Order Thanksgiving To Go from Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook

Treat your family to a fabulous home cooked Thanksgiving meal courtesy of chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris of Northbrook’s Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, IL 847-205-44330. Advance orders are now being accepted for their ever popular Thanksgiving To Go and must be made by November 20 for pickup at Prairie Grass Cafe between noon and 3 p.m. on November 27.   Start your celebratory feast with homemade Butternut Squash Soup (quart serving 4, $20); Jumbo Cocktail Shrimp with Homemade Horseradish Sauce ($48 per dozen); Organic Mixed Green Salad with Shaved Parmesan, Pumpkin Seeds and Pomegranate (serves 6 to 8, $45); and Cut Vegetable Assortment with Amish Blue Cheese Dip (serves 6 to 8, $35). Your family and friends will be delighted with the juicy Roasted Turkey with Gravy (whole services 10-14 people, $110; half serves 5-7 people, $60); Apple Sage Stuffing (quart serving 4-6 servings, $14); and homemade Sausage and Giblet Stuffing (quart serving 4-6 people, $24). Sides include Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes (Pint serving 2 to 3, $7; Quart serving 4 to 6, $14); Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Puree (Pint serving 2 to 3, $8; Quart serving 4 to 6, $16); Sautéed Green Beans (Pint serving 2 to 3, $8; Quart  serving 4 to 6, $16); Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Chestnuts (Pint serving 2 to 3, $12; Quart serving 4 to 6, $24), and Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Pint serving 2 to 5, $8; Quart serving 6 to 10, $16). It may be a cliché but save room for dessert. Prairie Grass Cafe’s locally sourced homemade Pumpkin Pie ($24/pie, 6 slices) and Sarah’s famous "Mom’s Pecan Pie" ($24/pie, 6 slices) with pumpkins and pecans from Three Sisters Garden are the perfect ending to a terrific feast. For the chocolate cake fans in your family, don’t pass up Prairie Grass Cafe’s decadent Double Chocolate Cake (serving up 10-12, $50). Prairie Grass Cafe supports local farmers: pumpkins provided by "Three Sisters Garden", pork for sausage by "Maple Creek Farm", apples by "Nichols Farm", and pecans by "Three Sisters Garden".  Share:

Bring on the Fungi. Celebrate National Mushroom Month this September at Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook

Mushroom enthusiasts look forward to this time of year. September brings us National Mushroom Month. You can thank the Mushroom Growers Council for helping to popularize this fungus. The month-long celebration was established in 1992 and there’s been no looking back.

Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris, chef/partners at Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-205-4433) have a number of menu items showcasing various types of organic, local mushrooms. "

We buy our Button, Portobello and Shitake mushrooms from farmer Eric Rose of River Valley Ranch in Burlington, Wisconsin, as they are a Certified Organic Farm and the oldest mushroom farm in the Midwest," Sarah says. "All crops are grown without pesticides or chemicals. We connected with them through the Green City Market."

Chef Sarah Stegner

Prairie Grass Cafe has been a popular spot for mushroom dishes for years. They use more than 100 pounds of mushrooms a week. "Mushrooms provide rich earthy flavors that are intense and always so fresh. Out of all of the things that we use that are local, mushrooms impacted the flavors for which we are known the most; we use them in our stocks and sauces." she said.

Prairie Grass Cafe is featuring an amazing mushroom soup ($5.50) as a weekly special this September. The Chefs also recommend the sautéed button mushrooms with red wine sauce to accompany steak dishes as a side ($6). Customer favorites include the Shitake mushrooms marinated with sesame soy sauce, that accompany the Ahi Tuna, seared rare with baby bok choy, shitake mushroom and spicy sesame soy sauce ($32), and Portobello mushrooms sautéed to accompany the Sautéed Lake Superior Whitefish ($21).

Prairie Grass Cafe’s brunch menu features the popular Portobello Mushroom Benedict with two poached eggs over panko crusted Portobello mushrooms, sautéed spinach and lemon Hollandaise ($12.50) available Saturdays and Sundays only; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Prairie Grass Cafe isn’t alone in their use of mushrooms. Last year, more than 900 million pounds of mushrooms were grown in the United States, with sales exceeding $1 billion. 

