Solstice Communications

I know we talk a lot about beer…so whisk(e)y lovers: this one is for you!

Fountainhead, a well-known craft beer and whisk(e)y bar in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood, is excited to welcome the English Whisky Company and the libations from its St. George’s Distillery, the first new distillery in England in over a century, as it launches its award-winning English Whisky Company Single Malts in Chicago!

Guests will get the chance to meet Andrew Nelstrop, the managing director of the English Whisky Company, who will be in-house pouring samples of this unique whisky for all to try! Executive Chef Cleetus Friedman, a new and exciting addition to the Fountainhead team, will be making fish & chips (what else?) while English beer is poured on draft and Fountainhead’s British Invasion Playlist will be rounding out the event.

More about the English Whisky Company…

At the 2013 San Francisco Spirits Competition, English Whisky Company Peated Single Malt was awarded Double Gold and named Best Whisky in the “Other Whisky Category” beating out 22 other world whiskies. English Whisky Company Classic Single Malt was awarded a silver medal.

Thursday, April 18

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

Fountainhead Chicago

1970 W. Montrose

Chicago, IL

There are some AMAZING things happening in food this week…just in time for spring (or so we hope)! One of the favorites in Ravenswood, Fountainhead, launches a new menu created by another Ravenswood favorite, Chef Cleetus Friedman, while Wrigleyville gains a delicious BBQ joint featuring the award-winning Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, craft beer, specialty cocktails & a carefully curated bourbon list.

Is your mouth watering yet? Yeah, ours is, too. We’re going to continue anyway…

Hey Ravenswood…

FOUNTAINHEAD LAUNCHES

NEW MENU APRIL 19

Chef Cleetus Friedman revamps Fountainhead menu 

Fountainhead, a well-known craft beer and whisk(e)y bar in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood, is excited to celebrate spring with a new seasonal food menu created by executive chef Cleetus Friedman, a recent addition to the Fountainhead team. The new menu will be launching Friday, April 19.

The menu will focus on seasonality and places emphasis on local, sustainable food. Each menu item has been specifically designed to complement the stellar craft beer, wine, whiskey and spirits selection at Fountainhead. Having collaborated with local brewers, wine and whiskey makers in the past, Chef Friedman has a wide knowledge of pairing food and beverage perfectly. His knowledge shines through in the new food menu which highlights the extensive beverage menu. Most items on the menu come in multiple sizes to encourage sharing and pairing. Most dishes are priced at less than $20.

Menu standouts include:

Slow Cooked Pork Chili

Smoked Hummus with Homemade Everything Bagel Chips

Belly Fire Chicken Wings

Pan Roasted Salmon

Creating an almost entirely new food menu hasn’t put a stop to Friedman’s beer collaborations: Look for a beer created with Ravenswood’s Begyle Brewing that will make its debut on May 22 at Fountainhead. Chef Friedman’s future plans for Fountainhead include growing herbs on the roof deck, hosting the popular seasonal dinners and of course, continuing collaborations with local brewers. In addition, Fountainhead will continue to host its successful whisky pairing dinners and unique whisky events, such as the launch of the English Whisky Company on April 18 and a whole host of cool events for Whiskey Week.

Click here for the full new food menu. The new menu will be launching on Friday, April 19^th

Fountainhead Chicago

1970 W. Montrose Ave.

Chicago, IL

Hey Wrigleyville…

SWEET BABY RAY’S SMOKEHOUSE, BOURBON & BEER

TO OPEN IN WRIGLEYVILLE APRIL 19

Sweet Baby Ray’s Smokehouse, Bourbon & Beer, a unique smokehouse barbecue restaurant centered around  the award-winning Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce, is opening in Wrigleyville (3478 N. Clark St.) on April 19.  David Raymond (Sweet Baby Ray), Brian Reynolds (Prost!, The Gramercy, Lodge Management Group) and Dylan Lipe (executive chef) will bring award-winning pit master recipes and flavors to this new venture. Some menu standouts include Sweet Baby Ray’s Award Winning Ribs, Alabama Chicken, Smokehouse BLT, Green Chile Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Corn Maque Choux, Bruleed Banana Pudding and the faux “pulled pork” designed to entice BBQ-loving vegetarian palates. All recipes have been developed specifically for this restaurant.

Sweet Baby Ray’s Smokehouse, Bourbon & Beer in Wrigleyville will pay homage to the delicious heritage of barbecue by highlighting some favorite items from barbecue regions all across the country. As barbecue enthusiasts, the SBR Wrigleyville crew will share their love of the craft one plate at a time.

Sweet Baby Ray’s Smokehouse, Bourbon & Beer in Wrigleyville will be a BBQ joint whose workhorse will be a Southern Pride 850 Smoker, able to smoke 850 pounds of meat at full capacity. The Southern Pride is a rotisserie style smoker with a wood firebox. The restaurant will also offer a stellar selection of spirits, including a curated list of over 100 bourbons and ryes, 14 craft beers, including great BBQ brews such as Shiner Beers and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale to great Chicago brews from Revolution Brewing, Goose Island Beer Co. and more. Sweet Baby Ray’s Smokehouse, Bourbon & Beer also has specialty craft cocktails on draft.

In addition to a few beers everybody knows, Sweet Baby Ray’s Smokehouse, Bourbon & Beer is proud to offer some exceptional craft beers. From light and citrusy to dark and smoky, Sweet Baby Ray’s Smokehouse, Bourbon & Beer has something for everyone and every meal.

Alright, now that we gave you the scoop, clear your calendars for Friday! You’ve got some eating to do!

