"Bear" necessities: The third season of the Chicago-set series The Bear will debut in June, per Variety.
FX chairman John Landgraf made the announcement during the network's presentation at the Television Critics Association's winter 2024 press tour. However, he provided few details about possible guest stars.
Opening: Executive Chef Steve Chiappetti has opened Archive Lounge, a new Sicilian pizza-and-wine destination in the heart of Streeterville on the second level of Hotel EMC2, 228 E. Ontario St.
The lounge opened, coincidentally, on National Pizza Day, Feb. 9. Varieties of pizzas ($18-$22 each) include potato, soppressata, Sicilian Crunch (balsamic glazed mushrooms, roasted garlic and herb crumbs), Verdure (with sweet peppers, mushrooms, onions, crushed San Marzano tomatoes and provolone cheese), smoked duck and four-cheese.
There are also apps like Sicilian fried olives with orange, rosemary and chili oil ($10); hot shrimp with Calabrian chili and herb focaccia crumbs ($12); and arugula Salad tossed with asiago cheese, red onion and torn focaccia ($12). And dessert choices include the cookie cart as well as the 2nd Level—a five-layer chocolate cake with whipped cream ($15)—and other items.
See ArchiveLounge.com .
Holiday: The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, 1401 S. Michigan Ave., is celebrating Mardi Gras on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 5-10 p.m., with an evening of Louisiana-style eats and beats.
Along with a new feature this year—a New Orleans pianist performing in The Blue Room—the Cajun-inspired menu will feature classic favorites including crawfish mac & cheese, Cajun fried chicken and tasso jambalaya, shrimp po' boy, red beans and rice, and the new spicy crawfish boil and Cafe Du Monde beignet bar.
The full menu is at www.chicagofirehouse.com/ .
Honoring heritage: Chicago Black Restaurant Week is Feb. 11-25—and the Logan Square spot The Duplex, 3137 W. Logan Blvd., is preparing a special menu for the event.
The Duplex—a Black-owned, diversity-driven concept that features rotating menus from local micro-concepts—will offer a three-course dining experience showcasing some of the best of the spot's signature dishes. Each guest will be able to dine on chestnut gnocchi or shawarma broccolini; pork roast or butternut squash; and olive-oil cake or chocolate cake.
See theduplexchicago.com/ .
In addition, CheSa's Bistro & Bar, at 3235 W. Addison St., will serve special brunch and dinner menus during the celebration. Regular menus also will be available. Both menus offer a totally gluten-free Creole/Cajun adventure.
Brunch options include bone-in pork chops, cheddar biscuits, catfish skillet, fried chicken with fried beignet waffles, and avocado garlic-bread toast, among other items. Garlic alligator dip (!), deviled eggs, fried chicken etouffee, red snapper, and truffle risotto with mushrooms are among the prix fixe dinner choices. BTW, dinner is $59.24 per person.
CheSa's also offers catering in-house or for delivery and private dining in the restaurant. For more information, visit chesasbistro.com or call 773-754-8523.
To find out which restaurants are participating in Chicago Black Restaurant Week (from The L Station to Frontier), visit chiblackrestaurantweek.com .
Drag doll: Chicago drag personality Angelique Munro will host "Drag Queen Bingo" on Saturday, Feb. 17, 7-10 p.m., at Hegewisch Nutrition, 13320 S. Baltimore Ave.
Proceeds will benefit The Hegewisch Times, a not-for-profit corporation.
More details are available on Facebook; call Nancy at 773-612-2223 to check beforehand, as there's limited seating.
Office fun: The Office, 955 W. Fulton Market, is hosting a class on making classic cocktails.
The seminar will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 28. You'll learn which tools, techniques, and ingredients are critical to building delicious, memorable cocktails. A welcome drink and light bites will be served in addition to the cocktails made during the class. Copies of The Office: Classic Cocktails book will be distributed at the end of the night.
The cost is $175 per ticket. RSVP at Tock.
More culinary news is at SAVOR with Andrew, at future3733.substack.com .
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