Stop by Prairie Grass Cafe this month and enjoy one of your favorites. Call 847-205-4433 to make a reservation.

About River Valley Ranch

River Valley Ranch is the oldest mushroom farm in the Midwest. Bill Rose founded it in 1976 with a sizable goal: he wanted to produce the finest fresh mushrooms for the local market. Son, Eric, joined the operation in 1977, and learned the art of growing mushrooms commercially from his dad. River Valley Ranch still produces fine fresh mushrooms, and also grows other produce, including 20 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, 10 varieties of potatoes, a dozen types of peppers, 10 varieties of onions, asparagus, spinach, Winter squash and more. 

Eric's son Jordan Rose, joined the business one and a half years ago, after working for ten plus years in an array of restaurants in Chicago and Minnesota. He brings his culinary talents to the River Valley Ranch kitchen and is currently focusing on developing a broader line of value-added shelf-stable, frozen and fresh foods that they produce in their kitchen. Eric also is heading-up River Valley Ranch's new Chicago retail/cafe location at 1820 Wilson Ave., opening this Fall. 

All River Valley Ranch crops are grown without pesticides or chemicals. Since 1997, River Valley Kitchens, the farm’s licensed processing kitchen, has produced pickled mushrooms and more than 25 shelf-stable products. All preserved foods are made in small batches and hand packed. The farm’s motto is "Quality, freshness, and lots of Love"

Prairie Grass Cafe New Side Dish an Unlikely Favorite?

We’re quite certain that one of the reasons the Brussels Sprouts at Prairie Grass Cafe are outselling all other side dishes is that they are paired with bacon – a combination made in heaven. The delicious dish is described as Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Local Bacon and Parmesan Cheese ($7) is served with a yummy Basil Remoulade. It’s not only a customer favorite but one of chef/owners Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris. If you’re looking for a great holiday side, consider this winner from Prairie Grass Cafe, 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, IL (847)205-4433.

Photo by Grant Kessler

Prairie Grass Cafe supports Savor Bristol Bay with dinner special

Prairie Grass Café will be hosting a Bristol Bay Salmon dinner special tonight and tomorrow (Thursday, August 2) featuring the coveted Sockeye Salmon.  For $32, not including tax and gratuity, diners will enjoy the grilled salmon served with Three Sister’s Garden Grilled Corn salad and Chanterelle Mushrooms topped with summer tomato vinaigrette. Prairie Grass Cafe will be among over 50 restaurants nationwide that will take part in Savor Bristol Bay, a movement to support the protection of Alaska’s richest commercial fishery. 

By showing your support for Bristol Bay and dining at Prairie Grass Cafe, you are helping sustain its fishing and tourism industry and more than 12,000 jobs.  This nationwide effort comes in response to a proposed Pebble Mine in the area that can potentially release toxic waste in the bay, posing as a lethal threat to the local salmon. 

Prairie Grass Café is located at 601 Skokie Blvd in Northbrook, IL.  Dinner hours are 5 to 9:30 p.m.  To make a reservation, call (847) 205-4433.

How to celebrate this Father’s Day in Chicago!

It’s that time of year again to appreciate dad and all he’s done with a Father’s Day celebration.  Some of the hottest restaurants in Chicago are on hand to assist you in all your celebration needs; from delicious dining experiences to shopping giveaways.  Read on the see what’s happening in Chicago this Father’s Day.

Father’s Day special at Elate: Land and Sea Benedict (and don’t forget the cocktails!)

