Fan Fiction: Tonight's The Night!

The day has finally come! The day that we taste our way through the Ds, Es, and Fs of Ted Haigh's Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails. Are you as excited as we are?!

Diki Diki, Fish House Punch, Fred Collins Fizz, French 75,
Delicious Sour, Ford Cocktail, Fogcutter, East India Cocktail

Please be sure to join us for Fan Fiction: Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails (D, E, & F) on Monday, December 17th (HEY, THAT'S TONIGHT!), from 5pm-2am. Let it be your holiday gift to yourself!

Fan Fiction Sneak Peek: East India Cocktail and Fogcutter

Our final peek at tomorrow's menu is at the Fogcutter and the East India cocktails, the latter of which is 'a very, very old cocktail,' according to Ted "Dr. Cocktail" Haigh:

Left: East India Cocktail (Brandy, Raspberry Syrup, Angostura Bitters, Curaçao, Maraschino Liqueur)
Right: Fogcutter (Eldorado 3 Year Rum, Gin, Brandy, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Cherry Brandy Float)

This is another very, very old cocktail, and the recipe is one of many versions. The original, in Harry Johnson's Bartender's Manual of 1882, used pineapple syrup instead of raspberry, and some used both, but this is still a venerable variation, and I think preferable. 

Please be sure to join us for Fan Fiction: Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails (D, E, & F) on Monday, December 17th, from 5pm-2am. Let it be your holiday gift to yourself! 

Fan Fiction Sneak Peek: Fish House Punch and Fred Collins

The weekend won't stop us from getting you hyped about Monday night! That's when Fan Fiction returns with eight stellar recipes from Ted Haigh's Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails. Here are two to look forward to: the Fish House Punch and the Fred Collins Fizz.

Fish House Punch - Appleton Jamaican Rum, VSOP Brandy, Peach Brandy, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur,  Green Tea, Lemon,  Powdered Sugar, Champagne

Fred Collins Fizz - Rye Whiskey, Curaçao, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Soda

In his book, Ted Haigh cites an anecdote from the 1885 edition of Bacchus & Cordon Bleu's New Guide for the Hotel, Bar, Restaurant, Butler, & Chef:

The Celebrated Collins Drink is fizzing stuff, only I should be glad if our caterers would agree to what it is to be perpetually named. One barkeeper calls it a John Collins, another Tom Collins. There are also Harry and Fred, all members of the same family. I prefer to call mine the Fred Collins Fizz. 

Please be sure to join us for Fan Fiction: Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails (D, E, & F) on Monday, December 17th, from 5pm-2am. Let it be your holiday gift to yourself!

Fan Fiction Sneak Peek: Diki Diki and French 75

Fan Fiction is but a few days away (Monday night!), and we're got two more of the evening's featured cocktails to share with you! 

Diki Diki - Calvados, Swedish Punsch, grapefruit

French 75 - London Dry Gin, lemon, simple syrup, cava

In regards to the French 75, Ted Haigh tells us:

Named after the French 75-mm field gun, a model of 1987 (and companion shell). This bit of heavy artillery was the mainstay weapon of World War I, and its recoil system made for a soft, smooth operation. It was really the first technical weaponry advance of the twentieth century, and its use continued into World War II.  

The parallels between it and the cocktail named for it should be obvious... smoother, yet packs a wallop. Still, the drink itself is rather counterintuitive. Who would imagine combining gin and Champagne? Yet with the addition of a bit of sugar and a soupçon of fresh lemon juice, it is a refreshing delectation. 

Please be sure to join us for Fan Fiction: Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails (D, E, & F) on Monday, December 17th, from 5pm-2am. Let it be your holiday gift to yourself!

Fan Fiction: Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, Part 2!

For this Monday's Fan Fiction, Danny will continue his exploration of Ted Haigh's Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails. Last time he visited this book, you may have noticed the menu stuck to the ABCs—so naturally, we'll continue on with the DEFs!

