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National Restaurant Association Show cancelled
Event organizers of the National Restaurant Association Show announced the cancellation of the 2021 National Restaurant Association Show, which was scheduled to take place May 22-25 at Chicago's McCormick Place. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois ...
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Spots revealed for Chicago Restaurant Week 2021
The venues participating in Chicago Restaurant Week (March 19-April 4) have been revealed. This year's participants include a range of restaurants throughout Chicagoland offering specially priced, prix fixe menus for ...
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Chicago Southland Restaurant Week on Feb. 21-27
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau announced the launch of the inaugural Chicago Southland Restaurant Week. Designed to promote Chicago Southland restaurants while encouraging residents and visitors to support ...
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SAVOR Cafe Press--steeped in history
Like most neighborhoods in Chicago, Printers Row has its own illustrious history. In the 1880s, the neighborhood was the center of the Midwest when it came to printing—hence the area's name. And Cafe Press (800 S. ...
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Chicago Restaurant Week returning in 2021
Choose Chicago has announced the return of Chicago Restaurant Week on March 19-April 4, 2021. Chicago Restaurant Week offers local food enthusiasts an opportunity to experience some of the city's most highly sought restaurants. Participating dining ...
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COVID-19 Chicago, suburban restaurants slated to reopen Jan. 23
Customers will be allowed back inside restaurants and many bars in Chicago and suburban Cook County beginning Saturday, Jan. 23, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. The city and Cook County will move from Tier 2 to Tier ...
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Five Worth Finding: Restaurants, OUT100, children's book, face mask
—Perry's Steakhouse & Grille (PerrysSteakhouse.com): This suburban spot (with two restaurants in Oak Brook and Schaumburg) is well-known for its delicious cuts of meat, sumptuous sides and hand-crafted cocktails. It's ...
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SAVOR Untitled Supper Club, dinner and a show
DISH Dining Guide
The night before COVID-19 restrictions recently tightened on restaurants and bars (again), a friend and I checked out Untitled Supper Club (111 W. Kinzie St.; UntitledSupperClub.com)—which offered not just a ...
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SAVOR Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea
With so many coffeehouses in Chicago, some of them have come up with compelling and/or unique ways to keep or lure patrons. Count Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea (multiple locations; Fairgrounds.cafe) as one of those coffeehouses. Sure, ...
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Andersonville Farmers Market extended through November
The Andersonville Farmers Market (AFM) will remain open four additional weeks—at a new day and time. The extension will take place Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the shared street space on Catalpa ...
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SAVOR Fulton Market Kitchen
Over the years, Fulton Market Kitchen (311 N. Sangamon St.; FultonMarketKitchen.com)—which is, naturally, in the Fulton Market District—has intrigued and even dazzled patrons, thanks to the combination of inviting food ...
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SAVOR The Outpost Mexican Eatery; Mercadito
DISH Dining Guide
For the last print issue of Windy City Times, there are two restaurants in the spotlight—and they both happen to be Mexican eateries. The Outpost Mexican Eatery The Outpost Mexican Eatery (520 W. Harrison St.; TheOutpostMexicanEatery.com) ...
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Artist-led "Retreat" to provide platform for creatives in food, music, art
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Rebuild Foundation, the arts, education and cultural development organization founded by artist Theaster Gates, and Dorchester Industries today announced the opening of "RETREAT," an artist-led activation aimed at ...
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Five Worth Finding: Tom of Finland, help for renters, 'Batwoman'
—Rentervention (https://lcbh.org/get-legal-help/rentervention): This webpage begins with a daunting statistic: Each year, more than 20,000 people are evicted from their homes in Chicago. Rentervention—a part of the ...
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Chicago releases outdoor dining guidelines for fall, winter
Keeping the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the City of Chicago released guidelines for safe outdoor dining this fall and winter. All outdoor spaces must have a sidewalk cafe permit, outdoor patio license or an expanded outdoor ...
