The Time Out Chicago blog team

Time Out Market Chicago, home to some of the city’s best restaurants, welcomes yet another stellar concept from chef Jorge Kauam. This month, the creator of German-American Gutenburg and chocolate pop-up JK Chocolates adds a new outpost of his modern, wellness-focused Vitasana to the healthy options inside Time Out Market.  At Vitasana, chef Kauam works alongside nutritionist wife Adriana Freytez, bringing bold and sometimes surprising flavors (like apple-celery tajín) to a holistic menu of what they call “craveable clean eating.” The duo’s nutrient-dense, often probiotic-rich plates include house-made ferments (cabbage slaw, pickled onions) and from-scratch dressings (confit garlic tahini, mango-habanero) that cater to all diets, including vegan, keto, and gluten-free options. “At Vitasana, we’re creating dishes where gut-healthy meets deeply satisfying,” Freytez says. “We believe eating well shouldn’t mean sacrificing taste.”  Photograph: Keni RosalesVitasana at Time Out Market Chicago Photograph: Keni RosalesVitasana at Time Out Market Chicago With twists on classics like a truffle Caesar salad loaded with pepperoncini, Vitasana could quickly become one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Chicago. But you can also expect to see slow-roasted meats on the menu, including a Persian brisket bowl studded with carrots, peaches, kalamata feta, dolloped with eggplant cream and drizzled in sumac sauce; as well as curried lamb meatballs over a bed of brown rice and arugula,...

Move over, mob tours—Chicago’s newest sightseeing sensation is all about the real boss: the pope. Starting this August, the Chicago Pope Tour invites you to hop on a four-hour guided bus ride to explore the South Side roots of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff and a proud son of the Windy City. RECOMMENDED: This is apparently Pope Leo's favorite Chicago pizza joint Born Robert Prevost at Mercy Hospital and raised near Dolton in the St. Mary of the Assumption Church parish, Leo XIV's unlikely journey from Chicago kid to leader of the Catholic Church is the stuff of local legend. Now, it’s a fully narrated experience, with pizza included. (Duh.) The tour starts and ends in Lincoln Park, looping through major stops from the pope’s early life from his childhood home to his parish church and seminary. Guides share behind-the-scenes stories, lesser-known facts and even a few papal puns. "Before he led millions, the Pope was just another Chicagoan," the tour website said. "Our unique bus tour hits the real places where he lived, studied, prayed—and yes, ate." But what’s a pilgrimage without pizza? Each ticket includes a slice at Aurelio’s, the beloved south suburban institution and one of Leo’s favorite haunts. They've even added a cheeky "Pope-a-Roni" pizza to the menu in his honor. (Despite the recent closure of their Chicago location, suburban pride still stands.) Tour tickets are $59 on weekdays and $79 on weekends. The price covers transportation, a live guide,...

Chicagoans love new happenings, especially ones with full-sized quirky kicks. Finally filling in the vacant spot across from the future Bally’s casino, Universal Studios is bringing a brand-new horror-themed entertainment venue to the city at 700 W. Chicago Avenue. RECOMMENDED: The 26 most haunted places in Chicago are spooky, scary and just plain odd Universal Horror Unleashed has a snappy ring to it, don’t you think? Jam-packed with interesting mazes, jump scares, funky food-and-drink options and a retail space, the planned immersive attraction has been deemed “a world-class horror attraction and entertainment destination” according to city officials.The Windy City will earn the special accolade of being the second Universal Horror Unleashed location (the first is set to open this August in Las Vegas, Nevada), as well as the first Universal attraction full-stop in the Midwest, and frankly we couldn’t be prouder of the honor. The Las Vegas location will be home to haunted houses inspired by classic thrillers like The Exorcist and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the Chicago location will follow suit. Perhaps you’ll see Universal-owned horror characters like Frankenstein’s monster, the Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Count Dracula, or Phantom of the Opera?  Not a horror fan? You can at least appreciate that the project is expected to generate more than $1 billion for the local economy and create 400 permanent jobs for Chicagoans. “We’re excited to bring this...