Death of a giant: William “Bill” Pullinsi—a director/producer widely regarded as the “father of dinner theater”—has passed away at the age of 86 of natural causes.
Pullinsi pioneered the concept of dinner theater in the late 1950s and early 1960s, going on to direct or produce more than 400 theatrical productions during a career spanning more than five decades. Among other accomplishments, he was the founder and artistic director of the legendary Candlelight Dinner Playhouse and Forum Theatre in Summit, Illinois, which operated from 1961 through 1997 and became one of the most influential theatrical institutions in the Midwest.
Pullinsi is survived by his son, Jamie Pullinsi; and his former wife, Ami Silvestre.
—Go West (Town): A sign in the window at the Ann Sather flagship, at 909 W. Belmont Ave., stated that it will be closing June 28, CBS 2 Chicago noted.
A new location will open in July at 1819 W. Division St. in the West Town area—where Ann Sather has had a presence in the past. Next door to Ann Sather, a new mixed-use building is now under construction that will feature 46 luxury apartments.
“I’ve recognized the fact that I could move—and I’ve looked at other locations—or I could just retire that location, even though that’s what we call the mothership,” former Ald. Tom Tunney (who’s owned Ann Sather for 45 years) told SAVOR with Andrew in March. “I feel that we would do well in any part of Chicago.”—Village expansion: Italian Village Restaurants, a cornerstone of Chicago dining since 1927, is expanding its presence with the addition of Café Pisolino—a new Italian espresso bar set to open in June on the ground floor of its Loop location.
Long known as a multi-level destination housing The Village, Vivere, Sotto and Bar Sotto, the restaurant group continues to build on that legacy with a new casual, day-to-day offering. The menu will feature classic and specialty espresso drinks ranging from shakeratos and cappuccinos to a signature gianduja-infused house latte, alongside seasonal offerings such as vanilla peach cold brew and strawberry matcha. A rotating selection of pastries follow suit, featuring Italian café classics and house-made favorites including cornetti, lemon ricotta cake, tomato tarts and strawberry rhubarb crostata. For those on the go, lighter fare like lemon blueberry overnight oats and limoncello chia pudding complement more substantial midday options such as a Tuscan chicken salad sandwich.
—Radio days: Roanoke Hospitality announced a collaboration with Chef Dudley Nieto to bring a long-awaited Mexican dining destination to the Loop.Mexican Radio is now open at 100 W. Monroe St., within the Hyatt Centric Chicago The Loop Hotel.
The new concept will offer seasonal dishes pulling inspiration from regions across Mexico, including Oaxaca, Puebla and Yucatán, including inspired tacos, craft margaritas and a tequila-forward cocktail menu. Open daily, Mexican Radio offers breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner and weekend brunch.
—In season: River North brasserie-meets-steakhouse La Grande Boucherie has launched its spring menu.
Artichoke is the star of the show with this latest turnover as seen with crispy baby artichokes, served with orange, niçoise olives and herbs crème fraîche; the artichoke bolognese and other dishes. While one of the plats principaux may bear the name “Lamb Chops Printaniére,” the grilled artichokes on the dish steal the limelight.
Other seasonal delights include heirloom tomatoes, served with the restaurant’s swordfish and grilled octopus; spring peas, as seen in the Côte de Porc (grilled chop, spring peas, Maille cream sauce, sweet beech mushrooms); and other fresh ingredients.
—Fry spirits: Fry the Coop is partnering with Stan’s Donuts to bring back the OG Donut Chicken Sandwich and a Spicy Butter Donut Sandwich for one day only on Friday, June 5.
Available at all 10 Fry the Coop locations around Chicago, both sandwiches—available with any heat level, from country (no heat) to lil’ insanity (R.I.P.)—will be $6.50 while supplies last.
—Table manners: Stock Mfg’s intimate dinner series, The Chef’s Table at Stock, will take place over the next three months. The brand is inviting the city’s top culinary talent into the historic STOCK Firehouse Loft to break down the wall between chef and guest for an incredibly intimate, 12-seat dining experience.
The June 10 event will feature Thattu Executive Chef Margaret Pak while, on July 27, Cornerstone Restaurant Group chefs Bill Kim, Matt Eckfeld, Craig Couper and Jeremy Pyrzynski will be in the spotlight. Lastly, MIRRA Chicago executive chefs Zubair Mohajir and Rishi Kumar will present a five-course collaboration on Aug. 5.
—Stock market: The nonprofit Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA) announced 24 local vendors for the 17th anniversary season of the Glenwood Sunday Market (GSM), which will operate every Sunday from June 7 to Oct. 25 (closed June 28 and Aug. 16), at 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
On the southbound Glenwood Avenue between Morse and Lunt Avenues (west side of the CTA Red Line Morse stop), the market offers products such as meat, produce, dairy, honey, pickles, bakeries, sweets, tofu, flowers and coffee. A ribbon-cutting will take place on opening day, June 7, at 8:45 a.m. by 49th Ward Ald. Maria Hadden, Illinois state Rep. Kelly Cassidy and RPBA Executive Director Sandi Price. This season, GSM will feature two activations: a “Dog Days of Summer” celebration on Aug. 9 with a pup selfie station and trick-or-treating at GSM on the final Sunday, Oct. 25.
Some of the vendors will include Bennison’s Bakery, Finn’s Ranch, Katherine Anne Confections, Kikwetu Kenya Coffee Company, Stamper Cheese Company, The Urban Canopy and Yoberri Gourmet.
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And here are non-culinary events of note:
—Nature lovers: Anatomically Correct Arts is presenting Our Power, Our Planet: Art Exploring Nature and Sustainability in Celebration of Earth Day through June 14 at Skokie’s Devonshire Cultural Arts Center.
Juan Roman, TigerLily Cross and Alexandra Stevenson are just a few of the artists whose works are being showcased. For more info, view this link.
—Dance fever: See Chicago Dance announced the full lineup for the 13th Annual Chicago Dance Month, returning May 30–June 27 with expanded free, family-friendly programming across the city during the organization’s 20th anniversary year.
Highlights include a kickoff celebration at Navy Pier and the debut of NeighborhoodMOVES—a new initiative bringing dance directly into neighborhoods through community-centered programming and cultural partnerships.
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GIVEN AWAY!: Congrats go to Daphne K. for winning the giveaway of a Stanley Cup!
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 the pop culture-focused Pop-Eds (Andrew449.substack.com)!
Until next time…