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SAVOR Froth: A coffee lover's delight
DISH Dining Guide
It might take something special to lure people to Froth (1515 W. Monroe St.; Froth.cafe). Fortunately, Froth has more than one attraction—especially for those who indulge in coffee (which seems ...
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SAVOR: PB&J
DISH Dining Guide
Who didn't love a good peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich while growing up (unless you had a peanut allergy)? Well, the folks at PB&J (205 N. Peoria St.; PBJWestLoop.com) offer this popular item although, of course ...
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FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar
When a concept is reinvented at the same spot, it can be a risky undertaking. The Midwest-focused FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar (221 N. Columbus Dr.; FireLakeChicago.com) is housed in the same spot, in the ...
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SAVOR Travelle To Go
These days, when convenience seems paramount, Travelle at The Langham (330 N. Wabash Ave.; TravelleChicago.com) offers something that it hopes will draw lots of people: Travelle To Go. And this concept should. Located around the corner ...
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SAVOR Pizza Friendly Pizza
DISH Dining Guide
Appetizing, spontaneous and hopeful: Pizza Friendly Pizza (1039 N. Western Ave.; PizzaFriendlyPizza.com) is serving up one-of-a-kind slices from the former home of Bite Cafe. Pizza Friendly Pizza opened five weeks ago, and ...
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Chicago Gourmet announces 2020 lineup
Chicago Gourmet has revealed its 2020 lineup. Organizers at the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA), the event's founding sponsor—along with presenting sponsor Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits—have curated a full schedule ...
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SAVOR: RAISED An Urban Rooftop Bar
DISH Dining Guide
RAISED | An Urban Rooftop Bar (1 W. Wacker Dr.; RaisedBarChicago.com) flaunts breathtaking views of the city with a spectacular food and drink menu. The venue's traditional American cuisine offers ...
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Navy Pier to reclose temporarily
The Chicago landmark Navy Pier will close again after having relatively few visitors because of the coronavirus pandemic, The Chicago Tribune noted. The attraction will shut down again Tuesday, Sept. 8, and stay shut until spring ...
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Restaurant association announces employee relief fund
Executives at the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) announced the establishment of the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF) Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. A statewide emergency assistance ...
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SAVOR The Lunchbox; Woodwind brunch
DISH Dining Guide
With social distancing and masks being part of the "new normal," some people are opting to places with more casual items that have grab-and-go choices. Enter The Lunchbox (200 E. ...
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SAVOR Chef James Sanders gets 'Dirty' with Southern cuisine
DISH Dining Guide
Chef James Sanders—after navigating everything from working for the Chicago Bears to living the quintessential corporate life—is reopening Dirty Birds Southern Kitchen on Friday, Aug. 4, at 8052 S. Racine ...
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SAVOR Surf's Up expands to Old Town
DISH Dining Guide
A new restaurant has opened in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood—and it's being welcomed with open arms. Having opened on Juneteenth (June 19), the casual spot Surf's Up Old Town, 1143 N. Wells Street ...
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SAVOR Paulina Meat Market
DISH Dining Guide
There's no mistaking when you're in the vicinity of Paulina Meat Market (3501 N. Lincoln Ave.; PaulinaMarket.com). The scent of various smoked meats is enough to make most people's mouths water, including this writer's ...
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SAVOR Tzuco
DISH Dining Guide
Beginning July 1, the French-Mexican spot Tzuco (720 N. State St.; tzuco.com) offered indoor seating at 25-percent capacity, per Phase 4 guidelines regarding the coronavirus pandemic. I stopped by to check out things, and this restaurant ...
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Food Center sign registers BLM support
Longtime activist Lori Cannon stands in front of a sign in support of Black Lives Matter that hung at North Side Food Center (Groceryland), 5543 N. Broadway. The sign was painted by local artist David Lee ...
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SAVOR The Clubhouse Oak Brook; Bub City Rosemont
DISH Dining Guide
When the incomparable Nina Simone sang "It's a new dawn/it's a new day" in her immortal song "Feeling Good," it's a safe bet she wasn't referring to a coronavirus pandemic. However, that current development has made ...
