Lunch Hour Music with Chris Goranson at the Chicago French Market this Wednesday

Wednesday January 29
Lunch Hour Music
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Complimentary
Chris Goranson

Noted Chicago jazz guitarist and Chicago French Market favorite, Chris Goranson returns 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 29 for the market's lunch time entertainment. Chris Goranson is a 26-year-old musician that grew up in Libertyville. Goranson is a guitar teacher with a degree in Jazz Performance from Northern Illinois University. Currently, he plays in a rock band called OurGlass, who has had several gigs at Ace Bar in Lincoln Park and Our Glass recently performance for JBTV.  

Lunch Hour Music with Anselmo Marquez at the Chicago French Market this Saturday

Saturday January 25
Lunch Hour Music
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Complimentary
Anselmo Marquez

Singer and solo guitarist Anselmo Marquez has played a variety of music genres for more than 35 years. His repertoire includes pop, rock, jazz, classical, folk, blues, Latin and flamenco music.   This will be Anselmo first time playing at the Chicago French Market. He performs frequently at the Mecenat Wine Bistro in Western Springs and has performed at the French Market in Western Springs and Lisle.  Anselmo also performs with rock and blues bands as a lead guitarist and singer. You can catch Anselmo at the Chicago French Market 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 25.

Enjoy a complimentary Pastoral "Staff Favorites" wine tasting after work!

Thursday January 23
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine - Pastoral Wine Tasting
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Complimentary

It's no secret that at Pastoral, they love wine. That's why they're excited to celebrate a selection of staff favorites for the month of January.  Stop by Pastoral at the Chicago French Market to learn why these wines made the cut and pick up a bottle or two to take home!

Romantic picnic by your fireplace? Have Pastoral Artisan fix the food for you!

This winter, escape from the cold and turn a quiet night at home into the perfect date with a picnic for two from Pastoral. Call from your office and Pastoral will have your gourmet picnic and a perfect wine pairing ready for you to take home!  

With favorites including the French Countryside to Tapas for Two, Pastoral Picnics are sure to delight. Can't find what you're looking for? Let Pastoral know what you're craving and they will help you put together the perfect picnic medley.

Lunch Hour Music with Annalee Hooson at the Chicago French Market Wednesday, January 15

Wednesday January 15
Lunch Hour Music
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Complimentary
Annalee Hooson

Annalee is a Jazz vocalist and guitarist keeping Jazz alive and pulsing all around Chicagoland.  She performs a classic yet modern take on Jazz, Blues, and R&B that resonates the soul of any audience. 

Performing since age 13, Annalee began her musical journey as a folk singer/songwriter with the help of her first love, Joni Mitchell. Venturing into jazz began when she started listening to artists like Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. "It was the first time I couldn't sing something back on the first try. It was a challenge, I was curious, and so I fell in love." Since then, Annalee has continued to dive into the world of jazz and all its variations. "I have so much to learn and this music never ceases to show me that." Her album "Seul" came out in summer of 2010, a compilation of standards and Annalee's original music. Since then she has released a Christmas album (2011) and her most recent solo album "Color Blind Love" (2012).

Annalee, who is a market favorite, captivates audiences of all ages with its effortless balance of old and new. Annalee comes to the Chicago French Market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. , Wednesday, January 15. You won't want to miss this performance, make sure to stop by and enjoy the sound.

Lavazza Espression suggests Peppermint Bark Mocha for the cold January days

Savor the season with Lavazza Espression.  

Wrap your scarfs around your neck and your hands around a seasonal specialty:

Peppermint Bark Mocha: 
Decadent Italian drinking chocolate infused with peppermint bark and combined with espresso and steamed milk. $3.95-4.95

Friday's Gift
Treat yourself to a free espresso beverage every Friday with the purchase of a pound of whole bean coffee.

Lavazza Espression is inside the Chicago French Market (131 N Clinton, 60661). 

Win a pan of lasagna from Sam's Gourmet at the Chicago French Market

Win a Pan of Lasagna

Each week in January, Sam's Gourmet Lasagna is offering a local business the opportunity to win a pan of lasagna for their office.   Stop by Sam's Gourmet Lasagna & Pasta at Chicago French Market and drop off your business card for entry. No purchase is necessary.