Your first sneak peek of Monday's menu are of the Ford Cocktail and the Delicious Sour:

Left: Ford Cocktail (Hayman's Old Tom Gin, Benedictine, Dry Vermouth, Orange Bitters)
Right: The Delicious Sour (Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy, Peach Brandy, Lime, Egg White, Sugar, Soda)

Ted Haigh has been quoted as counting the Ford Cocktail among his all-time faves. Of the Delicious Sour, he writes:

One of the better drinks from the 1892 book The Flowing Bowl by William "The Only William" Schmidt, Schmidt liked to be different. Many of the drinks in his book were unquestionably of his own creation. He liked to use ingredients no one else used, but this often resulted in drinks containing things like red wine and rum with a plop of vanilla ice cream. Here, and every now and again, he'd ring the bell and get a clear note.

Please be sure to join us for Fan Fiction: Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails (D, E, & F) on Monday, December 17th, from 5pm-2am. Let it be your holiday gift to yourself!

New Menus at Scofflaw!

We've got a brand new cocktail menu! Perhaps you had a chance to pick out a favorite when it debuted this past weekend?

First Row, Left to Right: Jasmine, Max's Error
Second Row, Left to Right: Hot Buttered Rum, Deco Step, Velero
Third Row, Left to Right: Sutter's Mill, Caledonia, Scofflaw Swizzle #3

Chef Mickey also added some tasty dishes to our food offerings.

Clockwise from top right: Veg ($4), Po' Boy ($8),  Belly ($8), Wedge ($8)

Click through to see the full menu...

New Year's Eve at Scofflaw!

Scofflaw, Logan Square’s favorite cocktail spot, is throwing our first New Year’s Eve bash (and we’ve got it scheduled for December 31, 2012). All the makings for a solid party will be present:

• Hors d'oeuvres!
• Open bar!*
• DJ for special end-of-year dance moves!
• Champagne toast at midnight!

And don't worry—we haven’t forgotten that we’re Scofflaw, and "phoning it in" just isn't our style. Danny Shapiro, Eater’s Bartender of the Year, is creating a special New Year’s cocktail menu just for lucky attendees.

So ask Grandma for your Christmas money a bit early or cash in your laundry quarters, because tickets are a steal at just $100 per person. Your ticket is waiting for you at the bar, but don't procrastinate because space is limited and we’d really love to ring in the New Year with you! 

*Shots not included.

Tyranena Brewing Co. Beer Dinner

Did you make it to our first beer dinner back in August? We paired some outstanding brews with five spectacular courses from Chef Mickey’s kitchen, and it was awesome. It was so awesome, in fact, that we’ve worked up another outstanding menu just for your tasting pleasure.

On November 26, we’re highlighting Tyranena Brewing Company (our current tap takeover) and a quadruplet of elegantly paired courses. Need more incentive to join us? Take a look at the menu*:

Amuse

Carrot Sponge, Arugula Gel + Headless Man Amber Alt

Skate Wing, Roasted Sunchoke, Salsa Verde + Hop Whore Imperial IPA

Intermezzo

Double Cut Lamb Chop, Rosemary Smashed Potatoes, Mint Sauce + Sheep Shagger Scotch Ale

Fallen Cream Cheese Souffle, Chocolate, Biscotti + Who's Your Daddy Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Porter

Mignardise

Scofflaw Tyranena Brewing Company Beer Dinner
Monday, November 26th 6:30pm
$65 (gratuity not included)

Tickets available at the bar. 

*Updated 11/15 to include more special releases from Tyranena Brewing Co!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Funny thing about Sunday nights: Whether you’ve spent the afternoon running errands or kept it parked on the couch all day, when dinner time rolls around you’re usually in the mood for something really comforting. Chef Mickey, a mere mortal just like us, feels the same way—and that’s the reason he instituted Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner.

Every Sunday night (and only Sunday nights!), Chef Mickey takes five lucky birds and turns them into a five course dinner for your ‘chosen family’ of four. The menu will be a little bit different from week to week, but here’s a pretty great example of what you’ll be able to expect:

Orange Pomegranate Glazed Wing

Bacon Wrapped-Stuffed Dark Meat

Simple Soup with Escarole

Roast Breasts, Salsa Verde

Side: Roasted Potatoes

Side: Simple Salad

Side: Homemade Focaccia

Pear Sorbet and Biscotti

Every Sunday, 5pm-till the birds are gone. $60 for four people (not including tax + gratuity). Tune into Facebook and Twitter for each week’s Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner menu!