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Food truck parodies Nini's; proceeds going to Black/Brown, LGBTQ groups
A food truck parodying the disgraced Nini's Deli is selling empanadas June 19-20, splitting proceeds between a Black/Brown group and an LGBTQ fixture, Block Club Chicago noted. The food truck, called "Nono's Deli," will park at ...
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'Dine Out on Broadway' June 12-14, 19-21
Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce announced "Dine Out on Broadway," one of Chicago's first street closures open for outdoor dining and is part of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's "Make Way for Dining" pilot program. Thirty restaurants and ...
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SAVOR Less is more for out chef Art Smith during pandemic
DISH Dining Guide
When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. Just ask Art Smith. During the coronavirus pandemic—the culinary expert who has cooked for luminaries such as Oprah Winfrey, the Obamas and Nelson Mandela—has employed a healthful plan ...
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Andersonville Farmers Market online ordering starts today for pickup June 10
The Andersonville Farmers Market (AFM) will officially open its 11th season Wed., June 10, for shopper pick-up at 3-7 p.m. on Catalpa Avenue between Clark Street and Ashland Avenue. The market has moved locations from Berwyn ...
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SAVOR Alpana Singh talks restaurants, show in the age of COVID-19
DISH Dining Guide
Since the stay-at-home order was imposed weeks ago, the national restaurant industry has collectively been delivered an economic gut punch. Windy City Times recently talked with Alpana Singh—master sommelier, Evanston restaurant owner ...
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Man working to help LGBTQ seniors
Danny Beers is working to help LGBTQ seniors during the coronavirus pandemic. Five days a week, Beers has been collecting donated food and essential supplies, and working with Andersonville establishments Vincent restaurant and Lady Gregory's to ...
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2Bears Tavern Group prepares community meals
When you're here, you're family ... Twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays, the staff of 2Bears Tavern Group distributes community meals at Meeting House Tavern, 5025 N. Clark St., 2-6 p.m. The effort began immediately after ...
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SAVOR Culinary spots to consider for delivery/pickup (Part II)
DISH Dining Guide
As with practically all businesses at this time, restaurants are fighting to survive—and have had to adapt by, among other things, getting creative with curbside/delivery offerings since dine-in service is currently shuttled. ...
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Illinois Restaurant Assoc. opposes Pritzker plan
The Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) is urging Gov. JB Pritzker to reconsider the timing provisions outlined in the Restore Illinois plan he recently presented. President and CEO Sam Toia said in a statement on behalf of ...
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Restaurants and related businesses: COVID-19/LGBTQ news
—Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., now has concessions to go. The packages include favorites from its concessions stand, including soda, candy, beer, wine and, of course, Music Box Popcorn. (Photos IDs are required of ...
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Restaurants and related businesses: COVID-19 news
—Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the official launch of the City's Emergency Food Coordination Center at Malcolm X College in partnership with The Salvation Army and the Greater Chicago Food Depository ...
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SAVOR Culinary spots to consider for delivery/pickup
DISH Dining Guide
As with practically all businesses at this time, restaurants are fighting to survive—and have had to adapt by, among other things, getting creative with curbside/delivery offerings since dine-in service is currently shuttled. Here are a few ...
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Restaurants and related businesses: COVID-19 and LGBTQ news
—Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined Chicago Cubs owners Tom and Laura Ricketts for a visit to a new Lakeview Pantry satellite site at Wrigley Field. The temporary site will support the Pantry in keeping up with ...
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SAVOR Cuisine professionals talk about the impact of COVID-19
DISH Dining Guide
With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the global food scene, Windy City Times asked local food/cuisine professionals (from chefs to PR people) how their lives have changed and what their feelings are. Here are what a few ...
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Restaurants and related businesses: COVID-19 news
—Volunteer-run nonprofit The Puerto Rican Agenda and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center have teamed with Puerto Rican restaurant Nellie's, 2458 W. Division St., to deliver authentic Puerto Rican lunches to more than 30 households in the ...
