Travel Eats: Perfect Pairings at Horseshoe Casino

A free shuttle ride from Chicago that spared us the pain of navigating through rush hour traffic? Check. Rows and rows of sparkly penny and quarter machines? Check. Potent drinks served under a fabulous/nostalgic 1970s-eque shiny chandelier? Check, check. Two hours of delicious food, wine, and live entertainment in a room with sweeping views of Lake Michigan? Check, check, and check. That, my friends, is the Horseshoe Casino experience.

A few weeks ago, Diana and I were invited to check out the most recent Perfect Pairings event at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond (less than an hour away from downtown Chicago). After a quick bus ride down to Indiana and an hour of playing the slot machines, we found ourselves in the lovely Lakeview Room in the upper level of the casino for a fantastic six-course meal that highlighted locally sourced ingredients, as well as perfectly paired wines, beers, and liquors. During a chat with executive chef Mark Angeles, he revealed that each Perfect Pairings menu is not only crafted to showcase the flavor characteristics of the beverages, but it's also designed with a seasonal theme in mind. For June, Angeles created a menu focused on grilling around the world, which was the perfect kick-off to summer!

Bacon and monkfish skewers with Romesco sauce

Bacon and monkfish wine pairings from Simi Winery

Corn and cheddar grilled oysters with sweet and sour bacon dressing (my favorite dish of the night!)

 Surf & turf: butter and tarragon poached lobster, steak, crimini mushrooms & mustard seed caviar

  Surf & turf wine pairings from Chloe Wines

Lamb kabobs with fattoush

Quail with honey jalapeno bacon jam, soft polenta, and a cheese crisp

 Dessert wine pairings from Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery


 Roasted Farmhouse Cheese with toasted bananas, molasses, and smoked almonds

Brown butter hazelnut cake with raspberry sorbet, grilled peaches, raspberries & hazelnut granola crumble

Diana and I both loved the food, drinks, and ambiance - we can't wait to go back for another round (and maybe next time we'll actually win something). ;-)

The next Perfect Pairings event will take place on Thursday, July 17 at Horseshoe Casino (777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond, IN). Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here.