Thanks, Mom!: If you want to check out what Chicagoland restaurants are offering for Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 10), read this SAVOR with Andrew column.
Women’s day: Applications for being part of the cohort of the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (WEL) flagship program are open through June 1 at 11:59 p.m. (Among other things, applicants must be at least 21. Also, only women and nonbinary individuals are eligible.)
The program is an advanced educational, training and networking program for owners or co-owners of brick-and-mortar food or beverage businesses throughout the country; each cohort comprises 20 participants. The 11-week virtual program gives business owners the chance to evaluate and optimize their business model and internal systems, identify improvements, and create long-term strategies for growth and success.
—Holiday ending: Uptown fixture Holiday Club announced that, after a quarter-century, it’s closing May 17.
The retro lounge is known for its ’80s/’90s weekly dance parties and Wednesday karaoke nights, per Block Club Chicago. The club will be replaced by a mixed-use space (apartment building with a retail area), courtesy of Catapult Real Estate Solutions. The new building will have 91 apartments, more than three dozen parking spaces and about 2,000 square feet of retail operating space.
—Drink up—in fashion: Starting May 6, Chicagoland McDonald’s restaurants will unveil six brand-new specialty drinks: Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, Mango Pineapple Refresher, Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher, Sprite ® Berry Blast (Sprite® with a sweet blue raspberry syrup and cold foam), Orange Dream and Dirty Dr. Pepper® (Dr. Pepper® flavor with a vanilla addition and a cloud of cold foam).
Also, you can carry your drink in style. McDonald’s has teamed with designer Susan Alexandra to drop six limited-edition beaded drink carriers. In addition, each carrier comes with a $10 McDonald’s Arch Card® so you can grab the drink that brings the whole moment together. Carriers will be available for purchase on SusanAlexandra.com starting May 6.
—The meal thing: Seville, the Mediterranean-inspired rooftop restaurant from celebrity chef Fabio Viviani at 243 S. Franklin St., has launched its brunch service on Saturdays at 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Just some of the dishes will include fried chicken and churros; strawberry tres leches bread pudding; huevos a la Flamenca; smoked pork sandwich; pan con tomato; and steak and eggs. Also, guests can sip on mimosas, Bloody Marys and signature brunch cocktails like the Carajillo Old Fashioned (made with Bumbu Spiced Rum, Licor 43, espresso, vanilla and cacao bitters) and One Night In Madrid (made with Tito’s Vodka, Tia Maria Coffee Liqueur, vanilla and freshly brewed espresso).
Reservations are now available via OpenTable.
—As part of the JW Chicago Social Series, a mosaic lamp-making workshop, led by Tiles Workshop Chicago, will take place at the hotel on Friday, May 8, 4-6 p.m.
Guests will design and craft their own Turkish mosaic lamps using vibrant, hand-cut glass tiles and beads, with guidance from expert instructors. Guests can choose from a variety of lamp styles (from mini to table size) and will also receive an F&B credit to enjoy a drink or bite at the hotel’s Lobby Bar while they sip and create. Tickets ($99 each) are available here.
—The fifth dimension: Did you know that Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 (led by General Ignacio Zaragoza)? You can dazzle your friends with that bit of trivia while sampling specials at tequila bars, events or these spots on May 5 (or before):
- At aliveOne, guests can enjoy $8 El Jimador Margaritas and $8 Rey Supremo shots. The party starts early with half-price happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by FREE Music Bingo from Whaddyaknow! beginning at 8 p.m.
- This Cinco de Mayo, Tacombi is marking the occasion with more than just tacos and margaritas. On May 5, the taqueria will reopen its Wicker Park location (1442 N. Milwaukee Ave.)following a temporary closure to complete structural renovations. Also, it will donate 100% of proceeds for the day to the Tacombi Foundation, supporting the development of a new learning center in rural Jalisco, Mexico.
- The Official Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl will start Saturday, May 2, at 4 p.m.—and conclude Sunday, May 3, at 1 a.m. Highlights include souvenir items, taco specials at select venues and exclusive drink specials (only for Elevate Crawls participants). The registration party will take place at 4-6 p.m. at InnJoy, with Black Hole Bar, Bourbon on Division and Swig among the other spots along the way. Tickets start at $11 each.
- And Pilsen is having its own Cinco de Mayo bar crawl on Saturday, May 2, 12-6 p.m. Bring your best pals—and possibly make some new ones—as you enjoy drink specials, dancing and no cover at nine venues. The check-in will be at La Vaca Margarita Bar, 1160 W. 18th St., on May 1, 6-10 p.m., and May 2, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be one free cocktail at La Vaca Margarita Bar, Twisted Cantina, Pizza Cantina, Señoritas Cantina, La Mejikana, La Luna, Giant Penny Whistle, Simone’s and The Tonk. Tickets are $49-$61 each.
