Pastoral Opens New Retail Location and Appellation Wine Bar & Restaurant in Andersonville

Pastoral Opens New Retail Location and Appellation Wine Bar & Restaurant in Andersonville

Award-Winning Neighborhood Cheese, Specialty Food & Wine Shop’s Largest Location Offers Two Integrated Concepts Within One Space

Chicago (October 29, 2015)Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine will officially open its fourth and largest retail location today, beginning at 4:00pm, at 5212 N. Clark Street in Andersonville. The 3,800 square foot space, designed by Chicago-based Moss Design, is an exciting extension of the company’s European-inspired neighborhood concept. The new location is an inviting open format, which includes a hybrid retail space and 75-seat wine bar and restaurant, named Appellation.

Lined by the building’s existing reclaimed exposed brick, the new retail space will delight guests with all the things you’ve come to expect from Pastoral – multiple interactive stations including a specialty cheese bar, gourmet accompaniments, sandwich and salad stand, and an extensive wine offering that will showcase wine at approachable price points as well as coveted benchmark or premium-priced wines. As with other Pastoral locations, the store will feature high quality, handcrafted products, including cut-to-order domestic and international specialty cheeses, charcuterie, freshly baked breads, small production wines, craft beers and spirits, custom gift baskets, and artisan catering.

The integrated space will include a slicing counter with small production charcuterie from top producers. To accent and accompany its charcuterie station, Pastoral will feature a rotating French mustard on tap from Maille, which, in the United States, is available in just two locations outside of Chicago. The first variety offered for the autumn will be “White Wine,” which guests can pour, to order, into a ceramic Maille crock. Pastoral will also carry several varieties of Maille’s premium-line jarred mustards, including Blackcurrant, Cognac, Walnut, Lemon & Harissa, as well as a premium Hazelnut oil.

Pastoral’s sandwich and salad fans will be able to place takeaway orders throughout the day in a separate to-go area, making it the premier gourmet lunch destination in Andersonville. The company’s much-loved bread offerings, sourced from La Fournette Bakery & Café and Cook au Vin, will be sold in the retail space and will be used in Pastoral’s sandwich menu. Later in November, Pastoral will begin serving a daily counter service breakfast that will include quiche, Counter Culture coffee and espresso, pastries from an exclusive partnership with Evanston’s Hewn, and more.

In a nod to Andersonville’s Swedish heritage, the retail area will offer traditional Swedish delicacies that the neighborhood has come to appreciate from renowned, but now closed, retailers such as Erikson’s Delicatessen and Wikstrom’s Gourmet. Pastoral will carry delicacies from the latter founder’s daughter, Marie Wikstrom, such as beloved cheeses, summer sausages, pickled herring and homemade lingonberry-cherry jam, which has been an Andersonville staple for generations.

The intimate environment allows for Pastoral’s knowledgeable team to provide attentive and thoughtful service as patrons browse the European-inspired shop and order cheese and artisan foods and beverages to stay or take away. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the full space throughout the day, which offers multiple seating options, including a cheese bar and custom-crafted wine bar, which unites retail and restaurant, an ideal spot for people-watching over wine and bar bites in the evening.

Introducing Appellation Wine Bar & Restaurant

An extension of the Pastoral retail store, Appellation will offer guests a simple but amazing approach to food and wine with a sense of place, in a warm, inviting space. The restaurant’s name and menu inspires guests to appreciate the place of origin for each ingredient and wine pairing, as well as the farmers and producers with whom Pastoral has built great relationships over time.

Chef Jesse Williams, former head chef of Birchwood Kitchen and Lula Café veteran who trained under Jason Hammel and attended the Culinary Institute of America,

will preside over the full-service kitchen through a straightforward and simply delicious brunch and dinner program. Chef Jesse, a former Pastoral cheesemonger, debuts Appellation’s inaugural dinner menu featuring a range of rustic and creative cuisine using high-quality ingredients that often highlight the notable cheeses Pastoral has championed for more than 10 years. In addition to composed cheese plates and homemade charcuterie, the menu includes Black Dog Gelato for dessert, and many signature dishes, such as:

  • Egg noodles with milk braised pork shoulder ragu, carrots, leeks, fennel, olives;
  • Roasted chicken thigh, mustard vinegar sauce, cornichons, cippolini, raclette mashed potatoes;
  • Dill ricotta gnudi with preserved lemon, beets, hazelnuts, butter, pantaleo;
  • Patty melt with smoked onion confit, Swedish cheese, miche, frites

Guests dining at the chef’s table in front of the kitchen will get a glimpse of Chef Jesse and her team’s chemistry and artistry. Later in November, Appellation will also begin serving weekend brunch.

