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SAVOR Hamburger Mary's, Tom of Finland Vodka and more
—The Hamburger Mary's restaurant in Orlando—famous for its burgers and drag shows—is suing the state of Florida and DeSantis in federal court, claiming an anti-drag bill is a violation of ...
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Chef Art Smith talks upcoming dinner and activism
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, including more than 230,000 Illinoisans. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends serve as dementia caregivers, with more than 383,000 caregivers in Illinois. Unti ...
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SAVOR Cafe Robey: Laid-back vibes and enticing cuisine
The junction of North, Milwaukee and Damen avenues in Wicker Park is probably one of the best-known intersections in Chicago. (Some refer to this intersection as "Six Corners" but others say this is incorrect, as that ...
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SAVOR 'Round Table II' brings chefs, nonprofits together to discuss collective vision
On May 15, the Avondale restaurant eden, 2734 W. Roscoe St., was the site of a rather extraordinary gathering of Chicagoland chefs, nonprofit CEOs and other business leaders in a moving discussion that centered on building ...
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SAVOR Say 'oui' to Francois Frankie
The last time I went to the French-American spot Francois Frankie was before the pandemic (2019, to be precise) and its brunch was one of the most impressive I had the pleasure of experiencing that year. ...
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SAVOR Mother's Day restaurant recommendations in Chicago
Mother's Day might be right around the corner (on Sunday, May 14) but there's still time to make reservations at some of the coolest spots in Chicago. Here are a few spots/ideas to consider for Mom's ...
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SAVOR Omi Hopper takes it to the 'Next Level' on reality-competition show
Omi Hopper knows all about changing one's life. During the COVID pandemic, she decided (out of necessity) to create a social-media presence involving her cooking Puerto Rican dishes. Since then, Hopper (best known as @CookingConOmi) ha ...
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SAVOR Chef aims to help youths in oppressed communities; Hotel Zachary space opens
The Evolved Network aims to help youths in systemically oppressed communities through gardening, culinary training and employment opportunities, among other ways. The organization is the brainchild of Sebastian White, a ...
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Lesbian-owned Taylor's Tacos opens shop on Chicago's Near West Side
In the world of brick-and-mortar businesses, Taylor's Tacos (1512 W. Taylor St.; https://www.taylorstacoschicago.com) is finally making its mark, as the place selling authentic street-style tacos with soulful twists is firmly ...
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SAVOR Levain Bakery; Barbie pop-up
Chicago, of course, has scores of bakeries—but there's certainly room for Levain Bakery (840 W. Randolph St.; https://levainbakery.com), which has a tasty brand-new offering. Levain also has spots in D.C. ...
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SAVOR The Albert stuns with Calabrian-inspired cuisine; Dolci Amori
The Hotel EMC2, in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, certainly stands out in a city that's started with places to stay. Elements of arts and science are present throughout the hotel, from the room to the lobby to ...
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SAVOR Mexican spot Tzuco maintains high standards
Chef Carlos Gaytan has never failed to impress. He initially opened Mexique—with French-inspired Mexican offerings in Chicago's West Town—in 2008, running that spot for a decade. Along the way, he became the first Mexican chef to ...
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SAVOR Peruvian spot Tanta; fundraiser for The Evolved Network
One of the best things about Chicago cuisine is that you can travel the world without ever leaving the Windy City. The River North spot Tanta (118 W. Grand Ave.; https://www.tantachicago.com/) embodies one such example. Tanta ...
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Let's Talk presents "Let's Talk & Celebrate" foodie bash March 2
--From a press release
(CHICAGO) — Kick off Women's History Month with a "Let's Talk & Celebrate" Gold Glamour Gourmet bash by 35+ Chicagoland Let's Talk Womxn LetsTalkWomxn.com restaurateurs on Thursday, March 2, at Moe's Cantina in River North fr ...
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SAVOR Le Petit Chef: A singular, (literally) animated experience
There are experiences and then there are EXPERIENCES. If you're familiar with those recent Immersive Van Gogh and Kahlo events, imagine that transferred to a table setting and you have an idea of what's involved with ...
