Sheffield's Beer and Wine Garden
3258 N. Sheffield Ave.
(773) 281-4989
(773) 281-2903 Fax
www.SheffieldsChicago.com

Raven's
2326 N. Clark Ave.
(773) 348-1774

Silver Cloud
1700 N. Damen Ave.
(773) 489-6212
(773) 489-2834 Fax
www.SilverCloudChicago.com

As of this writing, Sheffield’s Backroom BBQ’s menu is being tweaked and trimmed for public review, an event that will take place sometime in the next couple of weeks. Yes, we know we said that we’d be up and running by now, but you try to put a kitchen together from scratch. Check our site (www.sheffieldschicago.com) to track our progress, then get over and get yourself a rack of ribs.

Now one organization that is on schedule is the Chicago Cub’s and Monday, April 9th they’ll be back in the Friendly Confines pitted against the Astros. At Sheffield’s we always start baseball season off with a raft of good beers, and this year is no exception, but with the construction and all, we’re doing things a little differently. Our good friend Fred Bueltmann of New Holland Brewing said he didn’t mind the specter of dust and debris, and so we’ll be hosting a private release for his summer time beers back in the Garden Room. Everyone else, from Goose Island, Lakefront and Three Floyds, to Founders and Two Brothers, will be up in the front bar where we could guarantee that we’d have operable taps and a place to pour them. What hasn’t changed is we’ll have some of the newest and most interesting beers available right here on Opening Day!

One thing we can’t do anything about is the weather. It seems to work that the week before the Cubs kick things off there will be a run of days in the 70’s, and then, come game time, the wind’s screaming in over the centerfield wall and there’s a foot of snow on the infield. We’re praying for sunshine, but this is, after all, Chicago. We’re not holding our breath. No matter what, the beer garden will be open for business, rain or shine, so pull on your parka and get over here.

The smokehouse is almost ready – really. And we’re excited about that. We’ve brought in some great seasonal beers to go with the new menu; maibocks and porters and pilsners with plenty of hop bite to balance the sweet and spicy barbeque tang. We’re doing everything we can to make this new addition sing. But the most important element in all of this is you. Stop on by and give us a try and then give us your feedback, let us know what we’re doing right. More importantly, let us know where we can do better. The Cubs are back and we’ve all got our fingers crossed that this is the season we’re going to beat the curse of the goat. But with great beer and BBQ, with our beer garden and all of you, we’ve already got a winning team.

Spring is Here!!!

Warm weather is right around the corner and warmer weather after that which means Ravens beer garden is open! We have a great start to spring at Ravens and this will continue into April. Warsteiner is Beer of the Month for April and each and every pint is Just $3. Please join us on the patio or sit inside and root for the CUBS. We will be open every night until 4am for all your libation needs (5am Saturdays). Beer garden is always available for private functions.

Hope to see you soon!

April’s a month that run’s the gamut, a potentially tragic, violent month that spans the seasons of snow and spring. Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated in April, the Titanic went down April 15, and tornadoes regularly tear the hell out of those big flat states out in the middle of the country that are usually observed only from the window seat of a plane. And of course, there’s Easter, which is a celebration either religious or confectionary, depending upon your convictions, but that has its roots in some pretty macabre machinations.

At the Silver Cloud we don’t preach or practice politics, we just do what we do, and this month we’re doing a lot. The 6th is Good Friday, which, interpreted in a strictly literal sense, never seemed especially good for any of the main players. So we’re starting a new tradition: at the Cloud it’s good to be bad. Sit on the patio and sip a $5 Blue Skies Summer Cooler - Stoli Blueberi or Stoli citrus, lemonade, a splash of soda and grapefruit juice. We’re also serving BBQ baby back ribs with a side of mashed potatoes and creamed corn. And since we’re talking entrées, Easter Sunday bring Mom by before or after church: with parties of four or more, her brunch is on us.
In fact, every Sunday in April is a holiday, along with most of the rest of the week. We’re going to have daily specials all month long. Sunday - 5 pepper wings for $1 with purchase of pitcher of beer, Monday - $3 Miller High Life, Tuesday - $2 Can night, Wednesday - White Ale Wednesdays: we’ll feature a different white ale each week, Thursday - $5 vodka pint cocktails.

And lest it be said that we’ve forgotten the artistic roots that made this neighborhood special, each month we are going to have a CD release party for various indy bands. Tuesday, the 10th we will be celebrating the release of Bright Eyes' latest album Cassadaga. Bright Eyes, which is on the Saddle Creek label, is led by singer songwriter Conor Oberst. All day we will be offering $2 Schlitz cans and $2 shots of Sour Grapes. It’s a mini Coyote right here on the corner of Damen and Wabansia.

It’s baseball season, it’s sidewalk café season, it’s the season of spring and change. No matter what, the Silver Cloud is always in season.