The Friday Buffet
By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jul 6, 2007 3:00PM
No repartee this week, all business.
- We've received e-mails from concerned people and had to check it out for ourselves, and it looks as though Cereality at 110 South Wacker has closed down, only a couple years after Chicagoist (among other media) made a big fuss about its opening. There's even a "For Rent" sign in its front window. This kind of reaffirms our faith in the human race; if people won't pay $4.50 for a bowl of cereal, is a latte backlash in the works?
- Northwest Side resident Mike Baruch collected a veritable treasure trove of recipes celebrating the rich ethnic tapestry of the city in his new book "Street Food Chicago" (LCBM Publishing). The book also serves as a historical account of Chicago's culinary history, since Baruch acknowledges that there isn't much "street food" left in Chicago. The Tribune wrote about the book on Wednesday, and included a classic recipe from the book for readers to try.
- David Burke's Primehouse kicks off its "777 Wine Week" Saturday through July 14th. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. all week, Primehouse will offer a three-course meal for $25. For an extra $7, you can enjoy seven wines from the selected region of the day. Five dollars from each fixed price meal sold benefit Common Threads.
- The Shedd Aquarium's "Right Bite Restaurants" series continues with a tasting presented by Shaw's Crab House on Monday. The series features environmentally-friendly menus using sustainable seafood while participants are educated on the latest happenings at the aquarium. Cost is $75 per person. Diners wishing to attend more than three dinners can do so at $60 per dinner.
- Just Grapes wine shop is hosting its 3rd Annual Grill Out Wednesday. From 5:30-7:30 p.m., Don Sritong and company will offer over 50 wines to sample with the burgers, brats, and other grilled noshes. Cost is $35.
- Green City Market hosts the 2007 Chefs Summer BBQ Festival Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Over 50 of the city's top chefs will be preparing amazing dishes, with beverages provided by Goose Island, Glunz Family Winery and Cellars, and August Hill Winery. The cost is $50 in advance, $60 at the gate. You can purchase tickets online at the Spice House's website.
- Winediva Enterprises owner and Gapers Block contributor Christine Blumer hosts a "Welcome to Wine" seminar at Uncork It! in River East. Cost is $25, the class starts at 7 p.m. Speaking of Ms. Blumer, she sampled all the beverage options at Taste of Chicago and wrote about it on her blog.
Image captured from "A Night at the Opera" (#85 on the AFI's tenth anniversary Top 100 movies list) on DVD.