Time Out Chicago news

We've grown accustomed to making the trek to Logan Square for an afternoon of Negroni slushies, hush puppies and crispy fried chicken, but you'll soon have another option when you're craving a meal at Parson’s Chicken and Fish. The Land and Sea Dept. concept will open a second location in Lincoln Park on Tuesday, December 18, housed in a former auto garage situated just north of the Fullerton, Lincoln and Halsted intersection at 2435 N Halsted St. The interior of Parson's new Lincoln Square digs should feel familiar if you've spent any time inside the original Armitage Avenue location, sporting white brick walls, swiveling stools and red checkered accents. With seating for 110 people at tables and 30 at the bar, the dining area features vaulted ceiling, skylights and planters that give the space a much more open and airy feel than the original Parson's. When the weather warms up, garage doors on the front of the building can be opened to connect the indoor area to the requisite outdoor patio, which will take over a former parking lot in front of the building. You'll be able to find everything that Chef Hunter Moore has served in Logan Square on the menu at Parson's Lincoln Park, and the parity extends to beverage director Charlie Schott’s lineup of slushies, cocktails, beer and wine. Both Parson's restaurants will maintain identical hours (11am–midnight Monday–Friday, 10am–midnight Saturday and Sunday), which means that brunch, weekday happy hour specials and Tuesday night

Dumpling fiends know that Qing Xiang Yuan in Chinatown serves some of the tastiest dumplings in town. The family-owned restaurant, which traces its humble roots to a basement food court, will open a second, quick-service location in the Loop this spring. JIAO is expected to start slinging doughy pouches at 18 South Wabash Avenue in May 2019. (For all you Loop lunchers, that's next door to Nando's Peri-Peri and Naf Naf Grill.) Guests can expect the same soupy dumplings that are served at the Chinatown location, though there will be fewer options to keep things moving. Manger Eric Zhou says the Loop shop will offer six rotating choices that include beef, chicken, lamb, pork, seafood and vegetable. Dumplings are served steamed or pan-fried. Though JIAO's menu isn't available just yet, diners can get a feel for the possibilities by checking out QXY's exhaustive selection of existing creations. Zhou says the Loop location will also serve Chinese appetizers, like braised beef with brown sauce and spicy seaweed salad, as well as "Skyline" tea that's topped with a milky float. "Combining Chinese style with American fast-food culture is not an easy thing, but we did it," Zhou says, explaining the painstaking detail that was put into the forthcoming Loop restaurant's interior. Take a look at the renderings below, and start preparing your lunchtime routine for an infusion of handmade dumplings. Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

Chicago chef Stephanie Izard is making moves once again, this time with a Peruvian rooftop restaurant in Fulton Market. The forthcoming eatery, named Cabra, is slated to debut inside The Hoxton hotel this spring, as first reported by Eater Chicago. Cabra is Izard's fourth restaurant in the city, joining Girl & the Goat, Little Goat and Duck Duck Goat. It's not her only project at the moment: The Top Chef winner recently announced that she'll turn the space above Little Goat into a rotating pop-up restaurant called Tiny Goat. Oh, and she's bringing Girl & the Goat to Los Angeles in 2019. Though the details are still scarce, here's what we know about Izard's foray into Peruvian cuisine at Cabra. 1. The name translates to "goat" in Spanish—naturally. Izard owns a herd of restaurants that include the word "goat," so it's only appropriate that the new spot pays homage to the existing culinary empire. There's no word yet on whether or not Cabra will offer goat-based dishes, but given the fact that all of Izard's spots feature goat meat on the menu, it seems likely. 2. It's located in the epicenter of Fulton Market. Cabra is situated on the rooftop of the Hoxton, a 182-room hotel opening this year at 200 North Green Street in the West Loop. It's around the corner from The Publican and Duck Duck Goat and just across the street from Momotaro. In other words: premium real estate. 3. Izard is trekking to Peru next month to research the cuisine. In a media release today, Izard said th