Elate (111 W. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60654; 312-202-9900) is serving a brunch special this Father’s Day.  Bring dad to enjoy the Land and Sea Benedict, Braised hanger steak, butter poached lobster, fava bean puree and Meyer lemon hollandaise for $17.  In additional to the newly created dish for Father’s Day, dad can enjoy one of the other seasonal options for brunch or dinner including new small plate options such as Rushing Water Trout with housemade fettucine, fava beans, corn pudding and roasted red pepper and the Lamb Merguez Meatballs with tomato, fennel, cerignola olives, feta, and house made naan. Also available are an array of delicious cocktails including the Smoking Gun with Johnny Walker Red blended scotch whiskey, cherry heering, sweet vermouth and fresh orange juice, the Dark & Stormy made with Goslings Dark rum, fresh lime juice, rosemary-brown sugar syrup and ginger beer, the Bourbon Sour with Buffalo Trace bourbon, fresh lemon, simple syrup egg white and bitters.


Bring Dad to Fleming’s on Father’s Day and receive a $25 Dining Card as a gift

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar (25 E. Ohio St., Chicago, IL 60611; 312-329-9463 and 960 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, IL 60069; 847-793-0333) will be celebrating Father’s Day  with special brunch and dinner hours, Sunday, June 17.  Opening early at 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fleming’s welcomes you to bring the family and enjoy a three course brunch menu for $34.95 excluding tax and gratuity. An extensive choice of appetizers, entrees and desserts will be available for brunch and include starter options like The Wedge, with iceberg lettuce, grape tomatoes, red onions and crumbled blue cheese, or a Fresh Fruit Medley of berries, melon, pineapple, sour cream and honey sauce.  Entrée options include Filet Mignon Benedict with sliced filet mignon and egg on an English muffin with herb béarnaise sauce and tomato concassé and New Orleans-Style French Toast. Dessert choices include Chocolate Bread Pudding with bourbon crème anglaise and Walnut Turtle Pie, with house made caramel, walnuts and chocolate in a chocolate pie crust.  Fleming’s also will be offering its  Blood Orange Mimosa, a festive and refreshing sparkler with Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Mionetto Prosecco and freshly squeezed orange juice for $7.95.

A children’s brunch menu is available for $16.95, excluding tax and gratuity, for children 12 and under and Fleming’s full menu also will be available throughout the day and evening. Dad will receive a $25 Dining Card for dining on his special day; a wonderful gift for him to come back during his next night out on the town.

Reservations are strongly recommended. Call your preferred Fleming’s location or make reservations online at www.flemingssteakhouse.com.


Maxwell’s at the Club Annual Father’s Day Brunch

Maxwell’s at the Club (200 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago, IL 60610; 312-527-5800) will offer its annual Father’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sunday, June 17. 

The brunch buffet will include delicious options like Chilled Shrimp Cocktail, Chilled Poached and Roasted Salmon, Green Bean and Tuna Salad, Wilted Kale and Farro Salad, Quinoa Salad with Berries and Watermelon, French Toast with Sautéed Peaches, Spinach, Bacon and Cheddar Egg Cups, Mesclun Green Salad with Mandarin Oranges, Dried Cranberries and Pecans, Seasonal Fresh Fruit and Berries, Chicken and Apple Sausage, and Four Cheese Ravioli.

In addition to the lavish buffet complete with waffles, omelets, pastries and a dessert bar, chefs will carve prime rib and roasted turkey breast to order.

Come enjoy brunch and celebrate Father’s Day at Maxwell’s for $45.  Children’s brunch is available for $15 for children 10 and under. For reservations, call (312) 527-5800, extension 301, or visit www.maxwellsattheclub.com.