Sneak Peek #3 | Fan Fiction: American All Stars

We like to take a little detour through Queens to hit out-of-the-way-but-worth-the-trip Dutch Kills before we make our way home to Chicago via La Guardia. That ritual makes this cocktail the perfect final peek at tomorrow evening's Fan Fiction: American All Stars menu! 

Bayflower Cocktail

Bar: Dutch Kills | Bartender: Karin Stanley | Cocktail: Bayflower Cocktail - Genever, St. Germain, Lemon, Grapefruit

Join us for Fan Fiction: American All Stars on Tuesday, October 23rd, from 5pm-2am, and taste through some of the best cocktails north (and west, and east, and south) of the Mason-Dixon. And because 25% of the evening's sales will go to charity, every dollar you spend is another deposit to your karmic bank account.

Sneak Peek #2 | Fan Fiction: American All Stars

Let's do a coast-to-coast one-two punch with this next teaser for Tuesday's Fan Fiction: American All Stars, starting with a Jamie Boudreau number outta Seattle, and ending with a Derek Brown shake-up in D.C.

Angostura Collins

Bar: Canon | Bartender: Jamie Boudreau | Cocktail: Angostura Collins - Angostura, Lemon, Soda | Charity: 826 National

The Getaway

Bar: The Passenger / The Columbia Room | Bartender: Derek Brown | Cocktail: The Getaway - Cruzan Blackstrap Rum, Cynar, Lemon, Simple Syrup | Charity: Share Our Strength

Join us for Fan Fiction: American All Stars on Tuesday, October 23rd, from 5pm-2am, and taste through some of the best cocktails north (and west, and east, and south) of the Mason-Dixon. Every dollar you spend is another deposit to your karmic bank account. 

Sneak Peek | Fan Fiction: American All Stars

Former home to our own Chef Mickey, and current residence to our first contributor, the esteemed Jeffrey Morgenthaler, the first stop on our continental barcrawl is Clyde Common in Portland, Oregon.

Bittersweet Symphony

Bar: Clyde Common | Bartender: Jeffrey Morgenthaler | Cocktail: Bittersweet Symphony - North Shore #11 Gin, Aperol, Punt e Mes | Charity: Red Cross

Join us for Fan Fiction: American All Stars on Tuesday, October 23rd, from 5pm-2am, and taste through some of the best cocktails north (and west, and east, and south) of the Mason-Dixon. Every dollar you spend is another deposit to your karmic bank account. 

Fan Fiction: American All Stars!

We had a lot of fun at last month’s Logan Square Fan Fiction, where we collected cocktails from our favorite neighborhood bartenders and made them all available in one spot. You seemed to like this one stop bar crawl, too, since so many of your joined us to drink up for some great causes.

As we nursed our hangovers and wrote out the checks for charity, we started talking about our favorite cocktail bars around the country. Inspiration struck in the form of an American All Stars menu. It’s happening this Tuesday, October 23, and we’ll be making the recipes we’ve gathered from some of the best bars around the country. And tell your conscience not to worry—our contributors have also named their favorite charities, and to we’ll be contributing 25% of the evening's sales to some great causes, just like last month.

Stay tuned for the next few days as we whet your whistle with sneak peeks of the special menu, beginning with this delicious selection from Boston, Massachusetts cocktail bar, Drink.

Johan Goes to Mexico

Bar: Drink | Bartender: Josey Packard | Cocktail: Johan Goes to Mexico - Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Angostura Bitters, Lemon, Demerara | Charity: Tequila Interchange Project

So come out on Tuesday, October 23rd, from 5pm-2am, and taste through some of the best cocktails north (and west, and east, and south) of the Mason-Dixon. Every dollar you spend is another deposit to your karmic bank account.

Tap Takeover at Scofflaw: Wisconsin's Tyranena Brewing Company

Photo by jrliebl, via Flickr.

Join us tonight as we kick off our latest Tap Takeover! Tyranena Brewing Company has five seriously outstanding beers on draft at Scofflaw, and we think you should be one of the first folks to try them all (or like, start with two or three maybe). 

