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Tullamore D.E.W. Brand Ambassador Jane Maher wrapped up the whiskey brand's "D.E.W. and a Brew Tour" at Chicago's Tortoise Supper Club on March 10, hosting a luncheon showcasing the liquor company's pairing with BuckleDown Brewing of Lyons, Illinois.

Tullamore D.E.W. offers a signature blend of all three types of triple-distilled whiskey: malt, grain and pot still. Maher discussed this and several other Tullamore-related topics as attendees sampled the Tullamore D.E.W. original, 12-year-old special reserve and Phoenix varieties. ( By the way, the "D.E.W." stands for creator Daniel E. Williams. )

The whiskey samples were tasted with, respectively, BuckleDown's Belt & Suspenders, Fritzicuffs pilsner and The Shane, as brewery co-founder Sean Mahoney discussed everything from BuckleDown's start to the origins of the beers' names.

In addition, Tortoise presented attendees with a lunch consisting of items such as salad, whitefish and mini-brownies.

Photos by Andrew Davis

Spiaggia's Sala Privata

The Michelin-starred restaurant Spiaggia offered sumptuous culinary creations as it unveiled "Sala Privata" at a media event on March 8.

An ideal space for an event such as a wedding rehearsal dinner or birthday party ( and "sala privata" is Italian for "private room" ), the space accommodates up to 20 people. The space—which previously was a lounge area—is connected to Spiaggia's main dining room and offers views of Oak Street and Michigan Avenue.

Guests can choose between an a la carte menu and a tasting menu, with optional wine pairings. People can contact Spiaggia Private Events at 312-280-2750 or SpiaggiaRestaurant.com/private-events .