Paired

Paired is an intimate evening of contemporary art, live music, culinary food, and craft cocktails. Each session is host to a new Milwaukee-based chef and musician. In attendance, Var Gallery also invites our current exhibiting artists— including artists from our sister gallery, Hawthorn Contemporary. Upon arrival our bar is open for pre-dinner beverages (cocktail hour: (6:00 PM-6:30PM). During this time we encourage guests to roam around the gallery as our chef prepares the night’s first course. Dinner will be served from 6:30 PM-8:00 PM. Between courses continue to enjoy beverages from our bar, and get to know one another, including our exhibiting artists. We will close out the night with dessert, accompanied by a cozy live performance from our guest musician.

Our Featured Chef: Josh Mendiola

Currently one of the sous chefs at the legendary restaurant, Sanford. He has spent time working at Goodkind, learning and growing through their ranks. His focus on preserving and fermenting are the highlights of his cuisine. He is looking forward to welcoming his Filipino upbringing to the dishes he creates.

"You never stop learning in the kitchen. I think being able to continue to experience new methods and techniques is what propels me in this field. Longside those, are the mentors and peers who I am fortunate enough to learn from. The dishes presented in this event will highlight their story and my story with food."

Menu: (6 Course with Wine Pairing),

Wine: Foris 2021 Gewurztraminer (notes of yellow rose, lychee, grapefruit, gooseberry)

Chicken Liver Mousse

Buckwheat Tart, Fermented Plum Gelee, Mint

Roasted Corn Flan

Pickled Chanterelles, Blueberry Mostarda, Herb Oil

Rotolo

Beef and Pumpkin Bolognese, Pepita Pesto, Bitter Greens

Walleye

Smoked Walleye, Preserved Gooseberries, Cabbage

Laing

Pork Belly & Shrimp, Braised Kale, Coconut, Rice Puff

Halo-halo

Ube Pavlova, Coconut Granita, Sweetened Condensed Milk

Our Featured Performer: Cruel Buddhist

In a hypnotic performance that uses a looper to combine synthesizers, nature samples, and improvisation, Cruel Buddhist brings his aesthetic lofi meditations to life 100% live. Tim Pritchard of ‘Discovery’ Magazine says “Cruel Buddhist’s sound lands somewhere between (Brian) Eno’s ambient tinkles and the experimental, instrumental trip-hop of Flying Lotus, Quantic, and Bonobo.” After years living in Shanghai, China opening shows for MNDSGN and Nighmares on Wax, collaborating with Chanel and Puma, and even having his music featured onboard Lufthansa airlines, Cruel Buddhist is bringing his live beats back home to the Midwest this fall.