Married for 43 years, Wisconsin lamb farmers Darlene and Steve Pinnow were the guests of honor a 'Discovery Dinner P...
WICKER PARK — A lamb harvested from a Wisconsin farm 101 miles away from Wicker Park was the spotlight of an interactive five-course dinner this week, along with the two farmers who raised the animal.
Married for 43 years, Darlene and Steve Pinnow of 120-year-old Pinn-Oak Ridge Farms in Delavan, Wisconsin were the guests of honor Tuesday at Storefront Company's "Discovery Dinner Party," which included a half dozen renditions from a single lamb.
The meat was prepared by Chef Bryan Moscatello, sous chef David Park and pasty chef Kym Delost.
An array of wine pairings from pinot noir to cava and riesling were arranged by Storefront Company's managing partner John Dalesandro.
The five-course dinner, part of a new series intended to connect farmers with diners and chefs, included a flavorful consomme soup containing shank; ravioli stuffed with lamb neck cured in coriander and citrus, and an entree of seared back strap brushed with licorice and blood orange glaze.
In addition to the lamb itself, pastry chef Kym Delost's lamb-fat-infused ice cream served as dessert along with chocolate cake got plenty of "oohs" from patrons.
Park's inventive salad sorbet which used kale, argula, and romaine lettuce combined with lemon juice elicited various reactions, too.
Darlene Pinnow said all of the lamb on the farm she owns with her husband are raised on a vegetarian diet and processed onsite at their federally-inspected plant.
In addition to Storefront Company, the Pinnows partner with 24 producer-partners to supply lamb to 90 stores and restaurants, including downtown's Spiaggia at 930 N. Michigan Ave., West Loop's The Girl and the Goat at 907 W. Randolph St. and Gold Coast's gourmet pizzeria Bar Toma at 110 E. Pearson St., which tops its pizza with lamb.
Among the dinner party guests were food writer Audarshia Townsend, who attended the restaurant's opening party in April and called the new Discovery Dinner series "a great idea" for a neighborhood restaurant.
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Wisconsin lamb farmers Steve and Darlene Pinnow were the guests of honor at an interactive five-course dinner at The Storefront Company in Wicker Park Tuesday. The gathering featured pasture-raised lamb in every dish and appetizer, including these lamb meatballs.
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
Consomme with lamb shank and blooms was the first course at a dinner with Wisconsin lamb farmers Steve and Darlene Pinnow. The farmers were the guests of honor at an interactive five-course dinner at The Storefront Company in Wicker Park Tuesday. The gathering featured pasture-raised lamb in every dish.
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
Ravioli stuffed with lamb neck was the second course at a dinner Tuesday with honored guests Wisconsin lamb farmers Steve and Darlene Pinnow. The gathering at The Storefront Company in Wicker Park featured pasture-raised lamb in every dish.
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
Lamb belly with salad sorbet was the third course at a 'Discovery Dinner Party' Tuesday honoring Wisconsin lamb farmers Steve and Darlene Pinnow. The farmers were the guests of honor at an interactive five-course dinner at The Storefront Company in Wicker Park.
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
The Storefront Company's chef Chef Bryan Moscatello created an entree using seared back strap of lamb brushed with licorice blood orange glaze Tuesday. The lamb came from Wisconsin lamb farmers Steve and Darlene Pinnow, who were the guests of honor at an interactive five-course dinner featuring their pasture-raised lamb in every dish.
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
Pastry chef Kym Delost created a yogurt made with sheep's milk and rendered lamb fat to accompany a made-from-scratch chocolate cake at The Storefront Company's 'Discovery Dinner Party' Tuesday in Wicker Park.
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
Wisconsin lamb farmers Steve and Darlene Pinnow were the guests of honor at an interactive five-course dinner at The Storefront Company in Wicker Park Tuesday. The gathering featured pasture-raised lamb in every dish. The Storefront Company's next 'Discovery Dinner Party' will take place March 5 and highlight bovine from CDK farms.
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
Made-from-scratch rolls were a big hit at a 'Discovery Dinner Party' with Wisconsin lamb farmers Steve and Darlene Pinnow. The farmers were the guests of honor at an interactive five-course dinner at The Storefront Company in Wicker Park Tuesday. The gathering featured pasture-raised lamb in every dish.
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
Married for 43 years, Wisconsin lamb farmers Darlene and Steve Pinnow were the guests of honor a 'Discovery Dinner Party' Tuesday featuring renditions on a lamb from their 120-year-old Delavan, Wisconsin farm.
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
The Storefront Company's operating partner John Dalesandro, left, and chef Bryan Moscatello were the driving forces behind a 'Discovery Dinner Party' Tuesday with Wisconsin lamb farmers Steve and Darlene Pinnow. The farmers were the guests of honor at an interactive five-course dinner, which featured pasture-raised lamb in every dish.
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
Steve Harris, left, an operating partner at The Storefront Comany in Wicker Park, hosted a 'Discovery Dinner Party' Tuesday with Wisconsin lamb farmers Steve and Darlene Pinnow. The farmers were the guests of honor at an interactive five-course dinner, which featured pasture-raised lamb in every dish.
DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
Wisconsin lamb farmers Steve and Darlene Pinnow were the guests of honor at an interactive five-course dinner at The Storefront Company in Wicker Park Tuesday. The gathering featured pasture-raised lamb in every dish and appetizer, including these lamb meatballs.
Photo Credit: DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser
"Usually you have to go to downtown restaurants to do these kinds of dinners. I love the idea of parties with local purveyors," Townsend said.
Storefront Company's next "Discovery Dinner Party" will take place March 5 and highlight bovine cattle from CDK farm in Lena, Illinois. Tickets are available for $79 per guest (including wine pairings) and must be reserved in advance by calling Storefront Company at 773-661-2609.