—Spread the word: I’m sure it’s because of my education and career, but I almost weep when I see the misspellings in restaurant menus (and they seem to be increasing)—and one person has even said that misspellings make him wonder about the quality of the food (although I personally disagree with that). I adore you all, but I’m willing to proofread and suggest corrections (for a fee, of course). Email me at future3733@yahoo.com.
—Opening: International steakhouse group Hawksmoor is launching in a three-story Chicago landmark location at 500 N. LaSalle St. (the site of the former LaSalle Cable Car Powerhouse and the original Michael Jordan’s Restaurant) on Thursday, June 27.
Hawksmoor has become one of the few restaurants to receive a B Corp Certification, and it was named the #1 World’s Best Steak Restaurant in 2022.
The Chicago opening menu will continue its focus on charcoal-grilled steaks from ethically reared cattle and sustainably sourced seafood, plus a vegetarian take on a traditional British beef Wellington; its potted beef and bacon with Yorkshire puddings; and brand-new Chicago creations inspired by the city’s unique history, including steak served with bone marrow oysters (from an iconic Chicago restaurateur’s 19th-century cookbook). New main courses include charcoal-grilled wild halibut with Café de Paris butter and charcoal chicken Ana Mari, grilled using a technique inspired by the Ana Mari restaurant located in the hills outside Bilbao, Spain. Desserts will include an Atomic Sundae inspired by Chicago’s Atomic Cake, as well as a chocolate-and-hazelnut Grand Rocher and sticky toffee pudding.
—Just got paid: Members of the Chicago City Council (including alders Jessie Fuentes and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa), fair-wage advocacy leaders and food-service industry workers and employers held a press conference at City Hall to ensure workers, employers and consumers are aware of their rights and resources as the city prepares to begin the phased implementation of the One Fair Wage ordinance passed last October.
Beginning July 1, service industry workers earning a subminimum wage in Chicago will receive an immediate pay bump, boosting their hourly pay from $9.48 to $11.02. Over the course of a five-year phased implementation, the historic One Fair Wage ordinance will guarantee all tipped service workers in Chicago earn a full and fair minimum wage of $15.80/hour with tips on top—positioning the nation’s third largest city to completely abolish the subminimum wage by the end of 2028.
—Pizza on Earth: LG’s Bar & Kitchen, 1525 N. Wells St., is now offering Chicago-style tavern pizzas.
Each pizza features in-house made dough and homemade tomato sauce. Varieties include cheese, pepperoni, sausage deluxe and caprese. They’re available Tuesdays-Thursdays at 5-10 p.m.; Fridays at noon-10 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2-9 p.m.
—Wine and dandy: On Tuesday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m., Bronzeville Winery, 4420 S. Cottage Grove Ave., will feature the distinguished wines of Gaintza, right from the heart of Spain’s Basque country.
Bronzeville Winery Executive Chef Lamar Moore will team with Bocadillo Market counterpart James Martin to plan the multi-course menu. Attendees will learn directly from Joseba Lazkano, a fourth-generation winemaker from the Gaintza estate, about the winemaking process, the Basque region’s heritage and the unique qualities of Gaintza wines.
Tickets are $155 each; RSVP here.
—Collab: Also on June 25, starting at 5:30 p.m., Ramen-San (the one at 1962 N. Halsted St.) and Chef John Manion are uniting for a night that aims to be filled with South American flair.
Manion, a 20-year veteran of the Chicago culinary scene, is the chef behind Argentinian steak house El Che and Brazilian restaurant Brasero. Admission to the event is $75/person; RSVP at this link.
—“Kid” power: Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry—a celebratory culinary event series for a cause—will return to Chicago on Thursday, June 27, 6-9 p.m., at Rockwell on the River, 3057 N. Rockwell St.
One in five kids in this country is living with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to make sure every child gets three meals a day by advocating for these programs and helping communities get the resources they need to feed children.
More than 50 of Chicago’s top eateries, chefs and mixologists in the event that chefs/owners Diana Davila (Mi Tocaya Antojería) and Joe Flamm (Rose Mary; BLVD Steakhouse—and formerly of Spiaggia) are co-chairing. Just a few of the participating restaurants include Lardon, Girl & the Goat, Thattu, Luella’s Southern Kitchen, Indienne, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, Bocadillo Market and Atelier Chicago.
All-access passes are sold out; however, general-admission tickets remain. Visit https://events.nokidhungry.org/events/chicagos-taste-nation/ to learn more.
Drop me a line (hot news, tips, etc.) at future3733@yahoo.com.
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