Successful Single! – Volume III – Issue 10 March 11, 2009
In this issue:
- This Friday, March 13 – “Mario O’Leary” St. Paddy’s Irish-Italian Cocktail Party, Dinner and Dance in Rosemont
- This Sunday, March 15 – “California Wine Adventure” – Giant Wine Tasting in Oakbrook Terrace
- Next Saturday, March 21 – “Celebration of Spring” Thai Feast and BYOB Wine Tasting in Chicago
- “Some Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About the Irish and St. Paddy’s Day”
—————————————————————————–
Is this Guy Nuts? Who Plans a St. Patrick’s Party at an Italian Restaurant? Wine Adventure Sunday
—————————————————————————–
A few people have wondered why we scheduled a St. Patrick’s weekend party at an Italian restaurant. While it may seem a bit counter-intuitive, it actually makes a lot of sense for our club events. The worst weekend of the year to have a party at an Irish bar or restaurant. First, the bars don’t want group events. Secondly, the food and service are generally the worst over this weekend. And finally, the crowds at these places are often populated by over-imbibing twenty-somethings. Not good. You may recall that last year, we did the same thing, hosting one of our most successful parties of the season at a blues bar. We are expecting a similar result this weekend.
So, join us this Friday, March 13, as we head to Café Zalute in Rosemont for a a St. Patrick’s weekend celebration we’re calling the “Mario O’Leary Party.” It’s a cocktail party (cash bar), an Irish and Italian dinner buffet and dance to popular music all evening long from our own DJ.
Your entire evening is a mere $25. You cannot beat that! This party is open to all singles regardless of past participation. Whether you register online in advance or just decide to join us as a walk-up, please let us know that you will be there so that we know how much food to order.
****
Then, this Sunday afternoon, March 15, from noon to 3:00 p.m. join Gourmet Connections and New Single Friends for a the giant “California Wine Adventure“ tasting of more than 500 wines at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. You could literally spend three hours tasting more than 50 wines that retail for $50 or more. Tour the festival with us as we swirl and sip wines from every region of the Golden State and enjoy delicasies from a dozen different area restaurants.
Ther best part? Tickets through our club are $20 in advance and $24 at the door. That’s better than through Binny’s themselves. You are highly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, as only a limited number will be available at the door and only for a short time will we be there to sell them to you.
Register for either unique party right away by going to: www.gourmetconnections.com/singlepage.html or calling me with your charge card information at 773-929-6534.
*******
Next Saturday, March 21, we’re finally back in Chicago at the Thai Room on Western just off Irving Park Road. The event is a “Celebration of Spring” Thai family-style feast with two appetizers, four entrées and dessert. Add to that a BYOB wine tasting and you have the ingredients for a wonderful way to spend the first day of spring.
=======================================================
Details: This Friday’s Mario O’Leary Dinner Dance, Sunday’s Wine Adventure and Next Week’s Feast
=======================================================
When? - This Friday, March 13, 7:30 p.m. – Midnight
What? - “Mario O’Leary” Irish-Italian St. Patrick’s Weekend Cocktail, Dinner Party and Dance at the Very Popular
Where? -
Café Zalute
9501 W. Devon (1/2 Block West of River Road) in Rosemont
Legend has it that Mario O’Leary, a once strapping lad of Irish and Italian heritage, roamed the streets of Rosemont each St. Patrick’s weekend. At this special time each year, he was always torn whether to eat or drink himself silly. So, as a consequence, Ol’ Mario did both.
Mario has passed on now, but in his memory, Gourmet Connections, Chicago Singles Dining and New Single Friends together host a lively St. Paddy’s weekend celebration at the popular Café Zalute Italian restaurant and cocktail lounge in Rosemont. Enjoy great Irish and Italian food and your libation of choice (cash bar), and add to those, lots of great conversation and dancing! What better way to honor Mario O’Leary and St. Patrick, plus the Irish and the Italians (and all the rest of us mutts), all at one fell swoop.
Start your special celebration with a get-acquainted cocktail hour. This is followed by a unique dinner buffet of delicious Irish and Italian dishes from Café Zalute’s highly regarded kitchen for your enjoyment throughout the evening. So, come on out to celebrate, dance, twirl, eat and drink with all your single friends – the more the merrier!
The delightful dinner buffet menu includes all of the following:
- Corned Beef Sandwiches – Assorted Deluxe Pizzas
- Irish Potato Salad – Baked Caprese
- Cole Slaw – Pasta Calabrese
This fun event is an “Open Party” for all members, non-members and guests, regardless of past participation. Your evening is $25 in advance or with cash at the door, covering the dinner buffet, entertainment and dancing, taxes and tips. Past similar parties have drawn some of our largest crowds, so advance reservations with payment are highly advisable. Walk-ups at the door are welcome, but will be accepted only as space permits. Dressy casual attire. Park in the restaurant lot.
