Negroni from Erik Eastman. Photo by Erik Eastman.
Now that it’s summer, schedules fill up and the days are luxuriously long. Join me in over-booking your calendar and eating these tasty bites.
It’s Negroni Week!
This just happens to be my favorite cocktail of the summer and that may or may not be because I’m highly susceptible to suggestion. All week long Campari and Imbibe magazine have partnered with area restaurants to serve their twist on the bitter beauty and donate money to good causes. The kickoff took place yesterday at Heyday where they’re serving the drink to benefit Share Our Strength (because, seriously NO kid should have to deal with hunger. I love that cause.) Hi-Lo Diner is serving a Negroni pie that looks divine. Thomas Kim of The Rabbit Hole has partnered with my buddy Erik Eastman of Easy & Oskey bitters for a seriously seductive sipper made with Vikre’s Big Cedar Gin (my current summer spirit obsession.) If you’re drinking ’em, tag me on Instagram, @joyestellesummers. Drinking is always better with friends. Check out the full list of participating spots.
Foxy Falafel’s Stoplight Falafel Sandwich
While we’re on the subject of doing great with good food makers, I’ve got one more event coming up next week that I’m honored to participate in. The Firefly Sisterhood matches breast cancer survivors with people dealing with all the facets and fallouts of a diagnosis. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been affected by this insidious disease and this is an opportunity to embrace an incredible organization by eating delicious food. The organization’s first Illuminight fundraiser will be Wednesday, June 13, at the Muse event center. (Tickets start at $75 and are available here).
It’s going to be an amazing tasting event with food from Chef Shack, Nightingale, Grand Café, The Bachelor Farmer, Hot Indian Foods, Zen Box Izakaya, and more. Foxy Falafel’s Erica Strait is also participating—summer is my favorite time to track down her truck or settle in at her adorable Midway café. I can’t wait for a bite of her sampler style sandwich with curry, beet and the original falafels dressed in garlicky hummus and my favorite tahini.
Hola Arepa’s Chilaquiles
I pretty much wrecked my copy of this month’s issue of MnMo during my first read through—the “Best New Brunches” section is covered in crumbs and coffee rings. It’s just so dang good and beautiful! I can’t believe I got to have my tiny little piece of that gorgeousness. Also, my picture is in there, which is weird, but I really did steal food off Jason’s plate at Hola Arepa. That wasn’t a set up. It’s because I’m obsessed with their chilaquiles. Stacks of tostadas are dressed in tart, spicy sauce and topped with an egg that is perfection. Although chef and co-owner Christina Nguyen has shared her recipe before, I’ve never had the guts to attempt these at home. So, I’m even more extra, super excited to appear with her at Kitchen in the Market to kick off their newest class series, The Signature. This is Christina’s first time teaching a class and she is going to be amazing. There will be more classes (we’re going to make the Hi-Lo Diner’s Hi-Tops and—brace yourselves—Revival’s fried chicken.) There are still a few seats left for this kick off. Tickets are $85 and available here.
Or, just go get yourself some at Hola’s weekend brunch. I love it so much.
