is a great way to spend your lunch hour with friends and co-workers. 

 

Saturday July 14, 2012 – Bastille Day Celebration

1-3 p.m. Complimentary

Come and enjoy the great Greta Pope for a Bastille Day celebration at Chicago French Market.  Cabaret and champagne will be the perfect way to spend your Saturday afternoon.