—Happy Pride!: Don’t forget that the Chicago Pride Parade starts at 11 a.m. today—in person and on ABC 7 Chicago.
—Stretching to new heights: In a rare free article at “Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture” (Andrew449.substack.com), I talk with Reform Studios founder Jennifer Villamil about her revolutionary Pilates space—but I also give my thoughts on taking a class there. Hint: Challenge yourself.
Also on Pop-Eds, there’s a separate column in which I give my opinions on mask-banning, a historic NBA team-up and the presidential debate, among other things.
And now on to culinary items…
—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). I adore you all, but I’m willing to proofread and suggest corrections (for a fee, of course). Email me at future3733@yahoo.com.
—Giving back: In honor of National Make a Difference in a Child’s Life Month, seven local restaurants throughout Chicago are uniting by pledging to donate a portion of their sales to the Greater Chicago Food Depository throughout July.
The restaurants are Adobo Grill (donating 20% of guacamole sales), Amerikas (percentage of sales from Amerikas’ Burger), Cesar’s (all proceeds from Kid’s Menu items), Marina’s Bistro (all proceeds from flan orders), Mirella’s Tavern (50% of sales of Angry Chef’s award-winning Mirella’s Burger), Tatas Tacos (10% of sales on Wednesdays) and Vinci (20% of all pizzas sold).
—Giving back, part two: Some restaurants are holding “Fried Chicken and Champagne” specials to benefit the Foundation for Culinary Arts (F4CA), a leading nonprofit organization committed to empowering socially and economically disadvantaged students through culinary education.
Among those participating are Pops for Champagne (fried chicken popcorn and Champagne for $50, until June 30), The Dearborn (a glass of Champagne and the Midwest Fried Chicken special for $44, throughout July), Farm Bar-Ravenswood (a fried chicken sandwich paired with wine selections for $28, throughout July), Farm Bar-Lake View (a fried chicken sandwich with Le Colture Prosecco for $28, throughout July) and Kuma’s Corner (he Maple Razz Chicken Tender Sandwich with a glass of Zardetto Sparkling Rosé for $28, throughout August).
—Just loungin’: In honor of Pride Month (which is coming to a close), I direct your attention to Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave.—which describes itself as “a neighborhood lesbian cocktail lounge for every friend of Dorothy.”
Some of the cocktails there include The Dorothy Martini ($14; Citadelle gin, dry vermouth); You’re Spring to Me ($15; white run, saffron liqueur, cachaca, ginger, honey and lime); and So Much More ($15; Glendalough gin, cava, butterfly pea flower, lemon and egg white). And with the latter, $1 goes to Transfigure Print Co.’s Trans Fund. Among the events Dorothy hosts are book clubs, film series and “Fruit Salad”—monthly queer open-mic night.
—Highlights: My summer cocktail highlights are certainly three intriguing ones.
LH Rooftop at LondonHouse’s Purple Rain Sangria contains Ketel One Peach Orange Blossom, riesling, pear, lemon and butterfly pea flower; Old Town Pour House’s Golden Honey Margarita has Don Julio Blanco, honey syrup, orange juice and lemon juice; and Hampton Social’s I Gliterally Can’t (and I love that name) contains strawberry gin, sparkling rosé, passion fruit, lemon—and glitter balls.
—Opening: With the opening of Expat, Bonhomme Hospitality (the group behind Bambola, Beatnik, Casa Beatnik Hotel, Mama Delia, Porto and more) debuts its first all-day concept.
Located on the corner of Randolph Street and Ogden Avenue in Chicago’s Fulton Market District, Expat is a neighborhood hangout that transforms from a breakfast and lunch spot by day to a spirited bar and restaurant at night. According to a release, “Set in an intimate room, the Fulton Market restaurant channels the style, music and mystique of 1950s hotspots Havana, Ibiza and Marrakech.”
The breakfast/lunch menu has items such as pastries (blueberry muffin, mini-croissants, etc.), smashed avocado toast, Cobb salad, the West Coast breakfast burrito and sandwiches (veggie, house-smoked pastrami, BLT and more). The dinner menu features fish tacos, pasta al limone and pizzas (artichoke and ricotta; and pomodoro), among other items.
—Speed demons: Summer in Chicago (at least this year) now means Lollapalooza, the Democratic National Convention (in August)—and the return of NASCAR racing on July 6-7.
Several spots are already offering related specials. For example, Spanish restaurant Mercat a la Planxa (inside The Blackstone Hotel, near the NASCAR track) will unveil a “Pit Stop Picadillos” menu from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 6-7. Guests can enjoy $6 favorites like marinated olives, tortilla Española, and flat iron steak with marrow butter. Special limited-time features include Canary Island chicken wings with a spicy herb and pepper marinade, traditional Catalan escalivada dip and tapas burgers.
—Getting together: The LGBTQ+ organization Out in Finance will hold its 5th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, July 13, 7-9:30 p.m. at Chef Art Smith’s Reunion, located at Navy Pier.
Individuals do NOT need to be an Out in Finance member or work in financial services to attend this free event.
According to its website, “Out in Finance was founded with the purpose of catering to its members, the financial services industry, and the community at large as its primary stakeholder groups.” RSVP to the event at this link.
Drop me a line (hot news, tips, etc.) at future3733@yahoo.com.
Note: No reproduction of this column is permitted under any circumstances without express prior written permission from this columnist.