Celebrate the six juiciest days of August. Chicago Coco Pazzo Restaurants Announce SECOND ANNUAL FESTIVAL DEL POMODORO

Coco Pazzo unites once again with local farmers to serve up the season’s juiciest prize. Local, heirloom and all summer-harvested tomatoes will be celebrated with gusto for six days during the Festival Del Pomodoro: Monday, August 25 through Sunday, August 31. Both restaurants, Coco Pazzo at 300 W. Hubbard and Coco Pazzo Café at 636 N. St. Clair St. will be participating in the tomato festival. End Quote

Chicago, IL (1888PressRelease) July 30, 2008 - Coco Pazzo and Coco Pazzo Café will be celebrating in even grander style this year. Throughout the festival, every lunch and dinner patron will receive a complimentary “stuzzichini,” a special taste from the chefs to whet your appetite. New this year, Executive Chef Chris Macchia at Coco Pazzo, will be offering a prix fix Tomato Tasting Menu for diners who can’t get enough of this flavorful fruit. The multi-course menu will explore numerous ways fresh tomatoes are prepared in the Tuscan tradition, from fresh filets drizzled with rare, estate bottled olive oil to wood-roasted tomato soup. And, Chef Jim Kilberg, of Coco Pazzo Café, will be offering succulent tomato based dishes inspired by his year-long culinary adventure in Italy’s Tuscan region.

“Not only is this a celebration of summer, tomatoes are a way to showcase our Tuscan roots. There are so many wonderful varieties available in August, and Tuscan cooking is all about using fresh picked ingredients in simple ways to maximize flavor,” says Chef Macchia.

The menus will find the seasons best tomato offerings including: Spaghetti alla Chitarra con Filetto di Pomodoro––fresh spaghetti hand cut on a traditional chitarra block with fresh tomato filets, garlic and extra virgin olive oil; Insalata di Panzanella, a salad featuring a variety of chopped summer tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Tuscan peasant bread and basil; Pappa al Pomodoro, a chilled tomato and garlic soup and Pomodoro Ripieno, baked summer tomatoes filled with creamy risotto. These are but a few of the tomato features that will be celebrated during the festival. The service team will be educated on Italian wine recommendations designed to pair with the acidity of tomatoes.

“This is the most exciting time of year with all the incredible tomatoes and fresh produce, a chef could go crazy with ideas,” says Chef Kilberg. Some varieties of heirloom tomatoes that will be featured are: Costoluto Genovese, Cuor di Bue (means Beef Heart in Italian), Italian Heirloom, Caspian Pink, Yellow Brandywine and Green Zebra.

Coco Pazzo is located at 300 W. Hubbard
Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 5:30pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
For reservations or information call Coco Pazzo at 312.836.0900 or cocopazzochicago.com

Coco Pazzo Café is located at 636 N. St. Clair Street, and serves continuously through the afternoon
Monday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11p.m. Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For reservations or information call Coco Pazzo Café at 312.664.2777 or cocopazzocafe.com

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