Salute Wine Bar & Cafe - JAZZzology's Chicago Jazz Music Venue Of The Month-March 2010

This is the first in a new JAZZzology blog feature known as "JAZZzology's Chicago Jazz Music Venue of the Month". We begin with one of the Chicago Gold Coast’s coziest and most authentic Italian bistros (or "sliver bar" as I call it due to the long narrow nature of the room), Salute Wine Bar & Café located at 46 E. Superior St. Chicago, IL...
WDCB radio presents live jazz at Salute' on Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. No cover! Come on out and support live jazz music in ChiTown and those businesses and people that sponsor it.

Upcoming Jazz Music & Artist Schedule For March 2010

03/03 - Tom Muellner Duo
03/10 - Aaron Koppel Duo
03/17 - Mike Allemana-Greg Fishman Duo
03/24 - Marshall Vente Duo
03/31 - Kelly Brand-Kelly Sill Duo

(WDCB Jazz at Salute' is presented by Salute Wine Bar and Cafe, 90.9fm WDCB Public Radio and Stone Castle Promotions!)

Salute has teamed up with 90.9 FM WDCB Public Radio for its live Jazz Wednesdays. I was there to see the Jose Valdes Duo featuring Dez Desormeaux on sax and flute with Jose on piano, as usual these musicians never dissapoint playing tunes such as "Giant Steps" to music from the Carlos Jobim songbook. I was completely taken in by the very comfortable set of surroundings that made it very conducive to an intimate evening of jazz and great food. Being winter in Chicago, it was great to walk into a street-level small and cozy atmosphere of good food smells, friendly staff, many readied bottles of vino and great jazz. As one opens the large heavy door you are greeted by a smiling member of the staff that makes you feel at ease right away and directs you to the back of the place to hang your coat. Just to the right is a seating arrangement of a coffee table surrounded by a leather couch and a couple of tuxedo style chairs. There is also a very romantic window seat in the bay window of the front of the place just large enough for two. Nuances of Italian culture and styles are evident in little knick-knacks placed throughout.

A small "standing room only" bar is towards the front of the room with several tables filling out the rest of the restaurant area. Black and white photographs of Italian scenes and people decorate the walls reminiscent to me of the post WWII era in Italy of the 1950s (the restrooms are decorated with posters form Italian movies and photos of their movie stars). The menu offers a very select array of Italian wines, cheeses and entrees. I had a chance to try the cheese sampler which was fantatstic and I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to compliment their choice of wine once that has been secured from the waitstaff.

The only thing that detracts occasionally from the coziness of the room is if you happen to be seated near the front of the cafe when the front door is opened, as quite a bit of wintry air rushes in, but I readily discovered even this momentary distraction from the ambiance made one feel that it was good to be inside Salute sipping on one's favorite Italian wine while enjoying the music of an intimate evening of jazz. Salute gets a JAZZzology Jazz Music Venue Rating of 5 out of a possible 5 stars!!!

Here is the official description of the Wednesday night jazz scene at Salute: "Salute Wine Bar & Café invites Chicagoans to liven up and let loose with a night of live jazz music and half-priced signature pizzas which include Margherita, Speck and Arugula, Spinach and Ricotta, Cotecchino Sausage, Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms. The bistro and 90.9 FM, Chicago’s premier jazz radio station, showcases a variety of musicians from 7 to 10 p.m. Check their on-line calendar or give them a call to get info on

ABOUT SALUTE WINE BAR & CAFÉ An authentic Italian wine bar and bistro located in the historically rehabbed Hennessy House in the Gold Coast neighborhood. The intimate spot offers patrons an approachable Italian wine menu representing 20 regions of local varietals and an Italian comfort food lunch and dinner menu. Open Sunday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Patio and sidewalk seating available. Private party packages and space available. Accepts all major credit cards. Valet ($9) and street parking available. Now on Open Table. For additional information please visit http://www.salutewinebars.com/ or call 312.664.0100.

