Waterleaf restaurant in Glen Ellyn to host Besserat de Bellefon Champagne Dinner, Dec. 12

Waterleaf restaurant, on the campus of College of DuPage (425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn;  630-942-6881), will host a special Besserat de Bellefon Champagne Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013. The evening begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by a seasonal 4-course dinner at 7 p.m. The price is $85 per person plus tax and gratuity. Each course, with the exception of dessert, will feature one of the outstanding Champagnes from Besserat and Bellefon. "We are proud and pleased to present the wonderful Champagnes from Besserat de Bellefon, which is celebrating its 170th anniversary this year," said Jean-Pierre Leroux, General Manager of Waterleaf. "The vineyard, located in the Marne Valley of the Champagne region, is situated in an area known for its excellent Pinot Meunier grapes. The wines are noteworthy, combining years of experience with modern winemaking technique. The result is a collection of wines with a creamy froth and bubbles that are 30% finer than other Champagnes. They pair remarkably well with food; and are perfectly in tune with today's Champagne connoisseurs." The first course features Granny Smith Apple Soup, with Roasted Scallop and Meyer Lemon Cream, paired with Besserat  de Bellefon Blanc de Blancs Brut. The second course showcases Waterleaf's Warm Salad of Asparagus and Duck-Filo Roulade, with Hazelnuts and Caramelized Shallots, Cherry Vinaigrette, paired with Besserat de Bellefon Rose N.V. The entrée course presents Roasted Guinea Hen with Glazed Baby Vegetable and Ginger Sauce, paired with Besserat de Bellefon Brut N.V. and 2002 Besserat de Bellefon Brut Vintage. The finale is a dessert course featuring Pear Tart with Mint Ice Cream.   For more information or to make reservations for Waterleaf's Besserat and Bellefon Champagne Dinner on Thursday, December 12, please call Waterleaf at  630-942-6881 or visit the website at www.waterleafrestaurant.com. About Waterleaf Waterleaf restaurant is located at 425 Fawell Boulevard in Glen Ellyn, IL. The 150-seat restaurant led by General Manager Jean-Pierre Leroux and Executive Chef Nadia Tilkian is a hidden gem, nestled on the campus of the College of DuPage. Featuring moderately priced brunch, lunch and dinner options, expect to find locally-sourced ingredients on its approachable menu. In addition to a seasonal a la carte menu, Waterleaf features specials events like wine dinners, a prix-fixe 3-course dinner for $35 and an annual food & wine festival every fall. The contemporary light filled dining room is the understated counterpart to exciting eclectic cuisine. The main dining room has a modern decor and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows. Its walls display a collection of black-and-white lithographs by renowned American artist Richard Serra. There's a cozy bar area to enjoy libations and light snacks. Waterleaf restaurant has earned Diner's Choice Awards for Best Ambience, Best Overall, Best Service, Fit for Foodies and Special Occasion on OpenTable.com, where it maintains a 4.8/5.0 rating. Most recently, Waterleaf received its second consecutive 2013 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. This award, given annually to restaurants in the U.S. and 65 countries worldwide, acknowledges that Waterleaf's beverage program is consistent with its dining concept, style and price point. The restaurant is widely recognized as the dining destination of choice for foodies living and visiting Chicago's western suburbs.   Waterleaf serves lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. It is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday; dinner hours are 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Brunch is served 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call  630-942-6881 for information or reservations or visit www.waterleafrestaurant.com.   # # #

Tonight's your last chance to enjoy Craft Beer Tuesdays at Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook

Prairie Grass Cafe, located at 601 Skokie Boulevard in Northbrook, Ill. (telephone 847-205-4433), continues its special October craft beer celebration tonight (Tuesday, October 29) featuring Goose Island Brewery.

Beginning at 5 p.m., Prairie Grass Cafe guests aged 21 and over will be offered complimentary 2-oz. tastings of three featured craft beers ($10 minimum food order is required).

 

The mainstay of Chicago craft brewing, Goose Island opened it’s doors in 1988. Founder John Hall knew that Chicago’s great water source would allow him to brew beers to rival the great European beverages. Tonight’s selections mimic those of Germany, England and Belgium.

 

Featured beers:

Harvest Ale

Brewed in honor of the Harvest season this copper colored ESB is made with Cascade hops and the richest Midwestern malts. A fruity American hop aroma and a toasty malt character make Goose Island Harvest Ale an extra special beer worthy of your devotion.

12 oz Bottle—$6

Green Line—Pale Ale

Green Line Pale Ale is the beer at the heart of Goose Island's environmental sustainability initiative. A honey-colored, immensely sessionable American pale ale with a pronounced, bright, American hop aroma and citrus flavor.