• Bitter Woman IPA
 

• Rocky’s Revenge Bourbon Barrel Aged Brown Ale
 

• Chief Blackhawk Porter
 

• Painted Ladies Pumpkin Spice Ale
 

• Hop Whore Imperial IPA

• 
  

Find more information on each brew in Tyranena's virtual beer garden. 

George T. Stagg Antique Collection arrives at Scofflaw!

Tuesday was a happy day... the elusive George T. Stagg Antique Bourbon Collection arrived at Scofflaw!

Could it be?

Yes, it is!

George T. Stagg Antique Collection has arrived!

Now available at Scofflaw.

Logan Square All Stars: Derek Alexander of Longman & Eagle

Derek Alexander of Longman & Eagle via Honey Kennedy.

Longman & Eagle has a Michelin star. If we serve one of their cocktails, does that mean we get a Michelin-star-by-association?? We think that sounds about right, so let’s just go with it: Did you hear Scofflaw has a Michelin star?*

Right Up My Alley (Derek Alexander, Longman & Eagle) Rittenhouse Bonded Rye Whiskey, Carpano Antica, Bonal, Cynar, Peychaud's bitters; $10

This drink is seriously delicious and if you want to see a bunch of money go towards helping a seriously deserving cause, then you should order no less than one (but probably no more than four) Right Up My Alleys on Monday night. If Derek’s cocktail is the night’s top seller, we’re handing over 25% of the bar to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).

The mission of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. CCFA sponsors basic and clinical research of the highest quality. We also offer a wide range of educational programs for patients and health care professionals, while providing supportive services to help people cope with these chronic intestinal diseases. These programs are supported solely through our donors, grants, and fundraising efforts.

So please be sure to join us for Fan Fiction: Logan Square All Stars (TONIGHT!) Monday, September 17, from 5pm-2am. It's like visiting all of your favorite neighborhood bars at once, only as your tab climbs—so falls your karmic debt.

*Scofflaw does not have a Michelin star.**
**Yet.

Logan Square All Stars: Billy Helmkamp of The Whistler

Billy Helmkamp of The Whistler

One of Logan Square's OG cocktail spots, this list would be remiss if it didn't include a submission from The Whistler. And with this cocktail, Billy Helmkamp is really hoping to curry your favor... Get it? This cocktail has curry in it!

Delhi Cooler (Billy Helmkamp, The Whistler) Gilbey's London Dry Gin, curry nectar, pineapple, lime; $10.

Should you love this selection over all others on Monday evening, Billy will be recommending his favorite charity as the lucky recipient of the night's procedes: Chicago Independent Radio Project.

The Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP) is dedicated to providing Chicago residents with a community radio station focused on the representation of local people, events, and issues alongside a wide array of local and independent music. We seek to promote localism, diversity, and independence in public broadcasting via programming and web content curated, created, and produced by Chicagoans. We aim to consistently expand the breadth and depth of our on-air and online voice by incorporating the multi-faceted voices of the community.

So please be sure to join us for Fan Fiction: Logan Square All Stars on Monday, September 17, 5pm-2am. It's like visiting all of your favorite neighborhood bars at once, only as your tab climbs—so falls your karmic debt.

Logan Square All Stars: Jeffrey Hansen of Lula Café

Jeffrey Hansen of Lula Café

Do you miss seeing Jeff Hansen at Lula as much as we do? Good thing his cocktails linger, both on their menu and now ours. Just before Jeff skedaddled back to New York City, he graciously shared with us the recipe for his Green Garter cocktail:

Green Garter (Jeffrey Hansen, Lula Café) Letherbee Gin, lime, cucumber, cilantro, serrano chile; $10.

Like Alex Bachman of Yusho, Jeff has named Pilot Light as the worthy recipient of Monday evening's procedes, should all you Fan Fictioners drink more Green Garters than any other cocktail.

Pilot Light, a collective of culinary arts professionals, aims to enhance children's perception of food through interpersonal implementation of foood education programs, both working directly with schools and acting as a a catalyst for community organizations.

Pilot Light empowers children to take ownership of their heath and select healthier food options to improve the wellbeing of our country's youth and influence the way they think about their relationship with food.

Please be sure to join us for Fan Fiction: Logan Square All Stars on Monday, September 17, 5pm-2am. It's like visiting all of your favorite neighborhood bars at once, only as your tab climbs—so falls your karmic debt.

