All things considered, January was a terrific start to 2016 in Chicago. The Time Out Chicago editors braved the cold and did their best to experience some of the greatest stuff in the city during the most frigid winter month. Check out some of the best things we saw, ate and drank in January.
Yuzu lemon doughnut at OSB
The wait for brunch at Longman & Eagle can get a little long depending on when you arrive, but you can always head around back to the Off-Site Bar (OSB). On Saturday and Sunday mornings, it serves a lineup of coffees, cocktails pastries and sandwiches, but be sure ask which doughnuts are being offered. The yuzu lemon is nice and doughy with a tart lemon glaze, and is definitely big enough to share.—Elizabeth Atkinson
Tortoise at Thalia Hall
How do you celebrate the release of your first new studio album in nearly seven years? If you’re in Tortoise, you set up a stage in the middle of Thalia Hall and play the album surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd. I stood a few feet away from Todd Rittmann (of Dead Rider) as he sang a cover of David Essex’s “Rock On” and could see John McEntire’s hand moving across his synthesizer during a rendition of The Catastrophist highlight, “Gesceap.” The band is coming back to the Metro on May 10—I probably won’t be standing next to the stage, but I’ll be there. —Zach Long
House mimosa at Miss Ricky’s at the Virgin Hotel
Unless I’m ordering a local beer in a new city, I always get a mimosa at brunch. But the mimosa at Miss Ricky’s wasn’t just any sparkling wine and orange juice concoction—it also had fruit-infused Reyka vodka (my favorite). Ina’s Heavenly Hots—crepe-like pancakes with local maple syrup infused fruit compote—were also a treat and, to top it all off, service was top-notch. —Laura Rote
Brunch Punch at Dusek’s
Gin drinkers, this refreshing cocktail is the perfect start to brunch. Filled with Letherbee Gin, Chareau Aloe Vera Liqueur, sparkling wine, and a citrusy hit of lemon and lime, it’s a great way to get your mid-morning going, especially if you plan on going all day. If one glass isn’t enough, head over to Punch House afterwards and grab another glass or two. —EA
Soul Summit's sixth anniversary party
It's hard to believe that Soul Summit, a monthly R&B, soul and funk dance party at Double Door, has been around for six years. The event pretty much always draws a line down the block, and has become a favorite among Chicagoans who have ants in their pants. But the groovy party could soon come to an end—at least at Double Door—as the venue is in the middle of a court battle with its landlords and could get evicted. My group of friends arrived a bit late, and had to sit out in single-degree weather for about 30 minutes. But it was definitely worth the wait, as DJ Peanut Butter Wolf spun a mix of tunes so funky that they could make even the biggest curmudgeon in town get down. —Clayton Guse
Off Color’s Bare Bear
Once again, the folks at Off Color are brewing up an antidote to the endless stream of IPAs and session beers that are crowding the tap lines at your favorite craft beer bars. Bare Bear is an interpretation of a traditional Finnish beer called “sahti,” combining rye malt with juniper berries. Off Color’s rendition of the brew is generously carbonated and tastes a bit like banana bread made with molasses. At 7% ABV, it’s a pleasant way to warm up as spring approaches. —ZL
Touring Kartemquin Films
Most people probably don’t know what Kartemquin Films is, nor would they suspect that it’s an award-winning documentary filmmaking powerhouse celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. You certainly wouldn’t know Kartemquin from its nondescript location in Roscoe Village. We toured the maze-like offices in early January, and what we saw was inspiring. Inside the old building (the not-for-profit has been in the same space for 40-plus years), films like Hoop Dreams and Life Itself have become practically living, breathing things. Today, the documentary film center has more than 50 films to its name. Bookshelves and mantels hold awards like, oh, a little thing called an Emmy, while a staff of just more than a dozen people (plus other producers who come and go) work excitedly on what are sure to be some of the next big films. You can check out some of Kartemquin’s past work for free as part of the 2016 anniversary celebration. Stream a new Kartemquin documentary here each week through the end of the year. —Laura Rote
Chicken and waffles at Table, Donkey and Stick
You can drop some serious dough eating the “rustic mountain fare” served at Table, Donkey and Stick, but each Monday, the Logan Square restaurant offers a couple of $5 dishes. On my last visit, one of the discount delicacies was a spicy take on chicken and waffles, featuring a juicy fried thigh and a sourdough waffle. Accompanied by a can of Miller High Life (just 99 cents on Mondays), its deliciousness was only matched by its affordability. —ZL
Chorizo breakfast burrito at Loncheria by Latinicity
The new food hall on the 3rd floor of Block 37 has still had long lines to get in every time I’ve tried to check it out for lunch. But the miniature edition on the lower level, conveniently located on my route from the Red Line to work, turns out to be perfect for breakfast. Stuffed with spicy chorizo, fluffy scrambled eggs, chihuahua cheese and refried beans and pressed to give the tortilla a toasty crispness, Loncheria’s breakfast burrito is a new favorite morning treat. And it’s such a generous portion at $6 that I find myself not even needing lunch.—Kris Vire
David Bowie dance party at Crown Liquors
I went to a dance party every single weekend during January, spending at least $80 on Malört in the process. While it's always fun to twinkle your toes around town, the David Bowie dance party at Crown Liquors was far and away the best time I've had in a long time. Early in the night, the line for the party went down the block. Luckily, my friends and I didn't arrive until midnight and were able to stroll right in. DJ Bobby Evers did a great job of honoring Bowie by spinning tracks that spanned the entirety of the late musician's career. I'm now of the opinion that every dance party should be a Bowie-themed dance party—or at least include a liberal amount of his tunes. —CG
Navy Strength cocktails at Queen Mary Tavern
Navy strength gin and rum boast a whopping 114 proof (57 percent) alcohol content, but the spirits used in Queen Mary Tavern’s cocktails don’t taste that way. The Navy Strength Old Fashioned is particularly delightful, using extra-potent rum and gin to replace the bourbon that the recipe usually calls for. Why the seafaring nomenclature? Well, 57 percent is the amount of alcohol mandated by the British Royal Navy for its rations. —Nick Kotecki