DINNER MENU

---Piatti Piccoli---

House-Cured Olives 5


Spinach & Artichoke Spread 10


Bruschette 10
Tomato & Artichoke with Basil Pesto
Herbed Goat Cheese & Roasted Red Peppers

Zuppa del Giorno 5


Salute Meatballs 9
Pork & Beef, Roasted Tomato Sauce, Aged Balsamic Reduction, Basil Oil (3pcs)

Crab Salad 12
Roasted Red Peppers, Capers, Red Onions,Blood Orange Aioli, Grape tomatoes,Basil Seeds


Seasonal Salad 8
Roasted Chioggia Beets, Gorgonzola Dolce, Ruby Red Leaf, Candied Walnuts, Basil Vinaigrette


Caesar Salad 9
Romaine, Pancetta, Piave Vecchio, Herbed Croutons


---Piatti Grandi---


Filet Mignon Carpaccio 12
Shaved Piave Vecchio, Capers, Frisée Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette Honey-Glazed

Roasted Pork Belly 13
Polenta, Frisée Salad with Truffle Vinaigrette, Tomato Sauce Spiked with Apple Cider

Braised Beef Short Rib 15
Mashed Celery Root, Blood Orange & Fennel Jus

Saffron Risotta 10
Butter Poached Asparagus, Parmigiano-Reggiano


---Pizze---


Margherita 10
Roma Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Basil


Speck & Arugula 10
Smoked Prosciutto from Alto Adige


Spinach & Ricotta 10


Cotecchino Sausage 12


Caramelized Onion & Mushroom 10


---Affettati---


Prosciutto di Parma 6


Duck Prosciutto 6


Soppressata 3


Hot Coppa 3


Speck 4


---Formaggi---


Robiola Due Latti (Goat/Sheep) 5


Taleggio (Cow) 5


Gorgonzola Dolce (Cow) 4


Clarissa Caprino Sardo (Goat) 4


Cacio al Tartufo (Sheep) 6


Piave Vecchio (Cow) 5


Selezione di Formaggi & Affettati 16
Four 1oz. Portions


---Dolci---


S’Mores 6
Toasted Marshmallows Surrounded by a Frangelico-Infused Chocolate Ganache & Strawberry Glaze & Sprinkled with Graham Cracker Crumbs


Tiramisù 6
Delicate Lady Fingers Drenched in Kahlua Layered with Sweet, Fluffy Mascarpone Dusted with Dark Chocolate

Cannoli 6
Crunchy Cannoli Shells Hand-Stuffed with Creamy Mascarpone finished in Traditional & House Specialty Toppings


LUNCH MENU

---Piatti Piccoli---


House-Cured Olives 5


Spinach & Artichoke Spread 10


Bruschette 10
Tomato & Artichoke with Basil Pesto
Herbed Goat Cheese & Roasted Red Peppers


Zuppa del Giorno 5


Salute Meatballs 9
Pork & Beef, Roasted Tomato Sauce,
Aged Balsamic Reduction, Basil Oil (3pcs)


Crab Salad 12
Roasted Red Peppers, Capers, Red Onions,
Blood Orange Aioli, Grape Tomatoes, Basil Seeds


Seasonal Salad 8
Roasted Chioggia Beets, Gorgonzola Dolce, Ruby Red Leaf, Candied Walnuts, Basil Vinaigrette


Caesar Salad 9
Romaine, Pancetta, Piave Vecchio, Herbed Croutons

---Panini---


Quatro Formaggio 10
Fontina, Podda Classico, Pecorino Sardinia, Provolone, Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto


Salute 11
Prosciutto di Parma, Gorgonzola Dolce, Truffled-Fig Butter


Grazie 10
Smoked Turkey, Cranberry-Red Wine Reduction, Pesto


Muffuletta 10
Hot Coppa, Mortadella, Genoa Salami, Provolone, Giardiniera, Olive Tapenade

---Pizze---

Margherita 10
Roma Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Basil


Speck & Arugula 10
Smoked Prosciutto from Alto Adige


Spinach & Ricotta 10


Cotecchino Sausage 12
Caramelized Onion & Mushroom 10

---Affettati---


Prosciutto di Parma 6


Duck Prosciutto 6


Soppressata 3


Hot Coppa 3


Speck 4


---Formaggi---


Robiola Due Latti (Goat/Sheep) 5


Taleggio (Cow) 5


Gorgonzola Dolce (Cow) 4


Clarissa Caprino Sardo (Goat) 4


Cacio al Tartufo (Sheep) 6


Piave Vecchio (Cow) 5


Selezione di Formaggi & Affettati 16
Four 1oz. Portions

---Dolci---


S’Mores 6
Toasted Marshmallows Surrounded by a Frangelico-Infused Chocolate Ganache & Strawberry Glaze & Sprinkled with Graham Cracker Crumbs


