Fa-La-La Fabulous Holiday Giveaway #10: Dinner for Two at Mezcalina Restaurant

Grab onto to something hard. 

Here comes a brand new New Year!

Every New Year comes with a laundry list of swanky resolutions. From introducing a calorie-killing fitness plan to dialing up the romance factor in your relationship, there is no shortage of good intentions. 

Grab your clean slate and head over to Mezcalina Restaurant in Streeterville where Executive Chef Manuel Bañuelos serves up mezcal-infused cocktails and sumptuous Oaxacan delicacies including chapulines, a high-protein grasshopper snack that will give you the energy needed to spice up your life.

Giveaway #9: "Dinner for Two" expertly prepared by Mezcalina Restaurant's Executive Chef & General Manager, Manuel Bañuelos

To enter:

1. On Twitter, follow Luxe File Chicago (@LuxeFileChicago) and Mezcalina Restaurant (@MezcalinaMxFood) AND answer this giveaway question using hashtag #falalafabulous: "What's your top New Year's resolution?"

Terms & Conditions:

1. Introduction: Luxe File Chicago's "Fa-La-La Fabulous" Giveaway Series - Giveaway #10: Mezcalina Restaurant. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

2. Eligibility: The Giveaway is open to Chicago residents only and winner must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older at the time of entry. Entrant must be following “Luxe File Chicago” and “Mezcalina Restaurant” on Twitter to be considered.

Mezcalina Restaurant

3. Giveaway Period: The Giveaway begins at 11:00 a.m. Central Standard Time (“CST”) on Tuesday, January 1, 2012, and ends at 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, January 4, 2013.

4. Winning: After 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, January 4, 2013, one (1) winner will be randomly selected by Luxe File Chicago. Winner will be notified by Luxe File Chicago (via Twitter). If a potential winner is unreachable for [24] hours after the first attempt to contact such winner, Luxe File Chicago may award the Prize to an alternate entrant. Winner will be required to provide name, mailing address, and telephone number. Prize will be mailed to the Winner.

5. Prize: One (1) winner will be awarded a gift card for "dinner for two"  at Mezcalina Restaurant. Luxe File Chicago will not be responsible for any loss, liability or damage arising out of the winner’s acceptance or use of the prize. Prizes are not transferable. No cash or substitutions of prizes may be made. No alternative prize or other substitution is permitted. Tip/gratuity is the sole responsibility of the Winner.

One-On-One: Five Things You Need To Know About Manuel Bañuelos

Mezcalina features Oaxacan cuisine. What does that mean?

We serve cuisine from Oaxaca, a southwest state in Mexico. The area’s range of climate produces an abundance of ingredients that we use in our dishes.

Which Mezcalina dish best represents your culinary style?

Lamb Shank Mixiote because I enjoy preparing rustic pieces with a dramatic presentation. The lamb is marinated in mescal and dried chiles overnight then wrapped in agave, banana, and avocado leaves and steamed for 6 to 8 hours. It’s served with frijoles charros (not from Oaxaca but Jalisco, where I grew up), whole pinto beans and bacon, chorizo, tomato, and onions, and a raw tomatillo avocado salsa.

What's the greatest challenge you face as a chef? 

Setting new culinary trends and extraordinary dining experiences for our customers.

What's the best perk about being a chef? 

Eating as much as I want without being judged! Just kidding. It’s getting feedback from our guests that they're enjoying what we put so much effort into doing well. 

What's your favorite activity when you're not preparing plate-scraping cuisine?

I love music and enjoy going to concerts and playing the guitar. I really like swing and salsa dancing and dining out. I try to go to a different restaurant every time.