Chicago - November 09, 2005

Fine Whine

Bin Wine Cafe Opens

Competition is natural between siblings.

Who’s got the better grades, the bigger bedroom, first dibs on the bathroom.

As with family, so too with food. Bin Wine Cafe opens today, and it’s poised to teach big sis Bin 36 all about rivalry. (Though these two are more likely to fight over syrah than sneakers.)

The cozier Cafe may be smaller than the big and lofty 36, but the new kid is doing a jealousy-inducing dinner and late-night menu of hearth-roasted chicken and pizzas, house-cured duck prosciutto, and organic hanger steak with gorgonzola butter and crispy fries.

The food is so tasty, in fact, that no one may mind that they’ll be BYOB for the first week or so. However, once the license comes through, expect rare, well-edited worldly varietals (36 by the glass and 75 by the bottle) and blends created especially for the cafe (like a 2004 German riesling and a 2003 Brian’s Blend XIII California pinot noir).

So let the sisterly competition begin.

In the meantime, the only one who won’t be whining is you. You’ll be too busy wining and dining.

Bin Wine Cafe, 1559 North Milwaukee Avenue, between North Avenue and Honore Street (773-486-2233).