—Tree love: The Forest Preserves of Cook County invites everyone to celebrate the outdoors—and mark National Public Lands Day—during the annual Party for the Preserves on Sept. 27-28.
Nine free events will be held in various preserves, including the titular event at Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 10:30 a.m. Some of the others include the Trash Bash (at Bunker Hill in Niles on Sept. 27 at 9 a.m.); Salsa Dance: Party for the Preserves (at Thatcher Woods in River Forest on Sept 27 at 11 a.m.); and padding in 10-person canoes (at Powderhorn Lake in Burnham on Sept. 28 at 10 a.m.). More info about all events is at fpdcc.com/party.
And now on to culinary items…
—Plate show: One of the nation’s top food festivals, Chicago Gourmet powered by Invesco QQQ, is right around the corner.
Chicago Gourmet 2024. PR photo
During Sept. 25-28, and with preview festivities throughout the summer, Chicago Gourmet returns with the sports/food theme “Step Up to the Plate.”
As for a few of the main events, Tacos & Tequila will take place Sept. 25, 6-9 p.m., with participating chefs such as John Manson, Carlos Gaytán, Diana Dávila and Dan Harris. Hamburger Hop will again return to the Harris Theater rooftop of Sept. 26, 6-9 p.m. with competitors such as Martial Noguier (Bistronomic), Marco Colin (Moe’s Cantina), Djibril Webb (Mordecai), and former Chicago Bear Israel Idonije and Stephen Gillanders (The Staley).
In addition, there will again be two sessions of Grand Cru on Sept. 27 (2-5 and 7-10 p.m.) featuring Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno), Donald Young (Duck Sel), Carrie Nahabedian (Brindille) and Paul Virant (Petite Vie/Vistro Prime/Gaijin/Jar Sessions), among many others, taking part.
Be sure to find out about ALL the events at this link.
—Happy anniversary: The Fulton Market restaurant Carnivale held a party on Sept. 10 to mark its 20th anniversary.
Since opening in 2005, the Pan-Latin restaurant has welcomed more than 4.1 million guests, hosted more than 22,000 private events, celebrated 300,000 birthdays and sold more than 120,000 of its signature Cotton Candy Martinis. Over the past few years, the space has launched Copa Carnivale, a 90-minute dinner entertainment experience; the pop-up speakeasy The Alley at Carnivale; and Komal, a Latin-style six-seat omakase experience.
—The light way: Casa Chi by Chef Richard Sandoval is offering Reform Cocktails—a new lineup of handcrafted drinks under 120 calories. Highlights include:
- The Skinny Ginger Margarita (120 calories): Blanco tequila, fresh ginger, agave, lime, finished with a touch of hibiscus salt for a refreshing, light twist on a classic; and
- The Sake & Mango (100 calories): Crisp sake and sweet mango balanced with sparkling wine, offering a bubbly, low-calorie option for any occasion.
On a related note, the restaurant has also announced its updated Pour Decisions Boozy Tea Experience, available Sundays at 12-4 p.m. at $59 per person. Offerings include Jalisco Jasmine Passion Fruit Margarita, Hibiscus Paloma Punch, Earl Grey Breeze and Chamomile Coconut Cooler. Menu highlights include smoked swordfish, angry tuna and California makimono, hot stone Casa style with choice of prime skirt steak, shrimp or Provoleta cheese, and yuzu cheesecake for dessert.
—Cold front: Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has left the ice-cream giant after Unilever, which owns the company, clamped down on any social activism, the BBC noted.
Greenfield’s departure marks the latest move in a battle that started in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s said it would stop selling its ice cream in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Ben & Jerry’s has long been known for taking a public stance on social issues since it was founded in 1978, often backing campaigns on issues like LGBTQ+ rights and climate change.
However, a Unilever spokesperson disagreed with Greenfield’s position, saying Unilever had “sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry’s powerful values-based position in the world.”
—Field sip: Negroni Week is Sept. 22-28, and some places are marking it with cocktail specials.
For instance, the Gold Coast spot LAUREL will offer the Passion Negroni, consisting of Barr Hill Gin, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, Carpano Antica Formula and Campari ($24); Purest, with Tanqueray Gin, Carpano Antica Formula and Campari ($18); and the Reserved, made with Nolet’s Reserve Gin, Carpano Antica Formula, Campari and Saffron Rock Candy Swizzle ($70).
Catalan spot Mercat a la Planxa will offer Mack the Knife—a “non-Negroni Negroni” featuring Bonanto (a Barcelona aperitivo), Andalusian Barquero vermouth and GinRaw gin.
In addition, LondonHouse Chicago’s featured Negroni will be a Pineapple Negroni ($20) made with Zacapa Rum, Plantation Pineapple Rum, Antica Vermouth, Campari, and pineapple and coconut bitters.
I_O Godfrey’s Negronis. Photo credit Amy Ulivieri
I/O Godfrey will offer drinks such as the Negroni Blanco ($18), with Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, Kapriol Liquore and Dolin Blanc; and the mocktail the Phony Negroni ($15)—a non-alcoholic twist on a classic by St. Agrestis.
French brasserie La Grande Boucherie Chicago is putting a Parisian twist on the classic Negroni, featuring two new cocktail specials available for Negroni Week. The Petite Fleur Rouge is made with Citadelle, Lillet Rouge, Kina L’Aero D’or and grapefruit bitters; and the Figue Enchantée contains Citadelle gin, Creme de Cerise, Cointreau, Campari and Lillet Rouge, finished with fresh cherry and fig.
This Negroni Week, Adorn Bar & Restaurant is elevating the classic cocktail experience through a partnership with Pernod Ricard. Guests are invited to discover seven unique Negroni variations via Adorn’s exclusive Spinning Wheel Menu. Starting each evening at 4 p.m., cocktail enthusiasts can enjoy this curated lineup, with drinks priced between $24 and $32.
—Way to Goa: On Sept. 26-27 and Oct. 3-4, Mango Pickle will host another event—Fall Supper Club: Gateway to India.
Mango Pickle’s pork vindaloo. Photo by Andrew Davis
The supper club features communal seating and multiple courses of Indian flavors drawn from favorite tourist hotspots across India, including Bombay, Delhi, Goa and more. Planned dishes will include corn bhel; samosas; butter chicken super toast or roasted cauliflower masala super toast; compressed pork vindaloo or cafreal green veg tian; and kulfi ice cream with sable, pistachio cream, rose syrup.
The dinner is $75/person; RSVP here.
—The Munro doctrine: On Sept. 28, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Juliana Restaurant, 3001 W. Peterson Ave., Angelique Munro will present the drag-brunch extravaganza SPOTLIGHT.
Slated performers will include Cleo T. Patra, Regina Upright, Miss Sassy Trade, Milani and Zafina Hasheesh, with Munro hosting. Showtimes will be noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. For tickets and more info, visit this link.Find much more news for this week at SAVOR with Andrew.
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