By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Jul 28, 2023 at 11:03 AM Photography: Siege Food Photo

Yearning for a new culinary emprise? Intrigued by a pop-up dinner that aims to reimagine the fine dining experience?  

Look no further than the inaugural Trivium (three roads) pop-up dinner, an innovative collaboration between three hospitality professionals: Chef Q Ibraheem, Pastry Chef Melissa Tantillo and Marc Tantillo, who will focus his energy on the guest experience.

The intimate pop-up will take place Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the picturesque Victorian library-inspired quarters of Thelma Carol Wine Merchants at 605 W. Virginia St. 

The evening will feature four+ farm-t0-table courses prepared by Chef Ibraheem, founder of the wildly successful Teertsemasesottehg, Chicago’s Secret Location Underground Dining Experience; and Chef Tantillo, owner of Siege Food Photo and executive pastry chef at Nakorn in Evanston, Illinois. Each course will feature freshly picked produce and will be accompanied by sommelier-selected wines and spirits.

Trivium Dinner
Intimate farm-to-table experience (Photo: Siege)
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On the menu

The evening’s working menu features: 

  • WHY HELLO:  White chocolate popcorn, freeze-dried strawberries and essence of almond (Pairing: NV Tapiz Sparkling Rose of Malbec)
  • Course one: Secret recipe kimchi, candied turnip, collards, mustard greens, radish greens  (Pairing: 2021 Lauer Barrel X R****ing)
  • Course two: Green Banana, octopus mortadella, plantain crema (Pairing: 2021 Bodegas los Bermejos Malvasia Seco)
  • Course three: Charred veal, shelling peas, pickled beet jello (Pairing: 2015 Scherrer Kick Ranch Grenache)
  • TIME WILL EXPLAIN Scottish shortbread, chamomile caramel, Callebaut 70% dark chocolate, Maldon flaked sea salt (Pairing: anCnoc 12yr Highland Single Malt Whisky)

Bottles of featured wine and spirits will be available for purchase. Guests can also enjoy a partial cash bar both before and after the dinner. 

Just a few seats remain for this unique event. Tickets are $130 per person and include four courses, beverage pairings and gratuity.

Guests are also encouraged to follow @SiegeFoodPhoto or @TriviumDining for updates and information on future pop-ups.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor

As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.