Eat. Watch. Do. — Omarcito’s review, ‘South Side’ sneak peek, plus Jewish food in Chicagoland

It’s Thursday, Chicago.

In the final weeks of 2022, we find ourselves reflecting on what stood out most during another fascinating year in arts, food and Chicago culture.

Tribune critics have been musing on their favorite art exhibits, theatrical productions and other performances, even as you can still catch some of the best before year’s end. Rather stay home? “South Side” has a new season out soon, and we got a sneak peek.

And if you haven’t noticed, ’tis the season for gifting. If you’re still struggling to find the perfect gift for the beer lover in your life, make sure to read about what local breweries are offering this holiday season from Josh Noel. Or get inspired by one Wisconsin family’s thrill-seeking adventure up Mount Kilimanjaro ahead of the holidays.

Enjoy the weekend, we’ll see you back here next week.

— Lauryn Azu, deputy senior editor

Review: Latin American cafe Omarcito’s can be too much, in all the best ways

If you love Latin American cuisine, don’t read Louisa Chu’s latest review on an empty stomach. Omarcito’s Latin Cafe in Logan Square serves quesa’ropa, a unique creation that blends the trendy Mexican dish quesabirria with Cuban classic ropa vieja.

“This restaurant is the thing that I’ve been wanting to do for 23 years,” chef-owner Omar Cadena told Chu. Read on here.

Iconic Orange Garden neon ‘chop suey’ sign restored, and to be unveiled at its new home near Chicago

Review: ‘Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol’ at Writers Theatre is at once both Dickens’ story and something profoundly different

The shadow puppetry performance collective Manual Cinema’s version of “A Christmas Carol” contextualized the loss felt during the pandemic’s holiday season for Tribune critic Chris Jones, who was deeply moved by the show. Read his review here.

Review: ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Goodman Theatre tells Scrooge’s lesson anew every year

Beery Christmas and Hoppy New Year: 10 festive beers to stuff in your holiday stocking

“Holiday beers come in an array of styles: light and dark; elaborate and blessedly simple; sweet, tart and savory,” writes Tribune beer reporter Josh Noel. “What they tend to have in common, though, is packing a punch.” Read his 10 favorite picks for this year, from a ponche-inspired ale to a piney Christmas porter, here.

54 easy party snack ideas for the holidays

Frango mint beer is a holiday curiosity that could only happen in Chicago. Here’s how it tastes.

‘South Side’ review: Season 3 is as funny and resolutely Chicago as ever

Tribune reporter Will Lee and critic Nina Metz are back with their take on the latest season of HBO Max’s absurdist comedy “South Side,” which premieres today.

“Heads up to anyone who liked “The Bear” — here’s an entirely different portrayal of Chicago that’s very funny, very Black and very much worth your time,” Metz said. Read more here.

My worst moment: Lizzy Caplan was asked to flash a gorilla

Keepers of the flame: As Kaufman’s nears 50 years in Skokie, deli’s ingredients — and attitude — stay wonderfully fresh

As Hanukkah celebrations get underway in a couple of weeks, Jewish restaurants across Chicagoland are ushering in this year’s Festival of Lights in ways as resilient as they are delicious.

More Top Picks Irlen Syndrome And Adhd How The Symptoms Overlap

Over the next week, the baiduhai will embark on a similarly spanned jaunt, surveying how one of the world’s oldest belief systems is channeled into culinary excellence at eight restaurants in Chicago and the suburbs — starting off with Kaufman’s, where “patience runs as thin as the sliced pastrami,” writes Max Abrams. Read the story here, and check back each day for the next part of the series.

Keepers of the flame: Jewish restaurants in Chicagoland honoring tradition while forging new paths

Day 2: Tel-Aviv Kosher Pizza, one of Chicago’s oldest kosher restaurants, is one man’s ‘diamond mine’

Best of classical and jazz in 2022: Sun Ra Arkestra and Berlin Phil return, Chucho Valdés’ ‘Creación’ and a perfect Chicago day

Critic Hannah Edgar’s top picks of classical and jazz performances for 2022 included Lyric Opera’s “endlessly textured” and “smart” “Tosca,” and a belated premiere of “Florence Price’s Symphony No. 3? at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Read about what else made the cut here.

The 10 Best Books of 2022: A Mason-Dixon mission, ‘Rabbit Hutch’ and, oh yeah, Bob Dylan

Ope ope and away: A Wisconsin family’s climb to the top of Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro

The family that climbs together, stays together? One Wisconsin family, with help from mountaineering relatives in the Chicago suburbs, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro together in June. Read the story of their journey and the tips they’ve shared here.

Best Chicago art exhibitions of 2022: ‘Tea, Torture & Reparations’ at DePaul, an outdoor ‘Flourish’ and a big year for the Cultural Center

There’s still time to see at least one of Chicago’s best art exhibitions of 2022, which critic Lori Waxman outlines in her list of shows that she loved and learned from most. From “everything at the Cultural Center” to a series of roadkill sculptures, here’s what left a lasting impression.

The nonprofit IMAN turned 25. A new gallery exhibit looks at its successes with an eye toward the future.

How is everyone making those AI selfies?

Craft beer bubble burst? Not quite — but after years of growth in Chicago, closures and headwinds arrive

Years of exuberance in the craft beer scene — both in Chicago and nationwide — have skidded to a halt, and for a number of complex and interlocking reasons, writes Tribune beer reporter Josh Noel.

After breweries including Urban Brew Labs and Empirical Brewery shut down, and others eye expansion more warily than in the booming years past, brewers say hard times are likely ahead.

Up your holiday wine game with perfect picks for Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Best Chicago theater of 2022: Standout works at the Lyric, ‘Good Night, Oscar’ and a welcome return for Steep

“There was some distinguished work on offer on Chicago stages, playing to audiences that can probably be described most accurately as appreciative and slowly increasing in number,” writes Tribune theater critic Chris Jones.

Here are his 10 favorite local productions of the year.