On Monday, July 17, Korean-American spot Perilla, 401 N. Milwaukee Ave., will host a BBQ Night.
The four-course meal will highlight Texas BBQ from Evan LeRoy, Chinese/Vietnamese offerings from Charles Wong and Korean-American dishes from Andrew Lim. Reservations are on OpenTable. To check out Perilla's regular items, visit perillachicago.com .
According to Eater Chicago, Aura Beach Bar, a new waterfront dining and drinking spot, will bring frozen drinks and upscale seafood in mid-July to Osterman Beach, replacing four-year-old bar LakeBreeze.
It's the first beachside venture from Andersonville restaurateur Lindsey Anderson, owner of Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar.
Also, Anderson told SAVOR that the seasonal spot will be open through October and she hopes Aura will "be open in a few weeks." She added that Aura (meaning "breeze" in Latin) will be open Wednesday-Monday at 12-9 p.m., and closed on Tuesdays. Culinary offerings will include burrata, deviled eggs (with bacon jam and cheddar crisp), tuna nicoise, lobster cake sliders, shrimp po'boys and many other items.
Chuck Lager America's Tavern (a concept from celebrity chef Fabio Viviani with spots in Orland Park and Glenview) has launched a "Summer with Chuck" initiative featuring a revamped menu with more than 20 new items, value-packed lunch offerings and happy-hour specials.
On Monday through Thursday at 4-6 p.m., happy-hour specials now include any burger plus a beer for only $10. Menu highlights include Nashville hot chicken sliders (with sriracha aioli!), grilled shrimp cilantro lime salads, birria quesadillas and more. Visit www.chucklager.com .
For all you gearheads out there, the car club schedule at Superdawg (the one in Wheeling, not Chicago) is out.
The Corvettes & Camaros Afternoon Cruise will take place Saturday, July 15, 3-6 p.m., and the Chicagoland MG Club will meet Sunday, July 23, at 1 p.m. For the remainder of the schedule, check out superdawg.com/car-club-schedule/ .
In Chicago, Edgewater restaurant Pearl's Southern Comfort, 5352 N. Broadway, recently shuttered after more than eight years in business.
According to Eater Chicago, Pearl's introduced the area's first rooftop bar. Danny Beck and business partner Rich Hagerty—who also co-own Southport sports bar Toons Bar & Grill as well as Lincoln Park spot Beck's—said they wanted more time with their families and for themselves.
Clumsy Cow BBQ has opened at 234 S. Wabash Ave.
According to its website, the "menu focuses on 'new-school smoke,' offering inventive creations paired with nostalgic classics." Those "inventive creations" include a smoked mortadella sandwich that comes on beef-fat focaccia with sweet-and-sour pickles and smoked pistachio BBQ.
The spot also offers an array of smoked meats (including kielbasa) and fried chicken—although some may find $12 for two pieces of fried chicken a bit steep. Dessert items include hand pies (cheddar apple and seasonal offerings) as well as spiced churro bites.
USA Today ran an item about the increasing popularity of raw milk in light of the news that dozens of states allow the sale of the unpasteurized item. (I've never tried the stuff.)
According to the piece, "Federal experts say there is no proof that pasteurization makes milk less healthful." In Illinois, farm sales of raw milk are permitted, although dairy-farm and distribution-point permits are required.
However, many warn against drinking unpasteurized milk, saying it could contain dangerous bacteria, such as salmonella and E. coli.
To see where various states stand regarding the sale of raw milk, visit www.realmilk.com/real-milk-legal-map/ .
NOTE: For more restaurant news and interviews, visit future3733.substack.com .
