Patrón Tequila Express

The Patrón Tequila Express (a 1927 refurbished, private rail car) rolled into Chicago today and needless to say, I was bummed to have missed a mid-day tequila tasting, good food and live music. The train is part of the Patrón Music in Motion Tour, a national fundraising effort to help rebuild New Orleans. There are four ways to participate (see the web site for details) and for those who are active in helping to raise funds, can win some pretty cool prizes like a Gibson guitar, a trip with friends on the Patron Express, a chance to attend a NYC Red Carpet event and the VMAS and tons of Patron product. Chicago is the last stop before the train rolls into the Big Easy.

Check out the website for more info: www.musicinmotiontour.com.

Lunch with Harald Stückle of Beck’s Oktoberfest

Last week I had a chance to meet with German brewmaster, Harald Stückle who is the brains behind Beck’s seasonal Oktoberfest offering. Brewed in Bremen, Germany, Beck’s Oktoberfest is brewed using fresh glacier water, Beck’s exclusive strain of yeast that’s been nurtured and cultivated for generations, top-grade barley, and hops hand-selected from the Bavarian Hallertau region by German brewmasters. Stückle, a Beck’s brewmaster who lives in Germany and has spent 14 years perfecting the science of brewing, came to Chicago to talk to with me over a leisurely, nearly two-hour, European-style lunch. We chatted about the Beck’s brewing process and the tradition behind Maerzen-style Oktoberfest beers, which are traditionally only available September through October. We sipped and sampled original Beck’s and the Beck’s Oktoberfest, all from souvenir steins, which conveniently hold a Beck’s bottle. The Oktoberfest was rich with caramel and spice undertones: A perfect fall beer.

Be sure to check out the October issue of Scene where I cover off on other seasonal brews that have reached Chicago just in time for Oktoberfest; well, the tail end of it at least (the Bavarian beer fest traditionally runs from the end of Sept. to early Oct.)

Demonstrating the perfect pour with a perfect froth in a perfect glass

Stephanie Miller, Harald Stückle and Dan Russo of Rockit

Fear No Fashion Sponsored by Kilo Kai

Thought that I’d share some info on a great grassroots organization in Chicago that is being sponsored by Kilo Kai Rum. I covered Kilo Kai in the August issue of Scene and now, the renegade rum brand has proven that there is more to them than just a great tasting spiced rum. On Sunday, September 28, 2008, Kilo Kai is one of the sponsors of “Fear No Fashion,” a fundraising event at the Cubby Bear in Wrigley that will benefit the PAVE Foundation (Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment). Nadia Underwood (from TV’s Beauty & the Geek 3) and Josh Mora (Comcast Sportsnet) are the celebrity hosts. PAVE is a Chicago-based national grassroots nonprofit organization that uses education and action to shatter the silence of sexual and domestic violence. ”Fear No Fashion” will take place from 4 to 8 pm (open bar from 4 to 5 pm) and will include a fashion show, burlesque acts, complimentary drinks from 4-5pm and a silent auction. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.fearnofashion.org.

C-House

When I was invited to dine at Marcus Samuelsson’s restaurant du jour, C-House, located at the new Affinia hotel, I gleefully RSVP’d and immediately googled the dinner menu. Then panic struck. I was torn between the chorizo mac & cheese and the freeze-dried corn to start. Then came a face-off at the raw C-Bar: Yellowtail fish tacos vs. Cobia (coconut puree with radish and cashews). And I nearly lost sleep over the fresh Lobster Club sandwich, which was up against the fish & chips with homemade sweet and spicy ketchup. What’s a girl to do? Well, I ordered all of it. Seriously. I did. Granted the dinner was complementary, courtesy of the restaurant and their PR team who wanted to get the word out about the latest installment from the Ethiopian-born, Swedish-raised Samuleson. He’s a two-time James Beard winner and NYC figurehead of the glorified Swedish restaurant Aquavit, Riingo, an American-Japanese fusion restaurant and African powerhouse, Merkato.

At only 37, Samuleson is polite, professional and wise beyond his years. When he came to my table to introduce himself, I delved into a story about my love of scallops and he immediately brought out a plate of two massive scallops, with beets, horseradish and cabbage. I hugged him.

Of course I rounded out the dinner with coconut ice cream and an apple-plum turnover with cinnamon spice sherbet and sliced apples.

Make a reservation. The ambiance is upscale but cool. Very Graham Elliot.

