Five Star Cellars Wine Sampling at Bistro One West Friday, Feb. 18

David Huse, owner and wine maker of Five Star Cellars in Walla Walla, Wash., will be in the bar of Bistro One West (1 W. Illinois St., St. Charles, Ill.; (630) 444-0600) 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 offering complimentary samples of Five Star Cellars’ superb wine selections.

Five Star Cellars, depicting excellence and class, strives to produce quality red wines.

Huse started a small winery in 2000 after discovering a passion through his involvement at another winery. As popularity and production increased, Five Star Cellars developed their own site to include a tasting room.

Five Star Cellars is a family-run business to include David Huse, his son Matt Huse and their wives Sandy and Traci. Matt Huse, a 2003 graduate of the Walla Walla Community College Enology and Viticulture Program, is dedicated to producing “Five Star” quality wine.

Don’t miss the opportunity to try the delectable wines from Five Star Cellars at Bistro One West.

Visit http://www.bistro1west.com/ to print a 20% off food coupon (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only). Sign-up for the Bistro One West mailing/dinner club and receive a $10 off coupon.

February weekly specials include Tuesday—half-priced wines, Wednesday—half-priced drafts and Thursday—(bar only) burger and two draft beers for $16.

About Bistro One West
Bistro One West is a contemporary fresh American Restaurant located at 1 W. Illinois St. in St. Charles, Ill. The restaurant is open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The dining room bar is open from 11 a.m. to close. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, contact Bistro One West at (630) 444-0600 or visit http://www.bistro1west.com/. Follow Bistro One West on Twitter at @Bistro1West, and “Like” them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BistroOneWest.

Bring on the margaritas! It's National Margarita Day February 22

We at Kurman have never met a margarita we haven’t loved. There’s something about the unique blend of fresh fruit, ice and our beloved tequila that sends our hearts a flutter. While most people look forward to traditional holidays like Christmas and Halloween, our favorite holiday has always been National Margarita Day on February 22.

This year we plan on celebrating this glorious vacation-like holiday at Guanajuato (73 Green Bay Rd. in Glencoe, Ill.) not its namesake city in Mexico. Featuring more than 40 tequilas, aficionados have the choice of savoring it by the shot, in a specialty cocktail or, our personal favorite, in a delicious brimming-over-the-top margarita. Guanajuato offers classic flavors such as mango, strawberry and lime as well as specialty margaritas including their Mango and Blood Orange Margarita with a little paprika for spiciness, Acai Pomegranate Margarita, and Spicy Margarita made with jalapenos!

Other great places to celebrate include Bistro One West (1 W. Illinois St., St. Charles, Ill.). They feature a variety of margaritas including an Acai Margarita made with tequila, Veev liquor and lime juice and Agave Spice made with agave tequila, lemonade, cinnamon and a splash of lemonade served in a cinnamon sugar rimmed glass.

Or check out Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (25 E. Ohio St., Chicago, Ill. and 960 Milwaukee Ave., Linconshire, Ill.). They will custom make the margarita(s) of your dreams!

As if one day isn’t enough, according to http://www.foodimetary.com/, February 18-20 is National Margarita Weekend! What a wonderful excuse to drink Margarita’s all weekend long, take a break on Monday, nurse the hangover and then celebrate yet again on Tuesday!

Why, you may ask, is Margarita Day a national holiday and where did margaritas come from? According to http://www.nochelatina.com/, some say that the world-famous tequila drink was named after Hollywood actress Rita Hayworth, who was originally known as Margarita Cansino the dancer. Others claim that bartender Carlos “Danny” Herrera created it at his Tijuana-based restaurant for a beautiful showgirl who was allergic to hard alcohol. The world may never know why Margarita Day is a holiday or why it was created, but on average American’s drink 185,000 margaritas per hour, which makes it practically a patriotic duty to down Margaritas by the armful.

There are a myriad of different ways to enjoy National Margarita Day (and weekend!) Where will you be celebrating?

Bistro One West to Host First Monthly Wine Dinner Feb. 24

Featuring Winegrower Eric Poolen
from DeLoach Vineyards

Recently opened Bistro One West (1 W. Illinois St., St. Charles, Ill.), a contemporary fresh American restaurant, hosts its first monthly wine dinner 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24. This month’s dinner features winegrower Eric Poolen of DeLoach Vineyards. The cost is $75 per person (including tax and gratuity).

The dinner starts with a mouth-watering appetizer—West Coast Mussels with chorizo, shallots and a smoked paprika butter sauce, paired with DeLoach 2007 O.F.S. Chardonnay; followed by an entrée—Roasted Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast with duck sausage filled mushroom and zinfandel reductions, paired with DeLoach 2008 Russian River Zinfandel; and finished with a delicious Sweet Potato Crepe filled with Bufala Ricotta and orange fig sauce, paired with Raymond 2006 Eloquence Late Harvest Chardonnay. To RSVP, call Bistro One West at (630) 444-0600.

About DeLoach Vineyards
DeLoach Vineyards focuses on small-lot winemaking, located in sunny Santa Rosa, Calif., paying special attention to its Russian River Valley, O.F.S. and Vineyard Designate wines. DeLoach is passionate about Pinot Noir—demanding a delicate, labor-intensive process. Each wine is given diligence to produce original, terroir-driven Pinot Noir.

