—Just so you know: Lollapalooza is Aug. 1-4, The Air & Water Show and Northalsted Market Days are Aug. 10-11, Fan Expo (previously Comic-Con) is Aug. 16-18, and the Democratic National Convention is Aug. 19-22. Whew!
And now on to culinary items…
—A grand affair: The annual affair Le Dîner en Blanc Chicago—in which attendees wear all white—took place in Lincoln Park on July 25. It was the event’s 10th anniversary.
This year’s menu was based on Chicago neighborhoods, honoring and celebrating the greatness of the city. Each basket is inspired by a different beloved area—including Greektown, Devon Street, Pilsen, Maxwell Street, Little Italy and a French starter inspired by Chicago farmers markets—and was curated by Blue Plate Chicago Executive Chef Charles Haracz. There were also experiential moments courtesy of Trendsapio as well as an afterparty.
—Garden of delights: I attended the VIP grand-opening celebration at Neon Gardens.
The Lincoln Park spot (at 2576 N. Lincoln Ave.) actually employs four concepts all under one roof, including Neon Gardens (a 3,000-square-foot open-air atrium and adjoining patio pop-up space for full-service dining); Neon Gardens after Dark (a space featuring two full bars adorned with art-rich decor, inventive signature cocktails and distinctive entertainment); The Slice Hut (a grab-and-go pizza by the slice experience complete with sidewalk walk-up window); and a ‘90s-inspired nostalgic Game Room (the ultimate old-school inspired entertainment experience with classic arcade games, consoles, darts and more).
The space (which formerly housed Broken English, which is currently in Old Town and the Loop) also includes an Italian-style patio—complete with a cow that, as far as I know, is unnamed. (I suggested a cow-naming contest but we’ll see if that happens.) The game room embodies the New York and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (TMNT) themes, as reflected in the wall graffiti (done by local artists, according to manager David Tapia) as well as the TMNT video game and pinball machine. But there’s also a Wizard of Oz pinball machine that’s pretty cool. And the ‘90s theme even extends to the music that’s piped through the speakers, so expect to hear Gnarls Barkley, 311 and more acts from that decade.
As for the cuisine, items include sandwiches, pizza rolls, pizza pinwheels, gelato—and, of course, pizza, with varieties such as Bianca (parmesan, cream, onion and garlic confit), spicy veggie, NYC cheese, Mike’s Hot Honey and others. The drinks are pretty nice, too; sip on an Aperol spritz or a Sicilian Manhattan while reclining on the patio (and try not to hear the occasional train that rumbles by). Neon Gardens is definitely a good time.
—More and (Hawks)moor: This past week, I was also fortunate enough to attend the VIP ribbon-cutting for the British steakhouse Hawksmoor, which is at 500 N. LaSalle St.—where Michael Jordan’s restaurant used to be before moving to Michigan Avenue’s Hotel Intercontinental.
Hawksmoor co-founder Will Beckett was on hand for the ribbon-cutting (his first such event, he said), and there were words from River North Residents Association Executive Director Eileen Murray and Choose Chicago Interim President/CEO Rich Gamble. Then, everyone retired to the third floor of Hawksmoor (which, interestingly, is called the second floor in Britain), where they dined on items such as oysters, pork-belly skewers and mini-lemon tarts and sipped on wine and cocktails.
—Tea time: The Gwen Hotel, 521 N. Rush St., has released its next set of Tipsy Tea Party themes. Seatings are at 12 and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays only during July and August, with Sunday tea service resuming in September.
The theme for July is “Peachy Keen,” with menu highlights including hummingbird cake, Texas banana pudding, hard ice tea (with mezcal) and the Sweet Tea Sour (Uncle Nearest whiskey, Monarch peach, lemon juice, black tea syrup and concord grape wine), among other offerings. For August, the theme is “Cafe Olympique,” and menu items will include crepe Suzette, quiche Lorraine, artichoke beignets and a tea tower. “All That Jazz” is September’s theme, with culinary highlights including Italian beef crostini, Greektown spanakopita, red velvet cake and Chicago popcorn.
Reservations are for parties of one to 12; and the cost is $70-$95/person. RSVP at this link.
—Deal-a-palooza: With Lollapalooza right around the corner (Aug. 1-4), various restaurants are offering deals. For instance:
Lolla attendees who show their wristbands at Beatrix’s River North, Streeterville, Fulton Market and Loop locations can get a Beatrix Coffee Roasters Cold Brew for just $1 (plus tax, one per day per person, while supplies last).
Also, celebrate Lollapalooza weekend with The Lolla Pop Fizz at I|O Godfrey; it’s a cocktail crafted with Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, Martini & Rossi Fiero, Coastal Rose Spritz, raspberry sorbetto—and Pop Rocks. Londonhouse Chicago will have the Watermelon Red Bull Margarita, crafted with Don Julio Blanco, Watermelon Red Bull, Cointreau, lime juice and agave nectar; and Barrio will offer a special combo featuring its signature Walking Taco and Classico Margarita. In addition, Hard Rock Cafe is hosting a festival brunch party on Aug. 4, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with a DJ, henna artists (very Lolla), face/body glitter (also very Lolla) and even an aura photographer; admission is $22/person and tickets can be purchased here.
—If you’re out of town: Bourbon & Belonging released the official event calendar for Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week, set for Oct. 2-6, per The Lane Report. The inaugural Bourbon & Belonging, presented by Queer Kentucky, will feature events in eight official sponsor destinations across Kentucky, including Bardstown, Bullitt County, Frankfort, Lexington, Louisville, Northern Kentucky, Paducah and Winchester. There will be everything from a bourbon-and-burlesque show to a disco-themed party to multi-course dinners.