It’s that time of year again…holiday lights, snow on the ground…oh, and don’t forget great food and beer 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, City Provisions and Katherine Anne Confections that are sure to get anyone (even the Grinch!) into the holiday spirit:

Truffle Making Party at Katherine Anne Confections
Thursday, December 15th
6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Due to popular demand, Katherine Anne Confections has added another pre-holiday Truffle Making Party! This gives you another chance to learn how to make some delicious goodies for the holidays as Katherine Duncan, founder and confectionista, opens her kitchen and recipe book to the public as she demystifies the art of making truffles. This is the perfect opportunity to learn how to make delicious truffles in time for the holidays—your friends and family won’t believe their taste buds!

The admission is $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

Holiday Tap Event at SmallBar
Friday, December16th
7:00 p.m.

SmallBar toasts the season with a Holiday Tap Event! Join SmallBar as they get into the holiday spirit and tap some of their favorite holiday beers! This is a great opportunity to taste some delicious holiday beers, try a craft cocktail off the recently launched winter cocktail menu and fill up on stellar dishes off the food menu (like the highly talked about fish sandwich!).

Join SmallBar at either location for a great selection of beers:

Fullerton Tap List:
The Bruery 4 Calling Birds
Great Divide Hibernation
N’Ice Chouffe
Great Lakes XMas
St Feuillien Cuvee de Noel
St Feuillien Christmas
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice

SmallBar Fullerton
1415 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL

Division Tap List:
Avery Old Jubilation
Great Lakes XMas
3 Floyds Alpha Klaus
Ska Euphoria
Tyranena Sheep Shagger
Delirium Noel
Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti

SmallBar Division
2049 West Division
Chicago, IL

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

Tasting Event at City Provisions
Saturday, December 17th
3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

City Provisions is hosting a taste event with Distinctive Imports Wine and Sunny Lane Farms Jams.

City Provisions
1818 West Wilson
Chicago, IL
773.293.2489

There is no cover charge for this event.

Holiday Pop-Up with Katherine Anne Confections
Sunday, December 18th
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Katherine Duncan of Katherine Anne Confections, a locally-focused chocolatier, will host her first-ever Holiday Artisan Pop-Up Food Market, “Season’s Eatings.” Get into the holiday spirit with local artisans from Scrumptious Pantry, Fig Catering, Ingram’s Jam & Bread and SenTeaMental Moods for a day of delicious holiday treats. These edible creations are not widely available—in fact, most of these delectable treats are made underground and only sold in select locations around the city!

With winter festivities in full swing, everyone has cookies, caramels, truffles, pies or hot chocolate on the brain (or all of the above!)—so, satisfy these cravings all at once at “Season’s Eatings.”

There will be samples available, as well as products to take away as gifts. The gifts you will find here will delight any foodie on your Christmas list! This is also a great opportunity to taste the brand new and highly anticipated marshmallow line from Katherine Anne Confections—which will be serving mini truffle hot chocolate shots paired with the new marshmallows.

Indulge in sweet and savory treats, sample new offerings from Chicago area artisans and finish your holiday shopping with gifts all created with local ingredients.

This is a free event. Also, be sure to check out the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=301389866545761

Katherine Anne Confections
2745 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647

Tasting Event with City Provisions
Tuesday, December 20th
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

City Provisions is hosting a taste event with Half Acre where you will have the chance to taste Big Hugs, an imperial stout.

City Provisions
1818 West Wilson
Chicago, IL
773.293.2489

There is no cover charge for this event.

Fresh Eggnog at City Provisions
Saturday, December 24th
City Provisions will close at noon, but is available for all your Christmas needs.

Some fresh eggnog made by Chef Cleetus Friedman himself is the perfect way to start your Christmas Eve!

New Year’s Eve Party at SmallBar
Saturday, December 31st

What better way celebrate the beginning of 2012 than with SmallBar? Enjoy delicious craft beer and housemade cocktails from the new winter cocktail menu, as you ring in the New Year at Lincoln Park and Division Street’s easiest NYE celebration! Enjoy food, beer & beats featuring great Chicago house music with a champagne toast at midnight!

21+. No Cover. No Reservations. First Come. First Served.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at either Smallbar location:

SmallBar Division
2049 W. Division
Chicago, IL

SmallBar Fullerton
1415 W. Fullerton
Chicago, IL

New Year’s Day Brunch at SmallBar
Sunday, January 1st
12:00 p.m.

After a crazy night welcoming the year 2012, cure your hangover with SmallBar on New Year’s Day with a delicious brunch! SmallBar will be open at noon with their full brunch menu, bloody marys and mimosas to help you get back on your feet for 2012.

There is no cover charge for this event.

Cure what ails you at either SmallBar location:

SmallBar Division
2049 W. Division
Chicago, IL

SmallBar Fullerton
1415 W. Fullerton
Chicago, IL

Cleetus Friedman, owner and chef of City Provisions, talks about the importance of local food and his participation in the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction. Cleetus prepares Two Potato Latkes with Ginger Applesauce. Yum!

WGN-TV Segment

“The perfect storm…”

Those words can mean different things to different people. To our client, Cleetus Friedman, owner of City Provisions Catering & Events, it is a perfect storm of steady media mentions, articles and praise raining down on his business and the waves of new business that are following in its wake.

For Solstice Communications, it is the combination of a fantastic client with an amazing “product” and a media mentality that is tuned to our station. Buzz begets buzz…but it is the substance underneath it all that keeps the storm rolling.

Have a look at some of the highlights…

Mindful Metropolis

Chicago Tribune

Edible Chicago

Daily Candy

North Shore Magazine

Chicagoist

GapersBlock

Our wonderful green, locally-focused catering client, City Provisions Catering & Events, received a wonderful review from blogger Kaitlin Olson over at Gapers Block. 

http://tinyurl.com/breakfast4dinner

If your mouth is watering, you should check out an upcoming City Provisions Supper Club or Farm Dinner!