Cecil DeLoach, a fireman from San Francisco, planted the first grape in 1973. Purchased by the Boisset family from Burgundy, France, in 2003, the vision of eco-friendly farming practices were brought to DeLoach Vineyards, showing dedication to the environment and quality of the wine.

Eric Pooler, DeLoach Vineyards winegrower, is a Northern California native with a foundation in agriculture that was set at a young age by his father.

Pooler graduated from Chico State with a degree in agricultural business and a minor in plant science. At DeLoach Vineyards, his experience and commitment to eco-friendly farming practices show in the high-quality wines.

About Bistro One West

Bistro One West is a contemporary fresh American Restaurant located at 1 W. Illinois St. in St. Charles, Ill. The restaurant is open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The dining room bar is open from 11 a.m. to close. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, contact Bistro One West at (630) 444-0600 or visit http://www.bistro1west.com/. Follow Bistro One West on Twitter at @Bistro1West, and “Like” them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BistroOneWest.

Chicago’s celebration as a world-class dining destination: Restaurant Week 2011

Reprint from Lee & Cindy's DineWise blog in association with Streetwise Magazine

For ten days beginning February 18 through February 27, Chicago celebrates Restaurant Week, with more than 200 restaurants offering special prix fixe menus at $22 for lunch and $33/$44 for dinner (beverage, tax and gratuity not included). This is a great opportunity to try new restaurants or old favorites and enjoy a great meal at a fabulous cost. Beverage, tax and gratuity are not included.

Having trouble deciding where to eat? Here’s our pick of must try restaurants who are participating.

Benny's Chop House

Steak, American | Lunch Only (running special all month Feb. 1-Feb. 28!) $22 Menu

444 N. Wabash Ave. | Chicago IL 60611

City-N.Michigan | 312 626-2444

Blackbird Restaurant

American | Lunch & Dinner Menus

619 W. Randolph St.  | Chicago  IL  60661

City-West Loop | 312 715-0708

Cafe Spiaggia

Italian | Lunch & Dinner  Menus

980 N. Michigan Ave. | Chicago IL 60611

City-N.Michigan | 312 280-2750

Catch 35

Seafood | Lunch & Dinner Menus35 W. Wacker Dr. | Chicago IL 60601

City-Loop | 312 346-3500

De Cero

Mexican | Lunch & Dinner Menus

814 W. Randolph St. | Chicago IL 60607

City-West Loop | 312 455-8114

East Bank Club / Maxwell's at the Club

American | Lunch & DinnerMenus

500 N. Kingsbury St. | Chicago il 60610

 City-River North | 312 527-5800

Elate Restaurant

American | Lunch & Dinner Menu

111 W. Huron St. | Chicago IL 60654

City-Loop | 312 202-9900

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Steak & Beef |  Dinner only Menu

25 E. Ohio St. | Chicago IL 60611

City-River North | 312 329-9463

Japonais

Japanese | Lunch & Dinner Menus

600 W. Chicago Ave. | Chicago IL 60654

City-River North | 312 822-9600

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab

Seafood, Steak & Beef | Lunch & Dinner Menus

60 E. Grand | Chicago IL 60611

City-N.Michigan | 312 379-5637

La Madia

Italian |  Lunch & Dinner Menus

59 W. Grand Ave.  | Chicago  IL 60654

City-River North | 312 329-0400

Le Colonial Restaurant

Vietnamese | Lunch & DinnerMenus

937 N. Rush St. | Chicago IL 60611

City-N.Michigan | 312 255-0088

The Lobby at The Peninsula Chicago Menus

Breakfast/brunch | Lunch & Dinner

108 E. Superior | Chicago IL 60611

City-N.Michigan | 312 573-6695

Mon Ami Gabi Lincoln Park

French | Dinner only Menu

Belden Stratford Hotel 2300 N. Lincoln Park W. | Chicago  IL  60614

City-Lincoln Park/Lakeview | 773 348-8886

Nacional 27

Latin | Dinner Menu

325 W. Huron St.  | Chicago  IL  60610

City-River North | 312 664-2727

Naha

American | Lunch & DinnerMenus

500 N. Clark St. | Chicago IL 60654

City-River North | 312 321-6242

Park Grill

American | Lunch & Dinner

11 N. Michigan Ave. | Chicago IL 60602

City-Loop | 312 521-7275

Piccolo Sogno Restaurant

Italian | Lunch & Dinner Menus

464 N. Halsted St. | Chicago IL 60642

City-River West | 312 421-0077

Prairie Fire

American | Lunch & DinnerMenus

215 N. Clinton St. | Chicago IL 60661

City-Near North | 312 382-8300

Riccardo Trattoria

Italian | Dinner Menu

2119 N. Clark St. | Chicago IL 60614

City-Lincoln Park/Lakeview | 773 549-0038

Roy's Chicago

Fusion | Dinner Menu

720 N. State St. | Chicago IL 60654

City-N.Michigan | 312 787-7599

Salpicon

Mexican | Dinner Menu

1252 N. Wells St.  | Chicago  IL  60610

City-Near North | 312 988-7811

Topolobampo

Mexican | Lunch only Menu
445 N. Clark St.  | Chicago  IL  60610

City-River North | 312 661-1434

Zealous

American | Dinner only Menu

419 W. Superior St. | Chicago IL 60654

City-River North | 312 475-9112

Participating restaurants may offer Restaurant Week menus for lunch, dinner or both – at their discretion. Please view individual restaurant profiles for menu details. For a complete list of participating restaurants, go here.