Patpourri
The wine list at Catch 35, considering that the restaurant is mostly about seafood, leans too heavily into reds. In fact, there are as many red wine choices as there are white wines.
There are quite a good number of wines by the glass, but don't look for any bargains. OK, there is a Columbia Valley (Washington) wine from Barnard Griffin for $8 and a Pinot Grigio for nine bucks.
• One of the more interesting cocktails at Rosa de Lima is a pisco sour (and the pisco punch is pretty good, too). That makes a lot of sense, considering that this cocktail is considered the national cocktail of Peru. There is actually a National Pisco Sour Day in Peru, which is celebrated every year on the first Saturday in February. It's a simple concoction. Rosa de Lima makes it with pisco quebranta, lime juice, simple syrup, egg whites and a drop of bitters. Not only does a pisco sour make you pucker, it packs a punch.
• Readers who are always e-mailing me about a lobster club sandwich, listen up. The lobster club at Wave Restaurant (W Hotel, 644 N. Lake Shore, 312-255-4460) is a beauty. Chef Kristine Subido's lobster club is truly a club to beat the drum about, consisting of a brioche bun, curry aioli, shaved fennel, lobster salad and crispy pancetta (inspired touch). A perfect combo of balance and texture.
• Into Beaujolais Nouveau? Get over to Cafe des Architectes in the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower hotel (20 E. Chestnut, 312-324-4063) and get in on a prix fixe dinner that runs from Nov. 19-21. Four courses for $45. The featured wine is, of course, Louis Tete Beaujolais Nouveau, 2009, for $12 a glass or $46 a bottle.
• La Madia chef/owner Jonathan Fox will host students at a November Chef's Table (at 7 p.m. Wednesday). The theme is "Italian Holiday Dinner Party." Tuscan soup, salad, slow-roasted pork, polenta and, of course, La Madia's excellent pizza. The price is $35 per person. Reservations are required. La Madia is at 59 W. Grand. Call (312) 329-0400 to reserve a seat.
Pat Bruno