Chefs—they’re just like us. When the temperature drops and snow begins piling up outside, even the city’s most accomplished cooks cruise apps like Grubhub and Caviar to get their favorite foods ferried straight to their door. We asked Chicago’s top chefs to divulge their delivery cravings. Just remember to tip your driver! Brian Fisher, Entente: “The Carne en su Jugo from Coyotes Restaurant is the perfect soup for fall and winter... and spring and summer. It’s rich, meaty and seasoned perfectly. The lengua [tongue] tacos are my favorite in Chicago.” Zoe Schor, Split-Rail: “If I’m lucky enough to have a quiet evening in, I’m often hanging with my parents. They live very close to the best Chinese restaurant on the North Side, Chengdu Impression. We always get the pan-fried dumplings, scallion pancakes and dry chili chicken. The chicken is so dope." Brian Jupiter, Frontier and Ina Mae Tavern: “We always order Wabi Sabi. My daughter, Adriana, really loves the Cha Shu bowl and requests it all the time. My wife and I always order the tonkotsu ramen—it’s really good. It’s all really good.” Carlos Cruz, The Promontory: "Football and wings are a great combination, but football and BBQ pork fried rice from Cheng Chopsticks is a perfect marriage! That’s typically how I like to spend my Sundays off while watching the Chicago Bears.”  Sarah Grueneberg, Monteverde: “Recently, we’ve been digging MCCB. I always order a wonton soup, a favorite of mine since I was a little kid. Other mu

The Party Planning Committee at Replay Lincoln Park is reviving its wildly popular The Office-themed pop-up bar for the holiday season. Drawing inspiration from the TV show's Christmas episodes, Replay will host festive parties and events throughout December, including Classy Christmas and Moroccan Christmas. (We can only hope there's an Andy lookalike playing a sitar for entertainment.) Programming will kick off on Friday, November 30 at 7pm. Stop in on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to check out Café Disco, themed after Michael Scott's infamous espresso-fueled dance party, where DJs will spin hip-swaying tracks starting at 9pm. Guests won't have to worry about buying tickets or paying cover: The monthlong event is free to attend and open to adults of legal drinking age. The pop-up ends with “The Ultimatum” New Year’s Eve Celebration on December 31. It's the run's only ticketed event, and early-bird passes will be available soon starting at $50. (You'll have to watch episode 13 of season 7 if you want to see how that one works out.) Take a look at the full schedule below and keep an eye on Replay's Facebook page for additional details and new events.  December 6–12: Classy Christmas December 7: Ugly Sweater Christmas Party  December 13–19: Moroccan Christmas December 20–27: Dwight Christmas December 31: “The Ultimatum” New Year’s Eve Celebration Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

Holiday shopping just got a delicious upgrade. Earlier today, Brendan Sodikoff's food hall at 900 North Michigan Shops opened its doors, introducing shoppers to 16 food "vaults" curated by Hogsalt. The renovated 22,000-square-foot space is located on the mall's fifth and sixth floors and includes fan favorites like Small Cheval, Green Street Smoked Meats and 3 Greens Market. Sodikoff is also using the food hall to debut new concepts like Motor City Pizza, Boardwalk Seafood Co., Al Pastor Taco No. 2 and Chicago Char Dogs. Diners will be able to customize and order their meals using high-tech kiosks located near the entrance of the food hall on the fifth floor. There's seating on both floors, but the Bar & Study on the sixth floor offers a secluded, lounge-like experience for those who have time to sit down and relax after a lap around Bloomingdale's.  San Francisco-based design firm AvroKO is responsible for the hall's sleek, modern look, which is inspired by a deconstructed arcade. Expect brass finishes, barrel-vaulted ceilings, leather couches and ottomans, stunning floor-to-ceiling windows and sprawling stone communal tables. Stalls on the fifth floor are open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 8pm and on Sunday from 10am to 6pm. The Bar & Study on the sixth floor is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm and on Sunday from 10am to 7pm. Take a look inside the stunning new food hall below.  900 North Michigan Shops 900 North Michigan Shops   900 Nor

It doesn't matter if you've been naughty or nice this year: Chicago's top holiday pop-up bars aren't here to judge. New to this year's lineup is Santa Baby, an experiential takeover from Smartmouth Designs, a Chicago-based company that has built installations at EDM-centric music festivals such as Electric Forest. The concept will take over Deuce's and the Diamond Club in the heart of Wrigleyville from November 21 through January 6.  Santa Baby offers several different bars and experiences within the space, including Alpine Village, Brat Haus Beer Hall, Santa's Workshop, Rudolph's Elf Dive Bar and Winter Wonderland—all of which are decked out in colorful Christmas decor. Of course, it wouldn't be a pop-up bar without themed cocktails, and Santa Baby has plenty of options to keep revelers feeling merry. Share a decanter of Jingle Juice—rum, Grand Marnier, amaretto, orange and pineapple juices, sprite, citrus and cranberry—or do a shot of Gingerbread Man, a tummy-warming mixture of Fireball, Irish cream and butterscotch schnapps. On the food front, expect a menu of holly, jolly treats, like turkey burger sliders topped with cranberry mustard, arugula, stuffing, crispy green beans and truffle aioli. The Atomic Yule Logs are likely the dish that will take over your Instagram feed: Three giant cheese sticks are crusted in Flamin' Hot Cheetos and Sriracha dust. If you're looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, order the Lumps of Coal, rice krispies coated in chocolate cookie dust. 

