For all of you out there who are fretting over the remainder of the work week, just remember that's there's a glass of wine with your name on it. Actually, there are multiple glasses waiting for you because we've found three wine events you won't want to miss.
For her final column in the Observer, Hanna Raskin checked out the revamped menu at Park (1921 Henderson Ave.), and let's just say she preferred some dishes to others. If you haven't sampled Garreth Dickey's new menu, tonight's your chance to do so and enjoy live jazz music on the patio. The best part though? They're offering half price wine tonight and every Wednesday starting at 5:30 p.m., so now you'll have a reason to extend your hump day happy hour.
Editor's Note: Hanna Raskin's last column appears in this week's paper. Read her review of Lockhart Smokehouse tomorrow.
Chef Blythe Beck is going to be extra naughty tomorrow night at the Kunde Family Estate Wine Dinner at Central 214 (5680 N. Central Expressway). She's preparing a four-course dinner to accompany red and white varietals from the Sonoma Valley winery. Start with butter-poached lobster and herbed risotto paired with the 2008 chardonnay, then sample beef short rib with bacon and bean ragout paired with the 2005 zinfandel. Save room for the third course, a grilled veal chop served with port salut and crab macaroni and cheese and paired with the 2008 cabernet. Finish the meal with one last glass of wine and a gingersnap ice cream sandwich, if you have room for one more bite. The dinner is $75 a person and seating is limited, so make your reservations fast.
This might come as a shock to fans of reality dancing and singing competitions, but your vote doesn't really matter when millions of other people are as text-happy as you. But tomorrow night your vote really will count at Decanter (408 N. Bishop Ave.) because the restaurant wants you to decide which wine will make an appearance on their wine list. They're giving out free samples of five different wines during a blind tasting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The favorite wine will be added to the wine list for a week, so this is one time you want to bring your A game -- and perhaps a designated driver.