Tiramisù 6
Delicate Lady Fingers Drenched in Kahlua Layered with Sweet, Fluffy Mascarpone Dusted with Dark Chocolate


Cannoli 6
Crunchy Cannoli Shells Hand-Stuffed with Creamy Mascarpone
Finished in Traditional & House Specialty Toppings


OPEN DAILY NOON TIL 2 AM


DRINK LIST (LUNCH & DINNER)

---LIBAGIONI (Libations)---
Templeton Ginger-Apple Templeton rye whiskey with ginger liquor shaken with spicy apple cider $12

Tuaca Lemondrop Vanilla-spiced Tuaca blended with citrus vodka $12

Chocolate Espresso Martini Italian chocolate liquor, vanilla vodka, Frangelico & espresso all shaken $10

Blackberry-Ginger Hot Toddy Brandy, blackberry puree & ginger syrup; served hot with robust tea $10

Hot Chococello Homemade chocolate cello; steamed to a frothy head & dashed with Amaretto di Saronno $12

Cello Martini Ask which flavors! Homemade cello shaken with vodka & finished with a twist $12

---DOLCI VINI---
Moscato d'Asti Ethereal, sweet apricot & country pear that is fresh & delicate in the mouth $11

Brachetto d'Aqui "Pineto" Exploding with razz, sweet & sour cherries with a hint of strawberry $13

Vin Santo di Chianti "Farnito" 1992 Vin Santo at its best! Fruity but with lots of nuts & creamy caramel $19

---PORTO---
Tawny 10 Year Rich & smooth palate blends lovely, complex aromas of dried fruit & nuts $8

Late Bottle "Finest Reserve" Top quality grapes display rich fruit, a fine bouquet & a delicate palate $6

Late Bottle Vintage 2001 Extremely dark & concentrated notes of dark plum, raisin, fig & vanilla $7

---CASALINGO CELLO (Homemade Cello)---
You're not going to find these ANYWHERE else in Chicago! Celli added daily.
Ask which unique flavors are available
Tasting Flight $12
Myer Lemon/Peach Sweet meyer limon rounded with a touch of peach $8

Cranberry/Orange Spice Bold, spicy with an extra jolt across the tongue $8

Pommegranite Beautiful citrus flavor and a unique spiced finish $8

Tangerine/Mango A juicy, powerful kick $8

Strawberry/Lime Wild strawberry laced with a hint of lime $8

Dark Chocolate Pure spirit infused with Italian chocolate, vanilla bean & milk $8

---SOMETHING DIFFERENT---
Biscotti Liqueur Famoso Tastes like delicious, liquid, oven-baked biscotti cookies! $6

Grappino Bianco Harmonious & full bodied-Only select Teroldego & Chardonnay grapes are used $7

Amaro Historic & inviting swirl of flavors like saffron, caramel & fresh herbs $6

Cassisona Rich, fragrant, cassis & champagne-like soft bubbles. Beer lovers rejoice! $12

Xyauyù Phenomenal! It pours, smells & tastes like a beautiful tawny Port wine $15

---BIRRA (Beer)---
Peroni Pale Lager Rome, Italy $5

Amstel Light Amsterdam, Holland $5

Moretti "La Rossa" Lager Udine, Italy $5

Menabrea Bionda Lager Biella, Italy $5.5

Menabrea "Ambrata" Vienna Amber Lager Biella, Italy $6.5

Unibroue "Éphémére" Ale Quebec, Canada $6.5

Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier Munich, Germany $6.5

Stiegl Pils Salzburg, Austria $8

Draco Dark Ale (750ml) Val Grue, Italy $37

La Fleurette Ale (750ml) Val Grue, Italy $37

Demon Hunter Dark Ale (750ml) Val Grue, Italy $34