Wine & Cheese Train 

The annual yum-fest known as the Taste of Chicago is blowing into the Windy City, and in the next two weeks, an estimated 3 million food lovers will sample the best bites in town. Thanks to Zagat's 2008/2009 Chicago Restaurants survey, released today, residents and visitors alike can get the lowdown on the best food the city has to offer either in book form or via ZAGAT.com or the award-winning mobile website, ZAGAT.mobi.

“Chicago's culinary scene is continuing to expand,” said Tim Zagat, co-founder of Zagat Survey. “From fresh fusions to small plates, chefs are raising the bar with unique menu offerings and adventurous food preparations.” Zagat recently served as a guest diner in the finale episode of Bravo's Top Chef Chicago, and along with his wife and Zagat Survey co-founder, Nina, will be present at the Taste of Chicago's opening ceremony.

The survey results, containing signature ratings and reviews of 1,089 eateries, are based on the experiences of more than 5,370 food-savvy residents. The guide also includes ratings and reviews of the best restaurants in Milwaukee.

On average, the Zagat surveyors dined out 3.1 meals per week; thus, this year's ratings and reviews are gleaned from roughly 860,000 annual meals worth of experience. Although the average meal cost in Chicago rose about 2% annually to $35.17, compared to $33.75 two years ago, 81% percent of Chicagoans say that they are eating out as much as or more than they did two years ago. Chicagoans are also tipping more than ever, giving 19.1%, which is slightly above the national average of 19%.

Favorites: The surveyors indicated that they enjoy new fusion and small plate menus, but by a 26% plurality prefer Italian food. American at 16%, French at 12% and Mexican and Japanese each at 11% followed as favorite cuisines.

Surveyors chose Wildfire, Frontera Grill and Tru as their top three most popular restaurants. Charlie Trotter's dropped from the number one favorite last year to the number four place, followed by Gibson's Steakhouse. As for food ratings, Alinea jumped from fifth place last year to first place. Tallgrass came in second, Carlos' third, Les Nomades fourth and Topolobampo fifth.

Newcomers: Among this year's newcomers, in order of food ranking, Old Town Brasserie came in first, followed by TABLE 52, Otom, Sepia, and Bluprint. In the works are venues from a number of celebrity chefs including Terrance Brennan, Alain Ducasse, Todd English, Gordon Ramsay, Joel Robuchon and Marcus Samuelsson.

The following list shows 2008's winners by cuisine type.

By Cuisines:

American (New) – Alinea Italian – Spiaggia
American (Trad.) – Kuma's Corner Japanese – sushi wabi
Asian (Misc.) – Le Lan Mediterranean – Avec
Barbecue – Smoque BBQ Mexican – Topolobampo
Cajun/Creole – Pappadeaux Middle Eastern – Noon-O-Kabab
Chinese – Lao Nuevo Latino – Nacional 27
Coffee Shop/Diner – Manny's Pizza – Spacca Napoli
Eclectic – Lula Seafood – Spring
French – Tallgrass Small Plates – Avec
French (Bistro) – Barrington Country Spanish/Tapas – Meson Sabika/ Tapas
Greek – Artopolis Valencia
Hot Dogs/Burgers – Hot Doug's Steakhouses – Joe's Seafood
Indian – India House Thai – Arun's
Vegetarian – Green Zebra

Not surprisingly, most of the above restaurants tend to be on the pricey side, however the guide also includes 80 best buys, led in order by Potbelly Sandwich, Superdawg, Hot Doug's, Hannah's Bretzel and Margie's Candies.

Greening and Health-Consciousness: Following a national pattern, 64% of Chicagoans indicate that they consider eating locally grown food to be important. Likewise, 65% say they are voting for more low-carb, low-fat, heart-healthy menu items. As for trans fats, 56% feel they should be banned entirely from restaurants' preparation. A majority are so concerned about issues of this kind, they are willing to “pay more” for food that is sustainably raised or organic.

Irritants: As elsewhere in the country, service is by far the biggest complaint among diners. In Chicago this year, 78% of surveyors cite service as the most irritating part of dining out, while cumulatively all other complaints, including noise, food, prices and traffic, amount to only 22% of complaints. Nina Zagat, Co-Chair of Zagat Survey says that service is clearly “the biggest problem facing the restaurant industry today.”

Milwaukee: Just a car ride across the Wisconsin border, Milwaukee's culinary scene is flourishing with unique, high-quality dining options. Residents voted Sanford's New American cuisine an all-around Top Food favorite while Ristorante Bartolotta, The Riversite, Dream Dance and Mangia followed closely behind. In a perfect trifecta, Sanford also received highest honors for Service and Decor.

