Hello, Friday, my old friend.
This week has been a busy one, so we all deserve a little weekend, as a treat.
Today we have a big announcement (huge!) about our new food critics, plural, and we’re very excited about it. And if you’re making plans to dine out, check on our primer about what to know beforehand. For those of you cooking in your own kitchen, we’ve got some sublime spring recipes to try, plus spring cleaning tips for the rest of the house.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to catch up on some favorite shows before new seasons, and don’t miss Barry Jenkins’ “Underground Railroad” limited series. Plus, Lolla, Spring Awakening and Riot Fest are all plotting returns. Cheers to the weekend.
— Adam Lukach
Chicago needs food critics. Now the Tribune has two.
When one door closes, another door opens. In this case, it’s two doors! Or maybe it’s two people walking through the one open door. Whatever the case, we’re thrilled.
After bidding farewell to longtime food critic Phil Vettel earlier this year, the Tribune is thrilled to be able to name not one, but two critics as successors: Louisa Chu and Nick Kindelsperger. Both writers have been with the newspaper since 2016.
Read more about what they’ll bring to the table, and stay tuned for their first reviews in the coming weeks!
What to watch: Catch up on ‘Pose’ and ‘This Is Us’ before the series come to an end
Wondering what to watch this week? Well, wonder no more.
Our critics share what they’ve been watching recently, including catching up on old favorites (“Pose,” “This is Us”) and one amazing newcomer (“Underground Railroad”).
We want to know what you’re streaming, too. Click here to share your picks with us.
Review: Angelina Jolie fights fire with fire in “Those Who Wish Me Dead”
“Chicago Med” actress Torrey DeVitto, who is dating Cubs manager David Ross, to exit the NBC drama
Hollywood’s renewed effort to adopt inclusion riders, plus a Chicago program aimed at getting more inclusion on TV and film crews
‘The Underground Railroad’ review: Hypnotic, stunning re-imagining of America’s roots
This limited series from director Barry Jenkins combines real history with re-imagination to captivating effect.
And, as Michael Phillips writes: “The mere act of encountering the sublime 10-part, 10-hour adaptation of the Colson Whitehead novel ‘The Underground Railroad’ reminds you of what is possible.”
Lollapalooza expected to return this summer for 4-day festival July 29-August 1
Much to the delight of many Chicagoans, and much to the despair of many others, the city’s largest summer music festival will make its rollicking return to Grant Park this summer.
The city of Chicago gave the event the greenlight at near-to or -full-capacity, according to insiders. Check out when to expect Lolla’s complete details.
Spring Awakening Music Festival to return to Chicago in October; Riot Fest adds Nine Inch Nails
Watch this. Eat that: Watching ‘Mare of Easttown’? Get Chicago’s take on the hoagie
Although Philly cheesesteaks aren’t really a thing in Chicago, we do have the cheesesteak-inspired sweet steak sandwich that was invented on the South Side.
Head over to Home of the Hoagy in Morgan Park for a perfect pairing to the Philly-set “Mare of Easttown.”
Finally ready to dine out? Here’s what to know before heading to Chicago restaurants and bars.
First things first: you’re probably gonna need a reservation. Whether or not you’ll be able to get one depends on timing.
With demand high and staff short, dining out right now requires making plans up to a week in advance, restaurant workers say. We spoke to them about the best ways to get a seat, plus best practices for when you’re there.
Speaking of restaurant workers, they’re pretty busy right now!
Diners are returning in droves, and every part of the restaurant force is having to readjust as operations drift back to something like normal — and the struggles go beyond staffing shortages.
Takeout 25 has saved local restaurants in Oak Park. Now it’s flexing its spending muscle across the Chicago border, in Austin.
Here’s a COVID-19 recovery policy that should stick around: tickets that are both changeable and refundable. Of course, the big question is if it actually will.
Theater critic Chris Jones weighs in on the long-term prospects for the pandemic-friendly refund system.
The Boeing 727 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry was a bit of a curiosity before — a striking, expansive silver monument to air travel from below, inside mostly a chance to sit in the well-worn seats of commercial air travel.
The wraps came off this week from a renovated and expanded “Take Flight” exhibit up on the balcony level in the Hyde Park museum.
6 ways to kick your spring cleaning into high gear
It’s never too late for spring cleaning, and after a long 2020, has there ever been a better year to scrub away the previous?
Design editor David Syrek consulted the cleaning pros on a six-part approach to the spring purge.
Wallpaper that transforms your home into a serene sanctuary. OMG, did you see this?
This one is all about creating a chill, serene sanctuary at home — and who couldn’t use one of those?
These wall murals from Calico Wallpaper create atmosphere and envelop a room in luminous washes of color that fashion editor David Syrek is loving right now.
Celebrate spring with this seasonal menu
With a little more than a month left in spring, don’t forget to enjoy all the seasonal ingredients.
This week, we have three lovely seasonal recipes to capitalize on these timely friends, including overnight breakfast bowls, haddock with herbs and veggies and a soup with chicken and greens.
The Daily Meal YouTube channel: feta-stuffed salmon with cherry tomatoes
