L. Mawby Cuvée Pastoral

“This is like Pastoral Live: a live representation of the experience we encourage people to have at home,” says Ken Miller, co-owner of Bar Pastoral, the new offshoot of (and next-door neighbor to) Lake View’s esteemed wine and cheese shop. Half pours of wines ($5) from near (Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula) and far (Greece) are ideal sidekicks for Chrissy Camba’s thoughtful cheese plates, which pair unexpected companions, such as a spicy English blue and a block of creamy fudge or a bandaged Wisconsin cheddar and tasty peanut brittle. The festive 50-seat affair feels just like the cocktail party you’ve fantasized about throwing after shopping at Pastoral. Minus the labor. 2947 N. Broadway, 773-472-4781.

Photograph: Anna Knott