Sam's Gourmet Lasagna & Pasta kicks off the New Year with additions to its core menu. New items include: Blackened Shrimp N Spinach Lasagna, Steak N Potato Lasagna with Signature Steak Sauce, Rigatoni with Lemon-Lime Pot Roast and Sam's Gourmet Lasagna & Pasta Signature Pasta Sauce.


Sam's offers daily complimentary samplings from 11 am-1 pm and 4:30 pm - 6 pm. 

For advance orders, call 312-775-0057.

Looking for the perfect dish to warm you up during the winter doldrums? Visit Klay Oven Kitchen

January specials: 

Chicken Biryani and Tandoori Chicken (both $7.50 each). Chicken Biryani is a popular aromatic basmati rice dish loaded with fabulous spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, coriander, cumin and mint. It's a regal dish, fit for a king and was probably eaten by many too! This makes the perfect one-dish meal for when you have company or to enjoy alone. 

The second January special, Tandoori Chicken is chicken marinated in yogurt with added numerous spices, a traditional tandoori delight. The name comes from the type of cylindrical clay oven, a tandoor, in which the dish is traditionally prepared. It's all authentic and fresh at Klay Oven Kitchen (inside Chicago French Market, 131 N Clinton, 60661). 

Wisma is offering customers a $20 Gift Card with any $50 Purchase.

It's time to change the way you eat at home. So what's stopping you? Start off the New Year healthy.

Wisma at the Chicago French Market provides the perfect solution for those 2-3 times a week when you don't have time to prep and cook meals, but can't afford or don't have time to go out to eat. 

Everything Wisma cooks is made from scratch.  They make all of their own sauces, dressings, salads, pastas, sandwiches, entrees, and even desserts and ice cream. They use honest, natural ingredients, with nothing artificial, processed, or covered in corn syrup.  All ingredients can be pronounced by a 6 year old.  They also do not use any preservatives and nothing is ever frozen (except for the ice cream).


To get you started, Wisma will be offering its Chicago French Market customers a free $20 gift card with any $50 purchase.  Wisma makes everything at their Northshore store every day, and they do it from scratch with integrity and openness.   All of their cuisine is fully cooked, packaged, and ready for you to take home or enjoy at the market, as you wish. 

Celebrate National Soup Month and National Baking Month at Delightful Pastries

January is National Soup and National Baking Month. One might not think of going to a bakery for homemade soup, but Delightful Pastries at the Chicago French Market offers a complete menu of both sweet and savory goodies. Warm up with a selection of delicious homemade soups. Stop by for a complimentary tasting of its two gluten free offerings: Butternut Squash Soup with purely of roasted butternut squash and chicken broth or Split Pea Soup with pea, potato, carrot and bacon. Other soups include homemade Clam Chowder with clams, potato, bacon and cream, Chicken Noodle, and Beef Mushroom Barley Soup with beef, barley, carrot, onion and mushroom. All soups this month are only $3.50 a cup. Soups choices rotate daily. 


One of the reasons you may choose to buy from a bakery rather than purchase packaged baked goods is that you want to believe that the ingredients are pure. You can be sure at Delightful Pastries as it has built its reputation on fresh, made-from-scratch cooking using family recipes without preservatives or other fillers. "We believe that every customer deserves the best quality food just like we make them at home." said partner Robert Hawryszczuk. Delightful Pastries is highlighting several of its baked goods this month. Start the year off sweetly with yummy cream puffs -- January 2 is National Cream Puff Day. Other January specials at Delightful Pastries include pistachio and other shortbread specials on January 6 for National Shortbread Day and mini and full pie specials (apple, pecan and more) for National Pie Day on January 23, Chocolate Cake on January 27, National Chocolate Cake Day and buttery croissants on National Croissant Day, January 30. 

Delightful Pastries is located at the Chicago French Market, 131 N. Clinton St., Chicago; 312-234-9644.

Bello Tea celebrates tea traditions this January at Chicago French Market

The National Tea Association has dedicated the month of January as National Hot Tea month and Bello tea is ready to celebrate!  January is the perfect time to try something news. Bello Tea is offering a complimentary tea tasting 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. 

