Solstice Communications

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Katherine Anne Confections, The Big O and Bread & Wine have some great gift ideas, events & date nights planned to make the holiday easy for you! These events (including the perfect way to give your Valentine The Big O!) are a sure way to have a fun-filled February!

February is definitely the month of love, so fall in love with everything from mouth-watering truffles to dynamic dishes for dinner at the tasty events listed below!

Give Your Valentine What They Really Want for Valentine’s Day:

The Big O…Truffle!

at Katherine Anne Confections

Katherine Anne Confections, a locally-focused chocolatier, has teamed up with The Big O, a hand-crafted ginger liqueur made in the Midwest, to create an amazing Valentine’s Day truffle, The Big O! These delightfully rich and complex truffles combine the complex flavors present in The Big O with honey, fresh ginger, Illinois Sparkling champagne and then bathing the ganache in bittersweet chocolate and capped with a miniature white chocolate heart. The Big O truffle has a tangy, toasty nuance that will be sure to give any Valentine the satisfaction of The Big O. Available starting today for $3 each.

Katherine Anne Confections

2745 W. Armitage

Chicago, IL 60647

A Week Of Love & Chocolate 

At Katherine Anne Confections

Katherine Anne Confections, a locally-focused chocolatier, is celebrating Valentine’s Day with several events starting on Saturday, February 9 through Thursday, February 14! Join Katherine Duncan, founder and confectionista, and other Chicago vendors for “A Week of Love and Chocolate” at the Katherine Anne Confections Confiserie. This is the perfect opportunity to support local artisans on this special holiday!                         

The Schedule:

February 9^th from 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Handmade cards from Fixin’ It Up Handmade Card Creations will available for purchase at the Confiserie plus a calligrapher will be on hand to write complimentary love notes for that special someone!

February 10^th from 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Illinois Sparkling, Co. will be pouring up complimentary bubbly samples. Stop in & sip on champagne while picking out the perfect truffles, caramels & marshmallows for your loved one!

February 13^th Valentine’s Day Truffle Making Party with Champagne from 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a bubbly truffle-making party! As part of the week of celebrations, Katherine Anne Confections’ Confiserie will be hosting an evening of chocolate—perfect timing for delicious, love-infused treats! Katherine opens her kitchen and recipe book to the public as she demystifies the art of making truffles. This is the perfect opportunity to create delicious treats to share with your significant other (or not!).

The party starts off with appetizers, champagne and socializing. Attendees sample the chocolates, discuss pairings and taste ingredients before moving on to designing flavors and creating ganache. Participants will create classic hand-rolled truffles with Katherine’s guidance—in addition, she will share tips and tricks for designing the perfect truffle. Those who attend will create, design, melt, chill, scoop and roll truffles to completion. Each participant will leave with a sampling of the truffles created that day.

Champagne and small bites will also be served. The cost is $60 per person & reservations are required. For tickets & more information, click here http://www.katherine-anne.com/parties.

February 14^th from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Free samples of champagne will be available all day for customers! Last-minute gift-buyers can peruse the delicious treats for the perfect gift while sipping on some complimentary bubbly. Your honey will forgive you if it takes a bit longer!

Katherine Anne Confections

2745 W. Armitage

Chicago, IL 60647

Valentine’s Day Made Easy

With Bread & Wine

Bread & Wine, the neighborhood American bistro, wine bar and market on Chicago’s

Northwest Side, is excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Chef Curtis will bring in a

whole lamb from Catalpa Grove Farm to create some amazing specials for this

Valentine’s Day celebration. Some of the Valentine’s Day specials include:

Lamb shoulder rillet, pickled turnip, yogurt. 14

Lamb loin wrapped in lamb belly, white bean puree, ash cracker, braised leeks, romesco. 25

Each couple will be able to choose from three specials (the third TBA) or order from the regular menu and receive a shared amuse bouche at the beginning of the meal. There is no cover charge for this evening and all regular menu items will be available. Reservations are recommended! 

