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.

Opolo Winemaker's Dinner at Francesca's Bellezza

March 7, 7 p.m. – Francesca’s Bellezza (75 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, IL 60525; 708-579-3500)

The Opolo Winemaker’s Dinner at Francesca’s Bellezza features wines from California’s Opolo Vineyards. Tickets are $52 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

The evening starts with Cicchetti, an assortment of small bites paired with Opolo Sparkling Wine. This is followed by Capesante e Arancia, pearl pasta with jumbo sea scallops and baby spinach in blood orange sauce paired with 2010 Roussanne. The next course is Papardelle con Anatra, papardelle pasta with a duck confit, vegetables, stewed tomatoes, oregano and parmesan cheese. Opolo’s 2007 Grande Rouge is the perfect pairing for this course. The final course is Filetto con Polenta, pan-roasted beef tenderloin topped with mascarpone polenta and black cherry pepper reduction paired with 2010 Mountain Zinfandel.

Bella Bacinos in La Grange hosts wine event with respected Australian winemaker John Duval

Bella Bacinos in Downtown La Grange (36 S. La Grange Rd., Downtown La Grange, Ill.; 630-352-8882) is honored to welcome back one of Australia's most respected winemakers, John Duval, from the famous Barossa Valley, Australia's premier wine growing region, for a wine event 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5. This event features six wines and light fare with Artisanal cheeses. Cost is $39 per person excluding tax and gratuity. Seating is limited; RSVPs are required. Reserve a seat by calling Dan at (708) 420-9600 or emailing bacinos@comcast.net.

Duval has enjoyed a long and highly successful career. Some highlights worth mentioning include:

- Winemaker of the Year 1989 - London International Wine & Spirit Competition.
- Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge in London in 1991 and again in 2000.
- The 1990 Penfolds "Grange" - (Australia's most celebrated wine) was named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine in 1995. Duval has crafted 15 vintages of "Grange" during his illustrious career at Penfolds.

Today he focuses his talents on wines bearing his own name. "I love working with the fruit that comes from the old vines of the region, so I started with 'Plexus', a Rhone style blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre and in 2006 released my first Shiraz, 'Entity'," Duval says. "I also plan to release small quantities of reserve Shiraz 'Eligo', further highlighting the premium quality fruit from the Barossa. John Duval Wines will never be another Penfolds - it is simply my chance to express my 30-odd years of premium winemaking knowledge using some of the best fruit in the world."

At Bella Bacinos' wine event, guests will enjoy six wines and learn about the beautiful land they come from. Light Fare & Artisanal cheeses will compliment the wines, so come along Mate!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 6:30pm
$39 pp excluding tax and gratuity. Seating is limited RSVP is required.
RSVP: bacinos@comcast.net or call Dan @ 708-420-9600.

For more information on Bella Bacinos, visit http://www.bacinos.com/.

Hendry Winery Wine Event at Bella Bacinos Sept. 14

Bella Bacinos (36 S. La Grange Rd., Downtown La Grange, Ill.) proudly welcomes Susan Ridley, partner with Napa Valley’s Hendry Winery, for a wine event 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14. This Wine Seminar Series event offers an extensive tasting of Hendry wines accompanied by light fare and artisanal cheese. Tickets are $39 per person. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Make reservations for this event by emailing bacinos@comcast.net or call wine director Dan Bacin at (708) 420-9600.

Go Back to School with Bella Bacinos
Visit Bella Bacinos anytime between now and September 15 and present this coupon to receive 15 percent off lunch or dinner. Plus, show a student ID and receive a special treat. This coupon does not include alcohol. One offer per table. Call (708) 352-8882 for details.

About Bella Bacinos
Bella Bacinos serves authentic Napoletana wood fired pizza, homemade ravioli and other Italian specialties in the restaurant’s dining room and outdoor patio. Bella Bacinos’ award-winning wine list includes more than 600 wines from around the world, including more than 20 served by the glass. The restaurant is located at 36 S. La Grange Rd., Downtown La Grange, Ill. and is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, and is closed Monday for private events. For private events, please call Hande Dokur (708) 352-8882. For more information, visit http://www.bacinos.com/.