Hands-on Matcha Green Tea Experience - Great Mid-Day Energy Pickup.  

The elaborate and refined Japanese tea ceremony is meant to demonstrate respect through grace and good etiquette. Experience an abbreviated authentic tea ceremony at Bello Tea to learn and expand your knowledge of Matcha.  The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea. In Japanese, it is called chanoyu or sadō, chadō. The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance, is called otemae .  This interactive demonstration and tasting gets you involved. Bello Tea explains how to prepare Matcha and you'll do it yourself. Matcha classes are $6 per person and available 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Bello Teat at the Chicago French Market has seating for three people at a time. Reservations are recommended.

Would you like to win a blender bottle?   Enter the drawing by telling Bello Tea what your favorite Bello Tea product is.  Winners will be notified at the end of January.  No Purchase is necessary.

Good luck. January 31 is Chinese New Year's and Bello Tea is inviting you to celebrate. Stop by its booth at the Chicago French Market and pick up your red envelop. In Chinese and other Asian societies, a red envelope or red packet is a gift which is given during holidays or special occasions with wishes of good fortune, health and happiness. See what surprise you have in store. 

Superior Nut and Candy is offering Holiday Gift Packs

Whatever the occasion – holiday party, home entertaining, family, friend and employee gifts – there's something for everyone at Chicago French Market (131 N. Clinton St., Chicago IL, 60661; 312-575-0306) this December.

 

Superior Nut and Candy is offering Holiday Gift Packs from $4.95 to $20.95 or you can design your own.   Choose from freshly roasted nuts or add in chocolate covered nuts, raisins or your favorite treat.  Perfect for corporate, hostess gifts or just a small thank you to recognize the people in your life.  Don't' forget your teachers or postman.

Shop Oh Olive! for all of your unique gift baskets, corporate gifts and more

Shop Oh Olive! for all of your unique gift baskets, hostess gifts, wedding favors, corporate gifts and more. Oh Olive! offers beautiful baskets and complimentary gift wrapping.

 

Sugar, spice and everything nice for your holidays.  Treat yourself and your friends to Galena Garlic Spice Blends, special 5 for $30, a $5 savings.

 

Also on special during December, buy your favorite ultra-premium olive oil and a dipping spice blend and save $2 on your purchase.

 

Holiday Mulled wine with Bisschopswijn Mulled Wine & Cider Spices. Everyone can enjoy the recipe by using this amazing spice blend to flavor apple juice, cider, or cranberry juice and serve hot.  Recipes included with purchase, $12.95. Bisschopswijn spices steeped with fruit juices, wine and brandy make a delicious, fragrant hot drink for the holidays.

 

 

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine recreates their 'Love Sandwich'

It's a love sandwich at Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine!

 

Pastoral is so excited Oprah chose its Truffle Cheese Trio for her Favorite Things 2013 list, that it is recreating her famous 'love sandwich,' featuring roasted local turkey breast, Sottocenere truffle cheese, lemon artichoke pesto, red onions and field greens, all served on a fresh baguette.

This one-of-a-kind sandwich is available for a limited time only!

Early Bird Shopper Alert

Beginning the week of Thanksgiving and lasting through the end of the year, Pastoral will be open for retail sales weekdays at The French Market starting at 8 a.m. for all you early bird shoppers. Lunch service will continue to start at 10 a.m. Pastoral is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, closed Sunday.

 

Introducing... Little Goat Catering!

Introducing... Little Goat Catering! 

 

Whether you're planning a luncheon or hosting a meeting at your office, let Little Goat Bread cater your event. Chose from many of Little Goat Bread's menu items, including sandwiches, chips, salads, bagels and cream cheese, pastries, and cookies. Fill out the inquiry online at littlegoatchicago.com/bread/catering, or just give them a call at  312-600-9601 to place an order. Please make sure to place your order at least 72 hours in advance. Email catering@littlegoatchicago.com with general questions.

 

Coming soon... the Sloppy Goat.

A squish squash bun piled high with savory sloppy goat and topped with a tangy rosemary slaw.