Thursday, February 14 (kitchen will close at 9:30, the bar will stay open)

Bread & Wine

3732 W. Irving Park Rd

Chicago, IL

3732 W. Irving Park Rd

Chicago, IL

www.breadandwinechicago.com

Sunday Brunch:

During the month of December, children under 10 eat free off the children’s menu during brunch with their parents!

Available Sundays 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

New for Mondays:

Every Monday, Chef Curtis Gamble will be selecting six pieces of the highly-lauded housemade charcuterie and cheese for only $20! (normally priced at $28)

Market Specials:

10% off cases of wine in December!

10% off our hand-made “Eat Local” Gift Baskets!

New Year’s Eve Celebration:

Bread & Wine, the neighborhood American bistro, wine bar and market on Chicago’s Northwest Side, is excited to ring in the New Year! Chef Curtis will bring in a side of veal from Catalpa Grove Farm to create some amazing specials for our New Year’s Eve Celebration. Some of the fantastic Catalpa Grove Farm veal specials include:

Veal strip loin, green olive, tangerine, new potato, arugala 24

Veal liver, braised cipolini onions 14

Veal shank ragu, watercress cavatelli, pickled mushrooms 20

Join us for a champagne toast at midnight!  There is no cover charge for this evening and all regular menu items will be available. Reservations are recommended! 

Monday, December 31

Kitchen will close at 9:30, the bar will stay open until…

It’s that time of year again…holiday lights, frost on the windows…oh, and don’t forget great food, beer & chocolate events! It’s a busy season, but there are a few things you definitely won’t want to miss!

Here are a few December events with SmallBar Division, Katherine Anne Confections, Oskar Blues Brewery, Bread & Wine and The Scrumptious Pantry that are sure to get anyone (even the Grinch!) into the holiday spirit.

MONDAYS AT BREAD & WINE

Every Monday

Every Monday, Chef Curtis Gamble will be selecting six pieces of the highly-lauded housemade charcuterie and cheese for only $20! (normally priced at $28)

Bread & Wine

3732 W. Irving Park Rd

Chicago, IL

December Chef Collaboration at Katherine Anne Confections

December 3^rd-the month of December

The recently-opened Katherine Anne Confections confiserie is excited to continue its monthly chef collaborations! Katherine is creating a limited-edition collaboration truffle with a different Chicago chef every month with proceeds benefitting a charity of the chef’s choice.

For the month of December, Katherine Duncan, founder and confectionista, has partnered with Heather Terhune of Sable to create the Buttered Rum truffle. The truffle has been created using bittersweet and milk chocolate, brown butter, dark rum, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and orange bathed in delicious, rich Katherine Anne Confections’ ganache.

Proceeds will benefit Common Threads. This truffle will be available beginning December 3^rd through the month of December or while supplies last!

Upcoming collaborations include Leonard Hollander from Marion Street Cheese Market and more to come…

Make Your Own Truffles at Katherine Anne Confections!

Wednesday, December 5

6:30 p.m.

Get into the holiday spirit with an evening of chocolate! Katherine Duncan, founder and confectionista of Katherine Anne Confections, a locally-focused chocolatier, will be hosting a December Truffle Making Party—perfect timing for delicious, holiday-flavored treats! Katherine opens her kitchen and recipe book to the public as she demystifies the art of making truffles. Come into Katherine’s kitchen and warm up in the most delicious way possible!

The party starts off with appetizers, wine and socializing. Attendees sample the chocolates, discuss pairings and taste ingredients before moving on to designing flavors and creating ganache. Teams of 3-5 people will create classic hand-rolled truffles with Katherine’s guidance—in addition, she will share tips and tricks for designing the perfect truffle. Those who attend will create, design, melt, chill, scoop and roll truffles to completion. Each attendee will leave with a sampling of the four truffles created that day.