 

16 oz Draft  -  $5

Matilda—Belgian Style Ale

Wild in character, with a slightly fruity aroma and a spicy yeast flavor that is as unique as it is satisfying – Matilda is an intriguing choice for beer and wine lovers alike. Dry and quenching, it’s the perfect accompaniment at the dining table or for casually socializing at the bar

12 oz Bottle—$7.5

 

 

Celebrate National Ravioli Day with Francesca's Restaurants

March 20 is one of Francesca’s Restaurants’ favorite holidays: National Ravioli Day. To celebrate, all Francesca’s locations* are offering Ravioli con Spinaci for $8.99. This delicious stuffed pasta is one of the world's favorites. What better place to celebrate than Francesca’s?

*except Francesca’s Forno

Francesca's Restaurants support Lambs Farm

Did you know you can support your community simply by eating at Francesca’s? When you dine at any Francesca’s restaurant during their Eat and Earn promotion, a portion of your bill is donated to a charitable organization in the community.

This Tuesday, March 20, all Francesca’s locations are participating in an Eat and Earn promotion to benefit Lambs Farm, a non-profit organization that helps people with developmental disabilities lead productive and happy lives. When people dine at Francesca’s and either bring in the Eat and Earn flyer about the event or mention Lambs Farm, 15% of the bill will be donated to the organization. For more information on Lambs Farm, visit www.lambsfarm.org. Enjoy a great meal and support a worthy cause by eating at Francesca's today!

For a full list of Francesca's locations, visit www.miafrancesca.com.

Charities interested in learning more about Francesca’s Restaurants Eat and Earn restaurant should contact the manager of their local Francesca’s.

Zeppoles now available at DiSotto Enoteca

DiSotto Enoteca (200 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611; 312-482-8727) is now offering zeppoles. These light and doughy Italian doughnuts are similar to beignets, but they are also filled with chocolate. Zeppoles come six to a basket, which customers can purchase for $8.00. Zeppoles are a traditional part of the Sicilian St. Joseph's Day celebration on March 19 and are sometimes called St. Joseph's Day cakes. Whether or not you're celebrating St. Joseph's Day today, stop by DiSotto Enoteca for their delicious zeppoles!

Live Music at Francesca's restaurants this March

There are several opportunities to enjoy live music at Francesca’s this month. At Francesca’s on Chestnut (200 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611; 312-482-8800), guests can experience the piano and vocal styles of Elizabeth Doyle every Wednesday and Thursday. A singer, pianist and composer, Elizabeth will accompany your dinner with musical selections from 1930s jazz pieces to current hits. Fridays and Saturdays, the Jim Guter Trio will perform jazz music with a big band flair. Comprised of a bassist, pianist and saxophonist from the Jim Guter Big Band, one of Chicago’s exciting jazz groups, they play anything from jazz, big band, Latin and swing to current radio hits. The Jim Guter Trio will make your dining experience even more memorable.

Jazz bassist Marlene Rosenberg

Francesca’s Bellezza (75 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, IL 60525; 708-579-3500) hosts the Jimmy Zito Trio 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Thursday. The Trio plays jazz standards from great artists like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Bobby Vinton. The Josh Miller Duo also will play at Francesca’s Bellezza Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m.

Francesca’s Bellezza is hosting the launch party for the Marlene Rosenberg Duo’s newest album 6:30 p.m. March 21. Featuring jazz bassist Marlene Rosenberg, the duo is a skilled jazz act. The launch party will feature a three course dinner for $25 and an appearance by the Marlene Rosenberg Duo. For more information about Marlene Rosenberg, visit www.marlenerosenberg.com.

Two Brothers Beer Dinner at Francesca's at the Promenade

March 22, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s at the Promenade (641 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440; 630-739-6300)

Francesca’s at the Promenade’s Winter Beer Dinner features beers from Two Brothers Brewing Company, located just west of Chicago in Warrenville. This four-course meal is $35 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.

The meal starts with Polpo Grigliato, grilled octopus with fagioli gigantic, marinated sundried tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette, which is paired with Two Brother’s Ebel’s Weiss, a German Hefeweizen. This is followed by Polpetti Agnello, lamb meatballs with spicy San Marzano tomato sauce, arugula and lemon. This makes an excellent partner for the Cane & Ebel red rye ale. The third course features Gnocchi con Pancetta, sweet potato gnocchi with cipollini onions, pancetta and brown-butter sage. This is paired with Resistance, an India Pale Ale. The final course features Brasato di Bue, beer-braised beef ribs with parsnip puree paired with Two Brother’s Northwind beer.