The Fernet Tasting Menu — Four Courses & a Shot
The first of ten events celebrating 10 Years of The Side Lot.
For over a century, Fernet has been the bartender’s handshake — a bold, bitter, herbal elixir passed quietly from behind the bar to those in the know. Born in Milan in 1845, Fernet-Branca became a symbol of camaraderie and grit in the service industry, embraced by mixologists worldwide as both a ritual and a rite of passage. Whether sipped neat after a long shift or mixed into inventive cocktails, Fernet has always been more than a drink — it’s a badge of honor.
Now, The Side Lot is bringing that tradition out from behind the bar and onto the table.
Curated by our own Phil Castello — a CMS Sommelier, USBG Master Mixologist, and Wauconda’s unapologetic local Fernet pusher — this exclusive dinner pairs the unmistakable intensity of Fernet-Branca and Fernet Menta with four bold, seasonal dishes designed to match their complexity.
Menu & Pairings
🌿 Midnight Garden
Charred Radicchio Cup | Whipped Ricotta | Pickled Walnut | Mint Oil
Paired with a Fernet-Branca Highball
🌱 Smoke & Soil
Roasted Beet Tartare | Black Garlic Aioli | Candied Hazelnuts | Cocoa Soil
Paired with a Fernet Menta Spritz
🔥 Burnt Ends & Bitter Roots
Cocoa-Coffee Crusted Short Rib | Parsnip Purée | Gremolata | Charred Carrot Jus
Paired with a Fernet-Branca Manhattan
🍫 Nightcap Shake
Fernet Menta & Dark Chocolate Milkshake | Mint Chantilly | Crushed Cacao Nibs | Sea Salt
Finished with a shot of Fernet — because tradition matters.
📅 Date: Friday, September 5th @ 7pm.
💰 $55 per person | Only 10 seats available
📍 Weather permitting, this dinner will be served in our Backyard.
Please note: We are unable to accommodate substitutions or dietary restrictions for this menu. Reservations are non-refundable but may be transferred to another guest.
Celebrate a decade of The Side Lot with the spirit that’s been quietly fueling the bar world for generations. This is dinner with a backbone — bitter, bold, and unforgettable.
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