The price is $50 and includes wine, light appetizers and truffles! Reservations are required and space is limited, so sign up today! http://www.katherine-anne.com/parties

Katherine Anne Confections

2745 W. Armitage

Chicago, IL 60647

HEIRLOOM CLASS AT THE SCRUMPTIOUS PANTRY

Thursday, December 6

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

The Scrumptious Pantry, the heirloom-focused gourmet food company, continues the “Heirloom 2.0” event series, designed to teach traditional food values and skills to urban dwellers and beyond. The Scrumptious Pantry founder Lee Greene will discuss what to look for in produce, the basic steps in the canning process, how to ensure food safety, plus some of Lee’s favorite heirloom recipes that are perfect for the holidays. Home canned foods are great stocking stuffers and hostess gifts for the upcoming holiday season, so this intro will focus on the basics. To sign up for this class, click here. The class costs $20 each, feature a specialized professional teacher and include refreshments and light snacks.

The Scrumptious Pantry

3230 W. Fullerton

Chicago, IL 60647

OSKAR BLUES CASK TAPPING

Friday, December 7

7:00 p.m.

SmallBar Division is celebrating the holiday season with a special Oskar Blues Cask Tapping event! Smiddy, a stout made from the second running of the grain used to make the Oskar Blues Imperial Stout, Ten FIDY, will be on cask. A keg of Ten FIDY will also be tapped for a side-by-side comparison.

In addition, Chef Justin White has created a special Shepherds Pie with Stout Gravy to feature at the event. The stout gravy is made from Ten FIDY, last seen at the 3Floyds Beer Brunch over a year ago!

For more information, visit the Facebook invite page: https://www.facebook.com/events/393253687421016/

There is no cover charge for this event and the beer is available for purchase and consumption at SmallBar.

SmallBar Division

2049 W. Division St.

Chicago, IL

773-772-2727

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT SMALLBAR DIVISION

Monday, December 31

8:00 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Sit Down: SmallBar Division is offering 30 seats for New Year’s Eve reservations. $100 a person gets guests a guarenteed seat for SIT DOWN at 8:00 p.m. for a celebratory three-course dinner with full drink pairings & one bottle of complimentary bubbly per couple. Reservations are required. Email smallbar.chicago@gmail.com or call 773-772-2727. Tickets can also be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/300441

New Year’s Even Git Down: At 10:00 p.m., SmallBar Division will open the doors wide open for the annual no cover, no reservations GIT DOWN with DJ Intel and DJ Pickel of The Comeups. First come, first served!

SmallBar Division

2049 W. Division

Chicago, IL

NEW YEAR’S DAY AT SMALLBAR DIVISION

Tuesday, January 1

12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch: Cure what ails you! SmallBar Division will be open at noon with the full brunch menu served until 4:00 p.m. Plus: bloody marys and mimosas will be available to help you get back on your feet for 2013.

SmallBar Division

2049 W. Division

Chicago, IL

Summer is in full swing—and this Chicago weather is not letting us forget it! The end-of-summer months are filled with great beer, food and chocolate events from SmallBar Division, Oskar Blues, Bread & Wine and Katherine Anne Confections!

From a new confectionary storefront to a beer dinner with a new Colorado-based brewery, these events are sure to end the summer with a bang! See below for more details.

Hopothesis Tapping At Smallbar Division

Thursday, August 9

6:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.

SmallBar Division is excited to welcome Chicago’s newest brewery, Hopothesis Beer Company, with a tap event featuring $5 pints of its debut I.P.A. The brewer/owner will be on hand to talk about his experiences getting this beer company up and running and, of course, talk about beer!

SmallBar Division
2049 West Division

Chicago, IL

5^th Quarter Nights at Bread & Wine

Every Monday

5:00 p.m.

Monday evenings at Bread & Wine, the new neighborhood American bistro, wine bar and market on Chicago’s Northwest Side, are “5^th Quarter Nights,” meaning Chef Curtis Gamble will focus on less utilized sections of animals called “offal,” which are not part of the most commonly utilized four animal quarters. Chef Gamble will create delicious menu items using sweetbreads, liver, tail, marrowbone, hearts and much more. To mix it up, the special menu will be carefully paired with select bourbon and beer (instead of wine!) The regular dinner menu will also be available.

Also on Monday evenings, Bread & Wine is will show their love for those in the restaurant industry by offering a 10% discount to industry folks.