Logan Square All Stars: Alex Bachman of Yusho

Alex Bachman of Yusho, photo via LTHforum.

Our next contributor is none other than Alex Bachman of Yusho. Those of you who have braved the heights of Yusho's barstools know that we're in for a real treat with this cocktail:

Hoar's Frost (Alex Bachman, Yusho) Broker's Gin, Lemon, Rose/Myrtle Leaf Syrup, Gran Classico, Lemon Hart 151; $10.

Should Alex's creation be the evening's most popular, he has chosen to forward 25% of the night's food and drink sales to Pilot Light:

Pilot Light, a collective of culinary arts professionals, aims to enhance children's perception of food through interpersonal implementation of foood education programs, both working directly with schools and acting as a a catalyst for community organizations.

Pilot Light empowers children to take ownership of their heath and select healthier food options to improve the wellbeing of our country's youth and influence the way they think about their relationship with food.

Please be sure to join us for Fan Fiction: Logan Square All Stars on Monday, September 17, 5pm-2am. It's like visiting all of your favorite neighborhood bars at once, only as your tab climbs—so falls your karmic debt.

Logan Square All Stars: Jenny Kessler of Masa Azul

Jenny Kessler of Masa Azul

First up on our Logan Square All Stars roster is Jenny Kessler of Masa Azul. No surprise here: her recipe is a savory, Southwestern-inspired mezcal cocktail.

Nightlight (Jenny Kessler, Masa Azul) Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Chipotle Sour, Maraschino, Tomato Powder, Citrus Soda; $10.

The more Nightlights you consume, the greater the chance that Night Ministry (Masa Azul’s chosen charity) will receive 25% of the evening’s bar sales. One moment, please, while we tug at your heartstrings:

The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization that works to provide housing, health care and human connection to members of our community struggling with poverty or homelessness. With an open heart and an open mind, we accept people as they are and work to address their immediate physical, emotional and social needs while affirming their sense of humanity.

So please be sure to join us for Fan Fiction: Logan Square All Stars on Monday, September 17, 5pm-2am. It's like visiting all of your favorite neighborhood bars at once, and as your tab climbs—so falls your karmic debt.

Fan Fiction: Logan Square All Stars

It’s been really fun doing our own versions of cocktails as handed down by the masters (Dale DeGroff, Ted Haigh). Now we’re ready to try our hand at recreating recipes handed over by the folks we love to visit behind the stick on our nights off.

And so we announce our next edition of Fan Fiction! We present the Logan Square All Stars: head bartender Danny Shapiro has collected recipes from some of his favorite neighborhood mixologists, and is applying them to a special (and one-night-only) menu on Monday, September 17.

But there’s a new element this time: charity! We’re pitting each of our contributors against one another (in the nicest and least competitive way possible), and the creator of the highest selling cocktail gets to name the cause closest to their heart that we’ll donate 25% of the evening’s sales to. The moral of the story? Get off your duffs and drink it up, because the more cocktails we sell, the more money we get to give to somebody or something in need. 

Any guesses on which All Stars we’re featuring? Stay tuned all week as we announce participants!

Founders Beer Dinner

We had a great time at our beer dinner last night, which featured five courses from Chef Mickey paired with selections from Founders Brewing Company. Here are some quiet moments just before we welcomed our guests:

Mark your calendars for September 17th, when we’ll be throwing our next edition of Fan Fiction.

Our First Beer Dinner: Founders Brewing Company

Remember when we all cheered for beer? We’re still cheering—but in a quiet, refined, five-course-dinner sort of way.  Join us on Monday, August 27th, at 6:30pm, when Chef Mickey cooks up a dish to be perfectly paired with five choice brews from Founders Brewing.

We’re especially excited to be able to feature KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) with our final course. Named the #2 Beer in America by Wine Enthusiast magazine in 2011, this limited release sold out within hours and four-packs were going for $60 on eBay! (All math enthusiasts will note that next week’s beer dinner, at $65 per person, is nearly the same cost. What a steal!)

And just for you, our faithful blog-reader: a sneak peek at the evening’s menu! (Click to enlarge.)

Join us Monday, August 27th at 6:30pm. Tickets are $65 per person, but seating is limited. Buy your tickets at the bar today!