—Feeling hot, hot, hot: The addictive show Hot Ones is coming to Chicago, Time Out Chicago noted.
First We Feast is teaming with Stella Artois to bring the show/YouTube sensation—which has featured guests such as Tyra Banks, Sydney Sweeney, Pedro Pascal, Keke Palmer, Jon Bernthal, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlize Theron, Halle Berry and many others—to town for its first-ever live event later this year. (Host Sean Evans is from Chicagoland, so it makes sense.) No lineup has been revealed yet for the live event, but Hot Ones is promising plenty of "celebrity guest appearances," plus an unnamed Stella Artois Global brand ambassador.
People who want to sign up for the event can do so at www.stellaartois.com/HotOnesLive .
—Opening: Just west of the Magnificent Mile at 101 E. Erie St. will be the home to Roanoke Hospitality's latest concept, 101 Club, opening in three phases.
The project, developed by Mike Reschke of The Prime Group and Bryan Gerrish of Roanoke Hospitality, will offer a collective of three venues. They will be the refined 101 Patio Bar and Grill (opening April 22) at ground level; the casual American restaurant/jazz bar 101 Room (opening April 30) that's 20 stories above; and the 101 Rooftop (opening May 15) with sweeping skyline views, located atop the new Marriott Residence Inn.
—Closing: The Lincoln Park spot Casati's Modern Italian, 444 W. Fullerton Pkwy., will close next month.
On the restaurant's website, it states, "Thank you Lincoln Park for allowing us to be a part of your community for the past 5 years! … Unfortunately, due to the fact we were unable to find a reasonable agreement with our landlord, Casati's Modern Italian will be serving its last dinner service on Sunday, May 19th 2024."
—Ready to roll: CheSa's Gluten Free Food Truck (CheSa's Gluten Free)—the only 100% gluten-free food truck in the Chicago area—will rev up on May 1.
For chef/owner Chesaree Rollins, known as Chesa, May is also very special because the month is National Celiac Awareness Month. Learning to eat well with celiac disease, an extreme sensitivity to gluten, is at the heart of her mission. The truck's menu will reflect that of the restaurant's, specializing in Cajun and Southern cuisine.
Visit chesasbistro.com, call the restaurant at 773-754-8523 or follow the truck on Instagram (@chesas.gluten.free) to find out more.
—Sweet recommendation: I forgot how much I like the cookies at Crumbl until I revisited the Old Town location at 1441 N. Wells St.
I like that this franchise's cookies actually last two servings each—although a hungry person could probably take the whole thing in only one sitting. Also, the items are not cloyingly sweet.
There are several locations throughout Chicago (and there's one in Niles)—check it out.
—Pop life: Don't forget my column "Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture." Among other things and people, my latest entry discusses Caitlin Clark, The Golden Bachelor, TV reboots and Tiger Woods, among other things. Subscribe to andrew449.Substack.com (for only a shade over $4/month!) to get all my thoughts.
Drop me a line (hot news, tips, etc.) at future3733@yahoo.com .
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