Prairie Grass Cafe has delicious new items for Father’s Day brunch

Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, IL 60062; 847-205-4433) will be serving up a delicious spread for its annual Father’s Day brunch. Come and enjoy delightful options for only $42, excluding tax, gratuity and beverages, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday, June 17.  A children’s menu also will be available for children 10 and under. Brunch will include new options including New York Strip, with “River Valley Ranch” mushroom sauce, Potato Gratin, Guajillo Pepper Chicken over Rice with Avocado Pico de Gallo, Penne Pasta tossed in Bill Kurtis’ “Tallgrass Beef” Basil-Tomato-Meat Sauce with Parmesan and Bread Crumb Topping.  An omelet station also will be available with all the fixings such as peppers, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, ham and spinach.  Additional buffet items include Grilled tomato with crumbled bacon, blue cheese topping, chives and chopped basil, Asian style sliced albacore tuna, Smoked Salmon Spread with mini bagels, Chopped vegetable salad of julienned carrots, cabbage, celery, cucumber, avocado and bok choy tossed in sherry & dijon vinaigrette, Grilled vegetable platter with basil remoulade and balsamic reduction and Marinated cucumber, spring onion, banana pepper salad with buttermilk dressing and garnished with pea shoots.  An artisan bread station and crêpe station round off Prairie Grass Cafe’s delicious Father’s Day brunch buffet.

Prairie Grass’ regular dinner menu will be available 5 p.m. -9 p.m.  For more information on the Father’s Day brunch, visit www.prairiegrasscafe.com.


Enter to win Dad a shaving experience he’ll never forget at Westfield Old Orchard

Westfield Old Orchard (Skokie Blvd & Old Orchard Center; 847-673-6800) wants to pamper Dad with The Art of Shaving Experience. Families can enter at the Westfield Old Orchard Concierge or via Westfield’s Facebook page for the chance to win him a Traditional Shave and a shaving kit from Westfield retailer, The Art of Shaving.  Enter to win runs from June 8- July 9.  For more information call 847-673-6800 or visit www.westfield.com/oldorchard

Tuscan Splendor Wine Dinner at Francesca's North

May 8, 7:00 p.m. - Francesca’s North (1145 Church Street, Northbrook, IL 60062, 847-559-0260)

Escape the big city and spend an evening touring the culinary countryside of Tuscany, Italy.  Francesca’s North hosts this inaugural Spring event, serving as tour guide to guests as they sip and sample their way through this 4-course regionally inspired menu.  Enjoy wine selections from the Nozzole, Cabreo and Nardi vineyards.  $55 per person, tax and gratuity additional; call to reserve your seat today!

The meal starts with Fire roasted Scamorza , cherry tomatoes and olive oil pesto paired with a Cabreo La Pietra Chardonnay. This is followed by Prosciutto wrapped Yellow Fin Tuna, wild mushroom vinaigrette. This pairs excellently with a Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva. The third course features Osso Bucco filled ravioli, Cabreo “Il Borgo” sauce.  A Cabreo “Il Borgo” makes a great pair for this course. The evening ends with Spice roasted Rack of Lamb, caramelized fennel, spring onions and calamata olives. This is the perfect companion for a Nardi Brunello di Montalcino.

Prairie Grass Cafe and Evolution Wine and Spirits present Yalumba Winemaker's Dinner

Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, IL 60062; 847-205-4433) and Evolution Wine andSpirits (1704 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647; 773-772-9463 and 2766 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062; 847-272-2200) are presenting a wine dinner featuring the Australian wines of Yalumba Winery with a special appearance by Yalumba’s Ambassador of Wine Jane Ferrari.

Prairie Grass chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris have worked with representatives of Yalumba to present the perfect food and wine pairings. The evening will begin with a reception featuring a Mini Crab Cake on a spoon with basil remoulade and bacon tempura with Ranch dressing and NV Jansz Sparkling Rose. Following the reception, the dinner menu will begin with Mushroom Soup with a petite Capriole Farm Goat Cheese “cake” served with 2010 Yalumba ‘The Strapper’ GSM. The second course will feature Sauteed Loup De Mar (Bronzini) with avocado, grapefruit and cucumber salad. This makes the ideal pair for 2010 Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier. Following this, the menu will continue with Slow Braised Short Ribs over potato puree and root vegetables. This course pairs excellently with 2006 Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Shiraz and 2009 Yalumba The Cigar Cabernet. An Artisanal Cheese Course will follow, paired with the library bottling of Yalumba Octavius Shiraz. Coffee will be served to end the meal.

