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coopers hawk wines for blind tasting

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant Celebrates 20 Years with Special Wine Tasting

Posted by | Chicago, Restaurants, Wine | No Comments

In celebration of Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant’s 20th anniversary, they have launched Behind the Label. This blind-tasting challenge is designed to transform the traditional wine experience into a gamified event. Join the fun by visiting any of the 68 locations across the country throughout the month of April.

behind the lanel

Cooper’s Hawk was founded in Orland Park, Illinois, in 2005 by Tim McEnery. What sets this restaurant apart is their modern causal style with winery experience. Napa-style tasting rooms along with experiential dining plus a specialty market make for an engaging, delicious and entertaining restaurant ambience.  

When you hear about Cooper’s Hawk, what might first stand out is the community they have created within their brand.… Read more

Rosemont Restaurant Week Chocolate cake

17 Restaurants to Visit for Rosemont Restaurant Week

Posted by | Chicago, Restaurants | No Comments
Get ready, foodies! The Village of Rosemont Restaurant Week is set to return Sunday, March 2 through Saturday, March 8, 2025. Diners can indulge in specially curated prix fixe, three-course lunch and/or dinner menus at a variety of participating Rosemont restaurants.Rosemont Restaurant Weel tortilla
“Rosemont Restaurant Week has become a highly anticipated annual event, bringing guests back year after year,” said Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens. “With so many outstanding restaurants participating again this year, it’s a fantastic opportunity to discover new flavors, revisit favorite spots and enjoy Rosemont’s exceptional dining offerings at a great value.”
 

2025 Rosemont Restaurant Week participating restaurants include:

  • Bub City
  • Carlucci
  • Carmine’s Rosemont
  • Crust Brewing
  • Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar
  • FLIGHT
  • Giordano’s
  • Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse
  • Land & Lake
  • McCormick & Schmick’s
  • Moretti’s Rosemont
  • Morton’s The Steakhouse
  • Saltwater Coastal Grill
  • SLYCE Rosemont
  • The Ashburn
  • Thorn Restaurant & Lounge
  • Truluck’s
Rosemont Restaurant Week menus and dining reservation information are available to view here.
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Swiss Air Menu

SWISS Inflight Culinary Program Serving Taste of Switzerland

Posted by | Restaurants, Tourism, Travel | No Comments

SWISS to serve inflight delights from the award-winning FAHR restaurant in Canton Aargau.

For the next three months, SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) will be offering travelers, on its long-haul services from Switzerland, culinary delights from Canton Aargau. The new First and Business Class meals are the creation of starred chef Manuel Steigmeier, chef de cuisine at the FAHR restaurant in the Aargau village of Künten. For Premium Economy Class guests, this latest chapter in the ‘SWISS Taste of Switzerland’ inflight culinary program also brings selected Aargau specialties that include the canton’s famous ‘Rüeblikuchen’ carrot cake.

The FAHR restaurant is the proud holder of one Michelin star and 17 GaultMillau points.… Read more

Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach

Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun Opens 3 New Restaurants

Posted by | Restaurants, Travel | 2 Comments

Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun multi-million dollar renovation to bring three new global restaurants to their award winning all-inclusive resort is just a taste of what you will experience at this luxury property. From breakfast with an ocean view to lunch at the pool to cocktails at sunset to premium steak and seafood for dinner, your culinary journey will be filled with memories of the most delicious dishes.  la joya food

Recognized by Forbes Travel Guide as the best in Cancun, the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun All Inclusive Spa Resort has received Four Stars for its resort and Gem Spa.… Read more

First Bites Bash to kick off Chicago Restaurant Week

First Bites Bash Returns to Kick Off Chicago Restaurant Week

Posted by | Chicago, Restaurants | 8 Comments

Get ready for all the Chicago restaurant exploration you will be doing in 2023!

First Bites Bash, the celebratory kick-off event for the 16th annual Chicago Restaurant Week is returning. Making an exciting return for the first time since 2020, the event will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Chicago’s Field Museum from 6 to 9 p.m.

