Portuguese Wine Dinner at Waterleaf May 24

Waterleaf restaurant in Glen Ellyn will host a Portuguese wine dinner on Thursday,

May 24.

The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a lecture and tasting of five Portuguese wines in the Culinary & Hospitality Center Amphitheatre at College of DuPage, followed by an exclusive five-course prix fixe dinner at Waterleaf fine-dining restaurant. Each course of the Portuguese influenced menu will be paired with a select wine from the restaurant's premium collection.

Menu items and wine pairings include: (Preludio) Portuguese Kale and Potato Soup (Caldo Verde), with Rye Crostini, Chive and Truffle Oil (2010 J. Portugal Ramos Loios White, Alentejo, Portugal); (Apertivo) Seared Spotted Spanish Mackerel with Fava Bean and Minted Crème Fraiche Salad (2009 Passadouro Blanco, Alentejo, Portugal); (Intermezzo) Portuguese Cheese with Honey Bread and Cornmeal White Bread (2009 Lagoalva Espirito Red, Ribatejo, Portugal); (Prato Principal) Pimienton Pork Rib Roast with Sherry Raisin Vinaigrette, Tomato and Watermelon Salad (2007 Doorum Reserva old Vines, Douro, Portugal); (Sobremesas) Almond Blanc Mange with Caramel Glaze, Sage Sorbet, Salted Almond Honey Wafers (Passadouro Ruby Reserva N.V., Alentejo, Portugal).

The origin of winemaking in Portugal can be traced back to ancient times when the country was a part of the Roman Empire and this tradition was introduced to the Portuguese culture by Romans, Greeks, Carthaginians and Phoenicians. Currently one of the largest producers of wine in the world, Portugal is a small country with a great variety of soils and climates resulting in a large variety of native breeds with distinctive personalities, including Port wines, whites, reds, rosés, “vinho verde,” madeira and moscatel.

Featuring locally grown, seasonal ingredients, Waterleaf Executive Chef Jean-Louis Clerc offers a contemporary interpretation of classic French cuisine with sensitivity to current dining trends in Chicago and the western suburbs. Described as a “Hidden Gem Worth Seeking Out” by the Chicago Sun-Time, this elegant 130-seat restaurant features a full-service bar and boasts an extensive wine list of more than 180 wines from around the world.

The Portuguese wine dinner at Waterleaf is $75 per guest plus taxes/gratuities. Limited spots are available for this exclusive event. To make reservations, call (630) 942-6881 (reservations are not available through OpenTable.com).