Bread & Wine

3732 W. Irving Park Rd

Chicago, IL

Oskar Blues Beer Dinner at SmallBar Division

Wednesday, August 22

7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

SmallBar Division is extremely excited to welcome Oskar Blues, a Colorado-based brewery, to Chicago with a five course beer dinner! The evening will kick off with a some delicious beer from Oskar Blues followed by a meal specially designed by Chef Justin White. Each course will be paired with an awesome beer from Oskar Blues, which known for their craft beer in a can. This is one of the first opportunities to taste this beer in Chicago. The full menu will be available soon.

$60 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required. To make a reservation, call SmallBar at 773-772-2727 or email at smallbar.chicago@gmail.com

SmallBar Division

2049 W. Division

Chicago, IL

Farmer Dinner to Benefit Slow Food at Bread & Wine

Wednesday, September 12

7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Bread & Wine, the neighborhood American bistro, wine bar and market on Chicago’s Northwest Side, is excited to partner with Slow Food Chicago for a delicious Farmer Dinner! As with all of the dishes at Bread & Wine, Chef Curtis Gamble has created the menu focusing on farm-to-table fare. Guests can choose to add optional pairings and enjoy amazing craft beer from St. Louis, MO based Perennial Brewery, which has been carefully selected to enhance the food.

In addition to a delicious meal and pairings, guests also get to meet Marty from Spence Farms for some background on the farm and its practices.

A portion of the ticket price goes to benefit Slow Food Chicago, an organization dedicated to creating dramatic and lasting change in the local food system to ensure equity, sustainability and pleasure in the food we eat.

Admission is $55 without pairings, $80 with pairings. RSVP by September 11 to info@breadandwinechicago.com

Bread & Wine

3732 W. Irving Park Rd

Chicago, IL

Katherine Anne Confections To Open Confectionary Storefront

Thursday, September 13

11:00 a.m.

Katherine Anne Confections, a locally-focused chocolatier known for its decadent truffles, caramels and marshmallows, will open an artisan-style café/storefront in its current Logan Square space on September 13, 2012. Katherine Duncan, founder and confectionista, will be selling her company’s delicious treats and offering more flavors more often. To add to the storefront experience, Katherine Anne Confections will be partnering with various local Chicago vendors to bring customers locally roasted coffee, teas and French-inspired pastries.

While the delicious confections will be available to go, guests will also be able to enjoy, sit back and relax with a freshly brewed cup of French-press coffee in the 14-person seating area. The tabletops, countertops, etc. will all be built with reclaimed wood, emphasizing Katherine’s dedication to sustainability. The café décor will be a rotating display featuring various local artists. Rich, truffle hot chocolate will also be among the offerings, which will allow guests to select their favorite Katherine Anne truffle or caramel to drop into the hot chocolate.

Katherine Anne Confections

2745 W. Armitage Ave.

Chicago, IL

It’s June…which means summer is not far away and the weather is starting to get warm! Bread & Wine, Katherine Anne Confections, Vinejoy and Purple Asparagus all have great food, chocolate, wine or kid events planned to help you get in the summer mood. From a kids’ healthy cooking class to the launch of a delicious brunch menu, these events will definitely get you into the right spirit!

Celebrate the new season with these delicious June events listed below!

Kids’ Cooking Class with Purple Asparagus

Sunday, June 10

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Melissa Graham, Head Spear of Purple Asparagus, the non-profit that educates children, families and the community about eating that’s good for the body and the planet, will teach a class for kids in the Lifestyle Center of Whole Foods South Loop. Children who attend will leave with a new found love of a healthy food and hands-on cooking experience. This event is for children ages 6-12.

Cost is $5 for children ages 6-12. Space is limited. Register here or at Customer Service at Whole Foods South Loop in advance.

Whole Foods South Loop
1101 South Canal Street #107

Chicago, IL 60607

June Truffle Making Parking with Katherine Anne Confections

Friday, June 15

6:30 p.m.

Summer is here! Katherine Duncan, founder and confectionista of Katherine Anne Confections, a locally-focused chocolatier, will be hosting a June Truffle Making Party—perfect timing for delicious, summer-flavored treats! Katherine opens her kitchen and recipe book to the public as she demystifies the art of making truffles. Come into Katherine’s kitchen to celebrate the arrival of the new season in the most delicious way possible! Those who attend will create, design, melt, chill, scoop and roll truffles to completion.

