Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/91577
THE WHO'S WHO Arthur Hon, Wine Director: Sepia Restaurant Chicago's West Loop has been through quite a transformation in recent years. Drab warehouses once dominated this area known as the site of a bloody 19th-century labor riot. Now, the region experi- ences new life with eclectic restaurants. But just because an urban cool has replaced the heated past, it doesn't mean there's a lack of passion here, especially when it comes to drink and food. There's now verve in the West Loop. Sepia and its wine and bever- age program, led by Arthur Hon, are trailblazers in this part of town. "We can credit our success to staying true to the inception of this restaurant," Hon says. "We've been devoted to the theme of 'A New Twist on a Classic.' We pay homage to Chicago's history, but we don't have the typical cocktails or wines. The way I see it, if you have access to certain brands or products at home, I want you to experience something much different here." Jerry Kohn, Beverage Director: Dobby's Worldwide Liquors and Wines (Palatine, IL) Big-box retailers of all kinds elicit endless debate around the country. It's true for Chicago's liquor mer- chants, too. But some places have the big-time square footage—while putting monotone squares on the floor to masquerade as sales associ- ates. That's not Jerry Kohn. "We're a friendly, fun place to visit, and our customers are really drawn to this atmosphere," says a beaming Kohn. "This personality has helped us weather the recession, keeping our annual sales steady at $3.5 million during the last three years. We don't talk over our customers, because we know they're here to find something fun or celebratratory. " Arthur Hon has reason to smile: Sepia recently celebrated its five-year anniver- sary, and his beverage-mixology program is the envy of Chicago's West Loop. Jerry Kohn, Beverage Director for Dobby's Worldwide Liquors and Wines. Mary O'Neil, Co-Owner of Trifecta Winnetka The tony suburb of Winnetka doesn't seem like the place where a thump-pump-and-grind vibe would flourish. After all, a conservative local country club here inspired Ted Knight's stodgy character in Caddyshack. But dour doesn't hold forth in Winnetka the way it once did. Perhaps Trifecta—with its city groove, décor and chic 21 Club, replete with cutting-edge wine dispensers— has sent the old guard packing. If not, everyone seems to be having a pretty darn good time here. "Our customer base appreciates the urban, industrial-chic feel here," O'Neil says about the eight-month-old Trifecta. "Our artisan cocktail program and wine dispensers have really driven repeat business." The enomatic machines have received con- siderable attention. Customers put money on special debit cards, and insert the cards into the machines – receiving a full-glass pour, a half glass or a taste. 132 / the tasting panel / november 2012 Trifecta's 21 Club trio, Laura Coyle, Laura Moriarty and Jen Patterson, flank co-owners Mary and Patrick O'Neil as they show off their cutting-edge wine dispenser system.