Flower power: Rosemont is inviting residents and visitors to explore the community in a whole new way this fall with the announcement of installation locations for “Rosemont in Bloom: Where Art Takes Root,” a new public art initiative celebrating the village’s 70th anniversary.
There will be 20 eight-foot rose sculptures—each uniquely designed and painted by a local professional artist, school art program or nonprofit arts organization—installed throughout Rosemont. Together, the larger-than-life sculptures will transform the village into an open-air gallery. Featured sites will include the Rosemont Theatre, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and The Pearl District, among other places.
And now, on to culinary items…
—To market we go: More than 2,000 people attended Green City Market’s Chef BBQ on Sept. 10 in Lincoln Park, making the event successful yet again.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised to build a stronger local food system and increase access to fresh, healthy food. More than 100 restaurant and beverage exhibitors were present, including Verzenay, Nonnina, Wolf Point Distillery, Bang Bang Pie, Dell’ Rooster and many others. Those interested in helping Green City can click on this link.
And in related news, Green City Market’s board of directors appointed Board Chair Mitch Weinstein and Board Vice Chair Alex Frantz to be co-interim executive directors while the organization conducts a comprehensive search for its next executive director, according to an official statement.
Now-former Green City Executive Director Letisha “Tish” Steele “concluded her tenure” a year after assuming the mantle. The board has started searching for Green City Market’s next executive director.
RESTAURANT PICK: Acclaimed choreographer Brendan Fernandes is one busy soul.
Fernandes is a professor at Northwestern University who teaches “Food and Art” as well as dance-related courses. Also, the Chicago-based contemporary artist—a Canadian with Kenyan and Indian roots who examines everything from migration to queer issues through interdisciplinary performance—will also host Brendan Fernandes: Score for the Murphy Auditorium at the Driehaus Museum on Sept. 16 (4-6 p.m.), Oct. 14 (5-7 p.m.) and Nov. 14 (3-5 p.m.); there will also be open rehearsals and other events (e.g., film screenings) around those dates.
Then, on Sept. 17-Oct. 24 (with an opening reception at 7 p.m.), Fernandes will present the solo exhibition Brendan Fernandes: The Noise Will Sound at the gallery moniquemeloche. Noise will present photos shot on film that feature figures shrouded in patterned Shuka cloth—a vibrant checkered fabric traditionally associated with the Maasai people of Kenya yet rooted in British colonial influence.
However, he recently took time to name three of his favorite restaurants. Find out what they are at SAVOR with Andrew.
—Honey business: All Beatrix Market locations are offering exclusive National Honey Month specials.
They include honey and balsamic beets, overnight oats with honey dates, overnight oats with honey cherries, and kale salad with peaches and hot honey vinaigrette, available Monday through Friday throughout September while supplies last.
—New kid on the block: A 5,200-square-foot market, café, and 80-person outdoor courtyard has opened at Clark and Fullerton, just a short walk from both Lincoln Park Zoo and the park itself.
The project, at 444 W. Fullerton Pkwy (best known as the longtime location of Emilio’s Tapas), comes from Piccadilly Market, the European-style neighborhood market that opened to immediate success in Lincoln Square in 2025.
The market includes a coffee partnership with Metric Coffee as well as select offerings from local favorites Backlot Coffee and Hexe Coffee Co. You can also find brands that typically require a trip across the city to find all under one roof, including Pretty Cool Ice Cream, Rare Tea Cellar, Publican Quality Bread, Katherine Anne Confections, Feed Your Head Vegan and more,along with a rotating series of pop-ups, tastings, classes and offerings from the best and artisans, bakers and purveyors in Chicago and beyond.
—Game time: The casual Fulton Market spot Bandit is bringing back its football-watch parties at Bandit on Two, its second-floor space featuring large-screen TVs, a lively atmosphere and game-day food and drink specials.
The restaurant will show all Chicago Bears and Ohio State games throughout the season. Game-day menu highlights include mini Ohio-style coneys and Chicago-style hot dogs, mini Italian beefs, beer and seltzer bucket specials, Bears- and Ohio State-themed cocktails and shots, and the new Tailgate Tower—a large-format platter of snacks designed for sharing. Also, for fans watching at home, Bandit offers a $120 Gameday Box that serves four, with wings, disco waffle fries, nachos and chipotle mac ‘n cheese; add-ons include queso, salsa and chips, chicken tenders with honey mustard, and four Diplomat burgers.