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SAVOR Bacon Lover's Brunch at Frontier; Chicago Restaurant Week
"Bacon's the best. Even the frying of bacon sounds like applause."—Jim Gaffigan Judging from that quote, revered comic Jim Gaffigan would certainly have had a lot of fun at the Bacon Lover's Brunch at Frontier (1072 ...
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SAVOR Uproar; Feb. 2 benefit dinner
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an uproar can be "a loud and impassioned noise or disturbance" or "a public expression of protest and outrage." Scott Horwitch—the owner of Old Town spot Uproar (1252 N. Wells ...
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SAVOR The Hen of Lincoln Park
There are several reasons that The Hen of Lincoln Park (2423 N. Clark St.; https://thehenoflp.com/) is a popular brunch spot. Nested in the heart of—surprise!—Lincoln Park, this casual spot is in a location that draws a ...
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SAVOR Celebrity Chef Ball; 'Chefsgiving'; Ralph's Coffee
More than 50 top Chicago chefs—including many Michelin, James Beard, and Bib Gourmand awardees—worked together to create a truly unique experience for supporters of Meals on Wheels Chicago (MoWC). Because of their hard work and the ...
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SAVOR Tabu
The West Loop has no shortage of tantalizing brunches to try each weekend. Add Tabu's (401 N. Morgan St.; https://tabuchicago.com/) to the mix. This pan-Latin spot ...
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SAVOR Matcha Cita
Just steps from the Morgan stop on the Pink and Green lines is a heavenly place. And if you don't believe this writer about Matcha Cita (1017 W. Lake St., with an additional spot at Studio ...
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Five Worth Finding: COVID book, 'Wicked' cocktails, 'A Taste of Hope' and more
—COVID-19, the LGBTQIA+ Community and Public Policy: As studies emerge to help us understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on every facet of modern life, it is critical that the effect of the pandemic on ...
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SAVOR Plant-based spot Planta Queen
I will admit it: I was skeptical about dining at the River North spot Planta Queen (413 N. Clark St.; https://www.plantarestaurants.com/location/planta-chicago/). Although I do love my meat, I have occasionally ...
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SAVOR Hundreds attend Chicago Gourmet
Hundreds of people attended this year's Chicago Gourmet, one of the nation's most distinguished culinary festivals. Founding partner Illinois Restaurant Association, along with presenting sponsor Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits ...
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SAVOR Latin Restaurant Weeks running Sept. 16-30
Latin Restaurant Weeks (LRW) will take place Sept. 16-30 in various cities, including Chicago. Illinois has the nation's fifth-largest Hispanic population; Chicago has more than 29% of people who identify as Hispanic. LRW partners with Hispani ...
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SAVOR Fogo de Chao; chef fundraisers
Brazilian steakhouses utilize that all-too-familiar U.S. restaurant theme: Eat until you can't consume any more. Fogo de Chao—roughly meaning "ground fire," a reference to the gaucho method of roasting meats over an open fire—is one of ...
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SAVOR Indian gastropub Bar Goa
The Indian state of Goa is known for many things, including tourism. Water-sport enthusiasts and partygoers often visit the area, partaking in activities such as jet-skiing, surfing, marveling at the wonders in the National Institute of ...
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Chicago Fire FC, Dawn to host Aug. 31 volunteer community event at Greater Chicago Food Depository
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (August 25, 2022) — Chicago Fire FC will host a volunteer event, alongside dish-liquid company Dawn® at the Greater Chicago Food Depository Club on Wed., Aug. 31, at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, 4100 W. ...
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SAVOR Whiskey distillery Judson & Moore
Along the north side of the Chicago River—in the event space known as Rockwell on the River—sits Judson & Moore (3057 N. Rockwell St.; https://judsonandmoore.com/)—a whiskey distillery full of welcoming ...
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STAYCATION REVIEW Sofitel Chicago
Bonjour! If you're like me, you've walked past the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile (20 E. Chestnut St.; https://www.sofitel-chicago.com/) a million times. You've probably also admired the hotel's unique architecture almost ...
