Chicago's Fatpour Upgrades Self-Serve Beer Tables to Pourmybeer System

Recently voted Best Beer Bar in the US by ‘Nightclub & Bar’ the ownership are not resting on their laurels. From the outset, the focus has always been to “Think and Drink different". They back up their robust beer list with a menu that attracts “foodies” for miles around. Their menu was also built with beer in mind. It is itemized by color code to show you what particular beer style would suit your gastronomic choice best.

Indeed ‘best’ is a superlative that fits Fatpour Tapworks. The establishment is owned and managed by the Big Onion Tavern Group who have five other successful concepts in the Chicago metro area. Their seventh location is due to open in the coming weeks and will host the self-serve concept there as well.

They sought out a self-serve beer system when they opened the location initially and what they got was one that did not work as billed and, worse, went unsupported by the company that sold them the system.

"The new system has been much more impressive and reliable than the one we had previously,” said Ryan Marks of the Big Onion Tavern Group.

Customers can access beer themselves in a controlled manner. Patrons are served up to a limit of two beers per person at the tables. Once they hit their limit, they are re-assessed by staff and re-upped for two more if they are deemed to be OK for re-serving. “While the concept brings that initial wow factor to the patrons, the owners get the satisfaction of knowing that kegs pouring through our taps cost 25% less with no waste,” said Josh Goodman, PourMyBeer Owner and Co-founder. “Having the opportunity to work with Ryan and the Big Onion Tavern Group has been great. These guys have definitely figured out the ingredients required to build and maintain very successful, long-lasting Restaurants & Bars.”

Consumer choice, increased sales from no waiting for service and maximizing keg yield are the three things that brought Fatpour to the concept originally.

“Now that we finally have a working system in place we are realizing what we had envisioned when we sought it out at the beginning,” said Marks.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Travel in Style Via Restored Luxury Train from Chicago to New Orleans

The Luxury Train Club is delighted to announce that Pullman Rail Journeys are now available through the Club, offering members a very special train route in classic rail cars through the centre of the USA, Chicago – New Orleans.

The Luxury Train Club features over 30 luxury trains around the world, on every continent that has railways.

Pullman Rail Journeys delivers ‘nostalgia meets iconic meets authenticity’ - with modern facilities. The original Pullman rail company that built the carriages in the late 1940s started service in 1867, and finally went out of business in the 1980s.

These vintage cars have been rescued and fully restored to the original Pullman Art Deco design, with stylish plush accommodation that features modern amenities to maximize comfort without compromising authenticity. Pullman Porters and Stewards clad in traditional uniform are on hand at all times to give superb service.

Members of the Luxury Train Club benefit from discount off Pullman Rail Journeys and every other trip or tour listed on the Club website. Membership is free, by subscription to the Club newsletter.

The Luxury Train Club is offering the A - Class Master Bedrooms with private facilities – drawing room, shower, toilet and wash basin, at fares starting from USD $2,850. Train Chartering’s developing new service,World Train Travel, features 5 other Pullman classes of travel, including Rooms, Compartments, Roomettes and Open Sections, with prices from USD $800.

Public cars include the Lounge Car, and Dining Car and the Observation Car. Comfortable seating is arranged to make the most of the views through a wall of windows, which are features of the Observation and Lounge Cars.

Food on Pullman Rail Journeys is prepared on board; during the trip, passengers are served three elegant meals. Menus can include, for example, filet mignons with Madeira wine sauce and the great American breakfast. All drinks are included in the price and are prepared to order. Light meals and snacks are available from the buffet in the Club and Lounge Cars. The Club car remains open throughout the trip.

Every week, there are two departures southbound, Chicago to New Orleans, and two departures northbound.

Each journey is around 950 miles over an unhurried 19 hours; long enough to appreciate that taking time to travel can be a life-enhancing experience in such classic surroundings, especially with a special companion.

Simon Pielow, Concierge at the Luxury Train Club, says “Nostalgia meets iconic meets authenticity in Pullman Rail Journeys. Retro train travel between the great cities of Chicago and New Orleans – essential elements of the soul of America.”

For more information see LuxuryTrainClub.com

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Chicago Area Restaurant Waterleaf to Host Beckmen Wine Dinner on November 14

The evening begins with a Champagne Reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by an exclusive four-course prix fixe dinner complete with Beckman wine pairings beginning at 7 p.m. The exclusive Beckman Vineyards wine dinner is offered at a price of $75 per guest plus taxes/gratuities. Limited spots are available. To make reservations, call (630) 942-6881.