- On May 5, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Tacombi will reopen its Wicker Park location (1442 N. Milwaukee Ave,) following a temporary closure to complete structural renovations and will donate 100% of proceeds for the day to the Tacombi Foundation, supporting the development of a new learning center in rural Jalisco, Mexico. (The Fulton Market location will also be open at the same time.)
- Valedor will host a Cinco de Mayo celebration with live music and activations throughout the night. The evening will feature a Taco Tuesday special with $10 margaritas and $6 duck mole tacos. The Valedor big screen will display themed visuals throughout the evening, including the signature dancing cat wearing a sombrero to add playful Cinco de Mayo flair and a shareable visual moment. To complete the experience, a live mariachi trio will perform during the event, bringing festive energy that sets the tone for a lively celebration from start to finish.
- At Oak Park spot Amerikas, guests can enjoy Chef Armando Gonzalez’s tacos, enchiladas and carne asada along with half-priced margaritas and Micheladas Cervezas. Specials will be served at 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Solana’s official kickoff party! Wicker Park’s only public rooftop pool bar atop The Robey will be serving skyline views, frozen tropical cocktails and street-style tacos. Enjoy live mariachi, an Aperol tasting at 4 p.m. and an Espolòn tequila tasting at 6 p.m.—then keep it going with $5 everything after 5 p.m.
- Cody’s Public House is kicking off Cinco de Mayo celebrations early with an all-day fiesta featuring a tequila fest, live mariachi music, a taco truck,and festive drink specials on Sunday, May 3. The celebration begins at 2 p.m. with a tequila sampling experience showcasing a wide range of premium brands, including Maestro Dobel, Don Julio, Don Fulano, Camarena, 1800, Grand Centenario, Lalo, Teremana, Patrón and Milagro. Guests can enjoy shots of each tequila for $6.
- In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, The Graystone Tavern (in Wrigleyville) will serve Taco Bell-inspired specials like a $5 Boozy Baha Blast, $3 Tacos, $6 Nacho Fries and $8 Mexican pizzas. Additional specials will include $5 Teremana shots, $5 Teremana Margaritas and $5 Modelo drafts.
- You can celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Bucktown spot Remedy with a $10 Rey Supremo “Meowgarita” and $7 Rey Supremo shot specials available all evening. Remedy will run a “Cinco De Meow” contest on Instagram where patrons can tag Remedy (@remedy_chicago) in their favorite cat pictures leading up to May 5 for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
- This Cinco de Mayo, Manchamanteles invites guests to celebrate with a special dining experience on Tuesday, May 5. The restaurant will open its doors for both lunch and dinner (despite being typically closed on Tuesdays) for the occasion. In addition to the regular menu, guests can enjoy a festive Cinco de Mayo Taco Tasting Menu created especially for the holiday. The full menu will also remain available for those who prefer to order à la carte. Reservations can be made in advance on Tock, and booking ahead is highly recommended to secure your spot.
- La Licor Panamericana is serving an exclusive menu that Executive Chef Carlos Cantatore has crafted. Menu highlights will include coconut-crusted shrimp, al pastor puffy taco (with charred pineapple puree and crispy leeks), heirloom corn esquite and corn tortilla taco with smoked beef tongue. There will also be $12 craft margaritas.
- Punch Bowl Social is hosting a Cinco de Mayo weekend through May 5. There will be $6 frozen and well margaritas; a fun surprise with the $14 May Margarita featuring Pantalones Tequila (while supplies last); Latin beats; and more.
However, Chicago’s annual Cinco de Mayo parade has been canceled for a second consecutive year because of concerns related to immigration enforcement actions, NBC Chicago noted. Casa Puebla Inc. and Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce Industry Inc. President Hector Escobar said in a statement, “Many families are experiencing fear and uncertainty due to increased immigration enforcement actions and the ongoing threat of raids.”
GIVEN AWAY!: Congrats to Chris M. for winning the giveaway of a Bedsure GentleSoft White Throw Blanket!
All you have to do to qualify for a future giveaway is to be a paying subscriber (for less than $5/month) to either SAVOR for Andrew (future3733.substack.com) or Pop-Eds (Andrew449.substack.com)!
—On the other side: Tickets to the Obama Presidential Center will be available on May 6, The Chicago Sun-Times noted.
Thousands will likely flood the obama.org website to purchase tickets. The museum will open to the public on June 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Located at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave., the campus will be open 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, while the museum will be open 1-8 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
(NOTE: There’s a lot more news at SAVOR for Andrew—future3733.substack.com!)
Until next time…