—Sweet!: Levain Bakery announced that a third Chicago location will open at the end of 2025.
The bakery will be located in Lincoln Park, at 849 W Armitage Ave. The opening marks Chicago as the U.S. city with the most Levain bakeries outside of New York City, where the brand was founded nearly 30 years ago. The other Chicago bakeries are in River North and Fulton Market.
Founded by Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald, Levain Bakery has made its name with large crispy-outside,-gooey-inside cookies in seven classic flavors: Chocolate Chip Walnut, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, Two Chip Chocolate Chip, a gluten-free and vegan Chocolate Chip Walnut and, most recently, Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip. In addition, the River North bakery has freshly made pastries, artisanal breads, loaf cakes, sticky buns and seasonal items.
—Babe magnet: According to Windy City Times, Nora McConnell-Johnson and Torra Spillane are now working to open Babe’s Sports Bar in Logan Square, where people will be able to watch women’s sports next spring.
The place is named for Babe Didkrison Zaharias, who changed the game for women athletes by excelling in golf, baseball, basketball and pool. Also, she stands as the only athlete of any gender to win individual Olympic medals in separate running, throwing and jumping events.
Among other things, McConnell-Johnson enjoys spending time at Whiskey Girl Tavern, a lesbian-owned bar in Edgewater that is also known as a haven for women’s sports fans.
—Pop(-up) life: Three fun, limited-time FREE pop-ups are currently in Lincoln Park.
Neon Gardens—the retro-inspired spot known for its New York-style pizza, vibrant bar, patio and nostalgic ‘90s arcade—has launched the “Cowabunga! A Turtle Power Pop-Up”; meanwhile, Replay Lincoln Park is hosting “It’s Showtime!,” a Beetlejuice-themed Halloween pop-up, as well as “Nick or Treat,” a nostalgic celebration of classic Nickelodeon shows.
“Cowabunga” also has themed cocktails, such as The Leo (pineapple margarita), Shredder’s Revenge (double-spiked cider) and Splinter’s Vanilla Ice Pop (vanilla rum Old Fashioned).
All three pop-ups are free to attend, with a bonus: on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, visitors can take advantage of a convenient trolley service that shuttles guests between both venues. The pop-ups will run through Nov. 10.
BTW, Neon Gardens, 2576 N. Lincoln Ave., is also currently offering the “Eberflus” pizza during all Chicago Bears games. Named after Bears coach Matt Eberflus, the pizza is a fully loaded Pizza “Wreck” with sausage, pepperoni, ham, chicken, mushrooms and more for $33. In addition, the Tyrique Stevenson “Hail Mary Fail” Bloody Mary ($13)—garnished with a slice of pepperoni pizza—is also available during games.
—Opening: Italian restaurant Il Girasole Trattoria, 2700 N. Western Ave., has opened.
The partners—Christian Hernandez (front of house) and Rodolfo Hernandez (executive chef)—bring decades of experience working in acclaimed Italian restaurants to their new venture, having been affiliated with Coco Pazzo, Piccolo Sogno, Bice and Riccardo’s on Clark. Rodolfo was also the head chef of the popular new Il Milanese Ristorante in Lincoln Square before he and Christian became ready to launch a restaurant of their own. (In case you were wondering, the co-owners are not related.)
Apps include the Tavolacccio ($24), a selection of Italian cold cuts paired with parmigiano and olives for a true Mediterranean experience; and the Carpaccio Di Manzo ($19), featuring house-cured filet mignon beef carpaccio, topped with micro-arugula, parmigiano and a light mustard dressing. Entrees include the Robespierre Alla Tagliata ($36), a 12-ounce sliced New York steak infused with garlic, rosemary and olive oil, served with micro-arugula; the Frito Di Mare ($22), a platter of fried calamari and vegetables accompanied by a zesty arrabbiata sauce; and the Pollo Al Milanese ($26), a breaded and pan-fried chicken breast served atop a bed of arugula and grape tomatoes, among many other selections. And for pizza lovers, the Focaccia Salmone Al Fume ($18)—with smoked salmon, capers, red onions, brie and crescenza cheese—may be intriguing.
—A womxn’s worth: Let’s Talk Womxn will host “What Women Want: Fortifying Our Democracy” with U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Sunday, Nov. 3, 5-8 p.m., at Vermilion, 10 W. Hubbard St.
Among those slated to talk at this high-powered event, in addition to Duckworth, are former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, author Rebecca Makkai, YMCA Chicago CEO Dorri McWhorter, and Vermilion/Let’s Talk Womxn’s Rohini Dey, Ph. D. Admission is $100, with all funds going toward the Harris Victory Fund.
—Carey-ed away: Pop-music icon Mariah Carey is partnering with Virgin Hotels and Bucket Listers on a new holiday experience centered around Carey’s 1994 megahit, “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
The collaboration involves Carey’s Black Irish, an Irish cream brand launched in 2021. The 21-andolder pop-up, “Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Bar at Virgin Hotels,” will start on Friday, Nov. 15, and last through Sunday, Dec. 29; locally, it will take place in Virgin Hotels Chicago, 203 N. Wabash Ave. Guests will imbibe on Black Irish cocktails while enjoying a captivating holiday-inspired experience that feels like straight out of a holiday music video. Festive cocktails will include the Signature Espresso Martini featuring Black Irish Irish Cream and a candy-cane rim. Savor a decadent martini flight that includes a white chocolate martini made with Black Irish White Chocolate Irish Cream and topped with cotton candy and glitter; a reposado tequila espresso martini with Black Irish Irish Cream garnished with a cinnamon stick; and a bourbon martini infused with Salted Caramel Black Irish Irish Cream topped with a chocolate-covered pretzel rim. Then, there’s the Cocoa Coffee spiked with Black Irish Irish Cream and topped with red and green glitter sprinkles as well as edible butterflies.
The pop-up’s design is created in partnership with Bucket Listers—the team behind the viral Malibu Barbie Cafe, Diamonds and Rose Experience by Bravo, and Saved by the Max experiences. Tickets start at $20/person and can be ordered here.
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—Rock the vote: If I can wait in line for two hours to write in Oprah’s name, you can vote as well. (I’m kidding about the Oprah part, of course.)
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