Cindy Hutson, Waxy O'Connor, and Sierra Nevada

By Lee Klein Fri., Jan. 16 2009 at 7:30 AM

Waxy O'Connor's South Beach, hitherto a humble pub, is getting all classy on us. This coming Wednesday, January 21st, marks the restaurant's first foray into celebrity chef beer dinners. Cindy Hutson, chef/owner of Coral Gable's beloved Ortanique on the Mile, will be cooking up a four-course dinner matched with appropriate brews. Menu includes steamed mussels with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale; beer-brined pork tenderloin crusted with Blue Mountain coffee and cocoa-mesquite, glazed with spiced honey, and paired with Sierra Nevada Wheat; New York strip with blue cheese mashed potatoes, stout-demi reduction and Sierra Nevada Stout; and banana fritters with vanilla ice cream and Sierra Nevada Porter. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention: The dinner is sponsored by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. It starts at 7:00 p.m. "sharp", and costs $45 per person -- great price for Hutson's cuisine, even without the beer.

Dinners will take place once a month, future invitees including Clay Conley (Azul), Nate Martin (Andu) and Tom Azar (formerly Emeril's, new chef at the upcoming Ahnvee). Seating is limited to 40 per dinner and reservations are required (305-534-7824).