Chicago is a great place to be year-round, but there’s something about a Chi-town summer. Maybe it’s the welcome respite from those frigid winter months. It also doesn’t hurt that there’s plenty to see and do now that the sky is clear and the sun is out. Want to spend the day at The Art Institute of Chicago? Or perhaps try some deep dish pizza at Pequod’s? If you plan to be in town this weekend, you may even venture out to Grant Park for Lollapalooza, where some of our favorite artists, like Megan Thee Stallion and SZA, will be…

Week One of the Olympics are underway, and for a taste of what the locals in Paris are experiencing, NBC Chicago’s Food Guy Steve Dolinsky says look to Old Town’s La Fournette Bakery. That’s where a 12 year-old French bakery has been faithfully making two of the most important French baked goods since they opened. You can’t experience French cuisine without trying a baguette or a croissant. And there’s one Strasbourg native in Chicago, who’s made it his mission to expose Chicagoans to the essence of his childhood. There isn’t a day that goes by where Pierre Zimmermann isn’t tasting…

The Graceful Ordinary’s Chef Chris Curren is hosting the first Big City Burger Collab— from the mind of Chef Rob Levitt comes a new bite for The Graceful Ordinary’s late night bar menu: the PQM burger. Nestled in a soft, homemade potato bun, Rob’s burger features a juicy 8-ounce burger patty topped with aged white cheddar, sweet griddled Spanish onions, bread and butter pickles and PQM’s special burger sauce. Order this behemoth bite at the bar, Thursday through Saturday from 9 pm to close, August 23rd through August 31st. Reservations can be made via Resy.  This article was originally published by a www.chicagofoodmagazine.com…

Carnivale has announced the launch of Komal at Carnivale, an interactive multi-course dining experience curated, prepared and served by Chef from an exclusive open-concept Chef’s kitchen at in Carnivale’s main dining room. With communal seating for a total of 6 guests per experience, Komal at Carnivale offers a collection of seasonal plates. Chef will guide diners through the creation of each course, sharing behind the scenes insights, culinary technique and cultural inspirations along the way. Beverage pairings will be available with each course a la carte. Reservations for the interactive new experience are available via Tock for Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 7 pm weekly.  Drawing…

Last week, the City of Chicago announced the musical headliners for the 44th annual Taste of Chicago, which will be held from Friday, September 6 through Sunday, September 8 at Grant Park. CeeLo Green (September 6), Yahritza y Su Esencia (September 7), and Atlas Genius (September 8) will draw their fandoms for the free festival that has been displaced from its customary late June and early July run time due to the city’s deal with NASCAR. There aren’t any major changes to the format this year. Admission to the three-day festival is free, and attendees can shop from 40 vendors…

Lakeview This take on the classic reuben is for all the plant-based menu lovers out there, who are looking to enjoy all the classics this sandwich month without the meat-filled guilt. Farm Bar Lakeview is using beets as the substitute for corned beef to create the same texture and topped with sauerkraut, swiss cheese, Farm Bar secret sauce sandwiched between marble rye bread. Lincoln ParkThe Cuban – pork carnitas, ham, swiss cheese, mustard aioli, pickle, baguette. Courtesy of Farm Bar The Loop At Staytion Market & Bar, nestled into Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, local fare meets fresh seasonal flavor. Popular on the…

Streetwear brand The Hundreds and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, have joined forces to create a limited-edition ice cream flavor, Bastani Sonnati, inspired by the traditional Persian delight. In collaboration with The Hundreds co-founder, Ben Hundreds, the flavor celebrates his childhood memories, blending the heritage of Persian cuisine with the innovative spirits of both brands. The collaboration flavor officially launches on August 8, 2024.  “This isn’t just an ice cream flavor; it’s a tribute to the Sundays spent around the dinner table with my family,” shares Ben Hundreds. “It’s a taste that invites our guests to feel at home, capturing those warm, familiar…

Home Run Inn joins Chicago Public Schools to host one of its annual Back-to-School Bashes for students and families to connect with their school communities and prepare for the new school year. Home Run Inn restaurants will distribute 3,000 free large slices of pizza. The Back-to-School Bach will be held at Marquette Park (6700 South Kedzie Avenue) on Tuesday, July 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. These annual community networking events feature music, food, games, activities and the opportunity for CPS students and families to meet with their schools, receive school supplies, and take advantage of access to free COVID-19 vaccines and health-related information. CPS staff and volunteers…

Chef Danny Grant reintroduces Eight Bar, the upscale casual bar and restaurant located on the ground floor of Maple & Ash. Eight Bar features a refreshed look, new menu items, late night offerings and happy hour specials — officially debuting on Thursday, August 8th. Serving Maple Hospitality Group’s hospitality in a more casual setting, the restaurant features a well-rounded menu of raw and chilled seafood and sushi, along with steakhouse favorites, plus cocktails by the restaurant’s bar team and wine selections from the wine team. “Maple & Ash has earned the reputation of being the city’s go-to for celebratory moments, where you dress up and enjoy an unforgettable meal. Eight Bar is…

Chicago Food Truck Festival, held on July 20-21 in the South Loop, showcased a variety of food trucks and vendors, attracting locals and visitors alike (Photo Credit: Facebook). By Ethan Davis Season 11 of the Chicago Food Truck Festival occurred on July 20 and 21 in the South Loop, right outside McCormick Place. The name for this season was the ‘Summer of Daisy.’ The festival featured food trucks and food tent vendors from all over the city. Chicago classics like Harold’s and Uncle Remus were present. Lines stretched from the middle of the street to the sidewalk for other favorites…