1 Bubbles! (Enolo Wine Café) Taste and discuss various bubbly wines (Prosecco, Champagne, etc.) and learn how to impress holiday partygoers with your increasingly unbearable oenological pedantry. ($30) December 18
2 River Roast Neighborhood Chef Series with Tony Mantuano (River Roast) One of Barack Obama’s favorite Chicago chefs teams up with the also very excellent John Hogan to serve five courses with wine pairings, for one damn happy holiday event. ($125) December 19
3 Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas (I|O, The Godfrey Hotel) Christmas Eve with jazz renditions of the classics; after a few of Nate Cayer’s craft cocktails, you’ll be singing along. Intimate igloos available. (Free!) December 24
4 Herb and Spice Christmas Dinner (Vermilion) Indian mango coriander ham, Latin roasted cumin sweet potato empanadas and other hybrid treats to celebrate the holiday. ($50) December 24-25
5 NYE Brunch (Bread & Wine) Michelin-recommended spot helps you lay down a solid foundation for a night of merrymaking, with lobster eggs Benedict and ribeye with eggs. Party on, dudes. December 31
Dining and Drinking Editor for Newcity, David also writes a weekly food column for Wednesday Journal in Oak Park and is a frequent contributor of food/drink and travel pieces to the Chicago Tribune, Plate Magazine and other publications. David has also contributed chapters to several books, including Street Food Around the World, Street Food, and The Chicago Food Encyclopedia. Contact: dhammond@newcity.com
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