Bella Bacinos Welcomes Paolo Scavino and Giacomo Grimaldi Wineries to Sept. 1 Wine Seminar

Join Bella Bacinos for its September 1st Wine Event featuring Italy's notable Paolo Scavino Winery and Giacomo Grimaldi Winery. Family representatives Enrica Scavino and her husband Ferruccio Grimaldi will guide guests through the tasting of eight wines, including four Barolos. The cost of $45 per person includes the wine, light fare and artisanal cheeses of Piedmonte, Italy. The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is part of Bella Bacinos' on-going educational Wine Seminar Series, that in the past has included wine luminaries Paul Hobbs, John Duval of Penfolds Grange fame and Pinot Noir Maestro Ken Wright, among others. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Make reservations for this event by emailing bacinos@comcast.net or call wine director Dan Bacin at (708) 420-9600.

The legendary Paolo Scavino Winery, from the Piedmonte region of Italy, was founded in 1921, and consistently produces outstanding Barolos, as well as notable Langhe blends and Barberas. Enrica Scavino, granddaughter of founder Paolo Scavino, makes her appearance with her husband Ferruccio Grimaldi, of the Giacomo Grimaldi Winery.

The Giacomo Grimaldi Winery, known as a top producer of Barolos, includes the famous Via Nuova vineyard. Join these two Barolo producers, and enjoy the wine that has historically been known as, "The king of wines, the wine of kings."

Bella Bacinos serves authentic Napoletana wood fired pizza, homemade ravioli and other Italian specialties in the restaurant's dining room and outdoor patio. Bella Bacinos' award-winning wine list includes more than 600 wines from around the world, including more than 20 served by the glass. The restaurant is located at 36 S. La Grange Rd., Downtown La Grange, Ill. and is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, and is closed Monday for private events. For private events, please call Hande Dokur (708) 352-8882. For more information, visit http://www.bacinos.com/.

Beer Extravaganza Part Two at Bella Bacinos in La Grange

Learn about beer and enjoy good eats at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 15 during Beer Extravaganza Part 2 at Bella Bacinos (36 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange; 708-352-8882). Bella Bacinos welcomes Kevin Kuzlik, the "Beer Ambassador" of Burke Beverage Inc.

Guests will taste six beers, accompanied by light fare. All beers are available for purchase at a special pricing.

Purchase tickets today! Tickets are $20 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. RSVP a bacinios@live.com or call (708) 352-8882. Visit http://www.bacinos.com/ for more information.

Bella Bacinos in La Grange Celebrates Father’s Day June 20

Spend Father’s Day with authentic Napoletana wood-fired pizza and homemade ravioli at Bella Bacinos (36 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, Ill.; 708-352-8882), which offers a special Father’s Day menu 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday, June 20.

The special menu features Zuppe, Tuscan Vegetarian Minestrone ($3.95/$5.50) or Passate di Ceci, puree of chickpeas, cauliflower, onions, faro and a touch of San Marzano tomatoes ($4.25/$5.75). For Insalata, try Poached Chicken with dried apricots, cherries, toasted almonds, extra virgin olive oil and port vinaigrette ($9.50), or Warm Nut Crusted Goat Cheese with organic field greens and lingonberry vinaigrette ($8.95). Antipasti options include Semiperlato Farro with shrimp, kalamata olives, green onions, white wine vinaigrette and toast points ($8.95), or A Garden’s Delight, local, sustainable grilled vegetables ($8.95).

Try Wood-Fired Pizza, thinly-sliced Bresaola with San Marzano tomatoes and housemade fresh mozzarella topped with frisee ($13.95). Other options include Primi Piatti, Handmade Ricotta Ravioli with San Marzano tomatoes and local fresh vegetables ($15.25) or Rigatoni with Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, San Marzano tomatoes and a touch of roasted garlic ($16.50). Seafood lovers can try Pesce, Pan-Seared Red Snapper with savory mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, zucchini and cipollini onions ($23.50). Meat lovers can enjoy Carne, 8 oz. Veal Chop with saffron risotto, organic spinach and roasted beets ($25.95). For dessert, indulge in Chocolate Cake Extravaganza with vanilla gelato and fresh berries ($7).

Bella Bacinos serves authentic Napolitana wood-fired pizza, homemade ravioli and other Italian specialties, and is located in the heart of downtown La Grange at 36 S. La Grange Rd. Bella Bacinos is open 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday, and is closed Monday for private events. For information on hosting a private event at Bella Bacinos or to make a reservation, call (708) 352-8882 or visit http://www.bacinos.com/.