Register for this fun dinner party and dance right now by going to: www.gourmetconnections.com/singlepage.html or call me with your charge card information at 773-929-6534.
*******
When? - This Sunday, March 15, Noon – 3:00 p.m.
What? - Join Other Singles and Wine Lovers Celebrating Spring with a Giant Tasting of Hundreds of Quality California Wines Paired with Luscious Foods at the
Where? -
California Wine Adventure
Drury Lane Theater, 100 Drury Lane (just West off Spring Road, South of Roosevelt Road) in Oakbrook Terrace
With the promise of spring in the air, Gourmet Connections and New Single Friends host a group outing to Binny’s Beverage Depot’s colossal tasting of quality upscale wines. The new California Wine Adventure, a luscious festival of fine wine and cuisine presents more than 500 California wines from which to choose, including 50 that retail for over $50 a bottle. There will also be appetizing foodstuffs from superb west suburban restaurants. Join an entourage of other singles as we spend the afternoon touring, tasting and sampling all the festival has to offer.
For single wine aficionados, this festival is one of the biggest events of the year. You can select tastings from scores of varietals from all of California’s superb wine growing regions. Many of these wines are unquestionably higher quality than any you could sample elsewhere. And, at such a reasonable cost, this giant tasting is an incredible value. The appetizing food samplings are an especially welcome added “plus.”
We have secured an exclusive reduced rate for this event of $20 for advance reservations or $24 at the door (compared to $30 at the door for the general public). To participate with our club, it is highly recommended that you register in advance through Gourmet Connections, as we will only be at the door for a short time. This special event is open to all singles (approx. 34-60) regardless of past participation.
Register for this deluxe wine tasting right now by going to:
www.gourmetconnections.com/singlepage.html or call me with your charge card information at 773-929-6534.
*******
When? – Next Saturday, March 21, 7:30- 10:00 p.m.
What? – “Celebration of Spring” Feast of Marvelous Thai Cuisine with a BYOB Wine Tasting at the Highly Regarded
Where? -
Thai Room
4022 N. Western Avenue on Chicago’s North Side (Corner of Cuyler and Western, ½ Block North of Irving Park Road)
Chicago Singles Dining and Social Club and Gourmet Connections host a “Celebration of Spring” family-style Thai dinner feast and BYOB wine tasting get-together at the venerable Thai Room, one of the best Thai restaurants in the area. It is also one of the first, having been established in 1979.
Join single friends old and new in intimate surroundings. The Thai Room is known for its flavorful traditional dishes and warm ambiance. In 2004, it was named one of the Best Restaurants in Chicago by Chicago Magazine.
Upon arriving, you will go directly to the restaurant’s private party room to mingle for a short time before being seated. Feast on a variety of delicious dishes in the traditional Thai fashion, sharing wine and warm conversation with other single professionals. These dinner feasts have become a popular club tradition, though you can also purchase beer or wine or choose not to drink. Your deluxe dinner feast will include:
Two popular appetizers:
- Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce and Cucumber
- Spring Rolls with Seasoned Tofu, Vegetables and Egg with Sweet and Sour Sauce
And several entrées to share:
- Chicken Red Curry – Sautéed Chicken with Sweet Basil, Bell Peppers and Bamboo Shoots in a Rich Coconut Milk Sauce with Traditional Spices
- Cashew Beef – Beef Sautéed with Cashews, Peapods, Onions, Bell Peppers, Pineapple, Tomatoes and Fresh Chilies
- Grilled Salmon topped with a Zesty Ginger Sauce
- Shrimp Pad Thai – Stir-fried Thick Rice Noodles with Shrimp, Egg, Bean Sprouts and Crushed Peanuts in a Sweet Sauce
There will also be white and brown rice to complement the entrées, plus Fried Bananas for dessert. Hot tea is also included.
These dishes balance the signature sweetness, mild spice and velvety sauces and curries for which Thai cuisine is noted. Your evening including dinner, taxes and tips is $35 for members, non-members and guests. Be sure to bring a bottle of $10-$15 red or white wine to share if you wish to be part of the BYOB tasting). The restaurant also sells beer or wine by the glass or bottle. Casual attire. Plenty of street parking on Western, Cuyler, Belle Plaine or Irving Park, with no meters.
