by Brett Ashley McKenzie Just Grapes participated in yesterday’s “Market Mystery Summer Soiree” at the Calphalon Culinary Center, where six renowned Chicago chefs and their teams were given mystery protein ingredients, then let loose to shop at the Green City Market before assembling three dishes a piece to be presented to hungry guests. Jacqueline from [...]

Our recent post on Scarlett Johansson’s new leading role–as Moët & Chandon’s spokeswoman–got me thinking about the wines that other notable celebrities associate themselves with. Do most wine-loving stars simply choose the obvious greats, like Jack Nicholson and his penchant for Veuve Clicquot? Or do they decide to make their own, like Dave Matthews does [...]

by Brett Ashley McKenzie I was so overwhelmed by the spectacular new summer wines we received at Just Grapes while I was away on my honeymoon that I’m only just now getting around to trying (and LOVING) all of our fantastic new beers. Whether you crave a no-frills, no-fuss Pale Ale like the North Coast [...]

By Brett Ashley McKenzie Earlier this week, I returned home from my Hawaiian honeymoon (more on the amazing food and wine we enjoyed later) to find the June 30th issue of Wine Spectator crammed into my mailbox. Immediately following a depressing story on how the Vegas restaurant industry is suffering in the wake of the [...]