— A more perfect Union: The Chicago Union—of the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA)—will host the Central Division Championship on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m. CT at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston.
With a perfect 12-0 regular season, home field advantage and a historic 100th franchise win on the horizon, the stakes couldn’t be higher for this must-see showdown. A victory will send Chicago to UFA Championship Weekend, held Aug. 22–23 in Madison, Wisconsin, where the team will compete for the UFA title alongside three other division champions. Tickets for the Aug. 9 game are $15-$24 each (and children 5 and younger get in free); also, there’s free parking.
And now on to culinary items…
SPOTLIGHT: Here are Foodie Fast Facts, courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer:
• Gerber, the makers of baby food, introduced Gerber Singles in 1974, which was intended to be food for adults. The problem was that the “meal” came in packaging that was nearly identical to that of actual baby food. Awkward. Gerber Singles were off the shelves within months.
• If you sip your tea from a saucer, you can call yourself a purist. That’s how the beverage was originally consumed in Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• The Fig Newton had nothing to do with Isaac Newton. The snack got its name because the Kennedy Biscuit Company, the first owner of the machine that made Fig Newtons, was near Boston and the company tradition was to name products after nearby towns.
• Some elite athletes purposefully consume at least 10,000 calories a day when they’re competing.
• A tuberculosis epidemic was the cause of the invention of plastic tableware and disposable paper cups.
—Southern exposure: Luella’s Southern Kitchen, the acclaimed Southern-inspired restaurant from Chef/Owner Darnell Reed, will reopen at its new permanent location at 4114 N. Kedzie Ave. in Albany Park on Wed., Aug. 6.
And that’s not the only change concerning the restaurant. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the new Luella’s will serve breakfast and brunch only. “This is a full-circle moment,” Reed said in a press release. “I’ve come home in more ways than one—owning the building, deepening roots in the community and focusing on soulful food made from the heart. Brunch is the perfect canvas to tell those stories.”
The new brunch menu certainly has some delightful-sounding items, including crab-stuffed shrimp with smoked grits and maque choux; buttermilk pancakes with whipped brown butter and Mick Klug Farm blueberry compote; and a boudin, egg and cheese biscuit with pepper jelly and fontina. There will also be weekly French toast and seasonal specials. Luella’s has been a James Beard Award semifinalist in the Great Lakes region and is a three-time Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recipient.
—The SHŌ must go on: This summer, SHŌ—opening in Old Town on Aug. 12—debuts a take on omakase: an intimate dining experience featuring an exclusive 12-seat chef’s counter.
The new concept comes from Adam Sindle—a fourth-generation restaurateur and steward of one of Chicago’s most storied Japanese dining institutions—alongside acclaimed Executive Chef Mari Katsumura. And SHŌ will open directly next door to Kamehachi—the pioneering sushi bar opened by Sindler’s great-grandmother in 1967. Some of the menu highlights include crudo compositions that flirt with Nikkei fusion, like chutoro with mitsuba salsa verde and tonnato sauce; oshizushi-style hand rolls, with options like torched salmon belly and wagyu with egg yolk pudding and umami cotton candy; and dessert compositions that feature seasonal fruit kanten, housemade soft serve and mignardises/petit fours/bite-sized sweets.
—Room with a view: The Alston, the new River North steakhouse from Michelin-starred Chef Jenner Tomaska as well as hospitality veterans Scott Weiner and Greg Mohr of the Fifty/50 Group, has officially opened its terrace.
The space features imported retractable guillotine glass windows that reveal sweeping views of Holy Name Cathedral’s west entrance and the area skyline. Greenery surrounds the terrace’s layout, which seats up to 100 guests.
To coincide with the terrace’s opening, Tomaska has developed a menu that includes shellfish platters like fresh-shucked oysters, razor clams and prawns alongside refined small plates such as escargot in herbed butter and puff pastry, dressed eggs with truffle and Iberico ham, and pâté en croûte with cucumber and mustard. Lighter dishes include the Alston house salad, with fresh hearts of palm, avocado, grapes and pistachio dressing, while more decadent entrées like the lobster torte with morel mushrooms and sauce Normandy, or the filet mignon Bordelaise, finished with red wine, bone marrow and veal jus.