Andersonville’s Wine Destination

Paralleling Appellation’s creative, rustic menu is Pastoral’s exquisite wine program, developed by head Wine Buyer, Mark Wrobel (formerly of In Fine Spirits Lounge in Andersonville). The wine bar, which will offer 20 wines by the glass, will broaden

Pastoral’s approach to wine by featuring a rotating selection of rare and exclusive vintages by the glass and on tap, including Mawby’s Cuvée Pastoral. Like its other locations, the Andersonville location will focus on a distinct type of wine each month, such as American wines (October), Benchmark wines (November), and Sparkling wines (December), and will offer flights to explore and celebrate each category.

Many wines sold at retail will also be available for order at Appellation at approachable prices, from traditional regions with classic and up-and-coming producers. Pastoral’s complete wine collection – containing approximately 200 varieties – will focus on great-tasting, small production, family-owned vineyards that are either organic, and/or use sustainable production processes. Pastoral will also feature well-paired craft cocktails and beers.

Design Elements

The dining area was designed with reclaimed materials including French-inspired ceiling-beams, beautifully appointed installations, wine labels etched into the tabletops, and wall-lined banquettes. The front section of the restaurant features full-sized windows that open up to Clark Street and telescoping barnyard-door partitions, which allow the space to also serve as an intimate setting for private parties. A vintage wine press, reclaimed from the basement of Di Bruno Brothers gourmet retailers in Philadelphia, and crafted into a chandelier by renowned lighting artist Ted Harris, shines from above the chef’s table. An eye-catching antique milk and cream can chandelier also hangs in the store’s front window. The dining area also will feature unique and inspired works from local artists, which will rotate seasonally and are offered for sale. Adam Thomas, a highly celebrated local oil painter known for his vibrant abstracts and realistic renditions of landscapes and animals, will be the first artist to display his dramatic clouds exhibit. The current exhibit will be featured through the holidays.

“We couldn’t be more excited or proud to unveil this unique retail location, complete with a wine bar and restaurant, to the vibrant Andersonville community,” said Greg O’Neill, co-owner/co-founder of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine. “With two exciting concepts under one roof, we look forward to welcoming guests to this new neighborhood European-style breakfast, gourmet lunch, dinner, and wine destination that will make shopping for and enjoying artisan food and wine enlightening, approachable, fun and delicious.”

Pastoral will be open Monday through Saturday from 11:00am – 9:00pm and Sunday from 11:00am – 6:00pm. Morning counter service of European style breakfast will commence in mid-November.

Appellation will offer Bar Bites beginning at 4:00pm each day and dinner seven days a week commencing at 5:00 p.m. each. On Sunday – Thursday, dinner will be served until 10:00 p.m., and until 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The wine bar will close at midnight Monday – Thursday, 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:00 p.m. on Sunday. Saturday and Sunday brunch service will commence in mid November.

For more information, please visit pastoralartisan.com or call Pastoral at 800.721.4781. Reservations are not currently being accepted for Appellation. Walk-ins only. For more information, call 773.358.7181 or visit Appellation on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AppellationChicago

About Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine

Founded in 2004 by Ken Miller and Greg O’Neill, Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine is a group of national award-winning neighborhood cheese, specialty food and wine shops offering the highest quality, cut-to-order domestic and international specialty cheeses, freshly baked breads, perfectly chosen accompaniments and small production wines, along with hand-crafted, cheese-loving beers and spirits. Pastoral also offers custom gift collections, gourmet sandwiches and salads, picnics and catering. Pastoral is committed to providing the highest level of service and education for customers, striving to make shopping for and consuming artisan goods enlightening, approachable, fun and delicious. Pastoral welcomes customers at four Chicago store locations, and ships nationwide at www.pastoralartisan.com. Pastoral was named “Outstanding Retailer of the Year” in 2007 and 2012 by the Specialty Food Association. In 2012, the Company opened Bar Pastoral, an award winning, Michelin Guide recommended cheese & wine bistro serving shareable fare, in a cozy, inviting neighborhood setting. In October 2015, Pastoral will open its newest restaurant and wine bar, named Appellation, and retail location, in Chicago’s vibrant Andersonville neighborhood.

