Eat. Watch. Do. — Navy Pier returns | Owning a restaurant at 18 | Penguin love at Shedd Aquarium

Adam Lukach, Chicago Tribune
·6 min read

Halfway through another week, Chicago.

As we approach the end of April, COVID-19 metrics seem to be heading in the right direction. With the news that all U.S. adults became eligible for the vaccine Monday, more businesses and organizations are reopening their doors.

While many live performances remain virtual, a number of Chicago standup comedy venues have joined the ranks of the reopened. The Shedd Aquarium is also welcoming visitors during a special season for its penguins. And Navy Pier is planning its comeback — fireworks and all.

Meanwhile, we’ve got an exclusive first look at a much-anticipated restaurant in the West Loop and the latest happening in Chicago’s arts and theater scenes, including a major announcement from the city. See you Friday.

— Adam Lukach

First Look: ‘Top Chef’ Joe Flamm’s debut restaurant Rose Mary brings three risottos, Croatian cuisine to Fulton Market in Chicago

After an extra-long wait, Chicago chef Joe Flamm opened his first restaurant, Rose Mary, in the city this week. It required more than two years of patience from the “Top Chef” winner for the restaurant to debut in Fulton Market. Both the menu — Adriatic cuisine — and the name — Rose Mary — are homages to Flamm’s grandmothers.

“The name itself comes from the herb rosemary, which grows all along the Adriatic coast,’ Flamm said. “But also my two grandmothers: My Irish grandmother was my Grandma Rose, and my Italian grandmother is my Grandma Mary.”

Find out more about Rose Mary in reporter Louisa Chu’s exclusive first look.

Navy Pier will begin reopening April 30, fireworks to light up in May

Everyone’s favorite Ferris wheel-sporting pier is back — or at least, it’s starting to be back, starting at the end of the month.

Obviously it’s not going to be the Navy Pier everyone knew and some loved prior to the pandemic, but many familiar names are returning. Read on for the full reopening plan.

‘American Oz’: L. Frank Baum doc traces ‘Wizard of Oz,’ ‘Wicked’ roots to author’s formative Chicago years

Whether it’s “Wicked,” “The Wiz,” or “Wizard of Oz,” most Americans are very familiar with at least one of L. Frank Baum’s abiding works of fantasy. Chicagoans won’t be surprised to learn that, like so many great creators, Baum was influenced by the Windy City.

Reporter Darcel Rockett spoke with the writers, directors and producers of “American Oz” — a new documentary on Baum — about his formative years in Chicago.

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Meet the 18-year-old owner of Peke’s Pozole, who runs his family restaurant while still in high school

The best things about owning a restaurant at 18, says high school senior Jonathan Macedo, are that he is learning and helping his mother’s food find an enthusiastic audience.

The worst thing? Firing people.

“To be frank, when you’re 18, not everyone takes you seriously,” he confides. “They know I’m the boss. But I have to hire and fire, and I am 18 — I have to break bad news to adults.”

Reporter Chris Borrelli shares the story of Peke’s Pozole in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago, where Jonathan juggles homework, dating and running a business — and does it well.

Commentary: What it’s like to go back to the movie theater

What was the last movie reporter Chris Borrelli saw in theaters?

“I actually don’t remember,” he writes. “I’m sitting here, trying to recall, trying to recall, and ... nope, nothing. It feels much too long ago to remember. The last ‘Star Wars’? Maybe Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’? Perhaps ’1917′?”

He spent some time with moviegoers — as in, people actively going to movies right now — to get a feel for what they’re thinking. Many said they didn’t care what was playing on the screen — they’re just excited to be back.

Common will help Chicago Shakespeare celebrate the Bard’s birthday with ‘TO BE 4/23′

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is celebrating the good William’s birthday this Friday and inviting Common — at least via Zoom — as well as an assembly of Chicago singers and dancers and singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson.

“TO BE 4/23,” a previously taped, 45-minute video celebration of the theater and the Bard, will broadcast Friday night. Get the full lowdown on the virtual bash for Billy Shakes.

Picking the right tree or shrub for your garden can be tricky. Here are tips to keep in mind.

It’s the season of dirty hands in the city of broad shoulders, and we’re ready to dig in to some bigger projects like trees and shrubs.

Before you overcommit or under-consider any larger garden greenery, ponder a few key questions. Beth Botts, an expert green thumb at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, writes on what to ask yourself before planting any trees or shrubberies.

Chicago announces Arts 77, a huge increase in arts funding, with $60 million for artists, concerts and new public art at O’Hare

The Arts 77 initiative, Chicago officials say, represents a $60 million investment by the city to support local artists and organizations. It’s one of the biggest shows of civic support for Chicago arts in decades, writes critic Chris Jones.

The O’Hare project could include commissioned works from up to 30 Chicago artists, according to the city. Most of the other programs and initiatives are new. Read the full details of the effort.

The BTS Meal, with sauces inspired by South Korean recipes, coming to McDonald’s in May

After the success of branded celebrity meals by Travis Scott and J Balvin, McDonald’s has another celebrity combo coming soon, this one co-signed by global K-pop stars BTS.

Given the ravenous BTS fan base, brace yourself for a McNuggets shortage.

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Shedd Aquarium penguins begin their annual nesting season

New chicks could be on the horizon as the Shedd Aquarium penguins enter their nesting and mating season. Some have already laid eggs.

During this short yearly period, visitors will likely see penguins perched in their nests, keeping their eggs warm or rearranging nesting materials. Lucky patrons might catch a glimpse of the egg itself when mating pairs take turns incubating, said Shedd’s penguin manager Lana Gonzalez.