—Clothes call: Through Sunday, Aug. 10, Lake View spot Cesar’s Killer Margaritas is partnering with Cradles to Crayons in an effort to help end clothing insecurity.
Cesar’s is hosting a donation drive to collect essential items such as shorts, T-shirts, pajamas, NEW socks and NEW underwear (sizes 0 months-5T). Donated clothing must have no rips or tears, no stains, no excessive wear, and no holiday or family references. Donations can be dropped off at the restaurant, 2924 N. Broadway—and in exchange for bringing in a donation, guests will receive 20% off their next visit to Cesar’s Killer Margaritas.
—To shell and back: To mark National Oyster Day (Aug. 5), The Smith Chicago is highlighting its selection of oysters, including varieties from Prince Edward Island, Canada; Cotuit Bay, Massachusetts; Fishers Island, New York; and Puffer Petite oysters from Wellfleet, Massachusetts.
Guests can indulge in one of The Smith’s seafood platters, which include oysters, chilled shrimp and spicy salmon tartare. The oysters are available during brunch, lunch and dinner. Additionally, there’s the Martini Hour from Monday to Friday, 3-6 p.m., where guests can savor a half-dozen oysters for just $13 or the royale platter for $29.
However, The Smith is hardly the only spot celebrating the occasion with specials:
Shaw’s Crab House in Schaumburg is also celebrating National Oyster Day (Aug. 5).
The restaurant is extending its Monday Sip & Slurp specials for an extra day. Head to the Oyster Bar from 11:30 a.m.-9 a.m. and enjoy half-priced select oysters on the half shell and specially priced bottles of wine.
Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, located inside of InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, is marking the occasion by offering oysters on the half shell ($28), served with cocktail sauce, Meyer lemon aioli and a black pepper-raspberry mignonette—or people can build their own experience à la carte for just $4.75 each (minimum of six). In addition, there are the Seafood Tower ($150), featuring a spread of oysters, shrimp, jumbo lump blue crab and chilled lobster tail; and the Grand Seafood Tower ($225), which adds fresh tuna tartare and is paired with two bottles of Moët & Chandon Impérial (187ml).
At Kindling (inside the Sears, uh, Willis Tower), James Beard Award–winning Chef Jonathon Sawyer is offering several items for National Oyster Day. They include oysters on the half shell topped with pink peppercorn and champagne mignonette; the Oysters Maplefeller Style, with Maytag blue cheese, confit tomato, maple bacon and a spicy Calabrian chili crumb; and the HillBilly Riviera oysters that bring the Southern heat with saltines and Crystal’s hot sauce butter.
Brasero is offering Grilled Island Creek Oysters that are flame-kissed and topped with citrus garlic butter, fresh cilantro and a plantain-cashew crumble ($6 each).
—In the mix: Dearly Beloved, in Chicago’s Near North neighborhood, is hosting a special 21+ evening of premium daiquiri tastings crafted by the city’s most talented mixologists from renowned establishments.
On Sunday, Aug. 10, 7-10 p.m., guests will sample eight daiquiris prepared by local cocktail bars including Easy Does It, Untitled, Golden Years, 14 Parish, Cara Cara Club, Chicago Yacht Club and Alla Vita. Additional cocktails will be available for purchase, along with the full menu. Tickets ($35 each) are available here.
—The S’more, the merrier: Did you know that Aug. 10 is National S’mores Day?
To mark the occasion, Clarendon Hills spot IL Mio is reimagining the popular dessert by swapping graham crackers for delicate, golden pizzelle cookies. These traditional Italian waffle cookies are light and crisp, and bring a touch of old-world charm and a crunch to each bite. Of course, it’s all sandwiched with gooey marshmallow and rich chocolate.
Until next time…