$50, includes wine, light appetizers and truffles! Reservations are required and space is limited, so sign up today! http://www.katherine-anne.com/parties.php

Katherine Anne Confections

2745 W. Armitage

Chicago, IL 60647

Bread & Wine Launches Brunch

Saturday, June 16 & Sunday, June 17

10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

(and every Saturday and Sunday that follows)

Bread & Wine, the new neighborhood American bistro, wine bar and market on Chicago’s Northwest Side, is launching brunch on June 16 & 17—just in time for Father’s Day weekend! Guests will choose from many delicious brunch dishes courtesy of Chef Curtis Gamble. In addition to the classic brunch cocktails—Bloody Mary and Mimosa—the mixologists at Bread & Wine created two new cocktails to pair with the brunch dishes.

Brunch goers can enjoy their meal outside at Bread & Wine’s recently opened patio. Brunch will take place every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (Bread & Wine will close at 2:00 p.m. and reopen at 5:00 p.m. for dinner service). Reservations are recommended.

Bread & Wine

3732 W. Irving Park Rd.

Chicago, IL 60618

Potluck with Vinejoy and FIG

Monday, June 18

6:00 p.m.

The crews at Vinejoy and FIG decided to host a potluck during the week for those who can’t make it to Vinejoy’s typical Saturday night potlucks. They have teamed up and are excited to host an Industry Potluck with the theme JuneTeenth, a holiday commemorating the day that the slaves found out they were free. Attendees will bring African American food—both traditional and reinvented.

Visit the Facebook event page for more information.

FIG Catering

1850 S. Blue Island Ave.

Chicago, IL 60608

Tuesday Tasting Menu at Bread & Wine

Every Tuesday

5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Last but not least, don’t forget to stop into Bread & Wine on Tuesday’s for their Tuesday Tasting Menu! Check out their Facebook page for more details.

Bread & Wine

3732 W. Irving Park Rd.

Chicago, IL 60618

It’s May…which means Mother’s Day is just around the corner! If you haven’t planned anything yet, don’t worry. SmallBar Division and Bread & Wine have you covered—it’ll seem like you’ve had this planned for months! Chef Justin White of SmallBar Division has created a delicious Mother’s Day brunch, while Chef Curtis Gamble of Bread & Wine has put together an amazing three-course meal for the special day.

Celebrate May (and mom!) with these delicious Mother’s Day menus!

SmallBar Division Re-Launches Brunch on Mother’s Day Weekend

Every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Beginning Saturday, May 12

SmallBar Division is excited to re-launch their brunch menu with new dishes specially created by Chef Justin White. The menu will launch on Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13—making Smallbar Division a great option for a last minute Mother’s Day plan!

This menu focuses on unique, handcrafted dishes such as: Nutella Pannenkoeken, a peanut butter mousse with sweet cream, candied pecans and milk caramel in a delicious crepe or a Braised Rabbit and Sweet Potato Hash pickled red onions, pancetta vinaigrette, with rabbit and sweet potatoes topped with a fried egg (pictured below).  Dishes can be paired with SmallBar’s killer Bloody Marys, delicious craft beers or one of Craig Hiljus’s craft cocktails.

SmallBar Division

2049 W. Division St.

Chicago, IL

Bread & Wine’s Mother’s Day Special

Sunday, May 13

12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Bread & Wine, the new neighborhood American bistro, wine bar and market on Chicago’s Northwest Side, is celebrating Mother’s Day with a special, price-fixed meal—and you should, too! Guests will enjoy a delicious, three-course meal for $30/person created specially by Chef Curtis Gamble. Celebrate the holiday in a fun and inviting atmosphere with great food and wine!

In honor of  Mother’s Day, Bread & Wine will be open on Sunday, May 13 at 12:00 p.m. to offer this special menu–the regular menu will also be available. For the full Mother’s Day menu, visit Bread & Wine’s Facebook Page.

Bread & Wine

3732 W Irving Park Rd

Chicago, IL

Impress mom with these great events–she’s sure to enjoy them!