—Art-felt: The Art Institute of Chicago will exhibit “Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist and All That It Implies” through Jan. 4, 2026.
The exhibition is a retrospective that brings together more than 100 works from across Catlett’s career, showcasing the significant role she played in her time and the influence she still has today. Catlett was a deft sculptor and printmaker, an ardent feminist and a lifelong social activist.
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The write stuff: Be sure to read and subscribe to my other Substack—Pop-Eds: My thoughts on pop culture. (Like SAVOR, it’s less than $5/month to access everything.) Columns have discussed my thoughts on cheating, weight-loss drugs, Charlie Kirk, Chappell Roan and the career of Alan Ritchson, among many other topics.
And now on to culinary items…
—Feast end: Chicago Gourmet, powered by Invesco QQQ, wrapped up this weekend, with many people attending various main-event activities.
Said activities included Tacos & Tequila, the fan favorite Hamburger Hop, the two-session Grand Cru (which seemed scaled down compared to previous iterations but was still impressive) and Rise & Shine Gourmet. Chefs Stephanie Izard and Karen Akunowicz hosted the afternoon and evening Grand Cru sessions, respectively, while culinary talent including Soo Ahn, Rick Bayless, Ce Bian, D’Andre Carter, Tony Priolo, wine educator Julia Coney, Aaron Cushieri, Tigist Reda, Jeff Mauro, Donald Young, Art Smith, Carrie Nahabedian and many others participated throughout the weekend.
—Going to the dogs?: LGBTQ+ Chicago Ald. Timmy Knudsen (who represents Lincoln Park) wants restaurants to legally be allowed to have canines—and not just service dogs, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Knudsen (43rd Ward) said he drafted an ordinance at the request of Vanille owner Sophie Evanoff, whose French bakery was tied up for hours by “back-to-back” city inspections prompted by a patron complaint about the presence of dogs in the eatery.
According to the proposal, dogs would be limited to one per table. They could only be provided with water—not food or table scraps—either by their owners or by restaurant employees, and they must be on leashes.
But what do YOU think: Should dogs be allowed in restaurants? Email me at future3733@yahoo.com and let me know.
—Shutting down: The River East location of Pinstripes—known for various games (like bocci) in addition to its cuisine—has shut down, CBS 2 Chicago noted. However, the locations at South Barrington, Northbrook and Oak Brook will remain open.
In a statement, the company said, “With the support of our senior secured lenders, Pinstripes Holdings, Inc. and certain affiliates (the “Company”) filed voluntary chapter 11 petitions, pursuant to which we will seek to run a Court-approved marketing and sale process.”
—Variety is the spice of life: Levain Bakery—known for its giant, gooey cookies, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with two major announcements.
First, Levain is going savory nationwide, with items such as a ham-and-cheese sandwich ($13.50), baguettes ($3.75 each), tomato-and-burrata sandwich ($13.50), and a tomato-and-parmesan flatbread ($9.50). Second, Levain’s fall menus are available at all locations so try the fall spiced chocolate chunk cookie ($6), apple cider ($5.50), pumpkin ginger-spice cake ($5/slice) and chai latte ($5–5.50).
—Go, go, Mango: Mango Pickle has a “chai pop-up” happening daily at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Oct.12.
It’s taking place next to Vincent and defloured: A Gluten-Free Bakery in Andersonville, at Balmoral and Clark streets. Mango Pickle is also continuing its “Gateway to India” supper club on Oct. 3-4 as well as High Chai Tea on Sept. 28 and Oct. 5. Find out more here.
—On Broadway: Bucket Listers is unveiling its newest cool experience: Broadway Sing-Along Bar—an immersive, high-energy pop-up celebration of The Great White Way’s biggest hits.
The ultimate theater kids dream come true is launching Oct. 2 in Chicago at Virgin Hotels, 203 N. Wabash Ave., and will remain open throughout the fall season. Highlights will include nightly karaoke (at 9 p.m.) and weekly drag shows; immersive interactive fun; various photo ops; and themed cocktails (like the Ozmopolitan, Hamilton Highball, Greatest Showman Spritz and Hair of the Cats). Guests can even dress like their favorite Broadway characters—and Halloween is right around the corner.
—Swift response: It will be all things Taylor Swift at Stolen Saddle on Oct. 3, as the spot will host a listening party devoted to her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl.
Programming for the night includes a prize wheel for guests dressed like Taylor, full album playthrough led by DJ Lecks, a Travis Kelce lookalike contest (at 7:30 p.m. on the second floor) and many more Swiftie surprises. There will also be cocktails such as Spritz of a Showgirl, Meredith’s Margarita, and the 87 + 13.
People can RSVP for the event here, but it’s not required for entrance.
—Holi-daze: Is it too early to think about the holidays? Apparently not, as the world-famous Walnut Room at Macy’s in Chicago’s Loop has opened the highly competitive reservations for its 118th holiday season this week, per NBC 5 Chicago.
Located in the Macy’s at 111 North State Street in Chicago’s theater district; the Walnut Room has been a staple holiday tradition for Chicagoans since opening in 1907. Reservations can be made here. (By the way, tickets to Macy’s drag brunches are available as well.)
Find even more news at SAVOR with Andrew.