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Taste of Greektown festival returns to Chicago Aug. 26-28
-- From a press release
CHICAGO—Greektown Chicago's Taste of Greektown festival returns for its 32nd year this summer with the city's largest celebration of Hellenic cuisine and culture on Friday-Sunday, Aug. 26-28 along Halsted Street from Adams to Van Buren. The ...
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UpRising Bakery allowed to hold drag brunch, other events
UpRising Bakery—a Lake in the Hills business extensively vandalized after scheduling a brunch event featuring drag performers—will be able to host the rescheduled event and other programs after reaching an agreement with Lake in the Hills ...
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'Dining Out for Life' taking place Aug. 11
The annual event known as Dining Out for Life will take place Thursday, Aug. 11. People can join the Chicago restaurant community in ensuring essential services are available to people living with HIV during the daylong ...
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SAVOR Museum of Ice Cream; Epic challenge; Cafe Sophie closed
After 2 million visitors across seven sold-out locations, the Museum of Ice Cream (MOIC) has found its latest sweet spot in the historic Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave. MOIC can be distinguished by its pink ...
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SAVOR Travelle at the Langham maintains high standards
For years, The Langham has been considered one of the top hotels not only in Chicago, but throughout the world, with the luxury stop having stops from Hong Kong to Boston to Sydney. And for years, ...
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Chicago Gourmet reveals 2022 lineup
Chicago Gourmet, one of the nation's most distinguished food festivals, has revealed a lineup of acclaimed chef participants for the 2022 weekend culinary celebration. Founding sponsor Illinois Restaurant Association, together ...
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SAVOR Bird's Eye Bar & Grill; Sweet Mandy B's marks 20 years
Feast while dining among the beasts. Located in the heart of the Lincoln Park Zoo, Bird's Eye Bar & Grill (https://www.lpzoo.org/venue/birds-eye-bar-grill/; right above the venue's gift shop) provides a respite from walking around and seei ...
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Suburban bakery cancels drag event after controversy, vandalism [UPDATE]
After protests, controversy and repeated vandalism, a suburban bakery's planned all-ages drag show/brunch has been canceled, ABC 7 Chicago reported. ...
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SAVOR Kala Modern Greek
Kala Modern Greek (2523 N. Clark St.; https://www.kalachicago.com/) is a charming spot in the heart of Lincoln Park that attracts a mix of residents and workers. ...
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SAVOR Spanish spot Jaleo by Jose Andres
One of the best compliments I feel a restaurant can receive is if it can make items you previously felt indifferent about or even hated seem almost addictive. That was the case with ...
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SAVOR The return of NoMI
Michigan Avenue denizens and shoppers, rejoice! NoMI (800 N. Michigan Ave.; https://www.nomichicago.com/)—the upscale dining destination located at the Park Hyatt Chicago—has reopened after a hiatus of five months. The reopening ...
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Food website: Chicago bakery among top LGBTQ-owned spots in the U.S.
The food website Taste of Home has listed what it feels are the top LGBTQ-owned restaurants in the country—and a Chicago bakery is among the spots. Jennivee's Bakery, 3301 N. Sheffield Ave., "is a queer-owned and ...
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SAVOR VietFive owner Tuan Huynh talks cafe, equity, hot-dog empanadas
Located in an area of Chicago West Loop that includes various restaurants and several fitness venues, VietFive (1116 W. Madison St.; https://www.vietfive.com/) certainly stands out—for all the right reasons. According ...
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James Beard Awards: One Chicago chef wins, Nobody's Darling falls short
On June 13, the James Beard Foundation announced its 2022 Restaurant and Chef Award winners during the live James Beard Awards Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony presented by Capital One at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. ...
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City of Chicago announces complete 2022 Taste of Chicago schedule
-- From a press release
CHICAGO—Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are pleased to announce the food vendor and entertainment lineup for the 2022 Taste of Chicago, presented by John Deere. Established in ...
