News Chicago

Verzênay Chicago, a French patisserie and bakery-cafe, occupies a storefront at 2507-2509 N Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park. The business got its start as a booth at the Green City Market, supplying wholesale to hotels such as The Drake, the Peninsula and Le Meridien, as well as local coffee shops …

Frank & Mary’s Tavern has been pouring drinks at 2905 N. Elston Ave. in Avondale since 1972, a history the bar marks on its own signage as “Est. A Long Time Ago.” The longtime neighborhood dive has recently been refreshed, with the tavern’s Instagram bio noting it “has been given …

Mi Lindo San Jose is a grocery store at 3519 W. Chicago Ave. in Humboldt Park. A sign above the entrance reads “Productos Ecuatorianos,” and the shop stocks groceries and specialty ingredients from Ecuador alongside everyday staples. Shelves carry fresh produce, frozen items such as tree tomato (tomate de árbol) …

Tortorice’s Pizza & Catering serves Chicago-style deep dish and thin crust pizza, along with a gluten-free crust option, from its West Town location at 1746 W. Grand Ave. The deep dish, made with what the restaurant calls a caramelized burnt cheese crust option, is a signature item, alongside jumbo wings, …

LYRIQ Music School runs a studio at 1909 W Byron St in Northcenter, one of two Northcenter locations the school operates; the other is at 1906 W Irving Park Rd. The school offers private and small-group lessons in piano, voice, violin, guitar and other instruments for students from age 5 …

Second City Suffering Report, Nov. 1: Patrick Kane's 900th NHL assist came 6:04 into the first period at Boston — the 21st player in NHL history and the first American-born player ever, with only Sidney Crosby ahead of him among active players.

Sip & Savor is a coffeehouse at 5301 S Hyde Park Blvd in Hyde Park, one of several locations the Chicago-born coffee group runs on the South Side, including spots in Bronzeville and Forest Park. The cafe, whose sign reads “Where Coffee and Community Meet,” sources certified fair-trade coffee and …

Restaurante Taqueria La Viña serves Mexican food at 3382 N Milwaukee Ave in Irving Park. The menu lists chorizo huarache, a pastor (pork) sope, tacos, a steak taco salad, chips, a fish dinner, mojarra frita and a shrimp salad, according to the restaurant’s official ordering site. The restaurant is open …

Siete Azul, a coastal Mexican seafood restaurant and bar, has opened at 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Logan Square, in the space that formerly housed the Chicago Diner. The menu draws on mariscos traditions from Michoacán, with dishes such as butter-lime sautéed scallops in a poblano sauce, shrimp empanadas made …

Second City Suffering Report, Oct. 31: Boston led 44-25 after one quarter and the Bulls are 1-5; a 20-year-old rookie was the only one in the building who sounded like the season mattered.

Jordan’s Food of Distinction, a full-service event catering company, operates out of 1551 W Thomas St in Wicker Park. The company has been producing weddings, corporate events and private celebrations throughout Chicago for more than 20 years. The business builds custom menus for each event rather than working from a …

The Windsor Tavern and Grill sits on the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Windsor Avenue in Portage Park, a wood-sided neighborhood pub whose marquee carries the motto “Where Friends Come to Meet.” The tavern is run under the name Caruso’s, L.L.C. The kitchen serves thin-crust pizza in 14-, 16- and …

El Tezcal Authentic Restaurant serves Mexican food at 4305 N Kedzie Ave in Irving Park, with a menu built around dishes like al pastor, guacamole, tacos and burritos, according to the restaurant’s website. Among the items listed on the menu are a three-piece taco dinner served with rice and beans, …

Milin Spa, a massage studio at 4163 N Milwaukee Ave in Portage Park, offers a menu of massage and bodywork services from its storefront on the Milwaukee Avenue corridor. The spa’s menu includes Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, Thai massage and hot stone body massage, plus a couples massage option, …

Weather Mark Tavern has anchored the South Loop at 1503 S. Michigan Ave. since 2006, a nautical-themed tavern built of wood, exposed brick and granite near the Field Museum and Soldier Field, according to its official site. The kitchen serves char-grilled half-pound burgers, fish tacos, sliders, chicken wings and baby …

Twisted Shamrock Pub, at the northwest corner of 65th and Central in Clearing, has been pouring drinks for its South Side neighborhood since late 2023. The Irish-style pub serves classic pub fare and cocktails alongside craft and domestic beers, with a private upstairs bar available for parties and group events. …

The latest Second City Suffering Report episode leads with the Bears trading two first-round picks to the Titans for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, plus the Cubs' free agents and the Blackhawks' loss at Detroit.

Thee European Spa, a day spa for men and women at 5927 N Milwaukee Ave in Norwood Park (the business’s Instagram bio places it in Gladstone Park), offers massage, facials, body treatments and nail and waxing services. Massage options include Swedish, deep tissue, sports, hot stone, reflexology, scalp, couples and …

The Menomonee Club, a nonprofit community center founded in 1946, runs its Drucker Center at 1535 N. Dayton St. in Chicago’s Old Town and Lincoln Park area. The organization is marking its 80th year serving area children and families in 2026. At the Drucker Center, the club offers supervised gym …

The Giant Penny Whistle, a tavern and live-music venue at 1854 S. Blue Island Ave. in Pilsen, is open every night starting at 5 p.m. The bar spans roughly 5,000 square feet across adjoining storefronts, with a dance floor, pool table, vintage photo booth and a stage for live acts …