CHICAGO — Pour one out for a Chicago institution, try some a Bayless collaboration or get some chocolate chip pancakes at a new Wicker Park spot.
• Mexico and Japan are coming together in a one-night pop-up event at West Town's Arami.
Rick Bayless, the celebrity chef known for his takes on Mexican street food, is collaborating with fellow chefs Lisa Despres of Bayless' Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, and Arami's chef Fred Despres on the one-night event billed as: "East-Meets-South of the Border Street Food."
The mash-ups sound exciting and a little wild, according to Frontera's website:
"Think ramen broths with classic pozole toppings, Mexican esquites sprinkled with togarashi, a mushroom taco with Japanese plum sauce, green ceviche hand rolls and green tea tres leches."
Arami, 1829 W. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $75 each and can be bought here.
• We had sad news this week for Chicago's dive bar fans: Wicker Park's Beachwood Inn is for sale. Located on the corner of Beach Avenue and Wood Street since 1950, the bar has been a haven for people seeking cheap drinks and possibly playing a board game as well.
The bar reportedly has a buyer who plans to keep a bar on site, but the neighborhood institution likely won't remain the same.
Beachwood is expected to remain open until the end of November, but we suggest you get your drinks in now.
• Wicker Park has a new brunch spot and this one is a familiar one to Chicagoans.
Kanela Breakfast Club, which has locations in Lakeview and Old Town, opened up on Milwaukee Avenue.
Menu items include the savory and sweet from steak and eggs to Greek doughnuts (loukoumades) to chia seed pudding with Greek honey.
Here's what the chocolate chip crunch pancakes look like:
Kanela Breakfast Club, 1408 N. Milwaukee Ave.
• It's been just two years since Jackalope Coffee and Tea House opened but it's already become a Bridgeport institution.
Saturday, the cafe is throwing itself a second anniversary bash in the form of a good old block party. Record vendors, musical acts and a psychic will be on hand, from noon to 6 p.m. during which time you can, of course, grab some coffee.
The bash comes ahead of possible developments at the cafe that could include an expansion and a foray into craft beer and cocktail service.
Jackalope Coffee and Tea House, 755 W. 32nd St.
• N'awlins has come to Fullerton Avenue in Lincoln Park.
Epiphany Bistro, a restaurant that specializes in Cajun and Creole cuisine, is having its soft launch in the former Nesh Mediterranean Grill space at 734 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chef and owner Carmelia Wrenn-Martin promises an "eclectic spin" on Southern cuisine; on the menu are pan-fried red drum fish, fried alligator and a create-your-own gumbo option.
Of course, bourbon, whiskey and jazz will lend to the ambiance of the new restaurant.
Epiphany Bistro, 734 W. Fullerton Ave.
