Owning it: As I have mentioned, The Ramova Theatre will officially reopen this fall in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood, at 3520 S. Halsted St., as a live music venue, craft brewery, beer garden and grill.
However, news has trickled in about who the co-owners are—and they're Chicago music icons Quincy Jones, Jennifer Hudson and Chance The Rapper. (Yes, Mr. Quincy Delight (!) Jones is from here.)
"I believe the cultural divides in our communities will always be bridged and uplifted by music and the arts," Jones said in a press release, adding, "with Ramova, I see a future where the rich cultural heritage of Chicago shines even brighter alongside the country's most talented artists, which will inspire future generations to come and bring glory to America's Second City."
The theater earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021 after years of grassroots campaigning from community members.
On an "Odyssey": Kinzie Chophouse, 400 N. Wells St., has two bits of news.
First, it's now open Sundays at 5-9:30 p.m. Second, that's the only time you can try the restaurant's new Odyssey Tasting Menu.
Items that are available include oyster (with oregano-infused mignonette and lemon granita), beef carpaccio, the Shellfish Trilogy (poached crab claw and shrimp, w with pan-seared scallop), lobster-tail risotto, wet-aged center-cut filet, dry-aged New York, lamb chop, a digestivo (cheese plate with infused honey, paired with the "Call Me Rosa" cocktail) and fondant tsoureki (with vanilla-bean gelato). Whew!
Visit www.kinziechophouse.com/ for more info .
Back on the Farm: Farmheads Hospitality, home to Farm Bar Lakeview, announced the opening of Farm Bar Ravenswood.
Located in the former Fountain Head restaurant space at 1970 W. Montrose Ave., Farm Bar Ravenswood brings approachable Midwestern fare straight from the farm, with an extensive menu of fresh salads and handhelds, craft cocktails and wine list. Expect to see Wisconsin cheese curds at this location as well. See www.farm-bar.com .
Holidays at the Fairmont: Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park is bringing back Fairmont Lodge for its third consecutive year, running from Nov. 20 through February 2024.
There will be a new cocktail menu titled "Do You Cheers What I Cheer?" Available for $18 each, visitors can enjoy the "Espresso Mintini," a blend of Selvarey White Rum, espresso and peppermint bark liqueur; or the warming "Fireside Old Fashioned," with Maker's Mark Bourbon, spice-infused syrup and bitters. There will also be the Cranberry Collins, eggnog and hot buttered rum ($21). With each cocktail, guests contribute to a charitable cause, as a portion of the sales is donated to the Fairmont Lodge's charity partner, Make-A-Wish Illinois.
Fairmont Lodge will be open daily from 5 p.m. to midnight through Dec. 31.
Playing along: On Wed., Nov. 22, Central Park Bar, 2924 N. Central Park Ave., is offering a novel option for Chicagoans staying in town for Thanksgiving.
On Black Wednesday, the spot is hosting Bring-Your-Own Board Game Night starting at 4 p.m. Guests can either bring their own or choose from a variety of games the bar has, like Connect 4, Guess Who, Uno and more. (I have dibs on Trivial Pursuit.) Meanwhile, people can indulge in drinks like the Bad Apple, with Claque-Pepin Calvados, 360 Red Delicious Vodka, Evan Williams Bourbon, lemon, agave nectar; and a Frozen Spicy Blood Orange Margarita, with ghost habanero tequila, triple sec, blood orange and lime. See www.centralparkbarchicago.com .
Sandwich art: Marisol at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave., is serving a tempura acorn squash bocadillo (a Spanish-style sandwich) with avocado, honey and sobrasada goat cheese through January 2024.
The dish, part of Marisol's Chef Collaborative Series, was created by Chef James Martin of Bocadillo Market, in Lincoln Park. The sandwich will be served during Marisol's lunch hours (11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays). BTW, museum admission is not required to eat at Marisol.
For more about Marisol, visit this link: marisolchicago.squarespace.com/ .
How sweet it is: The Forever Yogurt spot at 5309 N. Clark St. is one of my favorite places to stop—not just because of the many frozen-yogurt flavors (and toppings) and smoothies, but because of the incredibly friendly staff, led by owner Noah Rizek.
Anywho, this Forever Yogurt has something new: Krispy Kreme doughnuts! People can stop by and get the donuts (which are sold at very few spots in Chicago), or use DoorDash.
And, by the way, have a happy Thanksgiving!
NOTE: A lot more restaurant news is at SAVOR with Andrew, at future3733.substack.com .
