2011 N. Southport Ave (Finkl & Sons)

Nothing to do on a Saturday night?  Got a few bucks you'd like to send the way of Chicago Gateway Green?  Then get on over to the big top! 

Ok, it's not a big top, but it sure was a big tent in a big parking lot.  Actually, the event is so big it can't even all fit under the 'sure was a big tent', with the stage, dance floor, half a dozen bars, 10 or more food stops and a lot of people spilling out on just about all sides.  Well done to whoever figured out how to get it all in.  Well done to the dudes who actually built it.  And, well done to Finkl & Sons for having the space to do it!

It's a charity ball, so there's food, drink, silent auction, band (Dr Bombay), dj (someone from the Underground), dj #2 (someone from somewhere), speeches and lots of people - would 50,000 be an over estimate?  But considering the number of people, it didn't feel all that crowded no matter what you happened to be focused on at the time - although the deeper into the night we progressed, there was more dancing occurring in non-dance-sanctioned locals making it just a little harder to get your next adult beverage.

The chefs worked hard and often found time to be talkative about what they were 'selling' but couldn't really be chatty seeing their next 5 'customers' were standing right behind me.  Plenty of wait-staff type people around the place, the bartenders worked hard and poured generously.

The music was dialed in around 11 most of the time.  I really liked the band that opened the show, playing a fun mix of covers.  The first dj played music I mostly recognized but not in the way I 'learned' it, and the second dj played stuff I think was music (the dance floor was still hopp'n) but I really don't know what it was - I'm assuming it's for the young 'uns as it was borderline past my bedtime when he came on. 

Our meal went a little like this:

• Bubbles - no idea what it was, it was the first thing that came our way.  Nothing to complain about...
• Sauvignon Blanc - no idea what it was.  It filled the white choice admirably...
• Pinot Noir - no idea what it was.  It filled the red choice admirably...
• Food - There were 65 restaurants and 4 food trucks doing their thing. 
  
  • We didn't do them all, but we gave it a good shake...   
  • All bite size, most just needing 2 fingers and a napkin attached to your cocktail hand...
  • There was hot, cold, raw, frozen, liquid, sandwich, sciency...
  • There was old favorites, reinvented old favorites, restaurant signatures, very clever bites...
  • We definitely had a couple of favorites, a couple of pleasant surprises and a couple we'd really like to see the full size version of.

We had fun, we ate well, we drank just the right amount more than enough, we listened to some fun tunes   and at least one of us had a dance.  And it's all for a good cause!

Stay JOLLY!
D