About Appellation

Launched in October 2015, Appellation is a 75-seat bistro serving food and wine with a sense of place. Led by Chef Jesse Williams and featuring a menu of approachable and rustic dishes, Appellation encourages guests to sip and savor appetizers, entrees, and other shareable plates featuring the fine cheese and wine offered in Pastoral’s retail locations. Appellation serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the week, as well as dinner and brunch on weekends. For more information, follow Appellation on Twitter @AppellationChi, and like the wine bar and restaurant on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AppellationChicago

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Pastoral Opens New Retail Location and Appellation Wine Bar & Restaurant in Andersonville

Angel’s Envy Will Plant 4,000 White Oak Trees Following Successful “Toast the Trees” Initiative

Louisville, Kentucky (October 26, 2015) – Louisville Distilling Co. LLC, producers of the award-winning Angel’s Envy super-premium bourbon finished in port wine barrels, will partner with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 4,000 white oak trees next spring as a result of the wildly successful “Toast the Trees” social media initiative this past September. The $16,000 donation will be used to restore the original composition of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Laurel County, Kentucky, and to make the site more productive for wildlife.

Through “Toast the Trees,” Angel’s Envy is taking a long-term approach to supporting future generations of bourbon drinkers today. The super-premium brand is committed to helping make sure that there is always enough American white oak for the cooperages and bourbon distilleries of tomorrow to continue to age in new charred oak barrels. Therefore, Angel’s Envy promised to plant one new white oak tree in North America for every picture bourbon enthusiasts took of an Angel’s Envy cocktail in September – neat, on-the-rocks or in a cocktail. Participants simply had to post their picture to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #AE4THETREES. During the month of September, the brand recorded nearly 4,000 social media posts. The team also successfully executed 257 on-premise promotions across the country and sold 5,751 Angel’s Envy cocktails – more than twice as many during the 2014 initiative.

“We were so thrilled by the engagement and participation in this year’s #AE4theTrees campaign that we increased our donation by $6,000,” said Samira Seiller, Managing Director of Louisville Distilling Company. “We look forward to planting 4,000 American White Oaks in the brand’s home state of Kentucky.”

“Thanks to Angel’s Envy commitment, we will be able to plant much-needed trees in support of our ongoing reforestation efforts,” said Dan Lambe, President of the Arbor Day Foundation. “These trees will be planted in April to help clean the air and restore habitat and beauty to forests.”

Angel’s Envy is the culmination of the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson’s storied career. One of the original pioneers of the premium bourbon and whiskey

categories in the U.S., Lincoln created the Angel’s Envy on his own terms – with a simple desire to enjoy the art of making whiskey. The late Master Distiller, who was an inaugural member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame also spent 40 years of working on world-class brands, such as Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniels.

In addition to the flagship bourbon finished in port wine barrels, the Company offers Angel’s Envy Cask Strength and Angel’s Envy Rye finished in rum barrels. Each Expression exhibits Lincoln’s passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms and producing unique whiskey steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.

  • Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels, distilled for an unparalleled smoothness, aged for 4-6 years in American white oak barrels and finished in hand-selected port casks for an incremental 3-6 months. Now available nationally, the expression earned a 98/100 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine – the highest-ever rating for a bourbon – and five stars (highest recommendation) from F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal.
  • Cask Strength, aged to the perfect level of richness and maturity in the few American white oak barrels that made the cut (and are available each year) and then finished in Port casks for up to 18 months. Due to the scarcity of barrels necessary for the finishing process, Angel’s Envy only released 6,500 bottles in late 2014. Paul Pacult of Spirit Journal named the Cask Strength “Best Spirit in the World,” giving it five stars and noting it “deserves a sixth rating star.” Available in: CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OR, TN, TX & WA for the suggested retail price (750ml bottle) of $169.
  • Rye Finished in Rum Barrels, made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley that’s aged for as much as six years in new American, charred oak barrels and finished in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks for up to 18 months. Both The Tasting Panel and Wine Enthusiast magazines awarded Angel’s Envy Rye Finished in Rum Barrels with 94/100 points. Available for the suggested retail price (750ml bottle) of $69.99.