Executive Chef Nadia Tilkian works closely with General Manager Jean-Pierre Leroux to expertly pair her menu with Beckmen wines. The first course of Ceviche of Laughing Shrimp is paired with 2012 Beckmen Sauvignon Blanc Purisima Mountain; followed by the second course, Kaboucha Squash Soup, paired with 2011 Beckmen Cuvee Le Bec Blanc Purisima Mountain. The third course, Roasted Sirloin of Beef, is paired with 2011 Beckmen Cabernet Sauvignon Purisima Mountain. The dessert course features Pumpkin-Caramel Mousse Cake paired with 2011 Beckmen Syrah Purisima Mountain.

About Beckman Winery

Founded in 1994 by Tom and Steve Beckmen, Beckmen Vineyards is a family-run, estate winery located in Santa Barbara County's Santa Ynez Valley. Since its founding, Beckmen Vineyards has emerged as one of North America's premier producers of Rhone varietal wines, while also helping to establish Santa Barbara County as one of California's most highly regarded winegrowing regions.

Eager to return to his farming roots, and convinced of the Santa Ynez Valley's vast potential to produce world-class wines, Tom Beckmen began searching for promising vineyard property in the early '90s. He found what he was looking for on a 40-acre parcel of land with an existing small winery. There he established Beckmen Vineyards. Working together, Tom and Steve began revitalizing the site. Convinced that the vineyard had been planted incorrectly, they painstakingly removed the 16 original acres of vines, and replanted the vineyard with carefully selected varietals, clones and rootstocks.

Committed to building a world-class estate-vineyard program, the Beckmens also purchased a spectacular, unplanted 365-acre Santa Ynez Valley ranch in 1996. Naming it Purisima Mountain Vineyard, Tom and Steve began a meticulous planting process designed to maintain the natural diversity of the site. With an ideal climate and rare limestone subsoils similar to those found in Cote Rotie and Chateauneuf du Pape, the vineyard has proven perfect for producing a range of stunning Rhone varietals, especially Syrah and Grenache.

Under the care and guidance of Tom and Steve, Purisima Mountain Vineyard has earned acclaim as one of California's great Rhone-varietal vineyards. Adding to its reputation as one of the most meticulously cultivated winegrowing sites in all of Santa Barbara County, the vineyard has been farmed 100 percent biodynamically since 2006. Reflecting a passion for quality and a belief in the natural character of the land, the adoption of biodynamic farming practices has only reinforced Steve's vineyard-focused style of winemaking. Believing that the wine in the bottle begins in the soil, Steve and the winemaking team craft wines that capture the unique terroir of Purisima Mountain.

Beckmen Vineyards produces a full line of exceptional estate-grown Rhone varietals including Syrah, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Rose, Marsanne, and the Cuvee Le Bec blend. It also produces small quantities of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Hailed for the excellence of its portfolio, Beckmen Vineyards was named Food & Wine's "Most Promising Winery" in the magazine's 2000 American Wine Awards. Since then, Beckmen Vineyards has lived up to that promise. In 2007, it was selected as one of the "Top 100 Wineries" in the world by Wine & Spirits magazine.

Beckmen Wine Dinner November 14

Champagne reception

First Course
Ceviche of Laughing Shrimp
Basil, lime and pear
2012 Beckmen Sauvignon Blanc Purisima Mountain, Santa Barbara County

Second Course
Kaboucha Squash Soup
Scented with orange blossom
2011 Beckmen Cuvee Le Bec Blanc Purisima Mountain, Santa Barbara County

Third Course
Roasted Sirloin of Beef
Potato Colcannon, Asparagus, Roasted Marrow, Sauce Bordelaise
2011 Beckmen Cabernet Sauvignon Purisima Mountain, Santa Barbara County
2011 Beckmen Syrah Purisima Mountain, Santa Barbara County

Fourth Course
Pumpkin-Caramel Mousse Cake
Caramel Glaze, Ginger Snaps


$75 plus tax and gratuity

About Waterleaf

Waterleaf restaurant is located at 425 Fawell Boulevard in Glen Ellyn, IL. The 150-seat restaurant lead by General Manager Jean-Pierre Leroux and Executive Chef Nadia Tilkian (left) is a hidden gem, nestled on the campus of the College of DuPage.