Mixology at the Hotel Intercontinental

Dear Lushes,

I've been neglecting you. Apologizes. So without further adieu, thought I'd kick off the month of September by recounting a great Mixology class that I attended at the Hotel Intercontinental. I was invited there for a crash course in how to make the classic cocktails that will be offered this fall at The Bar. I deserved a big slap on the wrist for having never been in the hotel; it was stunning. We gathered in the Lion's Hall, which was the gateway to the former location of The Men's Bar when the property was known as the Medinah Athletic Club in the 1930's, and were greeted with champagne paired with cucumber and crab meat jello, topped with caviar.

Tamas Vago, Food and Beverage Director was the master of ceremonies, guiding us through the tightly edited collection of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. We had three phenomenal drinks, each of which were uniquely delicious and had legs to stand on its own. I hope the three food and drink pairings below inspire you.

Seasonal Sour

Drink it like a Cosmo.

Paired with: Chicken Kelligan Dalma and Yellow Tomato Basil Ice Cream on Pumpkernickle bread. The yellow tomato basil ice cream was surprising. Such an interesting texture. I immediately got brain freeze because I ate too fast and wasn't expecting an ice cream sandwich!

Ingredients: Belvedere, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup and Seasonal Fruit.
We muddled whole plums (skin on and be sure to grind the pit, it releases natural oils and adds texture to the drink) before adding vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.

Chicas- for a low cal option, forgo the simple syrup. The natural lemon juice may be sour, but it has natural sweetness that will balance out.

Hot 'n' Snowy

Replace your Vodka Soda Water with this baby

Paired with: Pumpkin Fritter filled with Spicy Venison and Shrimp Corndog (so good).

Ingredients: 10 Cane Rum, Ginger Syrup, Lime Juice and Ginger Beer
Shake an ounce of 10 Cane, simple syrup and lime juice then strain into a Collins glass with filled with ice. Add soda water and stir. Float another ounce of 10 Cane on top and garnish with a lime peel.

I'm a huge ginger fan and given its refreshing, crisp qualities, you can drink this like lemonade, well almost. Some cocktails are overwhelming in flavor which means it's hard to enjoy more than one. This isn’t the case. I could easily drink this throughout the night.

Gold Coast

Think of it as an updated Manhattan

Paired with: Soft Shell Crab with Asparagus Noodle and Cajun Spice and Maple Glazed Short Rib Samosa with Cherry Chutney.

Ingredients: Tempelton Rye*, Navan Vanilla Liqueur, 3 brulee cherries, a dash of blood orange bitters and 3 drops of Equinox, their proprietary bitters. Add all ingredients, except the Equinox bitters into shaker and strain into a cocktail glass. Top cocktail with three drops of Equinox (so crucial is the addition of bitters, that the mixologist used an eyedroper to ensure the accuracy of the proportions) and garnish with torched, brulee cherries.

*Tempelton Rye: I was able to attend the historic launch of this infamous whiskey last August which was held in the Prohibition section of the Chicago History Museum. It was the first time in 80 years that the whiskey was served legally. It was the spirit that Al Capone made famous and the people of Templeton, Iowa made from scratch.

The Round Barn Winery

Okay, okay, I know that when I started this blog, I said it would encompass the latest and greatest in Chicago's happenings. But one of the best things about this city is its proximity to some fantastic weekend retreats.  Armed with an invite to the annual Harvest Fest at the Round Barn Winery in southwestern Michigan, a reservation at an inn on Lake Michigan and my easy going sidekick, Saturday and Sunday was spent moseying around in St. Joe, Michigan. Not only does Round Barn produce a selection of white and red wines (opt for the Vineyard Tears, their best-selling dry white table wine), but they also make one of the world's only grape based vodkas- DiVine (check out Chicago Scene's September Drink Report on vodka). If vodka and wine weren't enough, the family owned estate, brews their own hand crafted beer. After the wine tasting in the old round barn, I tried their seasonal oak IPA- one of the better beers I've had in a while. Unfortunately didn't sell growlers during the tasting, alas, I couldn't bring any back to the city. But I did manage to buy an entire case of wine: a sampler of their Pinot Gris,  Dry Table White, Cabernet Sauvingnon, Merlot and Gewurztraminer. After the winery came dinner a new bistro in St. Joe. I was so inspired by my vineyard experience that I had to have a DiVine vodka martini, straight up with with three blue cheese olives. And to the novices who think that vodka is flavorless and dull, DiVine is one of the best vodka's that I've had. It's smooth, velvety and leaves a subtle aftertaste that makes you wonder what that special touch is. Then you realize that it's a local, small batch vodka, personally signed with the distillers seal of approval: a silver, cursive script that reads Vodka Dave, and you know it has to be good. 

