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.