L'etoile Restaurant is on the move!

In just a few weeks, a staple of downtown Madison's cuisine is making a big change. From the romantically quaint space we have known for over 30 years, this award-winning restaurant is relocating. It is not moving far, however. In fact, it is moving a couple blocks down the street on the same side of the Capital Square. The new location is in the US Bank glass building with an even better view. 

For the final week at the old spot, L'etoile will be offering a special menu honoring their culinary history. From July 12th to the 17th, fans can enjoy a four-course dinner including wine pairings. The cost of the dinner is $65 per person. The cost of the paired wine flights are $35 per person on Monday through Thursday and $55 per person on Friday and Saturday nights. (Wine pairings are an optional addition to the dinner). 

The new location will be of similar size and style to the old location with the addition of a second menu at an adjacent gastro-pub style restaurant called The Graze. Chef Tory will be running both kitchens fulfilling his commitment to sustainability in the menus. The upscale pub will be featuring Friday Fish Fry, Saturday and Sunday Brunch, and a late night menu.

Visti www.letoile-restaurant.com and www.letoileblog.com for more details.

Summer Fling Dinner

Enjoy a summer night under the stars and city lights with amazing food, fine wine, and good company.
Two of Madison's best restaurants, Osteria Papavero and Restuarant Magnus, are gathering friends and foodies alike for a neighborly cook-off. Chef Francesco Mangano of Papavero and Chef Nick Johnson of Magnus will be serving a bountiful 20 course meal family-style consisting of 10 main courses and 10 side dishes showcasing their specialties. The event will be held on Sunday July 11th at 6pm. Tickets are on sale now at either restaurant location for $55/person (tax and gratuity included). Preview the tantalizing menu at http://www.restaurantmagnus.com/SummerFling.php.

Meet the Winemaker Dinner

Quivey's Grove Restuarant in Madison along with Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac is hosting a wine dinner celebrating the 30 year anniversaries of both the Restaurant and of one of the winery's signature wines: Domaine du Sac. The event will be held on Tuesday, June 29th at 6pm in Quivey's gorgeous outdoor Paddock Tent. Philippe Coquard, Head Winemaker of Wollersheim Winery, will be there to pour his wines and socialize with guests for a tasting hour before the dinner begins and will be presenting the paired wines for each course throughout the evening. The cost is $50/per person with tax and gratuity included. For reservations and payment call 608-273-4900. For a preview of the event's menu go to http://www.quiveysgrove.com/WollerWine.htm

World's #1 Beer and Cheese Tasting Festival

The Audacious Beer Celebration is a two day charity beer, food and music festival on June 25th and 26th at Nixon Park in Hartland, WI.

The two night event kicks off at 3pm Friday afternoon offering 10 beers on tap, six-pack samplers, grilled food, music and fireworks.

On Saturday the festival will host it's exclusive premier tasting event from 4-6:30pm for $40/ticket. Featuring 6 flights of renowned Beers from New Glarus Brewing and Cheeses from award winning Carr Valley. Throughout the tasting will be presentations from Randy Thiel from New Glarus Brewing and Bob Koenig from Carr Valley Cheese. Meet the Brewer and Cheesemaker!

Following the tasting on Saturday night, the beer tent will re-open to the general public from 6:30 to 11pm with beer and cheese sampling, roasted nuts, kettle corn, fudge, grilled food and live music. Fourteen premium select world class beers will be tapped and on sale during the festival.

For more information visit http://www.audaciousbeers.com/Beer-and-cheese-celebration-Hartland-Wisconsin.html

Bicycles and Beer!

The Tour de Fat is a Traveling Bicycle Festival from New Belgium Brewery. The cycling event extends through 13 Western U.S Cities spreading the benefits and joys of bicycles and city-cycling. On Saturday, July 3rd, the festival rides into Milwaukee at Humboldt Park. "Ride this day, every day, and definitely when Tour de Fat heads your way". The festival follows it's own 10 Commandments honoring proper cyclist and festival-attendee etiquette. The event is FREE, however, donations are greatly appreciated in support of bicycle and environmental charities. For details, registration, and schedule information visit http://www.newbelgium.com/tour-de-fat.

*Please Note: New Belgium Brewing is not responsible for the severe amount of fun and gratification you may experience on the tour.

Duck, Duck... Duck.

The Underground Food Collective of Madison will be hosting a class on how to properly butcher, cook, and preserve a duck. The class will be held at the Madison Sourdough on Williamson Street at 6:30pm on Tuesday, June 22. Each participant will receive their very own duck (which you get to take home after class), and learn to make pate, confit, seared breast, stock and sausage. The cost of the class is $70 per person and will include a light meal. To purchase tickets and for more information visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/115635.

Beer Lovers Festival

If you live in Wisconsin, you must love beer. On Saturday June 26th, beer lovers of Wisconsin unite! The town of Glendale will be hosting it's first annual Wisconsin Craft Beer Tasting Festival featuring 28 local breweries. Local chefs from over a dozen area restaurants will be working with the brew masters to create the perfect complements to each featured beer. The cost of the event is $50 per person or $90 per couple, and includes an all-you-can-drink-and-eat pass to the event plus a souvenir mug. Festivities will be held from 1pm-5pm rain or shine. Visit www.welcometoglendale.com/popup-feature.php for more information, to purchase tickets and for lodging options.
*Must be 21 to attend.
*Please don't drink and drive!

Participating Breweries

Front Porch Summer Wine Tasting

Bluespoon Creamery Cafe in Prairie du Sac is hosting their monthly wine tasting on Wednesday June 23rd at 6pm featuring this year’s picks for the best summer chuggers. Tickets can be purchased online at

www.bluespooncafe.com/winetasting or at the cafe for $20 and the tasting will include a variety of 12 wines to enjoy. All wines are sold at discount after the tasting so you can take home your favorites. Check back for future tastings each month.