PopSugar Chicago

Hidden Gem: 10 Things to Know About the New (and Unassuming) TR Napa Valley

Rebecca Taras — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:45:00 CST

I was walking to the gym the other morning when it was still dark out (depressing), headed east on Oak Street. From a distance, I saw what looked like a barrel outside of one of the retailers - not necessarily the traditional decor in this neck of the woods. As I got closer, I noticed the barrel was strategically placed in front of a place called TR Napa Valley (61 E. Oak St.), a new Champagne and wine bar tucked in between the lineup of luxury retailers. I decided to head back in the evening with a friend (and lover of the grape like yours truly) for a nice Cab on a chilly Fall night. Here are 10 things you should know:

The TR stands for "tasting room." Don't feel bad; it's not what we initially guessed either.
The wine and Champagne bar focuses on the wines and lifestyle (more to come on that) of Napa Valley; obvi.
The place is small, so don't make it your bachelorette party desto. We're talking a bar for four and eight additional tables. But on that note . . .
Thanks to the super low lighting and plush comfy chairs, it's a great date spot. You can work on getting him to take you to the real Napa Valley.
Wines are available by the glass (averaging around $12) or by the bottle for consumption on site or to go.
No worries about drinking on an empty stomach. Fruit, cheese, and charcuterie will keep you from making a fool out of yourself.
Just in time for the holidays, you can host a (very intimate) private tasting or party.
Participate in an educational tasting class - even if it's only because you secretly want to know what to pair with your Chinese carryout.
Join the wine club. For just $50, you get wine discounts, travel advice, and special concierge services in Napa, such as which restos to eat (and drink) at, lodging, and winery visits.
Hours: open 10:30 a.m. every day but Sunday, when doors open at 11 a.m. As for closing hours, TR is still figuring out the nighttime flow.

Source: TR Napa Valley

Blue Star Bistro and Wine Bar: Gourmet Eats and Countless Wines by the Glass

Kate Stahl — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 CDT

With so many great restaurant choices in Chicago, why is it that you can never decide where to eat? One stop at Blue Star Bistro and Wine Bar in West Town, and - believe us - you'll never have that debate again. The cozy spot, which offers a casual take on fine dining, will quickly become your fave go-to once you sample some of the signature dishes and peruse the extensive wine menu. (Blue Star offers one of the largest selections by the glass in the city.) Get in one of Chicago's best kept culinary secrets with our exclusive offer for two appetizers, two wine flights, and two desserts for half the normal price.

Start your Blue Star experience with the popular goat cheese croquettes - the slightly spicy goat cheese is well balanced by the crunchy topping and accompanying blueberry-honey emulsion - or the scallops with corn fondue, crispy prosciutto, and arugula-thyme pesto. "People come back again and again just for the scallops," says Chef Alan Wise. Pair your app with a wine flight, designed to give you a variety of complementary flavors from a certain region or varietal. The Latin Lover lets you sample South American wines while the World Wide Whites shows you a broad spectrum of flavors. End your meal with the graham cracker-coated fried Nutella balls, served with blackberry coulis and Grand Marnier marshmallow sauce. "It's a sophisticated s'more dish," Wise says. "Plus women love Nutella, so I designed the dish with that in mind."

Hot Plate: Telegraph Wine Bar and Restaurant Opens Friday!

Rebecca Taras — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:40:52 CDT

If you've been drinking sugary Summer libations that require a tall straw and an umbrella, it's time to switch gears. Drink something fruit-forward instead of fruity at Telegraph (2601 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-292-9463), a new wine bar opening on Friday, July 8.

The Owners: Tom MacDonald and Jason Normann, the dynamic duo behind Webster's Wine Bar (one of Chicago's oldest wine bars) and The Bluebird (craft beer bar and bistro), two places that are in our regular date or girls' night rotation. The litigation-consultants-turned-entrepreneurs continuously travel the globe to learn about various methods of wine-making, cuisine, and culture to implement into their concepts.
The Wine: If you have a wine question, sommelier Jeremy Quinn (also responsible for Webster's Wine Bar and The Bluebird) is your man. To make Telegraph distinct from the global portfolio at Webster's and the biodynamic wine menu at The Bluebird, Telegraph will feature new old-world wines from small, family-owned European wineries that embrace the techniques of yesteryear. The wine list features around a dozen glass pours ($5-$13), mature (over 10 years old) wines by the half bottle and magnum bottles for special events (at the communal chef's table perhaps?).
The Eats: Chef John Anderes (former sous chef at Avec) is thinking beyond the cheese plate with first course small plates like fried formaggio burrata with shaved artichokes and balsamic reduction ($10) and green olive salad with Italian salumi, grilled peppers, and cheese curd ($6). The main attraction second courses include substantial options like grilled sirloin steak, EVO fried potatoes, and kale pesto ($21) and kippered walleye with orecchiette pasta, fava beans, and herbs ($16). If you're looking for something a bit lighter (in size, not calories), try one of the tartines (think Edwards ham, coriander mustard, cantal cheese, sweet herbs, chard salad, $8).
The Space: The 85-seat wine bar and resto is comprised of a main bar and a dining room, where you'll also find a 14-seat communal table, which will be used for chef dinners and other special events. Julie Fisher and Rachel Crowl of fcStudio are responsible for the décor, which is highlighted by conversation piece accents like antique mirrors and light fixtures from an old airport bomb shelter. The coolest feature? All of the furniture was handmade by craftsmen in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where owner Tom MacDonald currently lives with his fam.

Source: Telegraph Wine Bar