First Bites Bash Returns to Kick Off Chicago Restaurant Week

“First Bites Bash is one of the events Chicagoans love the most about our city,” said Lynn Osmond, Choose Chicago President and CEO. “It is a signature celebration championing Chicago’s leading role as a culinary destination.… Read more

Dry ice cocktail

A Lesson in Royal Brackla Scotch Whisky

Posted by | Cocktails, Restaurants, Spirits | No Comments

If you are a Scotch drinker or want to learn more about it, then this article is for you. A night at The Aviary with Royal Brackla Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky turned in to an evening of incredible food, inventive scotch cocktails, an education on Scotch and lots of laughter among friends both new and old.12 18 and 21 year old scotch

Our evening was comprised of those with varying levels of expertise when it comes to single malt Scotch. We talked about the spirit’s history, how it is produced, brands, recipes and of course, flavor. As I continue to improve my knowledge about Scotch Whisky, I thought I would share some of my takeaways.… Read more

Four Cheese Yellow Pizza

Piccolo Buco & Cooper’s Hawk Introduce Authentic Roman Pizza

Posted by | Beverage, Chicago, Cocktails, Foods, Restaurant Opening, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel | 4 Comments
Have you ever traveled to an international city on vacation and discovered the most amazing food and then tried to figure out how you can bring it home with you?  Well, Tim McEnery of Cooper’s Hawk had that same experience, only he made it happen! Read about how Piccolo Buco and Cooper’s Hawk are bringing Roman Pizza to Chicago.
 

Piccolo Buco by Luca Issa & Cooper’s Hawk

Piccolo Buco Cooper's Hawk Roman Pizza

Introducing Piccolo Buco, by Chef Luca Issa of Piccolo Buco Roma and Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants, where you will find the most delicious and unique Roman pizza. 
chef luca issa
⁣The magic of Chef Luca’s pizza comes down to the extraordinary crust that is light and airy inside and yet has a tall crispy edge.
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NRA sign

2022 National Restaurant Show Trends and Innovations

Posted by | Chicago, Foods, Restaurants, Trade Show, Trends | 6 Comments

The National Restaurant Show took over Chicago’s McCormick Place last week showcasing the latest restaurant innovations. This four-day event that brings together over 60,000 food service professionals came back to life after the pandemic as it introduced us to the latest trends in the industry.  What do you think of the 2022 National Restaurant Association trends?

NRA exhibit floor

Exhibitors and attendees alike were happy to be seeing colleagues once again and talking shop. There was definitely an energy throughout the halls to get back to business as we knew it. This is a very big show which means lots to see and explore.… Read more

A Culinary Exploration of Finland’s Food and Drink World

Posted by | Cocktails, Restaurants, Travel | 9 Comments

Traveling to Northern Europe to explore Finland’s food and drink world should be high on your list of culinary adventures given the enormous talent found in the country. 

Finland may be known for the Northern Lights, snowy-white winter beauty of Lapland, Salla Reindeer Park and Santa Claus Village, but there is so much more to be found in this stunning country. An under-the-radar culinary world that rivals that of cities far larger is quietly but powerfully making enormous impressions on those with an appreciation for the talent that creates dishes worthy of award recognition.

Without the glitzy fanfare of their neighbors, this low-key, yet sophisticated country has an impressive food and beverage space.Read more

A Seafood Lovers Vacation to the Florida Gulf Coast

Posted by | Restaurants, Tourism, Travel | 10 Comments

Exploring the Ringling, shopping on St. Armand’s Circle and dining at seafood restaurants across Tampa, Sarasota and Long Boat Key while on vacation on the Florida Gulf Coast.

Sandy white beaches, sunshine, seafood and a slower pace were the goals of my recent trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast. My ultimate destination was Long Boat Key, exploring Sarasota’s dining and art space along the way.

Flying in to Florida’s Gulf Coast

While choosing the airport you fly into is usually based on other factors than the food scene within the terminal, this was actually a decision maker for me. Having learned that the Tampa International Airport did a massive $154 million renovation with a focus on their design, culinary and concessions, I wanted to see what this meant from a traveler’s standpoint.… Read more