The Yalumba Winemaker’s Dinner at Prairie Grass Cafe is Thursday, March 8, and will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m. with dinner following at 7 p.m. Tickets for this event are $92, all inclusive. Seating is limited.

To make reservations for the Yalumba Winemaker’s Dinner at Prairie Grass Cafe, contact Evolution Wine and Spirits at 847-272-2200 for the Northbrook location or 773-772-9463 for the Chicago location. Reservations can also be made by emailing info@evolutionwines.com. 

About Jane Ferrari

Jane Ferrari is not simply a Yalumba employee, she’s a company crusader. Born in Adelaide, brought up in Alice Springs and an inveterate traveler, she’s been around enough to know that the blend of elements that makes up Yalumba and the Barossa is rare indeed, and worth taking the time and trouble to explain to people, whether industry insiders or consumers. She’s a trained winemaker, a born story-teller, a canny judge of character (people or horses), an olive oil producer and custodian of a treasured gum-studded block of Barossa land.

About Yalumba Winery

Yalumba was founded in 1849 by Samuel Smith, British migrant and English brewer, who had brought his family to Angaston seeking a new life. After purchasing a 30-acre parcel of land just beyond the southern-eastern boundary of Angaston, Smith and his son began planting the first vines by moonlight. Samuel named his patch "Yalumba" – aboriginal for "all the land around." Five generations and 160 years later Yalumba, Australia's oldest family owned winery, has grown in size and stature, embodying all that has made the Australian wine success story the envy of winemakers the world over. For more information, visit http://www.yalumba.com.

About Prairie Grass Cafe

Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd.; Northbrook, IL.; 847-205-4433) supports Chicago’s Green City Market and local sustainable farms, selecting the freshest ingredients to reflect the season. Prairie Grass Cafe currently serves lunch Monday - Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and dinner Monday - Sunday; Tuesday - Thursday 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Monday and Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Prairie Grass Cafe also serves breakfast Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays 9:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Light fare is available in the bar Monday through Friday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, please call (847) 205-4433 or visit www.prairiegrasscafe.com.

Wine Dinner at Prairie Grass Cafe with Fritz Underground Winery Oct. 13

Clay Fritz is the mild-mannered son of the founder of Fritz Underground Winery, but his passion for all things Sonoma shows every time we meet up.

"Fritz is unlike any place you've ever visited. A visionary wonder built ahead of its time by namesake Jay Arthur Fritz [Clay's father] in the late 1970's, this monumental Gaudi style masterpiece represents a viticultural passion for sustainability, quality, and tradition."

- Sonoma County Vintners.

"[Prairie Grass chefs] Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris - formerly from The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago - bring a whole lot of restaurant experience to the table, and it shows. The contemporaryAmerican menu skews toward comfort food, blended with a sense of adventure." - Gayot 

"Two-time James Beard award-winning chef and co-owner, Sarah Stegner, turns out inventive, high-quality food. Chef Stegner supports Green City Market and local sustainable farms. She selects the freshest seasonal ingredients to create homemade products. At Prairie Grass Café, the concept is to use fine dining cooking techniques to produce approachable, casual food. Quality ingredients are front-and-center for Chef Stegner." - Online review.

Don't miss this fabulous dinner, Thursday, October 13, 6:30 p.m.  at Prairie Grass Cafe. 

Appetizers:

Family-style appetizers: Crab cakes, baked feta, Vegetables served with Fritz Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Salad:

Mixed Greens – Seasonal Vegetables served with Fritz Chardonnay 2009                           

Main Course:

Crispy Half Boneless Chicken or Ancho-Marinated Skit Steak or Parmesan-encrusted Tilapia served with your choice of Fritz Pinot Noir 2009, Fritz Zinfandel 2007 or Fritz Cabernet 2007

Dessert:

Double Chocolate Cake served with Fritz Late Harvest Zinfandel 2009

$80 per person, tax and tip included, with a special menu. Six wines, four courses. Call Schaefer's at 847-677-9463 to reserve seating. The restaurant's address is 601 Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook. Visit http://www.prairiegrasscafe.com/ for more information.