CHIGuide
10 New Things To Do & Eat In Chicago This Week
As vaccination rates continue to rise and things start to open back up, the concept of “making plans” is starting to re-enter our lives. And your usual excuse of, “Sorry, I already have plans,” probably won’t work for a few months. So, if you’re in need of ideas, here are six new openings, events, and special menus to check out this week.
The Stuff
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The Duplex, a new restaurant in Logan Square, is soft-opening on May 21st. This place is in the former Merchant location, and will feature different chefs and restaurants every six months. First up are fried chicken sandwiches from The Kluckerz and Latin American and Mexican food from Lime and Radish.
Robert El Fils is a fine-dining French restaurant that opened in North Center last year. And until recently, they’ve only been open for carryout and delivery. But they just opened their patio and dining room. So, if you’re looking for a new neighborhood date night spot, check them out.
After months of limited days and hours, Bro Bagel in Wicker Park is back open Tuesday through Sunday from 6:30am-12:30pm. Now you can pick up their bagels and cream cheese on your morning commute - and if you don’t have one, you can create a commute that involves going to Bro Bagel before heading back to your laptop at home.
Starting May 20th, Chef’s Special (a Chinese restaurant in Bucktown from the Giant Team) is open for indoor dining service. It’s first-come-first-served unless you reserve their rose menu - which is a four-course meal starting at $30 per person (a $20 deposit is required). Their patio remains open for outdoor dining, weather permitting.
On Friday, May 21st, PB&J in the West Loop is offering $10 pizzas from 5pm-6pm. They’re calling it “Pizza Power Hour” and you can make reservations onlineor just walk-in.
Look, we’re getting to the point where people are going to start visiting you again. So, you might want to know about Phase Three Brewing’s collaboration with Chicago Fireboat Tours. On Thursdays, the tour will feature newly-released beers over the course of a 2-hour Sunset Brew Cruise. Click here for more info.
From May 16th to the 22nd, some Chicago restaurants are participating in Dining Out For Life - an annual event where a portion of sales go to local HIV services. There are a lot of local restaurants to choose from (like El Nuevo Mexicano - a fantastic Mexican spot in Lakeview) and you can check here for the full list.
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We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we miss live music. If you do too, then you’ll be glad to know that Kaiser Tiger in the West Loop has live music on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The bands play from 7-10pm in their beer garden.
Railways Fashion Show
My Block My Hood My City, a social justice organization here in Chicago, is hosting a pop-up fashion show highlighting their spring merchandise. They’re calling it Railways, and it takes place on the Red Line. You board the private car at the Howard Station at 3pm, and it goes until 4:30pm. Tickets cost $100, and also includes drinks and snacks. For more information, click here.
Dough Something
Next Monday the 24th, the Dough Something campaign is hosting a virtual panel on race and identity in the restaurant industry. Chef Beverly Kim (from Parachute) will be speaking, along with other chef’s across the country. Tickets cost $10, and go towards Asian Americans Advancing Justice. Purchase them here.
