2017 Chef and Menu Announced - Store Opens at 4pm July 27th

Dîner en Blanc - Chicago proudly presents the 2017 menu developed by Chef Cleetus Friedman. Chef Cleetus has shared his passion for creating regionally and seasonally-inspired food with restaurant guests and event attendees in Chicago for over 20 years. From City Provisions and Fountainhead to the Chicago Botanic Garden Farm Dinner Series, Chef Cleetus connects guests with their food through story telling - highlighting the farmers, ranchers, and producers of the thoughtfully sourced ingredients. 

A Note from Chef Cleetus Friedman:
Over the past 20 years I have executed my cooking style while supporting local food systems. It’s my personal mission to understand where our food and drink comes from, to learn the processes behind them, and to share the journey with my restaurant family and, you, our guests. When I was approached to create the 2017 Dîner en Blanc - Chicago menu, I was excited to present my love for regional, seasonal cooking, tweaked a bit to reflect the time I was privileged to live, learn, and cook in Normandy.  

The process to of writing this menu was so much fun - from creative ingredient sourcing to developing wine pairings from the Glunz portfolio. I hope you enjoy the selections as much as we do. Bon Appétit!

Picnic Basket Selections
Tous les Fromages pour Duex - $35.00
PQM Bread with Salted European Butter & Seasonal Jam
Laclare Evalon
Ehlenbach’s Pecan Smoked Brie
Ehlenbach’s Bourbon Bleu
Herbed Chèvre
Citrus Cured Olives
White Chocolate Toasted Almond, Chocolate Branca Menta, and Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles
Assorted Macarons and Shortbread Cookies


Fromage & Charcuterie pour Duex - $45.00
PQM Bread with Salted European Butter & Seasonal Jam
Laclare Evalon
Ehlenbach’s Pecan Smoked Brie
Smoked Trout Brandade
West Loop Salumi Strolghino di Culatello
La Quercia Prosciutto
Local Folks Mustard
Pickled Vegetables
Assorted Macarons & Shortbread Cookies


Grgnoter pour Deux - $45.00
PQM Bread with Salted European Butter & Seasonal Jam
Herbed Chèvre
Ehlenbach’s Pecan Smoked Brie
Pasta Rustica with Penne Pasta, Garlic, Fresh Tomato, Goat Cheese, Basil,
Niçoise Olives, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Red Wine Vinegar, Capers
Pork Rillettes
Local Folks Mustard
Assorted Macarons & Shortbread Cookies


Végétarienne pour Deux - $65.00

Entrée
PQM Bread with salted European Butter & Seasonal Jam
Ehlenbach’s Pecan Smoked Brie
Ehlenbach’s Bourbon Bleu
Salad Nicoise with Greens, Dill Potato, Hard Boiled Egg, Watermelon Radish, Red Onion, Pickled Green Beans,
Capers, Roasted Cherry Tomato, Lemon Vinaigrette

Plat Principal
Farmers Market Ratatouille with Fresh Basil and Goat Cheese
Pasta Rustica with Penne Pasta, Garlic, Fresh Tomato, Goat Cheese, Basil,
Niçoise Olives, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Red Wine Vinegar, Capers

Dessert
Milk Stout Torte with Ganache & Raspberry


La Terre pour Deux - $75.00

Entrée
PQM Bread with Salted European Butter & Seasonal Jam
Ehlenbach’s Pecan Smoked Brie
Salade Normande with Bibb Lettuce, Mutsu Apples, Toasted Walnuts,
Camembert Crouton, Apple Cider Dijon Vinaigrette

Plat Principal
Grilled Flank Steak with Espelette Béarnaise
Sunchoke Lyonnaise with Cider Braised Onions
Roasted Summer Beans with Olive Tapenade and Shaved Mimolette

Dessert
Burgundy Poached Pears with Caramel
Assorted Macarons & Shortbread Cookies


Les Aires pour Deux - $85.00

Entrée
PQM Bread with Salted European Butter & Seasonal Jam
Bourbon Bleu
Salad Niçoise with Greens, Dill Potato, Hard Boiled Egg, Watermelon Radish, Red Onion, Pickled Green Beans, Capers,
Roasted Cherry Tomato, White Anchovy Lemon Vinaigrette

Plat Principal
Roasted Duck à L’Orange with Oranges Suprêmes & Candied Ginger
Dijon Roasted Cauliflower Gratin with Yukon Gold Potato & Crispy Kale
Blistered Summer Squash with Golden Raisins and Fresh Basil

Dessert
Almond & Raspberry Tarte


Picnic Basket Selections
Wine selections provided by sponsor Louis Glunz Wines,
featuring the Union Wine Company, Veuve Ambal, and Dry Creek wine houses.