Featuring moderately priced brunch, lunch and dinner options, expect to find locally-sourced ingredients on its approachable menu. In addition to a seasonal a la carte menu, Waterleaf features specials events like wine dinners, a prix-fixe 3-course dinner for $33 and an annual food & wine festival every fall.

The contemporary light filled dining room is the understated counterpart to exciting eclectic cuisine. The main dining room has a modern decor and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows. Its walls display a collection of black-and-white lithographs by renowned American artist Richard Serra. There's a cozy bar area to enjoy libations and light snacks.

Waterleaf Restaurant has earned Diner's Choice Awards for Best Ambience, Best Overall, Best Service, Fit for Foodies and Special Occasion on OpenTable.com, where it maintains a 4.8/5.0 rating.

Most recently, Waterleaf received its second consecutive 2013 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. This award, given annually to restaurants in the U.S. and 65 countries worldwide, acknowledges that Waterleaf's beverage program is consistent with its dining concept, style and price point.

The restaurant is widely recognized as the dining destination of choice for food aficionados living and visiting Chicago's western suburbs.

Waterleaf serves lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. It is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday; dinner hours are 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Brunch is served 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call 630-942-6881 for information or reservations or visit: waterleafrestaurant.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Chicago's 2nd Annual Mariachi & Tequila Festival 2013

The 2nd Annual Mariachi & Tequila Festival showcases Mexico’s first loves: Mariachi & Tequila! This incredible pair fused together creates an unforgettable night with proven success last year. Back by popular demand, this event is our most anticipated event of the year.

Over 20 Tequilas, will be showcasing their products and providing free samples, while enjoying the wonderful sounds of live Mariachi music, Latin folkloric dancing, Charro rodeo-style rope tricks, and not to mention, delicious authentic Mexican cuisine.

o When: Saturday – November 16, 2013 from 6:00 pm - 12:00 am
o Where: Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University – 50 East Congress Parkway, Chicago

• Stellar concert by Rafael Jorge Negrete, grandson of the one and only, Mexican icon, “El Charro Cantor” Jorge Negrete. Plus, an astounding performance by Diana Elisa Negrete.
• Joining the Negrete legends is the remarkable Gabriel Solis, son of “El Rey del Bolero” (King of Bolero) Javier Solis.
• Sharing this night with these amazing legends is the talented María Elena Leal, daughter of “Lola La Grande” (Lola the Great) Lola Beltrán.
• Special appearance by the talented, famous Mexican telenovela actor, Arturo Peniche, singing with Mariachi!
• For the first time, all these legends sharing a stage in Chicago; this is a must see performance.
• Estimated attendance for Mariachi & Tequila Festival is over 4,000 guests.
• Ticket prices for this 21 yrs. old and older event ranges from $30 to $120 (includes tequila tastings).

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a tequila enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Absolut Vodka Pays Homage To The Windy City

Just like the city of its namesake, ABSOLUT® CHICAGO is a true modern classic. Fused with olive and rosemary flavor, ABSOLUT® CHICAGO is perfect for many of the city’s favorite cocktails, including martinis, bloody marys and lemonade simple serve. ABSOLUT® Chicago is packaged in a specially-designed bottle, whose design was crowdsourced through a partnership with the Chicago-based design community, Threadless.

Over 170 designs were submitted and over 156,000 votes cast for the unique canvas on the limited-edition bottle. Ross Bruggink, 26, describes his winning design as a “stylized cityscape incorporating architectural and iconic elements of Chicago.”

“ABSOLUT® CHICAGO is a product of creativity and collaboration,” said Maxime Kouchnir, Vice President, Vodkas, Pernod Ricard USA. “By putting the bottle design in the hands of artists, ABSOLUT® CHICAGO inspired hundreds of people to express their creativity through an unexpected canvas.”

ABSOLUT® CHICAGO is the seventh flavor in the US brand’s city-inspired flavor portfolio, which launched in 2007 with the introduction of ABSOLUT® NEW ORLEANS, a flavor reminiscent of the Big Easy. Each year since, ABSOLUT has introduced the following US limited-edition flavors – ABSOLUT® LOS ANGELES in 2008, ABSOLUT® BOSTON in 2009, ABSOLUT® BROOKLYN in 2010, and ABSOLUT® SF in 2011 and ABSOLUT® MIAMI in 2012.

ABSOLUT® CHICAGO is now available in 750ml bottles with a suggested retail price of $19.99. For more information about this new modern classic, visit www.absolut.com/chicago.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.