—Bringing the sweet: This is a reminder asking that you join me at World of Chocolate, a fundraiser for AIDS Foundation Chicago, on Friday, Feb. 27, in Ravenswood at Artifact Events.
I am excited to share that I am participating as an official judge, and you can join me in sampling chocolate creations from local chefs. There will also be an open bar, lite bites, and entertainment from DJ Onwa and Haus of Paint.
The first 10 people who purchase tickets using the special discount code ADavis will receive $30 off general admission and VIP tickets. Purchase tickets at aidschicago.org/chocolate.
—Sweet treats: Crumbs.nd.Creams is open in Chicago, at 4825 N. Pulaski Ave., in the city’s Albany Park neighborhood.
“Our goal is to serve authentic Filipino treats while pushing the envelope of its possibilities for everyone to enjoy,” it states on the website. Couple Katrina and Mharloe Requiron, who married in 2019, co-own the space, which sells silvanas (sandwich cookies) in such flavors as blueberry and ube/purple yam, which tastes like cereal milk. I actually have written a feature on this wonderful queer-owned bakery. Read the article here.
—Radicle development: The Daisies Chicago team officially opened its doors toits second official concept, The Radicle. The space soft-launched on Jan. 2 but has officially opened in the original Daisies space at 2523 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The Radicle is “about coastal Italian drinking culture and good ol’ fashioned Midwestern hospitality,” per a press release. There are $10 (!) aperitivo-style cocktails by two-time Tales of the Cocktail nominated & 2026 Jean Banchet “Beverage Program of the Year” nominee, Nicole Yarovinsky. In addition, there are snacks such as freshly shucked oysters; shrimp with a zingy mustard remoulade; smoked mackerel with tonnato, pumpernickel and dill; deviled eggs topped with a salty pop of trout roe; and crab dip served with Ritz crackers. There are also pizzas such as margherita with house-pulled mozzarella; mushroom with “funky” Italian cheeses; fennel sausage; and clam pie with Yukon gold potatoes and garlic.
—Here’s a reminder that many restaurants are participating in Dry January. Check out what’s happening in some of them:
- Casa Chi by Chef Richard Sandoval has launched its “Art of Zero Proof” cocktail series featuring three inventive, alcohol-free drinks that celebrate zesty flavors and creativity without the booze. Drinks include the Garden Grove Highball (elderflower and cucumber with bright citrus and cedar accents), the Espresso Maíztini (a dessert-inspired drink with coffee flavors, buttery popcorn and warm spices) and the Margarita Verde (with lime, pandan, jalapeño and the herb hoja santa). These drinks will be featured during Casa Chi’s Dry January Happy Hour, with zero-proof and signature cocktails priced at $12 each, Tuesday through Friday at 4–7 p.m.
- On Wed., Jan. 14, Atelier, the Michelin-starred restaurant in Lincoln Square, will host celebrated non-alcoholic wine brand Oddbird for an intimate 20-seat tasting menu dinner featuring Chef Bradyn Kawcak’s globally-inspired cuisine. Oddbird was founded in Sweden in 2013 by Moa Gürbüzer—a social worker and family therapist who has worked with families and individuals affected by alcohol-related harm for more than two decades. You can RSVP here.
- Also on Jan. 14, The Office will host its inaugural non-alcoholic cocktail class at 5:30 p.m. Featuring two of the staff’s favorite NA recipes from The Aviary’s Zero Cocktail Book, attendees will learn the kitchen techniques they use to create a perfectly balanced cocktail—minus the alcohol—and there will be luxury small bites. Tickets are $152 each; RSVP here.
- I|O Godfrey at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago is offering drinks such as It’s Always Honey in Philadelphia (Oddbird Blanc De Blancs, fresh lemon and honey syrup; $13), a $15 Phony Negroni, a $14 non-alcoholic Italian spritz and Peach Out (blueberry, yucca peach tea, muddled agave, rosemary, club soda and chia seeds, $10). There’s also non-alcoholic wine.
- Chicago’s Sweetwater Tavern and Old Town Pour House (now only in Oak Brook and Naperville)—known for having 90 beers on tap—will offer identical Dry January selections. They include the Cucumber Cure (Ritual Gin alternative, cucumber, mint, simple syrup, lime juice, ginger beer and soda), Mellow Mule (cucumber, honey syrup, blueberry syrup, lime juice and ginger beer), Strawberry Soothe (strawberries, lime juice, lemon juice, simple syrup and a splash of lemon-lime soda) and the Peace Punch (Seedlip Grove 42 non-alcoholic spirit, orange juice, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, lime juice and grenadine).
- The West Loop spot Bar La Rue will have mocktails such as the Faux Fizz (Ritual gin alternative, lemon and Q grapefruit) and the Spicy Poseur (Ritual tequila alternative, eucalyptus, lemon and serrano).
- Crying Tiger has an extensive list of spirit-free beverages (nearly as many as on the cocktail list!) to complement Chef Thai Dang’s vibrant Southeast Asian menu. Standouts have been the Salted Mango Limeade, with preserved citrus topped with a pile of shaved ice and lime zest; and the Iced Jasmine Tea, made with condensed coconut milk and pandan jelly.
- Miru lead bartender Natcha Gibson has developed the NA Sage Advice, a spritzy-effervescent alternative to a gin and tonic.
- On Jan. 24, the Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago will be a wellness retreat, offering guests a chance to flow and glow with its “Reset & Refresh” event. It’s a full day dedicated to feeling good, featuring a “who’s who” of Chicago wellness partners, including Ritual Zero Proof. There will also be yoga and a custom clay and sheet mask workshop. The cost is $22; RSVP via OpenTable. Also, for all of January, the brewery is offering mocktails such as EspreZERO Martini and the Spiced Pear Margarita.
- The Naperville spot Ramsay’s Kitchen is shaking things up with a new mocktail menu featuring Caliwater cactus water. Drinks include the Hot Melon (watermelon juice, fresh lime and Caliwater watermelon for a sweet-spicy kick) and the Desert Mule (which reimagines the Moscow Mule with Caliwater wild prickly pear, ginger and lime).
- In addition, Shaw’s Crab House has unveiled the second in its zero-proof cocktail series inspired by the CTA, the Yellow Line (following this fall’s Green Line); made with Lyre’s Dry London Spirit, fresh lemon juice and black tea honey, it’s a refreshing ride. And Sushi-san has its N.W.A. (Nothin’ With Alcohol) menu boasting a constantly rotating selection of inventive cocktails such as the Ananas, What’s My Name—a combination of Pathfinder, pineapple, five-spice syrup and lemon.
—Dark matter: Levain Bakery has launched its limited time winter line-up, aptly named “Dark Days of Winter.”
The dark-chocolate assortment features the Coffee Toffee (dark cocoa and espresso base with chocolate-covered toffee shards), the Black and White (baked with rich dark cocoa, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chunks), Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip and Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip. Also, after debuting at the Lincoln Park opening, Levain’s Toffee Lattes and Toffee Hot Chocolates are now rolling out citywide and nationwide for the winter season.Until next time…
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 Labubu, cheating, the College Football Playoff, SNAP’s junk-food ban, vampire facials and All’s Fair, among many other topics.