You needn’t make the trek to Chicago to experience the much-acclaimed fare from Alinea. In fact, starting next week you can experience their dishes in the comfort of your own home after a quick pick-up in Wauwatosa.

The Ruby Tap, 1341 N. Wauwatosa Ave., will be hosting a very special pop-up featuring food from the award-winning team behind Chicago’s 3-Michelin-starred Alinea, Next and St. Clair Supper Club, along with Ruby Tap wine pairings.

“Everyone is trying to get creative and get through these times,” says Sarah Nelson, co-owner of The Ruby Tap. “So, when this opportunity arose, we thought it would be a really fun partnership. Alinea has been doing quite a few pop-ups in the Chicago-land area, so we thought, why not Milwaukee?  We also saw it as a great way to introduce people to our wine growler flights pick-up program.”

During the pop-up, which takes place on Dec. 11, Dec. 18 and Dec. 19,  Alinea will offer five different meal options (along with add-ons) for pick-up at The Ruby Tap Wauwatosa. Guests are invited to pair their meals with a paired wine growler four-pack from the wine bar. [Order here]

What you need to know

Meals are heat-and-eat (instructions are included) and must be pre-ordered for pick-up between 3 p.m and 5 p.m., with a minimum order of food for two guests ($34.95 each). 

Alinea will be parked just across the street from The Ruby Tap to handle dissemination of pre-orders. Just pull up your car, pick up your food and wine, and head on your way.

Menu options include:

• Alinea’s roast chicken dinner featuring pan-roasted half-chicken with creamy Dijon mustard sauce, roasted garlic scalloped potatoes and a turtle cheesecake tart with salted caramel sauce and vanilla cream ($34.95).
• Alinea’s seared scallops dinner with citrus cured and seared diver scallops (requires a quick sear at home) with rosemary scented orzo (kalamata olives, roasted peppers and parmesan) and brioche bread pudding with dried cranberries, candied orange and eggnog sauce ($34.95).
• Next: The Alps featuring pan-fried pork chop schnitzel; whole grain mustard spaetzle, red wine braised cabbage and pork gravy; and German dark chocolate cake with dark cherry compote and vanilla whipped cream ($34.95)
• Next: Sicily featuring spalla di maiale brasato (slow braised pork shoulder in spicy tomato sauce); creamy polenta and fried artichokes; and ricotta cannoli with pistachios, dark chocolate and espresso ($34.95)
• St. Clair Supper Club supper featuring country fried prime beef ribeye;  50/50 mashed potatoes; iceberg wedge salad with bacon, blue cheese and tomatoes; and grasshopper pie with chocolate crumb crust and mint marshmallows ($34.95).

Add-ons include:

• Winter salad (spinach, butternut squash, pears with roasted shallots and bacon vinaigrette) and cream of wild mushroom soup (herb croutons, black truffle custard, madeira) for $19.95
• Soft pretzels and beer cheese: Bavarian soft pretzel bites with beer and Swiss cheese fondue ($12.50)
• Beef short rib arancini featuring fried croquettes of beef short ribs and risotto with spicy tomato sauce ($12.50)

Guests can also order a 4-pack of thoughtfully selected wine growlers to pair with their meals. Four packs include 8 ounces of white wine; two 8-ounce portions of red wine and one sparkling wine split for $40.

Place your pre-order online here.

Wine growler flights, mimosa flights, bottles of wine, snacks and more are available to order from Ruby Tap with pick-up Tuesday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m., Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m.