Ann Sather will now take over the space that currently belongs to Lake View staple Stella’s Diner, Block Club News noted. News of the sale followed weeks of uncertainty after the diner temporarily closed last month following a failed city health inspection; however, Stella’s owner Marvin Barsky said the deal had been in the works for months and was not related to the health inspection closure.
Barsky added that managing both Stella’s and The Bagel had been tough. He decided to focus on the Jewish deli, and he plans to open a second Bagel location in downtown Glenview.
—Tie one on: The Tie Bar has released its first collaboration with fellow Chicago-based brand The Center of Order and Experimentation.
Located in West Town, The Center of Order and Experimentation is a coffee/consumable and retail operation designed to create community and uplift independent makers. The product assortment includes ties ($38), pocket squares ($18), socks ($16), tie bars ($20) and a lapel gift set ($40). Drawing from analog systems and everyday objects, each piece is designed for work, conversation, and everything after hours. View collection assets here.
—Going retro: The Totally Tubular Festival will take place, Sunday, Aug. 16, at downtown Aurora’s RiverEdge Park.
The event will feature a line-up of ‘80s favorites including Thomas Dolby (“She Blinded Me With Science”) and The Lost Toy People, A Flock of Seagulls, Men Without Hats, The Producers, Animotion (“Obsession”), The Escape Club (“Wild Wild West”) and Tommy Tutone. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the concert will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45 while VIP Packages are $195.
And now, on to culinary items…
—The King’s the thing: Queer South Side couple Isaac King and Gabriel Dupree have officially started KingMe Cookies, a business that states that its offerings “wear the crown.” After sampling the goodies, it’s really hard to argue. Read my FREE article on them and the business at SAVOR with Andrew.
SPOTLIGHT: It was heartening to see that the newest Ann Sather has opened in West Town (at 1819 W. Division St., formerly the site of Yolk), having successfully relocated from its longtime Belmont Avenue location.
Besides the geographical change, not much is different: The decor and even the staff are largely the same—and those cinnamon rolls aren’t going anywhere. Even at 9 a.m. on a Sunday, the restaurant was bustling.
—Hail, Caesar!: McDonald’s is offering a limited-time Caesar-menu lineup featuring a creamy, garlicky parmesan Caesar sauce.
Key items include the delightful Bacon Caesar McCrispy (a McCrispy filet topped with tangy Caesar style sauce, thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, shredded lettuce, Roma tomatoes, crispy onions, and crinkle-cut pickles on a toasted potato roll), Caesar Snack Wrap and McCrispy Strips with Caesar sauce.
—Roll on: There are two new arrivals at Levain Bakery’s River North, West Loop and Lincoln Park locations.
Levain recently teamed up with Chef Bae, Brooke Baevsky, to create a limited-edition cinnamon roll muffin that is both gluten- and dairy-free. Also this month, Levain and Crate & Barrel have launched an exclusive 17-piece collection of baking tools, serveware and kitchen accessories. Highlights include a ceramic mini-crate inspired by the berry box colanders used to display Levain’s cookies, custom-illustrated textiles and tools; and a hand-blown cookie glass dotted with chocolate-chip cookies. The collection is available at all three Chicago bakeries, select Crate & Barrel stores and online, linked here.
—Just a Taste: The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) will present one of its most popular summer events—the annual Taste of Andersonville—on Wed., Aug. 12, at 5-8 p.m. This year’s Taste will feature three cultivated routes: the Scarf & Snarf, the Dine & Dash Route and the All You Can Eat (which combines the first two).
Check-in will begin at 3 p.m. outside the ACC, 5344 N. Clark St. Some of the 20+ participating restaurants and other businesses will include Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pizza Lobo, Replay, Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar, Lady Gregory’s, Forever Yogurt and Big Jones.
Tickets are available online via the Taste of Andersonville page or through check-in on Aug. 12 or until each route is sold out. Tickets cost $35 in advance for single routes and $65 in advance for the All You Can Eat combo route.
—On your marks: F1® Arcade—the world’s first official Formula 1® social gaming experience—announced it will officially open its first Midwest location in Chicago on Friday, Aug. 14. The venue is only for those 21 and older.
The venue’s culinary program will feature globally inspired dishes alongside elevated shareable favorites, including spicy ahi tuna tartare with crushed avocado and crispy wontons; Himalayan salt dry-aged flat iron steak served with grilled portobello and chimichurri; and wagyu beef sliders topped with local sharp provolone, horseradish cream and pickled onions. Guests can also enjoy signature cocktails and alcohol-free “Designated Driver” beverages developed by LP O’Brien, winner of Netflix’s Drink Masters.
Reservations are now available for simulator racing experiences at the new River North venue at 1 W. Grand Ave. To celebrate the opening, the first 1,000 guests to reserve their seat on the grid will unlock a special first-release ticket price for racing experiences during the venue’s opening month. Reservations for simulator racing experiences are now available at F1Arcade.com.
—After all: On Aug. 19, 6-9 p.m., After, Brown-Forman and Diplomático Ambassador Rum are bringing five of Chicago’s bartenders together for After’s annual daiquiri rooftop competition.
Each bartender will present an original interpretation of the cocktail, competing for the judges’ top prize and the evening’s People’s Choice Award.
—The honey pit: This August, Farm Bar is holding its first-ever Honey Fest—a two-week (Aug. 1-16) celebration highlighting owner-owned Brown Dog Farm honey, seasonal farm to table cooking and the importance of pollinators. Both locations will feature a limited-time Honey Fest menu, a honey hive raffle, family-friendly activities and more, with proceeds benefiting the Driftless Area Land Conservancy.
The Honey Fest menu showcases Brown Dog Farm honey throughout a lineup of seasonal dishes, including housemade challah with creamed honey, Hook’s Gorgonzola and honeycomb; beer-battered eggplant with Andreotti burrata, honey and basil; Nichols Farm heirloom tomato salad with caramelized honey, whipped goat cheese and fresh herbs; honey-glazed dry-aged Duroc pork porterhouse with Mick Klug Farm peaches and heirloom tomatoes; and salted honey pie with housemade honeycomb tuile. Guests can also enjoy a $75 tasting menu that includes a complimentary bottle of Brown Dog Farm honey.
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.) My most recent column discusses the reality shows Forged in Fire and Project Runway, the Reflecting Pool aftermath and things you might not have known you can purchase on Amazon, among many other topics.
Until next time, get plenty more culinary news, interviews and reviews at SAVOR with Andrew.