The Guide in Detail

The guide features expansive ratings and reviews of the best restaurants in Chicago and Milwaukee, broken out by location, cuisine and special features, including Singles Scenes, Quick Bites, Outdoor Dining, Child-Friendly and Celebrity Chefs. The guide also contains useful neighborhood maps for both cities and a convenient wine chart.

The 2008/2009 Chicago Restaurants guide ($14.95) was edited by Alice Van Housen, Ann Christenson and Allison Lynn, and is available at bookstores and other retail outlets, through ZAGAT.com, or by calling 888/371-5440.

Summer is officially here and with it comes a season filled with outdoor entertaining on backyard patios and decks across the country. In celebration of the arrival of summertime, Mirassou Winery has announced its "Celebrate Summer with Mirassou" sweepstakes. What better reason than summer to get outside and spend time with your family and friends?
 

One lucky winner will receive the summer celebration of a lifetime, with Mirassou Winery playing host to an outdoor get-together for up to 30 of the winner's friends and family. Mirassou will provide everything needed for an outdoor summer bash to remember!
 

Visit http://www.mirassou.com/ to enter the "Celebrate Summer with Mirassou" sweepstakes. Just like summer, this sweepstakes won't last forever, so be sure to enter to win before July 31, 2008.
 

Also available online at http://www.mirassou.com/ are delicious recipes with wine pairing suggestions, as well as a food and wine pairing interactive tool, to help make pairing the food and wine at your next summer gathering a bit easier.
 

About Mirassou Winery: The Mirassou family has been growing grapes and crafting superior wines since 1854, earning them the distinction of being America's oldest winemaking family. Today, the Mirassou wine style is light bodied, refreshing and fruit-forward. Mirassou's premium wines — Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon — retail for approximately $12 per bottle and are widely available in all 50 states. They can be located through Mirassou.com's "Where to Buy" section, purchased through TheBarrelRoom.com or by calling (888) MIRASSOU.
 

No purchase necessary to enter or win a prize. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of one of the 48 contiguous United States or the District of Columbia who are at least 21 years old at time of entry. Void in AK, CA, HI, TN, UT, WA, PR, outside the 48 contiguous United States, and where otherwise prohibited by law. Limit one (1) entry per person, per household, or per valid e-mail address. Sweepstakes ends 7/31/08. Please visit http://www.mirassou.com/ for complete Official Rules. California Table Wine (C)2008 Mirassou Winery, Modesto, Stanislaus Co, CA. All rights reserved.
 

One of Kansas City's favorite traditions (and my personal fave) is the Annual Plaza Art Fair. What started in 1932 has become one of the nations Top five art fairs with over nine blocks of art, crafts and jewelry featuring top artists from the metro, nation and around the globe. What many don't know is that over 1,500 artists compete in a juried process to make the cut each and every year. 2007 marks the 76th Anniversary of the Plaza Art Fair and it's bound to be better than ever.
Not Just an Art Fair:

The Plaza Art Fair is one of KC's time honored traditions. The weather is always perfect and you get to bust out your cool fall clothes. Yes, many people go for the art…but the majority of people who attend (all 300,000+) also go to catch up with friends, people watch, drink some wine and enjoy some great food.
2007 Plaza Art Fair :

September 21, 22, 23rd
Friday 5-10pm
Saturday 10am-10pm
Sunday 11am -5pm
Admission is FREE

Eats:

One of the best reasons to go to the Plaza Art Fair is the eats. Restaurants from around the Plaza take their culinary arts to the streets and have vending booths with bevies throughout the fair. Tomfooleries, The Classic Cup, and Bo Lings (just to name a few) are fair faves with everything from hamburgers and hotdogs to lamb shanks and dessert…and everything in between.
Food Spots :

Restaurants take up shop in the following locales:
On the East and West side of Halls.
On the North side of Ward Parkway between Williams Sonoma and Plaza III.
On Wornall between Williams Sonoma and Cole Haan.
Parking:

Let me put it this way, parking is a beast anyway you swing it during the Plaza Art Fair. Go early and you'll likely find a spot in one of the free parking garages. Go late and you'll be stuck in traffic.
Best bets: Head to the north or south and try to find parking on the street and walk. There are also spots West of the Plaza. I've heard of people parking in Westport and hiking it in. Yeesh! If you can swing it, and don't mind paying–head to the Intercontinental (check the parking price though)…