—Sweet dreams: Through Sept. 14 (National Black and White Cookie Day), all three of Chicago’s Levain Bakery locations are selling the Black & White Cookie—a chewy, chocolatey twist on the iconic New York classic: a soft, thick cookie packed with noir cocoa powder, and white chocolate and milk chocolate chips.
Also, there will be the Black & White Cookie Latte. Levain steeps its Black and White Chocolate Chip cookies in oat milk overnight, adds a fresh espresso shot and finishes it with white chocolate cold foam and cookie crumbles. By the way, the first 50 guests each day at each bakery each get a free limited-edition Black & White mini-tote.
—Of course: Amaru will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) with a $55 three-course prix fixe menu featuring Amaru favorites and limited-time dishes.
The options will include ceviche, Andean carrot salad and malanga tamal with smoked fish ceviche (first course); pollo Yucateco, mole y leon and slow-roasted pernil (second); and La Piña (tepache tres leches, hibiscus pineapple and mascarpone cream), guava cheesecake and charred obleas/wafers (third course). RSVP at amaruchicago.com/chicago-
On a related note, West Town’s Dell’ Rooster is celebrating with a specialty menu. For just $40, guests can select an appetizer, entrée and beverage from a prix-fixe menu. App options include Dell’ Rooster empanadas, warm stuffed dates and spinach salad, among others; some entree choices include slow-cooked pork shoulder, Uruguay-style breaded chicken breast and ceviche mixto; and beverages include a classic margarita, Mango Caribeño and La Pasion del Aguardiente.
—Fish tale: On Sept. 16 at 6 p.m., Miru at The St. Regis Chicago will offer a sneak preview of its Bluefin Tuna Experience (Sept. 23) with a unique culinary demonstration and dinner featuring a live breakdown of a whole bluefin tuna.
The event will feature reserved communal seating for the demo and multi-course menu showcasing the unique nuances of bluefin—from lean to fatty cuts—paired with Japanese ingredients to complement each bite. Tickets are $150 each, plus tax and service fee (beverages not included).
—Land of Lincoln: Lincoln Park Uncorked: A Lincoln Avenue Wine Strollreturns Thursday, Sept. 17, 6-9 p.m., for a one-of-a-kind evening hosted by the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC). The event check-in will take place at Junior Chefs Kitchen, 2448 N. Lincoln Ave.
Participating businesses are slated to include Bacino’s, Cafe Yaya, Pure Green, Mercadito, Innovative Primary Care and others. Tickets are on sale now.
—Dynamic duos: Lincoln Park Midwestern-inspired restaurant Ox Bar & Hearth is inviting some of Chicago’s most recognizable chef talents into the kitchen as it debuts an exclusive series of collaborative monthly dinners on Sept. 17, Oct. 22 and Nov. 19.
The series will kick off with Michelin-starred Chef Paul Virant (Vie; Gaijin; Vistro Prime),with the Oct. 22 event will feature Jean Banchet Chef of the Year Chef and master of the flame John Manion (El Che Steakhouse and Bar; Brasero). James Beard Award winner Chef Jason Hammel (Lula Cafe; Marisol) will join the Ox Bar team on Nov. 19. The 2026 collaborative series will culminate on December 3 with a special, surprise VIP guest chef in celebration of Ox Bar & Hearth’s one-year anniversary.
Tickets are currently on sale for the Virant dinner on Sept. 17 on OpenTable.
—”Living” room: The Halloween-themed pop-up bar Never Trust the Living returns to The Dandy Crown in Chicago for its fourth year from Sept. 18 through Nov. 1. It’s a highly decorated, cocktail-focused event with drinks and creepily colorful Halloween décor throughout the interior and outdoor (dog- and family-friendly) patio, warmed on cool Chicago nights with six fire pits. It is free to attend and, while walk-ins are accepted, reservations are encouraged.
The bewitching brews include these new concoctions for 2026: Kettle Corn Old-Fashioned (popcorn-infused bourbon, salted demerara, vanilla bitters and orange), Poison Apple (green apple gin, dry vermouth, pickled Granny Smith brine and lime), Head Crusher (vodka, Aperol, black cherry, lemon, tonic and citric salt rim) and Peanut Butter Cup (of Coffee)(vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, peanut butter and chocolate), among others.
Until next time…