Pastoral‘s Lakeview location offers free samples of La-Dee-Dahs, caramel and nougat swirls dipped in chocolate from the new Chicago company Whimsical Candy, tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Owner Chris Kadow-Dougherty will be on hand to answer questions; there’ll also be wine pairings.
Friday from 7 to 9 PM, Treasure Island Foods (2121 N. Clybourn) hosts a Belgian beer tasting class with Johnny Fincioen of the Global Beer Network and Anthony Norkus of Louis Glunz Beer. They’ll lead a sampling of ten beers, including Wittekerke White, Piraat Triple, and Petrus Blonde Ale. $20, reservations required (773-880-8880).
Great Chefs, the annual fund-raiser for the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Chicago, is Friday from 5 to 9 PM at the Sheraton Chicago. There’ll be dishes like mango-lobster mousse and mushroom bruschetta from Carnivale, Chalkboard, La Madia, and others, plus cocktails, wine, and a silent auction. $100.
Saturday from 6:30-8:30 PM, Taste Food and Wine hosts a free tasting of Partida Tequila, with margaritas as well as samples of the blanco, reposado, and anejo tequilas.
Also Saturday from 6:30-8:30 PM, Pastoral‘s Loop location offers a free tasting of their picks for summer picnic wines.Â
777 Wine Week starts Monday at David Burke’s Primehouse, which means that through Friday diners can taste seven wines with lunch (11:30 AM-3 PM) for a $7 donation to Common Threads, a nonprofit (cofounded by Oprah chef Art Smith) devoted to kids’ nutrition. There’s a different theme each day, starting with chardonnay and continuing with cabernet sauvignon, summer wine, “new” old-world wine, and South American wine. Chef Rick Gresh will prepare daily specials that pair well with the featured wines.
Geja’s Cafe‘s Winemaker Dinner, Monday from 6:30-9:30 PM, pairs wines from Hahn Estate with cheese, meat, and chocolate fondues. $50 (includes tax and tip).Â