It’s a beautiful day in Chicago, and the Bears have a new quarterback.
Will first-round pick Justin Fields end the Bears’ QB curse? We sure hope so — but we’re definitely going to enjoy the moment for now. With Mayor Lori Lightfoot once again easing capacity restrictions this week, this weekend should be a fine time to celebrate. Stay healthy out there.
Smash burgers are the stars in our list of Chicago’s best new burgers (proceed with caution if hungry). We’ve also got you covered for Mother’s Day next weekend: Check out lists of our favorite gifts, plus Chicago-area restaurants offering specials for the day. If you’re hoping for summer festivals, one of the city’s largest set its comeback for July, along with a host of other types of events. Cheers to the weekend.
— Adam Lukach
The Michelin Guide announced its Bib Gourmand recipients earlier this week, but the main attraction arrived Thursday, when Michelin announced its first lineup of starred restaurants since 2019, after missing 2020 due to the pandemic.
Although Chicago lost four restaurants from the list (due mostly to closings), three new restaurants notched their first stars. Check out the full list.
For readers looking to conduct their own research, we’ve also mapped out all of Chicago’s 2021 Michelin star and Bib Gourmand restaurants.
ICYMI: 58 Chicago restaurants awarded Bib Gourmand designation by Michelin Guide, including 10 first-timers
Our critics are always happy to talk about what they’re watching this week, even if it’s not the latest trendy watch.
This week, we’re throwing it back with “Grey’s,” throwing it *way* back with 1942 pulp fiction flick “Kings Row,” and getting really real watching actual people on “Couples Therapy.”
“I believe that the summer of 2021 will look more like ’19 than ’20,” Lightfoot said this week as she loosened a host of COVID-19 capacity guidelines for a wide variety of events.
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Indoor gatherings at bars, restaurants and churches, plus outdoor events such as farmers markets, festivals and outdoor shows, are all included in the altered accommodations. Read more on the announcement for full details.
Ravinia Festival has a new leader and a bold plan to bring you back this summer
Steppenwolf Theatre announces return to live shows with “Bug” and LeBron James play
Boat tours are back in Chicago — and the water taxi is next
The best Mother’s Day gifts for 2021
Mother’s Day was a miss for many people last year due to safety concerns during the early months of the pandemic. As vaccination rates rise, more people will likely be able to celebrate this year.
That means you might want to have double the gifts for mom. Design editor David Syrek has some favorite picks, whether your mom likes a little bling, enjoys a bike ride or just wants to relax.
Let the pros help: 40 Mother’s Day specials at Chicago restaurants, from fresh bouquets to free mimosas
Watch this. Eat that. — Head to Bridgeview before streaming new seriocomedy ‘Limbo’
The wry Scottish seriocomedy “Limbo” concerns a young Syrian refugee (Amir El-Masry) awaiting asylum on an island somewhere in the Outer Hebrides.
A perfect pairing, then, awaits at Oozi corner in Bridgeview — a suburb southwest of Chicago that’s home to many Arab Americans — where Syrian, Lebanese and Turkish cuisines collide.
‘Limbo’ movie review: A disarming Syrian refugee story with a Scottish burr
Like everything else, plans for the uber-popular barbecue-meets-country-music festival were thwarted last year, but Windy City Smokeout will make its return this year outside the United Center.
Performers for the three-day festival include Brett Eldredge, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley and Jon Pardi, among others. We’ve got the full lowdown on the dates, food, drinks and more.
Chicago’s 10 best new burgers of 2021 are some of the meatiest, juiciest and messiest in town
[Photo goes here]Even though the pandemic slowed down burger openings in 2020, it could never hope to stop the public’s insatiable demand for ground beef on a bun.
With this in mind, reporter Nick Kindelsperger once again stepped out to see who’s making the city’s best burgers. What he found was a focus on simplicity, a love for the smashed patty, and 10 burgers that made the list of must-tries.
Your kid’s sidewalk chalk art just got a major boost. OMG, did you see this?
Does your child want to take their exhibitionist artwork to the next level? Is the kid up the street showing up your kiddo at chalking up the sidewalk?
For those who want to up the ante on sidewalk art, design editor David Syrek has the perfect tool — a set of colorful 3D tools for chalking in 360 degrees.
How Chicago R&B singer Feather found her voice with the help of Jeremih
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The debut single “Juke” from Chicago singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and dancer Feather is the latest example of how the city’s R&B scene has been morphing and evolving during recent years, writes critic Britt Julious.
She caught up with Feather to discuss her finding her path, style and voice — and how Chicago R&B legend Jeremih helped in that process.
Ingredient spotlight: Ramps, plus 3 ramp recipes
After the major ramps Facebook group hullabaloo this week, we’re still thinking about ramps.
Fortunately, now is the time. The Daily Meal has everything you need to know about the in-season greens and some recipes to help you use them.