March Events at Francesca's Restaurants

Feb. 15, 2012 - PRLog -- While it may still be cold outside, Francesca’s Restaurants are keeping things hot. You may come into Francesca’s feeling like a lion, but they’ll be sure you go out like a lamb.

Buglioni Wine Dinner

March 1, 7 p.m. – Francesca’s at the Promenade (641 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440; 630-739-6300)
March 7, 7 p.m. – Francesca’s by the River (200 S. Second St., St. Charles, IL 60174; 630-587-8221)
March 8, 7 p.m. – Francesca’s Bryn Mawr (1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60660; 773-506-9261)

This month, several Francesca’s restaurants present wine dinners featuring the Italian wines of Buglioni Vineyards. Tickets are $65 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

The evening begins with a cocktail hour featuring Crostini con Fegatini di Pollo  con Ricotta e Pomodorini, crostini with chicken liver pate or with ricotta and sweet tomatoes. This is paired with “Il Vigliacco” Brut Rose. Following this is the first course, Gamberoni con Cannellini al Rosmarino, jumbo shrimp with cannellini beans and rosemary topped with arugula, paired with “Il Intruso” Bianco Veronese. The next course features Pappardelle con Funghi Selvatici e Polletto, handmade pappardelle with wild mushrooms ragu and charred chicken breast with Parmigiano. The Valpolicella Classico wine pairs perfectly with this course. Next is Costine di Bue Agli Aromi con Polenta Bianca, braised short ribs with herbs, au jus and creamy white corn polenta paired with “Il Bugiardo” Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso DOC. The dinner ends with Degustazione di Formaggi con Frutta, a cheese tasting with fruit, nuts, sweet gorgonzola and pecorino grand cru. “L’Amarone” Amarone della Valpolicella is paired with this course.

Opolo Winemaker’s Dinner

March 7, 7 p.m. – Francesca’s Bellezza (75 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, IL 60525; 708-579-3500)

The Opolo Winemaker’s Dinner at Francesca’s Bellezza features wines from California’s Opolo Vineyards. Tickets are $52 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

The evening starts with Cicchetti, an assortment of small bites paired with Opolo Sparkling Wine. This is followed by Capesante e Arancia, pearl pasta with jumbo sea scallops and baby spinach in blood orange sauce paired with 2010 Roussanne. The next course is Papardelle con Anatra, papardelle pasta with a duck confit, vegetables, stewed tomatoes, oregano and parmesan cheese. Opolo’s 2007 Grande Rouge is the perfect pairing for this course. The final course is Filetto con Polenta, pan-roasted beef tenderloin topped with mascarpone polenta and black cherry pepper reduction paired with 2010 Mountain Zinfandel.

Fork and Bottle Dinner at Francesca’s Tavola

March 13, 7 p.m. – Francesca’s Tavola (208 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005; 847-394-3950)

Francesca’s Tavola presents a Fork and Bottle Dinner Tuesday, March 13. This interactive dining experience and wine tasting is a more casual alternative to a wine dinner but still features delicious wines and food pairings. The event is $30 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

The evening starts with a cooking demonstration from Chef de Cuisine Gabriel Arista. He will be making Gameri con Salsa Romesco, grilled prawns with romesco and citrus. This will be paired with Caymus Conundrum. The menu will also include Filetto di Maiale con Fagioli, grilled pork tenderloin with white beans and sweet roasted tomatoes, paired with Belle Glos Meomi Pinot Noir. Pesce con Cipolline e Finocchio, halibut with caramelized cipollini onion, roasted fennel and forest mushrooms, will also be featured at the dinner. This will be paired with Belle Glos Clarke & Telephone.

“Wines from Hall” Wine Dinner
March 15, 7 p.m. – Francesca’s Vicinato (12960 S. La Grange Rd., Palos Park, IL 60464; 708-671-1600)

Francesca’s Vicinato presents the “Wines from Hall” Wine Dinner, featuring wine selections from Napa Valley’s Hall Winery. Guest speaker, Jason Horek, a representative of the winery, will be on-site to discuss the wines and their pairings with the meal. Tickets are $52 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

The evening begins with Capesante con Purea di Finoccheitto, seared scallop with caramelized fennel and goat cheese puree, shaved fennel, shaved raw asparagus and ruby grapefruit. This is paired with Hall Sauvignon Blanc. The next course is Tonno al Pepe Nero, peppered Ahi tuna with tomato compote and rosemary, which pairs superbly with Hall “Darwin” Proprietary Red. Following this course is Anatra Arrosto con Gnocchetti, roasted duck breast with black pepper gnocchi, braised duck leg, forest mushrooms and ramps. This is paired with Hall Merlot. The fourth course is Filetto Grigliato con Fonduta di Patate, grilled filet with fonduta potato, caramelized Brussels sprouts, garlic and sage paired with Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. The evening ends with Assortimento di Biscotti, an assortment of artisanal and homemade cookies, served with coffee.

Two Brothers Beer Dinner

March 22, 7 p.m.  – Francesca’s at the Promenade (641 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440; 630-739-6300)

Francesca’s at the Promenade’s Winter Beer Dinner features beers from Two Brothers Brewing Company, located just west of Chicago in Warrenville. This four-course meal is $35 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.

The meal starts with Polpo Grigliato, grilled octopus with fagioli gigantic, marinated sundried tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette, which is paired with Two Brother’s Ebel’s Weiss, a German Hefeweizen. This is followed by Polpetti Agnello, lamb meatballs with spicy San Marzano tomato sauce, arugula and lemon. This makes an excellent partner for the Cane & Ebel red rye ale. The third course features Gnocchi con Pancetta, sweet potato gnocchi with cipollini onions, pancetta and brown-butter sage. This is paired with Resistance, an India Pale Ale. The final course features Brasato di Bue, beer-braised beef ribs with parsnip puree paired with Two Brother’s Northwind beer.

“Let them drink Bourbon” at Francesca’s Forno

March 22, 8-10 p.m. – Francesca’s Forno (1576 Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; 773-770-0184)

Francesca’s Forno presents “Let them drink Bourbon,” a dinner celebrating small batch bourbon. Special guest Fred Noe, great grandson of Jim Beam, will be on-site to speak about each of the bourbons and the tradition of small batch bourbon. Tickets to this event are $45 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

The evening begins with Brown Sugar Glazed Bacon Jerky paired with Moonshine. This is followed by Pancetta Wrapped Striped Bass with spearmint and orange gremolata paired with Basil Hayden bourbon. The next course is Hazelnut Crusted Pork Cutlet with brown butter and sage paired with bourbon from Knob Creek. Following this is Espresso and Lardo Roasted Rack of Pork with bacon braised collard greens. This is paired with Bookers bourbon. The final course is Chocolate and Bourbon Pecan Pie with bacon and burnt caramel gelato paired with bourbon from Bakers.

About Francesca’s Restaurants
The original Mia Francesca opened its doors in Chicago back in 1992, providing customers with delicious Italian fare, comfortable surroundings, and friendly service - a successful business model that allowed for the concept to quickly grow into a national brand.

Francesca’s rotates their menu bi-weekly in order to offer fresh, seasonal ingredients of the highest quality for their rustic Italian dishes. Touted as casual dining in a sophisticated, trattoria ambiance, each individual Francesca’s restaurant has become ingrained in their community and tailors both their menu and special events, such as exquisite wine dinners, to match the tastes and energy of their guests. The consistency is in the amazing food, great service and even better prices. For more information about Francesca’s Restaurants, visit www.miafrancesca.com.

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