For more information, please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on facebook https://www.facebook.com/AngelsEnvyBourbon and twitter https://twitter.com/Angels_Envy (@angels_envy).

The Angel’s Envy™ brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

Angel’s Envy 2015. Heaven Can Wait. Please Drink Responsibly.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation is a million-member non-profit conservation and education organization with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org

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Pastoral Opens New Retail Location and Appellation Wine Bar & Restaurant in Andersonville

Pastoral Shines A Spotlight on Domestic Producers During 5th Annual American Cheese Month

Chicago’s Hometown Cheese Shop Since 2003 Will Celebrate With A Special Cheesemaker Dinner, Medley & More This October

Chicago (October 1, 2015)Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, in partnership with the American Cheese Society, is proud to celebrate American Cheese Month this October. The national event, now in its fifth year, honors the talented families, cheesemakers, and producers, along with their handcrafted American artisan cheeses. Throughout the month, Pastoral will highlight four American cheeses with an exclusive dinner, special cheese plate and gift medley, expertly paired American wines, and in-store tastings.

The month’s highlight, a Cheesemaker Dinner at Bar Pastoral, will take place on Sunday, October 18 at the Michelin-recommended bistro in Lakeview. The restaurant, which serves sharable dishes in a cozy, inviting, neighborhood setting, will host a ticketed dinner event in honor of Meadowood Farms’ Victoria Pedraza. Chef Jeffrey Parkin has created an elegant menu focusing on Pedraza’s artisan cheeses, which are seasonably crafted on a 225-acre farm from a flock of pasture-raised sheep. Tickets can be purchased in advance at pastoralartisan.com for $65, or $80 with wine pairing. Tax and gratuity is included.

“While the artisan cheese movement continues to thrive on the world stage, we enjoy calling attention to all of the inspiring American producers who are devoted to perfecting the craft at home year after year,” said Greg O’Neill, co-owner/co-founder of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine and past chair of the American Cheese Society. “This year, we’re proud to feature both established cheesemakers and two exciting upstarts – such as Victoria Pedraza – to celebrate industry leaders as well as the creative innovators that are taking the American cheese industry to exciting new places.”

Pastoral has selected four award-winning cheeses to feature during American Cheese Month, representing the four major cheesemaking regions in the United States: the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West:

  • Meadowood Farms’ “Lorenzo,” Cazenovia, New York   Owner/Cheesemaker: Veronica Pedraza

Lorenzo is an alpine-style sheep’s milk cheese similar to Raclette from Switzerland. The rind is washed with freshly pressed cider from Critz Farms

(Cazenovia, NY). Pedraza, a talented up-and-coming cheesemaker who has quickly wowed the cheese community, ages the cheese for four months. Lorenzo is savory, vegetal and nutty, and perfect for melting in a sandwich or over vegetables.

  • Boxcarr Handmade Cheese’s “Rosie’s Robiola,” Cedar Grove, North Carolina   Owners: Austin Genke, Dani Genke, Samantha Genke

This innovative, Italian-inspired Robiola (soft cheese made from a blend of milks) with clean, dry rind and a luscious, silky interior never fails to impress. The Gengkes’ new approach to cheesemaking uses rich milk sourced from Jersey and Holstein cows on a neighboring farm.

Made from the milk of pasture-grazed Wisconsin goats and aged for four months this award-winning bleu cheese is neither mild nor overbearing. It also took the first place award at the 2014 American Cheese Society awards. This cheese, made by industry trailblazer Sid Cook, is incredibly distinctive as goat cheese, especially with its delightfully creamy texture.