Champagne

Champagne Collet Blanc de Blancs - $60.00
This generous and supple champagne is made exclusively from Chardonnay, the majority of which belonging to the terroirs of the renowned “Cote des Blancs” region. Pale yellow-golden color, balanced and attractive with a fine mousse and bead. The nose is subtle and light with a bouquet of grapefruit-citrus aromas, floral notes of acacia and white flowers. Its gradual and delicate finish demonstrate perfect aromatic balance and finesse.

Sparkling
Pierre Delize Sparkling Wine - $12.00 750ml / $22.00 1.5L Magnum
Pierre Delize is a beautiful 100% chardonnay sparkling Burgundy expressing developed aromas. The focus is on freshness and fruitiness with just enough complexity to add balance. Produced through only natural fermentation with a low temperature second fermentation, you’ll enjoy fine bubbles in the glass and on the palate. Slight sweetness, but not overly strong

Rivarose Brut Rose NV - $15.00
Bringing you the best of both worlds, here is a gorgeous bottle of Provence rosé with a fine and elegant sparkle. The nose offers up a fresh, soft scent of strawberry, raspberry and a little cherry. The mousse is mouth filling and fine. Flavors of red berries and a little spice.

Veuve Ambal Cuvée Marie Ambal Crémant de Bourgogne - $30.00
This Veuve Ambal uses the main Champagne grapes – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – in equal proportions. It features floral and fruity aromas and flavors, especially of pink grapefruit, and toasty notes. It’s well balanced and full flavored.

White Wine
 
Prosper Maufoux Mâcon Villages 2015/16 - $18.00
A blend of Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Grigio with flavor notes of peach, apricot, and flora for a medium-bodied wine with firm acidity and layers of flavor.

Kings Ridge Riesling 2014 - $19.00
This outstanding Riesling brings a bouquet of rose petals and peaches with enough bright acidity to push flavors of lime and grapefruit forward. The wine drinks dry
despite relatively low alcohol.

Dry Creek Fumé Blanc 2015/16
This lovely white wine is modeled after the classic wines from the Loire Valley in France. Stainless steel fermented, with no oak, this Fumé Blanc is crisp and balanced.
Loire flavor with a Sonoma label.

Rosé

Underwood Rosé - $16.00
This rosé is sure to please with notes of strawberry, watermelon, and peach. It supremely drinkable, ideal for outdoor fêtes, just like ours. A light and easy drinking wine, it will last through the aperitif and may reappear at dessert.

Red

Prosper Maufoux Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2015 - $15.00
This is a beautiful Côtes du Rhône, very typical of the region. Plummy with good fruit,
but also a touch of pepper.

Kings Ridge Pinot Noir 2015 - $25.00
A combination of rich red fruit flavors with freshness and vibrancy unique to Pinot Noir grapes grown in the Willamette Valley, this wine truly reflects the character of this region. Taut and expressive, layered with plum, guava, floral and spice flavors that persist against light, crisp tannins on the sleek finish with notes of cherry, strawberry and baking spice.

Dry Creek Zinfandel Heritage 2015 - $30.00
Delicious and beautifully balanced, this wine presents enticing aromatics of raspberries, cherry and a hint of toast and black pepper. On the palate, brambly flavors of ripe boysenberry and spicy dark chocolate come forward. The wine is complex, with bright acidity complimented by notes of berry syrup and mocha. The tannins are silky and smooth to lend a round, rich mouthfeel. From start to finish, this remarkable wine offers refreshing
acidity paired with excellent structure.

 Dry Creek The Mariner 2013 - $50.00
This medium bodied Cabernet from Dry Creek Valley offers wonderful drinkability with flavors that range from cassis to blackberries and supple tannins to support them all with moderate length. At first swirl, the wine displays high-toned perfume aromas of rose petal, cranberry, blueberry and oregano. Several more minutes reveal hints of wild sage, allspice and dark cherry characters. The palate is full and rich with mouthfilling complexity carrying notes of espresso, sweet vanilla, anise and dark fruit tones. The tannins are smooth and supple providing balance and sophistication. It is simply charming and polished from start to finish.