 

 

Lillie's Q has a unique gift set that is sure to bring a smile this season

Whatever the occasion – holiday party, home entertaining, family, friend and employee gifts – there's something for everyone at Chicago French Market (131 N. Clinton St., Chicago IL, 60661; 312-575-0306) this December.

 

Looking for a great gift for the barbecue fanatic in your life? Lillie's Q has a unique gift set that is sure to bring a smile this season - a box of six homemade sauces ($50, box included). Select all six of its homemade mouth-watering varieties or build your own gift box with any 6 flavors as you like.

Lavazza Espression offers Limited Edition Holiday Espresso Cups this December

Lavazza Espression

Eggnog Latte:

A nostalgic blend of eggnog, espresso, and steamed milk, topped with a light dusting of nutmeg

$3.40-$4.20

 

Peppermint Bark Mocha:

Decadent Italian drinking chocolate infused with peppermint bark and crowned with whipped cream

$3.95-$4.95

 

Limited Edition Holiday Espresso Cups

Brew up some holiday cheer with Lavazza's limited edition espresso cups!

Add a pound of your favorite espresso or a Lavazza Espression gift card for a perfect present for any occasion! $9.95

 

 

Fumare Meats & Deli will be featuring two European specialty items this December

Fumare Meats & Deli wants to bring back "Old World" traditions and will be featuring two European specialty items this December. Swedish Potato Sausage (Potatis Korv), is a fresh sausage made with ground pork and beef that is mixed with potatoes, onions, salt and pepper, $7.99/lb - This sausage is traditionally eaten during the Christmas season. Fumare also will be featuring Fresh Polish Blood Sausage, $5.99/lb - Blood Sausage is one of the most popular food items across the world and is an unusual butcher's delicacy made by cooking blood or dried blood with a filler, such as pork or other meats, which gives the sausage its dark color.

 

City Fresh Market "Party Trays" will help make hosting holiday parties easy.

Whatever the occasion – holiday party, home entertaining, family, friend and employee gifts – there's something for everyone at Chicago French Market (131 N. Clinton St., Chicago IL, 60661; 312-575-0306) this December.

 

City Fresh Market "Party Trays" will help make hosting holiday parties easy. Choose from Fruit, Veggie or Cheese; trays are custom made and priced accordingly.

 

City Fresh Market also has added a variety of homemade cakes, only $29.99 each, as well as cake by the slice for $3.99 each.  All cakes are shaped in City Fresh Market's signature square shape for easy cutting and to insure that everyone gets a similar piece.

 

City Fresh Market Fishmonger Eric is ready for all of your holiday fish needs. The fish market offers a variety of fresh seafood, including live lobster, and fish and daily specials.

 

Enjoy Lunch Hour Music with Lee Barrie at the Chicago French Market today!

Saturday, November 16
Lunch Hour Music
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Complimentary
Lee Barrie

Link to sample music

 

Lee Alec Barrie is a contemporary jazz guitarist whose style has been compared to Larry Carlton, Chuck Loeb and other popular contemporary jazz guitarists.  Barrie was professional by age 14, starting out with a teenage rock band, playing Beatles, Beach Boys and Chuck Berry tunes plus some classic R&B.

 

These early musical relationships lasted well into his twenties and he had the privilege of recording with Lipps Inc., a Minneapolis-based band best known most for its number one hit "Funkytown" in the late 70's. Barrie's evolution as a guitarist was accelerated when he began to experiment with a Roland guitar synthesizer, which allows his electric guitar to take on the sound of a wide range of instruments. He now has the opportunity to solo as a saxophonist, flutist, organist, violinist and many others, all while playing on the guitar. He chooses the instrument based on the style and mood of the song.

 

Barrie's idea for a "virtual band project, in which he plays solo over his pre-recorded jazz backing tracks, evolved naturally. Having taken a break from professional performances for a number of years, he became a self-taught jazz pianist, which gave him the technical and musical skills to arrange and record his own instrumental backing tracks at his home recording studio.

 

A lunch hour featuring the live music of Lee Alec Barrie, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, November 16 is sure to be an energizing and memorable experience.