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Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, one of the nation’s most trusted and awarded specialty food retailers, announces plans to open BAR PASTORAL—a neighborhood bistro that celebrates the finest culinary producers and their products from around the block and around the world. With table service in the evenings and weekends plus counter service on weekdays until late afternoon, BAR PASTORAL is an extension of Pastoral’s retail shops and will focus on what Pastoral does best: offering customers perfectly paired artisan cheeses, charcuterie, beverages, accompaniments and more in a warm and approachable atmosphere. Scheduled to open this fall 2012, BAR PASTORAL is located at 2947 North Broadway which is adjacent and connected to Pastoral’s original shop at 2945 North Broadway in Chicago’s burgeoning East Lakeview neighborhood.

“Since we opened our first Pastoral shop in 2004, customers have encouraged us to open a place that gives them the chance to enjoy our carefully chosen selection of culinary gems in a space and ambiance that reflects these products’ special roots,” said Greg O’Neill, co-founder and co-proprietor of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine. “From food-loving libations to beautifully presented and perfectly paired fare, BAR PASTORAL is a natural extension of our retail concept and our mission to give customers easy and approachable access to the best small batch and specialty products made by culinary artisans locally, throughout the U.S. and around the globe.”

BAR PASTORAL will feature an intimate wine and craft beer bar, along with an artisan cheese and charcuterie bar that encourages guests to mix and match offerings with the help of Pastoral’s expert staff of passionate culinary professionals. With an emphasis on grazing, the approximately 40-seat bistro will also feature a number of hot and cold plates and other light fare inspired by Pastoral’s acclaimed selection of artisan cheeses, charcuterie, plus sweet and savory accompaniments—many of which will be made in-house by the Pastoral culinary team. BAR PASTORAL’s full menu is still in development while a search is underway for the best chef to complement the BAR PASTORAL concept.

Mark Hayes, the new director of Pastoral’s beverage program, will select an edited list of small production, limited distribution wines by the glass and by the bottle, along with a selection of food-loving craft beers from leading producers both locally and from around the world. Beverage offerings will also incorporate a limited number of creative cocktails with seasonal ingredients that pair well with the overall menu.

Designed by Matt Nardella of Moss Design (2 Sparrows, Flirty Cupcake Dessert Garage), BAR PASTORAL’s ambiance will feel like an extension of Pastoral’s retail shops with soothing tones, exposed brick and room-defining antiques from near and far—an inviting refuge in the middle of Chicago’s bustling metropolis. BAR PASTORAL will be available for special private and public events, and will also host educational classes and tastings throughout the year.

Since opening its doors in 2004, Pastoral has experienced sustainable growth and now includes three successful stores in Chicago at 2945 North Broadway in East Lakeview, 53 East Lake Street in the Loop and at 131 North Clinton Street in the Chicago French Market. Customers nationwide can also shop 24/7, 365 days per year at Pastoral’s new and growing online store at pastoralartisan [dot] com. Beginning with just five employees, national award-winning Pastoral now works with a team of more than 50 employees who are working together to make Pastoral—and now BAR PASTORAL—one of the country’s best and most trusted nationwide resources for artisan cheeses, specialty wines, craft beer, spirits, small batch accompaniments, educational classes, events and more.

BAR PASTORAL is scheduled to open in fall 2012 at 2947 North Broadway, adjacent and connected to Pastoral’s East Lakeview shop located at 2945 North Broadway. Hours and phone number TBD.