Scene and Be Seen
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It’s cold out. It’s snowy. I get it. I’m a Chicagoan too. But that doesn’t mean Mother
Nature should squash all of your plans for noshing and imbibing this weekend. After all, a cocktail or flute of bubbly is a girl’s best friend.
Whether you want to strap on your snow shoes and high tail it down to the Mag Mile for a martini or have a date with the couch and a bottle of Pinot, below are my top picks for enjoying wine and spirits this weekend – for the homebody or the girl on the town.
Hell yeah. Forget the snow. What do you think Moncler jackets are for?
Brave the weather and head to Old Oak Tap (2109 W. Chicago Ave.). With the tallest working fireplace in Chicago – a 22-foot, stacked, slate wood-burning gem to be exact – there’s no doubt that this West Town haven is a great destination for hearty fare and cozy comforts. The Old Oak Tap has one of my favorite rotating beer menus in the city and all of the microbrews and seasonal ales pair perfectly with their new, wallet-friendly winter food menu.
Top Beer Picks
- Great Lakes Seasonal: Edmund Fitzgerald, love this Cleveland-based brewery.
- Dragon’s Milk Ale: after one of these 9% abv beers, you’ll be feeling really good.
- Harpoon I.P.A.: medium-bodied with a hop finish.
Favorite New Menu Items
- Homemade Fried Butternut Squash Ravioli with parmesan sage fondue, $9.
- Chicken Apple Brie… grilled chicken, melted brie, granny smith apples, cranberry mustard, $9.
- Croque Madame… honey baked ham, Swiss, cheddar, fried egg, roasted tomato aioli, open faced on brioche, $9.
Nope. I’m staying in. I’ve got Fellini films and a fully stocked fridge.
If you must stay in this weekend, opt for an Italian inspired evening with Martini & Rossi cocktails and food fare. If you loved Nine, then you’ll appreciate the homemade cocktail concepts from Martini & Rossi. The Italia Martini and the Contini Martini, paired with an Italian grilled cheese with prosciutto, basil and mozzarella (um, yum) and espresso brownies for dessert. The Contini Martini is a blend of Martini Rosso, a splash of sweet Maraschino liqueur, a healthy pour of Bombay Sapphire and a dash off bitters. The Italia utilizes the symbiotic relationship of sweet and sour by combining Martini Bianco, apple juice, a couple ounces of lemon and lime juice and a zesty sprig of mint.
*Recipes available upon request – shoot me an email or leave a comment below.