Ode to the NYC Dive Bar

Ironically, one of my first posts won't even be about a place in Chicago. It's here and now, that we pay homage to one of the most interesting dive bars that I've ever had the pleasure of walking into. Everyone has a favorite, local haunt, but I can see why this downtown hole in the wall (Houston & Mulberry) is home to Crazy Jack (pictured) and Ms. Heathernin (who's Irish superstition barely allowed me to snap her photo, dare my Cannon Powershot steal her soul), the Irish bar keep who has manned the rotting mahogany pub for nearly 30 years.

I stumbled upon Milano's, when I was in New York this past week and did a double take because the I thought that the front door lead to a dark, narrow staircase. Instead the doorway lead to an impossibly narrow bar. When sitting on a bar stool, drinking the Brooklyn Lager, I had a couple of inches between  my back and the wall (which was chock full of tarnished brass picture frames of old New York). I made friends with Jack, or Crazy Jack as he called himself and after I sum up this train of thought, I'll be emailing him the same picture that you see here.

It was 11:30 am when I walked past Milano's and other than Jack (who was drinking a double Stoli and coca cola, interesting...) and his sidekick, who I'll call Bob, because I wasn't able to get his name because he was slurring his words so badly, there was a polite English man who had flown in from the UK the night before. It was this kind-hearted, altruistic English man who saved me from walking in on some dude who was passed out on the only toilet in the bar (with open, swinging bar doors like in western movies). What was going on behind that swinging door, I can't bring myself to write on this blog, but I'm happy to share the gory details via individual email per you request. Wow. 

That's the best thing about New York, or really, any dive bar in the U.S. There's always a story to be told and someone to meet.

The Promise

The great thing about a blog is that you have the freedom to rave about or smash a product or brand. I'm not under literary or publishing restraints nor am I a slave to advertisers. The one thing that I guarantee to those who visit the Stephanie Paige is that on this site, you'll get organic, honest and sound recommendations. Whether it's a restaurant, lounge, cocktail, distillery or brand, if I post it I believe in it. I'll keep the sub par posts to a minimum, but if you're like me, you appreciate honest feedback-so I'll offer it. And if you have any recommendations, shoot me an email. Would love to hear from you:  www.StephaniePaigeMiller@gmail.com

Lolla Music Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel

Answering those tough questions

Lolla Music Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel

I was invited to the Lolla Music Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel for some much needed R&R (slash partying) prior to checking out the shows in Chicago's Grant Park. This year's major sponsors included Chicago's entertainment resource, Metromix, a bevy of beverage brands (who knew Cafe Bustelo coffee was so good!?), a gifting suite (Diesel Jeans anyone?), tattoo's from celeb artists, rock band and guitar hero. In the Eastsport Cafe food was taken care of by the China Grill, Berry Chill was on hand offering as much frozen yogurt in their signature flavor as you can eat and it was at this private sit-down cafe, that musicians mingled with the editors of Spin, Vibe, Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair.  

Fully-Stocked Anything Goes Bar

Don Julio mojitos?

Ciroc with organic lemonade? 

Plenty of Red Bull

Fuze fruit drinks galore

Cosmo's with a healthy dose of Nuvo? Oh wow. 

P.S. If you haven't tried Nuvo, a 15% alcohol sparkling liqueur, you're missing out. Think of it as an updated cosmo.

Free Tattoos

Cabanas for Lupe Fiasco but then it was into the crowd for Rage

Saturday, August 2nd:

The open bar in the cabana served Ciroc- Diddy's vodka of choice, well it has to be given his multimillion dollar ad deal with them.

42 Below Cocktail World Cup

Earlier this week I was a guest judge along side Southern Wine & Spirits Mixology veteran Bridget Albert (check out her new book!), music legend George Daniels and Bacardi mixologist extraordinaire Debbi Peek at the Cocktail World Cup. It was a pretty great showing of the who's who of the spirits world.

Cheers to Charles Joly of the "The Drawing Room" (and kudos to his bar back Julian who wore a bee costume and hyped up the crowd) for his winning drink 42 BEE STINGS. Charles is headed down to New Zealand to participate in the Cocktail World Cup Finals as he competes as one of 42 international mixologists. Now I just have to convince T at 42 to have an international judging panel...

The Judges

From Left to Right: Music Industry Legend George Daniels, Bacardi Extordinaire Debbie Peek, Southern Wine & Spirits Mixology Master Bridget Albert, Chicago Scene Drink Editor Stephanie Miller

The Judges

Left to Right: George Daniels, Debbi Peek, Bridget Albert, Stephanie Miller with mixology contestants

Charles Joly, The Drawing Room

First Place Winner with the 42 Bee Stings. He's headed to New Zealand. Oh my wow.

Kyle Davidson, The Violet Hour

Second Place

Adam Seger, Nacional 27

Third Place Winner

Green

It's the inagural post. After too many conversations with too many people I took the plung.