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Restaurants and related businesses: COVID-19 news
—Lakeview Pantry has partnered with the Lavin Family Foundation and Cubs Charities to address food insecurity in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. #FeeditForward, created by the Lavin Family Foundation, is an initiative that uses grant ...
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Lakeview Pantry, local groups address COVID-19 restaurant layoffs, hunger
CHICAGO — April 3, 2020 — Lakeview Pantry, Chicago's largest food pantry, has partnered with the Lavin Family Foundation and Cubs Charities to address food insecurity in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. #FeeditForward, created by ...
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Restaurants: COVID-19 responses, tips and developments
With Illinois pretty much under lockdown through at least April 30, restaurants are doing what they can to help others—but it's also about people supporting culinary spots as well: —James Beard Award-winning Prairie Grass Chef Sarah ...
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COVID-19: LGBT Chicagoans weather pandemic's economic storm
Millions of U.S. residents will face uncertain financial futures as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds. Nearly 3.3 million people filed new unemployment claims the week of March 23, while economic activity has ground to a virtual halt ...
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SAVOR Mason House
DISH Dining Guide
[Note: With the COVID-19 outbreak, Illinois restaurants and bars have been ordered closed through at least Tuesday, April 7. However, this restaurant has its menu items for take-out or delivery through that date.] Mason House (613 ...
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SAVOR Labriola; COVID-19 hotline
DISH Dining Guide
[Note: With the COVID-19 outbreak, Illinois restaurants and bars have been ordered closed through Monday, March 30. However, this article is being run to acknowledge the work of the staff involved, and in the hope that ...
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Brave Space Alliance announces online programming, Crisis Pantry in response to COVID-19
CHICAGO — Brave Space Alliance today announced a new slate of online and mutual aid programming in response to the threat of COVID-19, and the accompanying lack of critical supplies for the community. The South Side ...
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Common Threads marking 15th anniversary
UPDATE: Windy City Times was informed March 11 that "Common Threads has decided to reschedule both the Chicago (March 16) and LA (April 2) Chef Takeover events due to concerns related to COVID-19. It was ...
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SAVOR MAD Social; Labriola
DISH Dining Guide
Few Chicago restaurants capitalize on a thoroughfare like MAD Social (1140 W. Madison St.; MADSocialChicago.com), which incorporates Madison Street into everything from menu items to, obviously, its name. The spot—the ...
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BUSINESS Lost Larson: A'ville bakery/cafe has multiple goals
Andersonville spot Lost Larson has some spectacular bakery items (as this writer discovered), but the people behind it has other goals involving two separate demographics: lesbians and the Swedish. The ...
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Operation Taste on March 2
Operation Taste 2020 will take place Monday, March 2, 5:30-9:30 p.m., at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. More than 30 renowned Chicagoland chefs—including Chef Sam Plotneck, of ...
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'Butches Who Cook'on March 15
The Facebook group LezInColor is hosting its first cooking competition, "Butches Who Cook," Sunday, March 15, 1-6 p.m., at the Grand Ballroom, 6351 S. Cottage Grove Ave. According to the press release, "10 (masculine-centered women) of ...
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SAVOR Doc B's; The Dandy Crown
DISH Dining Guide
I first had a taste of the offerings at the River North location of Doc B's Restaurant + Bar (55 E. Grand Ave.; DocBsRestaurant.com) last year during a tour of restaurants at The Shops at North ...
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Valentine's Day (and pre-Valentine's Day) restaurant and bar offerings
Here's just a sample of what Chicago restaurants and bars are offering this Valentine's Day: —The Walk In, 2727 N. Milwaukee Ave., will have a "Spill the Tea Party" Thursday, Feb. 13, 8-11 p.m. The event ...
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Andersonville Restaurant Week to showcase neighborhood dining
CHICAGO (February 4, 2020): Returning for the fourth consecutive year, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is thrilled to host this winter's Andersonville Restaurant Week, running from February 21 — ...