The holiday season is officially underway now that Christkindlmarket has commenced. The outdoor German market has once again set up shop in Daley Plaza in the Loop, bringing with it a seemingly endless supply of Glühwein, schnitzel and festive cheer. We took a lap around Christkindlmarket on opening day to scope out all of the best things to eat, drink and buy. Take a look at what caught our attention along the way and be sure to check out this top winter attraction before it packs up after its final day on December 24. Psst: Consult this handy-dandy Christkindlmarket vendor map for exactly where to find each goody listed. RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Christkindlmarket   Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas 1. Glühwein ($8 with mug, $7 refill) from Beer & Wine Vendors (booths #1, #55 and #28) No trip to Christkindlmarket is complete without a mug of warm Glühwein, a traditional mulled wine that tastes like holiday spirit and baking spices. This year, guests will sip the boozy beverage from adorable heart-shaped vessels that are adorned with the Chicago skyline.   Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas 2. Pierogi ornament ($10.95) from from Wildlife Ornaments (booth #18) There are plenty of ornaments to choose from at Christkindlmarket, but we were immediately drawn to this shimmery gold pierogi, which is perfect for dumpling fans and Chicago foodies alike.   Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas 3. Masala curry fries ($5) from Chiya Chai (booth #14) New to this year's vend

Time Out Worldwide recently released a list of the 50 best things to do in the world right now, filled with essential experiences to have in cities around the globe. Scroll through the inventory and you'll discover a Tokyo museum dedicated to the kaleidoscopic works of Infinity Mirror Room artist Yayoi Kusama, the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert in Chile, geothermally heated pools in Iceland and Norway's fastest zipline. After reading the entire list, you may be tempted to hop on a plane to Jamaica to explore the birthplace of jerk chicken in Boston Bay. But if a last-minute trip isn't in the cards, you won't have to go far to experience the 20th entry on the list: Smart Bar's weekly Queen! party, a premiere spot to dance to house music in the city where the genre was born. Queen! takes over Smart Bar every Sunday night, beginning at 10pm and continuing until 4am on Monday morning. Once you pay your $10 cover charge and descend into the basement, you'll be treated to sets from resident DJs Derrick Carter, Michael Serafini and Garrett David as well as appearances from guest selectors and legendary house music producers. On Sunday, November 18, Queen! celebrates the birthday of local drag performer Imp Queen, while the November 25 edition of the party hosts a set from French deep house DJ Brawther. Looking for even more amazing things to do in Chicago? We've got a list for that, too. Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, which means that you might encounter a train or bus decked out with twinkling lights during your commute in the coming weeks. This morning, the Chicago Transit Authority announced the schedules for its Holiday Train and Holiday Bus, revealing when you can expect to see Santa making some pre-Christmas Eve journeys through the city. RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Christmas in Chicago The CTA Holiday Train will begin running on Friday, November 23, with trips scheduled on every CTA line. As usual, the six-car train features an open-air platform that holds Santa and his reindeer, along with LED signs, colorful interior decorations and more lights than ever before. The Holiday Train typically runs from 1 to 8pm on weekends and from 3 to 7pm on weekdays, but you can consult the CTA website for a more detailed schedule. Just like last year, the Holiday Train will be followed by the Elves' Workshop Train every Saturday through December 15. The train is another set of six cars decorated with lights, providing more room for passengers on busy weekends when everyone wants to hop aboard the most festive mode of public transportation. If you prefer to ride the bus, you'll be happy to learn that the CTA Holiday Bus will return to 13 routes throughout the city this year. The bus is wrapped to resemble a reindeer, with a glowing red nose, a pair of antlers mounted on top of the bus and strings of lights lining the windo