The South Rises Again—On Cocktail Menus

Virginia's award-winning Barboursville Vineyards' Octagon, 2006, is on the menu at Table Fifty-Two. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)

I swear I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that a number of wines from the South can easily hold a candle to the more celebrated vino found in France, Italy or Spain.

At Table Fifty-Two, they're building a South-focused wine program that's certain not to be found outside of the South. Check out what I found in my monthly spirits column on DiningChicago.com, where I also cover the Southern-oriented cocktail programs at Big Jones, Hearty and The Southern.

Cheers!

Charles Joly Wins Another Major Contest!

Sepia head mixologist Josh Pearson called it the "toughest contest lineup in a long time."

That's the Auchentoshan Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky "Switch" Contest in which one bartender from the United States wins the opportunity to work for two weeks at a well-known London bar, and in turn, a mixologist from London wins the chance to work for two weeks at a trendy New York bar.

The Drawing Room's Charles Joly beat out 20 top bartenders at the finals Wednesday in Las Vegas to win the coveted prize. Check out his entry video, as he makes lemonade from scratch and an Old Fashioned cocktail with Auchentoshan Three Wood.

'Baconfest,' Negroni Carafes & More

Chalkboard's Gilbert Langlois kicks off Baconfest Chicago's fall/winter satellite dinners with a special event in November. (Photo: Chalkboard)

The kickoff of Baconfest Chicago's fall/winter satellite dinners, Negroni carafes at MörSo and Storefront Company's Quinoa Fries are just a few things you'll be drooling over in the coming weeks:

He had me at Chocolate Bacon Lollipops. Oh, and Bacon Hush Puppies with Salted Caramel, too.

Chalkboard's Gilbert Langlois gets the honor of launching Baconfest Chicago's fall/winter satellite dinners with a special event at 6:30pm Nov. 8. The menu sounds supremely divine with all this swine, and also includes Very Simple Bacon and Eggs (quail eggs with roasted bacon), braised pork belly with savory pumpkin bread pudding and bacon peanut butter custard with bacon fat frosting for dessert. It's $55 per person and includes one complimentary cocktail.

Doughnut Vault Debuts at Dose Market

Doughnut Vault's chocolate glazed doughnuts. (Photo: Doughnut Vault)

So. It wasn't enough that Doughnut Vault already has lines down the street every damn day at the corner of Franklin and Kinzie, but now you're guaranteed to see them at the next Dose Market, happening Nov. 6.

The upscale food- and fashion-focused market happens once a month at River East Art Center (435 E. Illinois St.), featuring local high-profile chefs, mixologists and artisans, so the city's best gourmet doughnuts will be right at home. For the event, they'll debut six new flavors that should complement the warm Seedling cider, La Colombe coffee and Rare Tea Cellar teas that will also be on sale.

Here's what else to expect that day:

Wow Bao Truck Is On The Move!

First photos of the Wow Bao Truck. (Photos: 312 Dining Diva)

It's a few weeks behind schedule, but better late than never, eh?!

Wow Bao's—and Lettuce Entertain You's—first food truck hit the streets previewing for select media outlets Tuesday, and 312DD's crib was one of the first spots on the trail.

The mobile vehicle officially launches to the public Wednesday, offering the signature pillowy, savory bites known as "baos" in flavors like teriyaki chicken, spicy Mongolian beef, spicy Kung Pao chicken and BBQ pork.

Foie Gras Maki & More . . .

Foie Gras with nashi pear and eel sauce "gunkans" are on Sushi Samba rio's current menu. (Photo: Sushi Samba rio)

It's like foie gras is new again.

I've stumbled across a few restaurants gleefully using the fatty duck or goose liver delicacy—which was banned in Chicago 2006 through May 2008—in dishes we eat on the regular.

Earlier this year, Serious Eats sought out Chicago's most superior spuds and indulged in the Foie Gras Fries at Big and Little's. Lincoln Park brunch/lunch newcomer 2 Sparrows has a Foie Gras Pop Tart on its menu. It tastes just like the one you remember as a child, but the flavors are all grown up with the foie gras complemented by cherry compote.

The Winner of Green City Market's Contest!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple-Marshmallow Cream Filling photo via Bon Appetit.

Christina Gace's inspiration for her Pumpkin & Apple Whoopie Pies came from the October 2009 issue of Bon Appetit that featured a recipe for Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple-Marshmallow Cream Filling.

Her idea won her two tickets to Green City Market's first-ever Masquerade del Mercado, taking place 4-8pm Oct. 30 at Carnivale.

Alas, I have no more free tickets to give away, but they're still available right here. Prices are $65-$90, and through Wednesday each ticket purchase gets a bonus of five live drawing vouchers (which will be held at will call at the event).

Here are the prizes for the live drawing:

Pucker Up For 'Give Me Some Sugar'

I know what you're thinking—and likely with a groan—that we don't need any more pastry spots around town, but this one's a bit different. And I think you'll love it.

Give Me Some Sugar, a unique new sweets shop from chef Alekka Sweeney, opens in Roscoe Village on Nov. 5. She's been in business since 2006, mostly working the in-house party circuit, but this is her first storefront. She previously staged with Gale Gand at Tru, Vosges Haut Chocolates and the pastry teams at the Hotel Inter-Continental.