Owner Tracy Kellner opened her gourmet shop to offer high-quality cheeses, wines, bread, meats, and other specialty items for those looking to create a special picnic or last minute dinner on a busy night. Tracy, always on hand at one of her two store locations, is happy to help you create a tasty meal and suggest a perfect wine compliment.

Tastybeat recommends some delicious Provenance options for your 4th of July or next picnic:

• Blu Mont Bandaged Cheddar from Blue Mound Wisconsin. Aged for one year, this locally-made cheddar has wonderful notes of hazelnut and tropical fruit. But supply is limited, so get it while you can!
• To go along with your cheddar, try some spicy Molinari salami and sweet/hot peppadew peppers. Consider grabbing one of Tracy's goat cheese logs to squeeze into the peppadew pepper center for an added flavor boost.
• Try one of the always delicious Eat Green Foods sandwiches. Eat Green sandwiches are made with local, organic, or sustainable products and packaged in biodegradable wrappings. Tastybeat recommends the fresh mozzarella or roast beef.
• To round out your meal, ask Tracy to recommend one of her fun sparkling wines...perhaps a cava?
• And last but not least, be sure to add DAS Caramels to your basket. These locally made caramels will not disappoint and offer the perfect ending to your summer supper on a blanket.

Happy Picnicking!

Tastybeat

Provenance Food and Wine, Logan Square
2528 N. California (map)
Chicago
773-384-0699
Hours
Tuesday-Saturday 12:00pm-9:00pm
Sunday-Monday 12:00pm-7:00pm

Provenance Food and Wine, Lincoln Square
2312 W. Leland Avenue (map)
Chicago
773-784-2314
Hours
Tuesday-Friday 12:00pm-8:00pm
Saturday 11:00am-8:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm-7:00pm
Closed Monday

Want to add pizzazz to almost any meal? Try Lizano Sauce, popular in Costa Rica. A favorite Tastybeat restaurant and featured gem, Irazu, serves this zippy condiment at every table. This all-natural sauce is packed with onions, carrots, cucumber, chili pepper, cauliflower, molasses, salt, and spices. Tastybeat suggests using Lizano Sauce to enhance your summer-grilled chicken, pork, and beef, or on tamales with rice and beans.

This slightly sweet and tangy sauce gets its name from Prospero Lizano who created this sauce in Costa Rica in 1920. Lizano's salsa took the country by storm and soon became a national staple. In fact, this zippy condiment is now as ubiquitous on the Costa Rican table as the salt and peppershakers we North Americans are so accustomed to.

You can purchase Lizano Sauce at Irazu, La Unica market on Devon, or any well-stocked Latin market. A 700ml bottle will run you about $5.50, so grab two bottles while you're at it....you'll soon be addicted to the kick.

La Unica
1515 W. Devon (map)
773-274-7788
Hours
Monday - Saturday 8:00am-9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm

Irazú
1865 N. Milwaukee Avenue (map)
773-252-5687
Hours
Monday-Saturday 11:30am-9:30pm
Closed Sundays