It’s Thursday, Chicago.
Happy first day of September — which also happens to be National Gyro Day. While the dish was invented in Greece, local companies also played a part in popularizing the sandwich, which could explain why gyros are all over Chicago. Tribune critic Nick Kindelsperger has selected five standouts to help mark the day.
Plus, we’ve got everything you need for Labor Day weekend, from the details on restaurant specials to recipes for at-home cooking, as well as what to watch. Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” premieres Friday with two episodes just in time for the long weekend. The show kicks off with a promising, lavishly outfitted start, writes Tribune critic Michael Phillips.
And with fall approaching, so come our fall arts and entertainment guides. First up are our top picks for TV and movies, including the return of the beloved sitcom “Abbott Elementary” and the much-anticipated sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
See you next week.
— Kayla Samoy, deputy senior editor
For almost two decades, Richard Nickel and his friends petitioned the city to preserve the works of architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler. When they failed — and they usually did — Nickel led risky expeditions to save what he could from the condemned buildings’ crumbling infrastructure.
“Capturing Louis Sullivan: What Richard Nickel Saw” spotlights his photography and salvage collection. Read the full story here.
14 Labor Day specials at Chicago-area restaurants, from brunch paella to seafood boil kits
Restaurants and bars around Chicago are offering a variety of deals this Labor Day weekend. Grab some brunch paella, indulge in a decadent seafood tower or bring home a seafood boil pack to mark the unofficial end of summer. Read the full list here.
13 Labor Day recipes for grilling, chilling and soaking up summer
Tribune theater critic Chris Jones writes that “Great Altercations” is a strikingly moralistic show with a cast that wants to teach the audience about a worldview. He says the show is at its best when it takes risks. Read the full review here.
It’s National Gyro Day. Here are 5 phenomenal versions.
To celebrate National Gyro Day, Tribune critic Nick Kindelsperger compiled a list of five fantastic gyros from around the city. From a $24 offering to a gyro filled with duck, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the day. Read the full list here.
The eight-episode first season of “The Rings of Power” takes place many thousands of years prior to “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit.” While it may be peacetime, the Dark Lord Sauron lurks somewhere across the Sundering Seas. Read the full review here.
‘The Patient’ review: When therapy goes very wrong. Like, true crime wrong.
Review: Chef Art Smith’s Reunion brings Oprah-worthy fried chicken — and much more — to Navy Pier
Tribune critic Louisa Chu says there is finally good food at Navy Pier at Chef Art Smith’s Reunion. One of the standout dishes is Chef Art’s Famous Fried Chicken, which is served with a side of whipped mashed potatoes and a superb housemade hot sauce. Read the full review here.
Top movies for fall 2022: Our 15 picks, including the much-awaited ‘Wakanda Forever’
Tribune critic Michael Phillips has selected 15 upcoming fall films that hold plenty of promise. Highlights include the horror comedy “The Menu,” “Ticket to Paradise” with stars Julia Roberts and George Clooney, and, of course, the much-anticipated “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Read the full guide here.
Fall TV: Our Top 15 list of what’s coming, including a surprising number of new legal dramas
A food critic’s dog’s top iconic walks, with people food pairings, in Chicago and the suburbs
Tribune food critic Louisa Chu put together a list of her top walks to take with her dog, complete with people food pairings to indulge in along the way.
Her recommendations include matching a classic Italian beef with a stroll through the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio neighborhood, but that’s just the beginning. Read the full story here.
Teatro Vista, City Lit and AstonRep Theatre Company announce 2022-23 seasons
Latino theater company Teatro Vista, City Lit Theater and AstonRep Theatre Company have all announced their 2022-23 seasons, which include world premieres, in-person shows and digital offerings. It also marks AstonRep’s final season. Read the full story here.
Printers Row Lit Fest 2022 to feature Natasha Trethewey, Poetry Foundation and The Onion
Hideout Trivia returns this fall to test your knowledge of politics, music … and Cleveland?
Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk opened recently in Oak Brook, offering Neapolitan-style pizzas, pastas and other main dishes.
The new restaurant comes after Luca Issa, chef and owner of Piccolo Buco in Rome, inked a partnership with Illinois-based restaurant and winery chain, Cooper’s Hawk, to open up the space. Read the full story here.
Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.