The Original American Artisan Cheese! This cheese is the stuff of legends, much like its classic, established originator Ignacio Vella. Aged to replicate the grating cheeses of Italy, this Jack is fruity, sharp and full of spirit.

The four featured cheeses will be showcased in a variety of ways, including Pastoral’s “American Cheese Month Medley,” which retails for $64.99, includes cuts of the four featured cheeses, along with a single-source honey from Ames Farm in Wisconsin. The medley is artfully arranged inside a Pastoral Medley Craft Box, and includes information about the contents and each featured producer. A portion of the proceeds of this medley will be donated to the Daphne Zepos Teaching Foundation, which is committed to providing scholarships for cheese education. In addition, Pastoral will showcase a diverse collection of American-produced wines that are expertly paired with the featured cheeses.

Bar Pastoral will add an “American Cheese Month” specialty plate to its rustic fall menu in October. The plate, $20, will include one piece of each of the four featured cheeses, along with various accompaniments.

For more information on American Cheese Month, including a schedule of in-store demonstrations and tastings, please visit pastoralartisan.com or call Pastoral at 800.721.4781. For the Cheesemaker Dinner menu, visit http://www.pastoralartisan.com/bar-pastoral. A full calendar of local events to celebrate American Cheese Month is also available at all Pastoral store locations (2945 North Broadway; 53 East Lake; Chicago French Market, 131 North Clinton; and, coming soon, 5212 N. Clark Street).

About Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine

Founded in 2004, Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine is a trio of national award-winning neighborhood cheese, specialty food and wine shops offering the highest quality, cut-to-order domestic and international specialty cheeses, freshly baked breads, perfectly chosen accompaniments and small production wines, along with hand-crafted, cheese-loving beers and spirits. Pastoral also offers custom gift collections, gourmet sandwiches and salads, picnics and catering. Pastoral is committed to providing the highest level of service and education for customers, striving to make shopping for and consuming artisan goods enlightening, approachable, fun and delicious. Pastoral welcomes customers at three Chicago store locations, and ships nationwide at www.pastoralartisan.com. Pastoral was named “Outstanding Retailer of the Year” in 2007 and 2012 by the Specialty Food Association. In 2012, the Company opened Bar Pastoral, an award winning, Michelin Guide recommended cheese & wine bistro serving shareable fare, in a cozy, inviting neighborhood setting. Early this fall, Pastoral will open its newest restaurant and wine bar, named Appellation, and retail location, in Chicago’s vibrant Andersonville neighborhood.

About Bar Pastoral

Recommended in the prestigious 2014 Chicago Michelin Guide, Bar Pastoral is an award-winning cheese & wine bistro and the first sit-down extension from Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, Chicago’s lauded gourmet retailer. Serving shareable fare, in a cozy, inviting neighborhood setting, Bar Pastoral celebrates the idea of “grazing as dinner” with an expertly crafted selection of fine cheeses, hand-made charcuterie, as well as small and large composed plates, all thoughtfully paired with small production wines, craft beers and spirits. Bar Pastoral also serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, and is a welcoming place to relax and enjoy meals that reflect the finest ingredients and flavors of the season. http://www.barpastoral.com

About the American Cheese Society (ACS)
The American Cheese Society (ACS) is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation and promotion of farmstead, artisan and specialty cheeses produced in North America. More than 1,500 members strong, ACS provides advocacy, education, business development and networking opportunities to cheesemakers, retailers, enthusiasts and extended industry. ACS strives to continuously raise the quality and availability of cheese in the Americas. Since its founding in 1983, ACS proudly hosts North America’s foremost annual educational conference and world-renowned cheese judging and competition. For more information, visit cheesesociety.org

About American Cheese Month
American Cheese Month is an annual celebration of America’s diverse artisan, farmstead and specialty cheeses—and the farmers, cheesemakers, distributors, retailers, cheesemongers, chefs and educators who bring them to the table. Created by the American Cheese Society, American Cheese Month will be held annually each October, with special events and promotions in cities across the country. The goal of the month-long celebration is to raise awareness of the quality and diversity of American cheeses, as well as to increase support for family farms, traditional cheese production methods and sustainable production models. Revenue from select American Cheese Month events will support the American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF). For more information, visit americancheesemonth.org.

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