—Dance fever: During International Women’s Month, HER: HRC—the local women’s branch of the LGBTQ+-rights group the Human Rights Campaign—will present a ‘90s dance party at D.S. Tequila, 3352 N. Halsted St., on March 7, 7-11 p.m. DJ CASH ERA will spin the tunes as attendees channel their inner Janet Jackson or Paula Abdul.
According to the event’s Facebook page, the party will “celebrate the power, resilience and impact of LGBTQ+ women while honoring queer culture and chosen family.” Tickets are available at hrc.im/herchicago.
—Divas deluxe: Performer Lisa Lisa—known for her hits “I Wonder If I Take You Home” and “Head to Toe,” among others—will perform at the Rosemont venue Joe’s Live on March 8. In addition, singer Taylor Dayne—known for songs like “Tell It To My Heart” and “Love Will Lead You Back”—will perform at the same spot on April 12.
Tickets are available here.
—The LGBT Chamber of Commerce Illinois hosts a networking happy hour every second Wednesday at 6-8 p.m. at the James Beard Award-nominated bar Nobody’s Darling, in Andersonville.
According to its website, the chamber “is dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ businesses, large and small.” It provides connections to more than 160 supply chains and provides the chance to learn from industry experts through seminars, classes, webinars, mentorships, industry cluster meetings and more events.
And now on to culinary items…
—Sweet relief: I had a ball attending and being a judge at AIDS Foundation Chicago’s World of Chocolate this year. (The event took place on Feb. 27 at the Ravenswood space Artifact Events as I judged alongside people such as “The Breakfast Queen,” Ina Pinkney; local personalities Anna DeShawn and Scott Duff; and fashion designer Richard Dayhoff.)
Four chocolatiers (such as Kilwins and Chocolat Uzma) were involved in the competition, offering turtles, macarons and other treats. In addition, there was a mezcal tasting, a full meal and many other culinary delights—including a station that had sushi with cocoa sauce. There were also an open bar; light bites; entertainment from DJ Onwa and Haus of Paint; and activities like Paint the Skyline and the ever-popular punch board.
I’ll have more info on World of Chocolate next week.
SPOTLIGHT: It was interesting when a friend and I dined at the Lake View spot Che Thai, 3945 N. Broadway.
There was a very steady stream of people ordering takeout and that was for two reasons: the spot only seats 15—and the food is pretty good. It’s also pretty cheap—and there are some intriguing items here. (Okay—so there are more than two reasons.)
Looking at the menu, there are the usual Thai dishes like pad see-eiw, crispy fried tofu and mussaman curry. But fried chicken egg rolls and I-Tim Tod (deep-fried vanilla ice cream, with cream) are different—but sound no less delicious. Interestingly, che thai—a Vietnamese dessert made with Asian jelly, fruits and coconut sauce—is not on the menu.
Che Thai, which started in Chicago in 2022, is the little business that could. Give it a try.
—Vegan and Sarah: Northbrook’s Prairie Grass Cafe (through Chef Sarah Stegner) now has a Takeout Subscription—a monthly vegan meal program designed to eliminate the stress of weeknight eating without compromising on quality or the source-related integrity of ingredients.
For a one-time charge of $250, subscribers receive a package each Monday in March (starting March 2) that includes one vegetarian entree, one hearty winter salad and one vegetarian soup or side. A protein add-on (not vegetarian) is available for $325 total. Each order is prepared cold with reheating instructions as needed, and it’s ready for pickup after 4 p.m. at the restaurant’s Northbrook location. Please note that all takeout orders are subject to an 18% taxable service fee. Call Prairie Grass Cafe at 847-205-4433.
—A woman’s worth: Raise a glass at Upstairs at The Gwen during March to help celebrate Women’s History Month.
Select drinks include The Betsy ($20)—made with conejos mezcal, lillet blanc, lemon, agave, orange bitters and prosecco—which is inspired by Betsy Flanagan, an 18th-century innkeeper who coined “cocktail” by garnishing drinks with rooster feathers; The Audrey ($20), an homage to NYC bartender Audrey Saunders, who created the Old Cuban in the early 2000s; the gin-forward Virginia ($20), inspired by writer Virginia Woolf; and the mocktail The Trailblazer Spritz ($14), which consists of Seedlip Grove, lemon and Owen’s cucumber soda.
- Also marking Women’s History Month, Alma at Hotel Zachary has a special partnership with women-owned favorite Madame ZuZu’s. On Sundays through March 22, Alma will debut a Madame ZuZu’s Afternoon Tea Experience at 1–3 p.m. Throughout the series, guests can browse a curated vinyl pop-up from Madame ZuZu’s record collection alongside the bespoke afternoon tea menu. Priced at $45/person, the experience includes vegan and gluten-free afternoon tea towers paired with Madame ZuZu’s signature blends.
—Goal! 
: On Valentine’s Day, Drip Collective (172 N. Racine Ave.) was transformed into a sports-themed pop-up as the Chicago Fire FC held a kit community launch event.
The team unveiled its 2026 “Forever Red” jerseys before the start of the season, and there were sets from DJ Step and DJ Alexander Great; V-Day themed floral bouquets from Planks + Pistils; pizza from Lou Malnati’s; and specialty coffee drinks.
—Say “¡Olé!” to mole: On March 4 and 11, at 7 p.m., Manchamanteles (2009 N. Western Ave,) will debut a seven-course tasting menu celebrating mole from the “Mole King of Chicago” himself, Chef Geno Bahena.
Each course will be centered around a unique mole variation paired with seasonal ingredients and innovative accompaniments. The dinner is $110/person; reservations can be made here.
—PAWS for the cause: The Goddess and Grocer is hosting its seventh semi-annual Pours 4 PAWS on Thursday, March 5, at 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Bucktown location 1649 N. Damen Ave.) with an all-you-can-eat and drink tasting event benefiting PAWS Chicago.
A $30 ticket includes grazing stations, passed hors d’oeuvres and desserts by The Goddess and Grocer; in-store discounts; and raffle prizes from distributor partners and local businesses.
—In the Spotlight: Spotlight Drag Brunch: An Angelique Munro Production will take place at Juliana Restaurant on Sunday, March 8, 1-4 p.m.
Milani, Regina Upright and Serina Divine are slated to perform at the 18-and-older event. Guests can dine on smothered potatoes and scrambled eggs with their choice of chicken and waffles or French toast. Mimosas will be available at 1-3 p.m.
Until next time…. Also, remember that there’s so much more news (in addition to what’s here) at SAVOR with Andrew.