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SAVOR Nautical-themed spots Lake House and The Hampton Social; restaurant news
Remember when you had that spacious second lakefront home that you could visit during the summer—dining on seafood and kicking back on those lazy afternoons? Yeah … me neither. However, the Fairmont Chicago has brought the ...
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SAVOR Coco Pazzo: Lunch at a longtime Italian favorite
The River North spot Coco Pazzo, 300 W. Hubbard St., is one of those spots I've always wanted to visit. I had heard some people rave about the restaurant but, for some reason, I never got around to visiting this Tuscan ...
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Queer college salutatorian plans to help community through food
Back in March, Jose Cueva got an unexpected phone call from the president of Kennedy-King College: Cueva's perfect 4.0 GPA meant he would be graduating as salutatorian. "I was in shock; I wasn't expecting that," Cueva ...
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SAVOR Cafe Sophie: Chef Grant talks about his European getaway in the Gold Coast
Chef Danny Grant wants to take Chicagoans (and visitors) to Europe—via his latest spot, Cafe Sophie, which opened April 14. Named after Grant's aunt, Cafe Sophie (a 2,500-square-foot space at 847 N. State St., in the ...
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The Andersonville Wine Walk returns for its 16th year on May 15
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (April 21, 2022) — The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC), in partnership with In Fine Spirits, is pleased to welcome back its annual Andersonville Wine Walk, an afternoon of ...
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Andersonville Farmers Market returns May 11 - Oct. 19
-- From a press release
CHICAGO (April 14, 2022) — The Andersonville Farmers Market (AFM) is pleased to return for its 13th season featuring 30 vendors on Wednesdays from 3 — 7 pm from May 11 — October 19, 2022 on ...
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Out LondonHouse Executive Chef Liz Sweeney talks industry, personal journey
During a recent conversation with Windy City Times, LondonHouse Executive Chef Liz Sweeney revealed several aspects of herself—all coming together to show a complex and open individual. For example, she was quick to flash a smile ...
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SAVOR Michelin-starred restaurants; 'Study of Spring'
Four Chicago restaurants were named first-time recipients of Michelin stars, according to The Chicago Tribune. Those spots are the French-inflected Claudia (with items like squid-ink madeleines), artsy restaurant Esme, the ...
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SAVOR The Lunchroom at SPACE 519: A chic cafe in Streeterville
It turns out that some of the city's best dining spots are inside stores—seriously. There are long-established places like The Walnut Room at Macy's, but there are many others, such as Eataly and Restoration Hardware's Eat: ...
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SAVOR The Kitchen American Bistro: Brunch by the river
Brunch in Chicago has almost become an institution unto itself. Now that things are slowly returning to "normal," people are emerging from their homes—and some are just starting to realize the potentially overwhelming number of brunch ...
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SAVOR Adorn: One of the best restaurants you'll hit this year
In 2021, visiting Adorn Bar & Restaurant (in the Four Seasons, at 120 E. Delaware Pl.) were among the high points in what was a year of turbulence, to say the least. A recent visit, however, ...
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Nobody's Darling named James Beard Award finalist
A month after being named a Chicago-area semifinalist for the 2022 James Beard Foundation Awards, the Black- and queer-owned spot Nobody's Darling has been named a finalist for Outstanding Bar Program. Nobody's Darling will compete against ...
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Chicago Restaurant Week set for March 25-April 10
This year, Chicago Restaurant Week will span 17 days. The 15th annual event will run March 25-April 10, bringing together hundreds of the area's top restaurants that represent a multitude of cuisines. During Chicago Restaurant Week, ...
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SAVOR Hannah's Bretzel
It's time to get Bavarian! Hannah's Bretzel, as you may guess, specializes in pretzel (or, rather, bretzel—the German word for pretzel). (Added benefits are that the bread is organic, whole-grain and free of chemical additives. ...
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Queer-owned spots Nobody's Darling and Big Jones among James Beard nominees
The queer-owned Andersonville spots Nobody's Darling and Big Jones are among the Chicago-area semifinalists for the 2022 James Beard Foundation Awards. Nobody's Darling is a semifinalist for Outstanding Bar Program. Big Jones' Paul Fehribach i ...
