Image via Kristen Lucero Photographer
One of our favorite ways to enjoy food is with a nice pairing. Wine with dinner, beer, and bites, but our new favorite is bubbly and brunch! Thanks to the event Bubbles and Brunch, you are able to experience this fun pairing in a beautifully curated way. Bubbles and Brunch is a series of events hosted at Garbarino’s restaurant in East Liberty, run by Sidney Sokoloff of The Specialty Group and Camilla Alarcon-Chelecki, local wine connoisseur. During this event you will experience 3 brunch courses curated by head chef, Drew Garbarino, and 3 bubbly pairings chosen by Camilla.
Image via Kristen Lucero Photographer Image via Kristen Lucero Photographer
Bubbles and Brunch came to life in November of 2021 and has only grown since then. We saw their first event cover different regions known for their sparkling wine. The second event was given the theme “From Paris With Love” being that the event fell on Valentine’s weekend. For the third installation of this event, we are being transported to Italy with the theme “La Dolce Vita” where we will be enjoying the best of Italian bubbles paired with Chef Drew’s culinary masterpieces.
Image via Kristen Lucero Photographer Image via Kristen Lucero Photographer
We asked Sidney why bubbles, and why brunch? This was his answer for why that was the duo they chose to pair:
“As popular as brunch is, the scene in Pittsburgh is limited. Bubbles and Brunch was created to showcase the best meal of the day while taking you around the world to try different types of bubbles. Our goal is to bring the attention back to brunch and revitalize the scene!”
Image via Kristen Lucero Photographer
For the upcoming event on April 2nd , tickets sold out within a week, but there may be a few more available if you keep an eye out on their Instagram for updates at @bubblesandbrunchpgh. In such a short time, this event has quickly become a popular weekend activity suitable for friends, families, and as an early afternoon date! For less than $70 per person, you will receive 3 bubbles, 3 courses, and maybe even a little surprise. You are also more than welcome to order additional bubbles or other drinks such as a spiked coffee or a fountain drink. Just remember that each pairing was designed specifically to go with each of its corresponding courses!
Image via Kristen Lucero Photographer Image via Kristen Lucero Photographer
Attending Bubbles and Brunch isn’t just a come-and-get-served style of an event. With the arrival of each new dish and glass of bubbly, Sidney and Camila offer knowledge on the sparkling wine and dish by Chef Drew. It is truly an immersive experience where you will feel whisked away by the culture of the event. Our first time attending, we learned so much about the wide variety of bubbles that exist. In our mind, it was either champagne or Prosecco, right? SO WRONG! We discovered Crémant, Lambrusco, and a pinot noir rose. Camilla, growing up around wine her whole life in Guatemala, is quite the wine and bubbles connoisseur, so be prepared to be impressed. The way she describes the bubbles alone and in combination with each dish is so knowledgeable and entertaining.
Image via Kristen Lucero Photographer
When we asked Camilla about what inspired her to create Bubbles and Brunch with Sidney, this is what she said:
“Bubbles and Brunch is a space where people can come together and make connections over their love of sparkling wine and brunch. We intend to expand palates and mindsets by exposing our guests to the diverse world of bubbly. At our events, you get tips on how to pair food and sparkling wine, historical and cultural facts about the wine, and accessible knowledge. The pairings are out of the box and daring to push our guests to new territories. More importantly, it is a brunch scene where you can make new friends and come together – what wine is truly all about.”
Image via Kristen Lucero Photographer
This third installation of Bubbles and Brunch is also donating proceeds to O’Noir PGH, another Pittsburgh event held in the fall. Co-founded by Sidney and another local personality, Christina Stein of @stylebychristina on Instagram, the proceeds benefit Proud Haven. Proud Haven is a non-profit organization in the Pittsburgh area aiming to serve the LQBTQIA+ youth community that experiences homelessness. This means that not only are you getting to enjoy a delicious culinary experience along with being exposed to unfamiliar sparkling wines, but also raising money for a local and important cause. Bubbles and Brunch has nothing but positive vibes for all. Be sure to follow along on their social channels for updates on this coming “La Dolce Vita” Bubbles and Brunch, and other installations in the future!
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.