In fashion: LGBTQ+ designer Richard Dayhoff’s stylish offerings are front and center in Richard Dayhoff: Fashion in Motion, which is being shown through Dec. 1 at The Columbia College Fashion Windows, 618 S. Michigan Ave.
Dayhoff—who has dressed Oprah Winfrey, among others—has clothing designs that have been sold for more than 20 years in more than 300 retail establishments across the country, including Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Takashimaya.
—Market value: The Randolph Street Market Festival Holiday Market returns to Chicago’s West Loop on Nov. 14-15 and Dec.12-13, featuring 125+ vendors offering vintage fashion, antiques, holiday décor, handmade gifts and more.
The festive indoor market will also feature seasonal cocktails, gourmet food, live DJs, ornament workshops and a DIY charm bar. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. Early Buy for Charity and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. for all day shopping. Sunday hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1341 W. Randolph St., inside the historic Plumbers Union Hall in Chicago’s West Loop.
And now, on to culinary news…
—Dropping in: The Original Rainbow Cone is unveiling its 2026 Holiday Drop, featuring three limited-time candy cane creations and the debut of Rainbow Cone Ice Cream Pies.
Pie variations include signature Rainbow Cone, Chocolate Obsession and customizable flavor options. They are available by the slice for $4.99 or as a whole pie for $26.99, with whole pies available for pre-order or in-store purchase.
Also, through Dec. 31, there’s a candy-cane line-up that features the Candy Cane Crunch Super Sundae, the Candy Cane Milkshake and the Candy Cane Sliced Creation. Rainbow Cone will donate $1 from every candy cane creation sold on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1, at all Rainbow Cone locations to BridgeTogether Foundation, its official charitable partner.
—Smoke gets in your eyes: Second City Smoke—pitmaster Daniel Hammond’s Chicago barbeque residency—is opening at Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., this weekend. People can pick their date(s), which are Nov. 7-8; Nov. 21-22; Dec. 6; Dec. 12-13; and Jan. 2-3. Hours are 3-9 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays.
Brisket, ribs and rib tips come off the smoker all service. People can reserve the limited cuts ahead, or walk up and order at the counter. Offerings include jalapeño cheddar sausage; stockyard beef brisket; St. Louis ribs; a sampler with brisket, rib tips, ribs, sausage, two sides; and even cookie butter banana pudding, among other items. Items can be eaten there or taken to go.
—Getting global: Chef Aanal Kotak—the founder of The Secret Kitchen, whose U.S. flagship opened in Schaumburg this spring—is competing at the 10th World Tapas Championship, taking place Nov. 9-11 in Valladolid, Spain.
Kotak—the only Indian chef among the 16 international finalists—is entering the amdavad ni kachori, a much-loved snack from Ahmedabad, India rebuilt as a single, refined tapa. Kotak builds it from four elements, including tuver dal for the comfort of Gujarati home cooking, kadhi for tradition, mango chundo for the region’s signature sweet-and-sour balance and mint for freshness. She designed the dish around the fact that Ahmedabad and Valladolid are sister cities.
REVIEW: The Italian spot Mano a Mano has one of the most intriguing brunches I’ve experienced in quite some time. But does “intriguing” translate into “a restaurant you should try?”
Read the full review of this Logan Square restaurant at SAVOR with Andrew.
—After nearly closing just a few years after opening its doors in Lincoln Park, old-school Italian restaurantSapori Trattoria is now celebrating 25 years with a weeklong celebration on Nov. 10-15.
The celebration will take place with the following events:
- Tuesday, Nov. 10: One of Sapori’s signature sweets will be available for just $2.50 for one night only.
- Wed., Nov. 11:Sapori will turn back the clock with a selection of dishes and pricing inspired by the restaurant’s early years.
- Friday-Saturday, Nov. 13-14:Complimentary bubbles for all diners 21 and older.
- Sunday, Nov. 15:The anniversary celebration will culminate in a ticketed, multi-course “Best of Sapori” dinner with wine pairings featuring dishes spanning the restaurant’s 25-year history.
- Also, five dollars from every plate of Sapori’s carbonara sold Nov. 10–15 will be donated to Dignity Diner. Reservations are available via OpenTable.
—Military honors: This Veterans Day, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille is putting its 32 oz. dinner-cut pork chop on the house for those who served.
On Wed., Nov. 11, 4 p.m.-closing, Perry’s three Chicago-area restaurants (in Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Vernon Hills) will honor active and former U.S. military members with two dine-in offers: one complimentary dinner-cut pork chop when dining with a guest who purchases one full-priced dinner entrée, or Perry’s 3-Course Military Menu for $39. Reservations are required and can be made at PerrysSteakhouse.com or by calling the restaurant.
And other spots are also honoring active and former U.S. military members:
- At Sweetwater Tavern & Grille and Old Town Pour House (Oak Brook, Naperville, and the Loop) on Nov. 11, veterans can enjoy 25% off with a valid military ID.
- And at Stan’s Donuts & Coffee on Nov. 11, active-duty military members and veterans can enjoy a free coffee and donut when they visit in-store and present a valid military ID.
—Buy the bye: With Wishbone restaurant closing, the Nickson family announced the Wishbone Restaurant Art Auction that celebrates the art of Lia Nickson.
The reception will be Sunday, Nov. 15 (at 1-4 p.m.) at Potter and Potter Auctions, 5001 W. Belmont Ave. Wishbone owner Joel Nickson is slated to attend the reception while Terrible Portraits will attend to compose his signature $5 drawings. The auction will be Thursday, Nov. 19 (starting at 10 a.m.), and will feature three Outsider Art stars—Martin Ramirez, James Castle and Bill Traylor; pre-register here.
Until next time…