Eat. Watch. Do. — Chilling new John Wayne Gacy doc | COVID rules loosen | Passover specials
We made it through another week, Chicago.
This weekend, we’re planning on watching Loyola’s return to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament; and, of course, our streaming “to-do” list, has plenty of quality cuts.
Today’s newsletter is jam-packed, so let’s jump in: We’re dishing on a day of *free* sandwiches from Manny’s Deli, looking at cozy-chic spring fits for dudes and taking a special tour of Evanston with WTTW’s Geoffrey Baer.
You can find a list of Passover specials from Chicago restaurants to help with the holiday. We also have the info on Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s latest coronavirus guidelines. Cheers to the weekend.
— Adam Lukach
Other than the waiting, deciding what to stream is the hardest part. Skip the Netflix “shuffle everything” button, and let our experts kindly direct you to the latest and greatest on what you should be watching this weekend. Check out their weekly recs here.
We’ve got full reviews of new items too:
“Bad Trip” review: Eric Andre and Lil Rel Howery hide the cameras and seek the laughs, writes Michael Phillips.
“A Week Away” review: Finding love, acceptance and a higher power in Netflix’s Christian summer camp musical — another one from Michael Phillips.
On “Marriage or Mortgage,” the featured couples have enough money banked for either a wedding or a down payment on a house — but not both. The show’s social subtext is just as interesting as their choice, says Nina Metz.
Turns out, Julia Child was not a fan of the blog that inspired the film “Julie and Julia,” because she loved serious work, whether it was in cooking or writing.
Not that Child didn’t have fun. She would have loved the festive specials at Pan Artesanal, the Mexican- and French-inspired bakery in Chicago.
As Chicago grapples with a recent COVID-19 uptick that has officials alarmed, Mayor Lori Lightfoot cut back this week on restrictions for outdoor activities, including baseball games, patio dining, exercise classes, weddings and concerts.
Both Chicago baseball teams start their seasons next week, and although some restaurants are reopening, others are waiting for higher vaccination rates before returning.
Tallying up indoor dining ban fines: While Chicago dinged restaurant and bar owners, suburban counties issued warnings instead. Check out the complete results of Tribune reporters’ investigation.
See our latest list of new restaurants and reopenings in Chicago.
Passover was one of the first holidays to be disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Unfortunately, like last year, Passover will look a little different again in 2021.
If you’re looking for an assist with the cooking, check out these 10 Passover specials and takeout kits in the Chicago area offering holiday-appropriate fare.
The Goods: Spring style for men that keeps the comfy, cozy vibe going
All right, guys: We’re approaching a moment of sartorial truth, when it will be time to give up the quarantine uniform and transition out of the slob-chic looks. However, comfort reigned supreme for the last year, and we aren’t about to give that up.
Thankfully, springtime is perfect for transitional fits, writes fashion editor David Syrek: soft fabrics, loose silhouettes and a slightly wrinkled vibe.
You have to like Geoffrey Baer. Everybody likes him, writes reporter Christopher Borrelli.
He is the grinning avatar of Illinois anecdotal history, telling you stuff you didn’t know about Chicago and reminding you why you bother to live here, even when the elderly wave guns. So what better way to catch up before his new gig than a stroll through the neighborhood?
Catch up on all of the latest news and drama — it’s always something! — surrounding HGTV’s “Windy City Rehab.”
New Fuse series “Shine True” follows the journeys of eight transgender and nonbinary young adults — including Azul Nogueron, a queer nonbinary artist who lives in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood.
College student Pravin Varughese’s 2014 death and his family’s subsequent yearslong campaign for justice case is featured on a new program streaming on Discovery Plus.
The bad news? Even for free Manny’s sandwiches, Chicago couldn’t keep its masks on.
The good news? An honorable citizen wants to sponsor a day of free sandwiches anyway. Mask-wearers only!
OMG, did you see this? The Office Pod from Nissan is a mind-blowing office on wheels.
Tired: Make your home office work for you. Wired: Make your home office part of you.
Take your work with you everywhere with a concept from Nissan in this week’s pick for “OMG” from design editor David Syrek.
The bread is rising at Black Bread Co. Founded by a trio of Chicago South Side natives, the fledgling company received a $20,000 check on “Ellen” this week and has its sights set on grocery store shelves throughout the city.
Read the story of their rise here.
From the director of the Amanda Knox documentary comes a new docu-series about Illinois serial killer John Wayne Gacy.
Tribune reporter Rick Kogan reflects on the “Devil in a Disguise” program: his memories of the Gacy cases as a young reporter in 1978 and a conversation with former Chicago Reader editor Alison True about her involvement as an executive consultant on the series.
Where are the Shedd Aquarium penguins going for Chicago Restaurant Week? A seafood spot, of course.
Penguin, party of two?
Everyone’s favorite webbed friends waddled down to Shaw’s Crab House downtown to promote Chicago Restaurant Week and a joint effort between the Shedd Aquarium and Lettuce Entertain You restaurants to cut down on plastic use.
You can see the full clip here.
Check out our Food reporters’ picks for Restaurant Week.
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