Register for this dinner feast and BYOB wine tasting, call me with your charge card information at 773-929-6534 or going to: www.chicagosinglesdining.com/singlepage.html
*******
Singles Notebook – “Get-Real” Thoughts and Opinions from Jim “Senny” Senhauser
“Some Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About the Irish and St. Paddy’s Day”
Sigmund Freud once said about the Irish, “This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever.” I don’t know how the doctor formed this opinion, but perhaps it was after a hearty St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Each year, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day around the Chicago area with much fervor and more than a little drinking. Still, most of us are likely unaware of the story of St. Patrick and how it relates to the Irish culture. Here are a few facts you may find interesting about good old St. Paddy and the Irish people.
- St. Patrick (born Maewyn Succat in Roman Britain) is the patron saint of Ireland. His missionary work in Ireland during the fifth century lasted 30 years. During that time he ordained over 300 bishops and converted hundreds of thousands to Christianity. St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, is celebrated on the day that he died.
- St. Patrick had been originally captured by Celtic invaders at age 16 and taken with them to Ireland. During the six years he spent enslaved by the Celts, he took the time to learn their local customs, language, and the rituals and symbols of the Celtic Druids. Later in life, after becoming a Roman Catholic apostle assigned to the island by Rome, he used this knowledge to help them assimilate Christianity into their lives.
- The story of St. Patrick driving all the snakes out of Ireland is not literally true. It is instead meant to symbolize casting out pagan worship or the devil (serpent) from Ireland. Snakes are not native to the country.
- It is also believed that St. Patrick first introduced alcohol to Ireland. This event has certainly had a profound and long-lasting impact on their culture and reputation.
- The most famous symbol of St. Patrick’s Day is the shamrock, a three-leaved variety of clover. The shamrock had been considered sacred by the Celtic Druids. St. Patrick used the three leaves of the plant to reinforce the concept of the Holy Trinity among those he converted from the Druid’s worship of nature.
- St. Patrick’s color was originally blue, but has become green from his connection to the Emerald Isle.
- The phrase “Erin Go Bragh” means “Ireland until eternity” or “Ireland forever.”
- St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland has traditionally been a more solemn religious event. There, while St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday with most citizens being off work, the observation of the holiday is marked with church worship, family feasting and community celebrations. Parades in Ireland are only a recent occurrence. Prior to 1970, Irish law required that the pubs be closed on March 17th!
- The original St. Patrick’s Day Parades took place in the United States, not Ireland. They began in Boston in 1761 and New York City in 1762. Chicago’s first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was in 1843. Current day festivities in the United States can be traced historically to the days when Irish immigrants were discriminated against and persecuted. Thus, the St. Patrick’s Day parades in this country initially came to be a public display of pride in Irish-Americans’ roots and culture.
- Until the mid-1800s, the majority of Irish immigrants in America had been members of the Protestant middle and upper classes. When the Great Potato Famine (a fungus blight) hit Ireland in the mid-1840s, it wiped out the primary source of food for the nation. A million poor, downtrodden, Catholic Irish had to emigrate from Ireland to America to avoid starving. Uneducated, discriminated against for their religious beliefs and strong accents, the new immigrants were often turned away from even the most menial jobs.
- However, the large influx of Irish soon endowed them with a new political power as they became citizens. They organized in voting blocks, and became an important party of machine politics. As a result, annual St. Patrick’s Day parades became a show of strength for Irish-Americans, and attended by political candidates of all stripes.
- Locally, dyeing the Chicago River Began in 1962 with 100 pounds of vegetable dye added. Today, only 40 pounds are used, keeping any environmental impact to a minimum.
- The South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade began in 1979 as a neighborhood celebration of the holiday. It actually took to the main streets in 1981.
The Irish have some great, wisdom-filled sayings. Here are a few Irish proverbs I am especially fond of:
“You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.”
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.”
“You never miss the water till the well has run dry.”
“Remember even if you loose all, keep your good name; for if you loose that you are worthless.”
“Don’t be breaking your shin on a stool that’s not in your way.”
*******
I really hope that you decide to join us this weekend to enjoy some delicious food, dancing and fun on Friday and for hundreds of wines to taste on Sunday. Who could find two better ways to enjoy yourself while getting to know some great new single friends?
*******
Successful Single! ©2009 – Success Singles Club, Ltd. (formerly the Gourmet Advocates, Ltd.)
Jim Senhauser’s “Singles Notebook” column (used with permission) is ©2009 IdeaTree, Ltd., Chicago, IL 60613. “IdeaTree” is a registered trademark of IdeaTree, Ltd.