Fair-minded: Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce and Friends of Lakeview will host the return of the Lincoln Roscoe Art + Craft Fair, May 16-17 from 10 a.m. to. 5 p.m.
In advance of the fair, folks can sign up now for a chance to win a $100 Art Fest Gift Card to apply to purchases of art during the two-day fair. The winner will be drawn and notified on Friday, May 15.
And now on to culinary items…
SPOTLIGHT: Here are more Fast Foodie Facts, courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer and yours truly:
- A few years ago, MIT engineers engineered spinach plants that can send emails, thanks to nanotechnology.
- Dragon fruit (also known as the pitahaya) is actually a type of cactus.
- Up for a trip this summer? Stay close to home at a Vegan Museum, the Food Museum, the Museum of Food and Culture, and the Foodseum—all in or near Chicago. If you’re adventurous, there’s also a SPAM museum in Minnesota; a chocolate museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania (fittingly); a Jell-O museum in New York; and a beer-can museum in Massachusetts.
- For maximum flavor, opt for a European or Irish-style butter, per Real Simple. Those are required to be at least 82% fat, while U.S. butter is only required to contain 80%.
- Frenchman Michel Lotito (1950-2006) ate a Cessna plane over the course of two years, bit by bit, consuming two pounds of metal per day along with mineral oil and water.
—Mike and ICE: Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons has proposed a measure that would establish the “Operation Midway Blitz” Small Business Restoration Grant Program to provide support to Illinois small businesses that have been impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, per Politico. No doubt that would include many restaurants.
The bill would provide for the transfer of $50 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Small Business Restoration Fund.
—What’s at steak: Steak ‘n Shake has hired Michael Boes to be the company’s “chief MAHA [Make America Healthy Again] officer,” NRN noted.
The Indianapolis-based chain said that the role will be “dedicated to advancing nutritional integrity, ingredient transparency and the healthiness of our products.” In recent years, Steak ‘n Shake has embraced a more conservative culture, doing everything from accepting bitcoin payments to serving “Tesla Tallow Tots” earlier this month and installing Tesla Supercharger stations in some locations. Also, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently visited a Steak ‘n Shake location after the brand started preparing its tots and French fries in beef tallow.
There are no Steak ‘n Shake outlets in Chicago but there are locations in suburbs such as Rosemont and Evanston.
—School daze: Italian cooking school Tutore is reopening on May 14 at 1629 W. Grand Ave.
After outgrowing its previous space in Avondale, Chef Dean Zanella (formerly of 312 Chicago and Grappa) is moving to West Town. The team will expand classes to five days a week (Wednesday–Sunday) and keep up with the demand for the signature “Pasta 101” and the four-hour “Sunday at Nonna’s” classes.
To check out the full schedule of classes and to register, visit www.tutorecookingschool.com.
—Patty business: In time for National Burger Month (but what could be part of Pride Month in June as well), Sugar Factory at Home has released its Rainbow Sliders in Jewel-Osco freezer aisles across Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. Available all month long at $8.99, they will be just $7.99 during May 20-26.
Sugar Factory at Home Rainbow Sliders are fully cooked frozen beef sliders featuring a 0.8 oz beef patty served on vibrant colored buns. Available in cheese and beef varieties, they are made without seed oils and contain up to 16 grams of protein per serving. Each box comes in five- and 10-pack formats and includes a signature collectible rubber duck that’s available in five colors with varying rarity, from the common yellow duck to the ultra-rare Tyson Edition duck.
—Five alive: Oak Brook spot Lucca Osteria & Bar is marking its fifth anniversary this month with several specials.
Highlights include a $55 prix fixe menuavailable throughout May (excluding Mother’s Day); Friday night prosecco toasts; hidden gift cards at select tables; and even a “5PM Lucky Table” Giveaway, asone Friday reservation each week receives dinner on the house, among other items.
—Sweet relief: Festival season begins in Long Grove when the village’s iconic Chocolate Fest returns on May 15-17.
Visitors can expect everything from chocolate-dipped strawberries and funnel cakes to specialty desserts and inventive treats crafted just for the weekend. In addition, local shops and restaurants join in with their own chocolate-themed menu items. Also, bands will offer themed sets each day (country, ‘90s and Woodstock).
—Let them eat cake: On Saturday, May 16, 12-6 p.m., Reina’s Cakes, 2550 W. Division St., will celebrate its fifth anniversary.
There will be hot dogs, cupcakes and other items for guests to dine on as well as live salsa music and a bomba show.
—The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) announced the Andersonville Spring Wine Walk—an afternoon of sipping, strolling and shopping through Andersonville’s historic district on Sunday, May 17, at 3-6 p.m.
Now in its 21st year, this year’s event includes three wine routes—“Bacchus,” “Maenad” and “Dionysus”—curated by In Fine Spirits. (There’s also a non-alcoholic “Maenad” route.) A few of the participating businesses will include Re: chiropractic + wellness, Fiya Restaurant, Vincent, Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar, RAYGUN and Anderson Point Apartments.
Tickets ($50 per wine route; $25 for the non-alcoholic route) are currently available through the Andersonville Wine Walk page. Check-in is available at 1-4:30 p.m. at 5344 N. Clark St.
GIVEAWAY!: There’s now another giveaway—this time, for a Stanley Cup!
All you have to do to qualify 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). The deadline is Friday, May 22, at 5 p.m. Good luck!
Until next time, be sure to find even more news (as well as interviews and reviews) at SAVOR by Andrew (future3733.substack.com).