Several Francesca's restaurants are presenting beer and wine dinners in November. Reservations for all dinners are required.
Cabernet Is King Wine Dinner
Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m. - La Sorella di Francesca (18 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540; 630-961-2706)
Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m. -Francesca's Vicinato (12960 S. Lagrange Road, Palos Park, IL, 60464; 708-671-1600) Lisa Mango, Francesca's sommelier, will be in attendance to speak about the wine selections and how they were paired with Francesca's menu.
Nov. 15, 7 p.m. - Francesca's Famiglia (100 E. Station St., Barrington, IL 60010; 847-277-1027)
Nov. 16, 7 p.m. - Francesca's By the River (200 S. 2nd St., St. Charles, IL, 60174; 630-587-8221)
The five-course meal is $65 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.
The Cabernet Is King dinner begins with Crostini with Smoked Salmon, crème fraiche, arugula and apricots, paired with a 2010 Hall Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley. This is followed by Braised Pork Cheeks Ragout over white polenta, which complements 2008 Stags Leap Hands of Time, Stags Leap AVA. The third course is Handmade Veal Ravioli with roasted shiitake mushrooms, veal au jus and Parmigiano Reggiano. This is paired with 2008 Antinori Antica, Atlas Peak AVA. The fourth course features Cast Iron Black Angus Rib Eye with porcini flavor and roasted fall vegetables in a Cabernet reduction, which is paired with both 2007 Minor, Stagecoach Vineyard and 2008 Chappelett Signature, Oakville, Pritchard Hill. Dessert will be an Assortment of Chocolate Truffles served with a 2008 Viader "Dare," Napa Valley.
Gauthier and Bouchaine Vineyards Wine Dinner
Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m. - Francesca's Bryn Mawr (1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL, 60660; 773-506-9261)
Francesca's Bryn Mawr is hosting a Wine Dinner featuring Greg Gauthier of Gauthier Cellars and Bouchaine Vineyards. The five-course meal is $55 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Gauthier will be on-site discussing the wines paired with the menu and speaking about his wineries.
The meal will begin with Crostini with Smoked Salmon, crème fraiche, arugula and apricots, paired with Sauvignon Blanc. Featured next is Braised Pork Cheeks Ragout over white polenta with a Chardonnay. The third course will be Handmade Veal-Filled Ravioli with roasted shiitake mushrooms, veal jus and Parmesan paired with a Pinot Noir blend. The fourth course will feature Cast Iron Black Angus Rib Eye with porcini flavor and roasted fall vegetables in a Cabernet reduction with a different Pinot Noir blend. Dessert will feature an Assortment of Chocolate Truffles with Bouchon D'or.
Goose Island Beer Dinner
Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m. - Francesca's Vicinato (12960 S. Lagrange Road, Palos Park, IL, 60464; 708-671-1600)
Francesca's Vicinato will also host the Goose Island Beer Dinner, which is $45 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.
The Vicinato Goose Island Beer dinner begins with Assorted Crostinis , paired with Goose Island's 312, followed by a salad of Boston Bib Lettuce with Raspberry Vinaigrette, crumbled Gorgonzola and caramelized walnuts, matched with Fleur, a rose-colored Belgian style pale ale. The third course is Francesca's Homemade Butternut Squash Cappellacci with fresh sage and brown butter veal au jus, topped with shaved Parmesan, paired with Goose Island's Christmas Ale, a special-edition brown ale that differs slightly each year. The fourth course will feature Goose Island's Harvest Ale with Braised Veal Shank with natural au jus over saffron risotto and fall vegetables. Dessert is Triple Chocolate Cake partnered with Bourbon Country Coffee Cake Ale, made with local Intelligentsia coffee.
The original Mia Francesca opened its doors in Chicago in 1992 and has grown into a national brand. Francesca's rotates their menu biweekly to take advantage of seasonal bounty. Each individual Francesca's restaurant tailors its menu and events to match the tastes of its guests and their community.
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