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SAVOR Aurelio's Pizza
Aurelio's Pizza has a lot of history behind it. Working with the motto "Tell 'em Joe Sent Me" (referring to founder Joe Aurelio), Aurelio's launched in 1959 in Homewood, Illinois. This small storefront had just enough ...
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FireLake Drag Champagne Brunch on Feb. 27
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel spot FireLake, 221 N. Columbus Dr., will host the Drag Champagne Brunch on Sunday, Feb. 27, now at 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Attendees can sip on mimosas and dine on brunch delicacies while dancing along to ...
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Milwaukee 'butter burger' restaurant among James Beard Foundation honorees
The James Beard Foundation announced the six recipients of its 2022 America's Classics Award. A Restaurant and Chef Awards category, the America's Classics Award is given to locally owned restaurants that have timeless appeal and are ...
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Artifact Events hosting Feb. 26 Golden Girls-themed drag brunch
In remembrance of the late and great Betty White, Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave., will host a Golden Girls-themed Drag Brunch on Saturday, Feb. 26. Attendees can enjoy bottomless mimosas, musical drag performances, sketches, photo ...
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SAVOR Rewired's Pajama Brunch
Last year, I visited the Edgewater spot Rewired Pizza Cafe & Bar, 1100 W. Thorndale Ave. for brunch—and was taken by the laid-back vibe of this spot as well as the wide selections of cool food ...
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Andersonville Restaurant Week taking place Feb. 18-27
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) will host its sixth annual Restaurant Week, a salute to Andersonville's dining scene, on Feb. 18-27. The event returns for dine-in service this year with more than 15 restaurants and ...
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SAVOR Alpana Singh to open fourth restaurant, Alpana
Sommelier/restauranteur Alpana Singh who many also know from her time hosting the WTTW show Check, Please! announced that she will open her fourth restaurant venture, Alpana, in early spring. Located on the corner of State and Pearson street ...
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Chicago Black Restaurant Week running through Feb. 20
Chicago Black Restaurant Week has returned for 2022—and will again be two weeks long, starting today (Feb. 6) and running through Feb. 20. Approximately 200 restaurants have participated during the event's seven years. A few of ...
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James Beard dinner rescheduled for March 15
Chef Cedric Harden—of the River North restaurant River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle St.—will participate in the James Beard Foundation's 2021-2022 Taste America culinary series in collaboration with featured guest Chef ...
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SAVOR Jake Melnick's Corner Tap
Winter in Chicago (and other relatively northern spots) is known for many things—including comfort foods. Well, the River North spot Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, 41 E. Superior St., has it in spades—and it's all delicious. How ...
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SAVOR Uvae
The Andersonville spot Uvae (5553 N. Clark St., and which has the full name Uvae Wine Bar & Fromagerie), unsurprisingly, gets its name from the Latin word for "grapes." And guests might even expect many wine-related ...
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SAVOR Take in the sights (and drinks) at new spot Dusk
Looking for a place to relax after work? Then look no farther than the sleek bar/art space Dusk, at 1518 N. Throop St. a stone's throw from the seasonal Jack Frost pop-up and near the Clybourn Corridor. ...
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SAVOR Boxcar Betty's
Boxcar Betty's (which has two locations—at Ogilvie Transportation Center, 500 W. Madison St.; and in Bucktown, at 1856 W. North Ave.) is among many Chicago restaurants to bring a taste of the South to the city. ...
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Downstate Donuts starts Kickstarter campaign for Andersonville shop
Chicago's award-winning Downstate Donuts, known for its signature line of authentic potato donuts, has launched a Kickstarter campaign to open its first retail shop in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Since founder ...
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SAVOR Sweetwater Tavern & Grille
The popular Loop spot Sweetwater Tavern & Grille which specializes in contemporary U.S. cuisine, and which is part of the Bottleneck Management stable of restaurants has a lot going for it. First, there are the views of the ...
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