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SAVOR Graze; Jean Banchet Awards
DISH Dining Guide
For those adhering to those health-related resolutions—and even for those who wish to start anew at this point—there's Graze (1632 W. Division St., 2401 N. Halsted St and 648 N. ...
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SAVOR Galit; Chicago Restaurant Week
DISH Dining Guide
Friends of mine, who happen to be a couple, told me they had to wait two months to get into the Lincoln Park restaurant Galit (2429 N. Lincoln Ave.; GalitRestaurant.com). I discovered two reasons for this ...
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SAVOR Best restaurants of 2019
DISH Dining Guide
Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting dozens of spots covering a wide variety of cuisines. Here are some of the best—so indulge in what these spots have to offer: —Roanoke Restaurant and Club (135 ...
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DINING New Year's items, 2020 events
[Note: Dining News will be discontinued after Dec. 31.] —For New Year's Eve, Filipino spot Cebu, 2211 W. North Ave., is urging people to celebrate with a Boodle Fight Feast. It features fried branzino fish with ...
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SAVOR L'Aventino Forno Romano; Grand Trunk Road's brunch
DISH Dining Guide
L'Aventino Forno Romano (355 E. Ohio St.; LAventino.com) is at least the fourth pizzeria in the past few years to be at that address. I remember Robert's Pizza Co. (now Robert's Pizza and Dough Company, and ...
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DINING Blind Dragon, Dandy Crown, holiday items
—FOUND Hotel's Asian-inspired bar/lounge Blind Dragon, 613 N. Wells St., features karaoke suites, vibrant music and exotic cocktails and bites. The new happy hour (Tuesdays through Thursdays 5-8 p.m.) has $5 house wines and $10 ramen ...
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SAVOR Francois Frankie's jazz brunch
DISH Dining Guide
Sometimes, a spot's success can depend on something as simple as location. Francois Frankie (222 W. Randolph St.; FrancoisFrankie.com), even though it's in the Loop, is probably just a shade too many steps away from the ...
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DINING Warhol cocktail, Stone Fox closes, holiday items
—The Robey, 2018 W. North Ave., currently has The Warhol, created in honor of The Art Institute's exhibit on Andy Warhol. Served in a Campbell's tomato soup can, the drink consists of Jack Daniels, Aronia berry ...
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SAVOR Politan Row
DISH Dining Guide
Politan Row (111 N. Aberdeen St.; chicago.PolitanRow.com) is not your average food hall—in terms of offerings or mission. Politan Row (which has affiliated sites in Houston, New Orleans and Miami) is a chef-driven concept with a ...
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WINDY CITY TIMES annual Holiday Gift Guide, Part Two
I'll drink to that Inspired by TV host Giuliana Rancic, Giuliana Prosecco ($14.99; TerlatoWines.com) is smooth, with a fruity scent and deceptively complex taste. It may sound weird to say you settled down with Giuliana after ...
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SAVOR River Roast
At River Roast (315 N. LaSalle St.; RiverRoastChicago.com), the centerpiece menu item is its Beef Tomahawk—an almost three-pound, wet-aged steak attached to a bone that's reminiscent of the Brontosaurus ribs seen on ...
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theWit celebrating Warhol with package
theWit Hotel, 201 N. State St., is celebrating the arrival of "Andy Warhol—From A to B and Back Again," the acclaimed traveling Andy Warhol exhibit that has just made its debut in Chicago—with a hotel package ...
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DINING Pennyville Station, Molly's Cupcakes, pop-ups, Mantuano leaves
—Park Ridge spot Pennyville Station, 112 Main St., is hosting "Brunch with Santa" on Sunday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Normal brunch hours are 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) Ten percent of brunch proceeds will go to benefit ...
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DINING Kinton opening, 'Breakfast with Santa,' Aboyer's brunch
—Kinton Ramen will open its second Chicago location this December in the city's Wicker Park neighborhood at 1426 N. Milwaukee Ave. The 2,100-square-foot Kinton Ramen Wicker Park features 54 main dining room seats and 11 open-kitchen ...
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