Welcome back, Chicago.
It’s been an extraordinarily long week — no? — but Friday finally is here. We’ve put together a guide to help you make the most of this January weekend. Once the snow stops, the forecast predicts cloudy skies and temperatures hovering in the low- to mid-30s. Not too bad by Chicago standards, but still ideal for curling up inside, bingeing quality television and ordering takeout. Also a good time to do a little nesting.
In the first of our Friday newsletters, we’ve put together a handy guide for what to stream, what to eat, and what to buy to make your home a little more cozy, a little more functional. Read on for our picks.
— Jennifer Day
Watch this. Eat that: ‘Soul’ demands inspired comfort food
“Soul,” a joyous new film from the team that created “Inside Out” and “Up,” demands comfort food of a higher order. For that, Tribune dining critic Phil Vettel recommends Virtue. Read on to find out why.
Nina Metz: Where did all that ‘Bridgerton’ money come from — and how do we feel about that?
Sorry to interrupt your fantasy, but can we get real for a minute about “Bridgerton”? It’s gorgeous, yes, but what paid for all that opulence? White supremacy. Let’s put it this way: How would we feel about it if it were set in the antebellum South? Read Nina Metz’s thought-provoking essay.
Stop scrolling aimlessly through Netflix. Our staffers offer their picks for best bets in streaming. From “Cobra Kai” and “The Mandalorian” to “Call Me Kat,” “Endeavour” and even Steve Allen on the original “Tonight” show, we have options for nearly every mood. Check it out. We want to know what you’re watching, too; email us at [email protected], and we’ll feature your picks in an upcoming post.
OMG, did you see this? A smart and stylish solution for a quieter WFH space
Perhaps you fancy a home improvement project this weekend? Design editor David Syrek is obsessed with Ikea’s Oddlaug noise-absorbing system — and with good reason. It offers a smart solution for households juggling work and schooling from home. Functional, yes, versatile, too, and best of all, it looks fantastic. Read more.
Score! Chicago’s best wings, just in time for the wild card game
Gearing up to watch the Bears’ wild card game on Saturday? Craving chicken wings? The Tribune Dining team has you covered; check out their roundup of the city’s best.
A bittersweet farewell to Family Video. Yes, it was still open (and selling CBD).
Be kind, please rewind and join Steve Johnson as he reflects on the closing of the Glenview-based Family Video chain. The stores somehow managed to survive well into the streaming era, but couldn’t outlast COVID-19.
For 2021’s colors of the year, Pantone selected Ultimate Gray and Illuminating — a bright yellow (think: happy face) — to signal light at the end of the pandemic. Design editor David Syrek offers ideas on how you can incorporate them to brighten your days.
Michael Phillips review: Does ‘Name That Tune’ reboot work for the streaming generation?
Can you name that tune in five notes? Have you even heard that tune before? The classic television game show gets a reboot with Jane Krakowski as host, but streaming has changed the way we consume music. Does it still work? Michael Phillips reviews.
Airing today: Alex Trebek’s final episode as ‘Jeopardy!’ host features Wilmette native
Take a break today at 3:30 p.m. to watch the final “Jeopardy!” episode featuring Alex Trebek, who died in November at 80. The episode features Wilmette native Cliff Chang, who reports that even on that last show, Trebek was “on top of his game.” The show airs on WLS-Channel 7. Read more.
Book of the Moment: ‘Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television, and the Fracturing of America’
Still trying to process the traumatic events at the Capitol this week? Anxious about how the Trump presidency will end? Dive into James Poniewozik’s “Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television, and the Fracturing of America.” As I wrote earlier this week, it transcends the genre of political analysis to offer something more valuable: a cultural portrait of the Trump era.
Portillo’s suggests beef bowl diet — an Italian beef without the bread — and hilarity breaks out
Or, if levity is what you need, check out what happened when Portillo’s had the bright idea to offer a carb-light version of its classic Italian Beef. Read Louisa Chu’s take on it.
Former Michelin-star Temporis chef Don Young opening new restaurant on Michigan Avenue
Let’s end with something to look forward to: Venteux, a promising French brasserie and oyster bar, will open this spring in a new luxury hotel in the Carbide & Carbon Building on Michigan Avenue. Bonus points if you can translate Venteux into English … or just read dining critic Phil Vettel’s report here.
That’s it for this week. Remember, send us your streaming picks at [email protected] and if you’re not already subscribed to this twice-weekly newsletter, visit chicagotribune.com/newsletters.