To quote Ezra Pound, “Winter is icumen in/Lhude sing Goddamm/Raineth drop and staineth slop/And how the wind cloth ramm/Sing: Goddamm.” Sure, you can look out the window at the gathering clouds and sing Goddamn, or you can make the best of a chilly situation by venturing out to eat, drink and enjoy life while you can.
2 Whiskey Festival (Godfrey IO Rooftop) On a year-round rooftop in River North, amidst cool views and warm fire pits, indulge in three hours of tasting bourbon, Scotch and other whiskies from international and domestic distilleries; enough, as Pound might say, to “turneth liver.” November 5
3 Annual Harvest Powwow (DuPage County Fairgrounds) Native American dancers in traditional attire, Native drum groups and flute players and, oh yes, there will be fry bread. November 12-13
4 Chili Cookoff (Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest) When it’s chilly, you eat chili. If you’re proud of your family’s pot of chili, enter this event and compete against the pros, or just pay five bucks to eat outstanding chili for a few hours. November 13
5 Christkindlmarket (Daley Center) Gulp spiced glühwein, gobble wurst and browse handmade crafts in the middle of the Loop at this annual German-inspired holiday market featuring real, live German merchants. November 18-December 24
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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