Lacy Irby and her business partner, chef Ryan Broseau, planned to open a restaurant in the event of a pandemic.It delayed them, but in the end, they opened in early 2021 Dear MargaretA homely tribute to Mr. Brosso’s Canadian grandmother in the Lakeview district. For takeaway only, we gradually added patio dining and finally added a cozy dining room last June. Recently won the Bib Gourmand Award from Michelin — showing quality and value — and few reservations.
“For us standing, it’s a testament to our willpower, which is essentially part of the city,” Arby said.
Resilience is Chicago’s pride and was almost extinguished by the great fire of 1871. In 2020, the pandemic chased residents from downtown Loop to their homes. Many offices remain dark, but locals are now back to reopen. Clubs, theaters, restaurants, cultural attractions.
For those who make art, cooking and entertainment, introspection mixes with celebration.
“During the pandemic, artists are forced to create and see new and exciting shows,” said Katie Tuten, co-owner of the eclectic performance space. Hideaway, Fresh from the weekend sold-out show. “Moreover, who wants to get out of the pandemic and have no place to dance?”
Return to stage
It was banned indoors for at least a year at an independent music club that forms the backbone of Chicago’s music scene, not to mention dancing and watching performances.Thanks to Federal Covid’s $ 16 billion relief Distributed to venues nationwide, local clubs are not permanently closed. Chicago Independent Venue LeagueAn industry group of nearly 50 performance spaces.
The members of the league represent the spectrum of music made in Chicago. cape Hyde Park has everything from jazz concerts to soca dance parties.To Martyr The North Side welcomes emerging garage bands, artistic groups like marching band Mucca Pazza, and a free country show on Sunday afternoon.
“Each is an anchor to restaurants, bars and areas of experience,” said Kris Bauman, CIVL board member and owner of two Northside venues. Avondale Music Hall And that Patio theaterRecognizes locally owned clubs as economic engines and talent incubators. “In Chicago, we love art and music, and we do it to create and maintain this culture,” he added.
In Lincoln Park, Steppenwolf recently opened a new circular ensemble theater. Here, 20 feet away from the stage, there is Antonchekhov’s “Seagull”, a collection of Eve Ewing’s poems “The Racist Killing of a Young Black Swimmer on Lake Michigan in 1919” until June 12. It will continue from October 4th to 29th for a young adult audience.
Hundreds of small theater companies that have historically set the standard for originality have been hit harder, often occupying storefronts.Sponsor Alliance during February Theater Week to promote works with discounted tickets Chicago Theater League Compared to the pre-pandemic festival, there were about half of the entries from the small theaters, but 80% of sales in 2019.
“The audience was enthusiastic,” said Fat Clap, executive director of the league.Marie Antoinette and Magical Negro”The history of racing and the French Revolution (June 30th to July 17th) are mixed.
Eating and drinking
With the pandemic obligations removed, restaurant owners are still struggling to hire the right staff, making it a darker night than before the pandemic.
Some of the famous favorites, such as Blackbird, Spiaja, and Everest, which are sophisticated Westloop hotspots just a few centimeters away from the table, did not survive.
Still, during the pandemic, uncontrollable entrepreneurs such as chef and spouse Genie Kwon and Timothy Flores made a leap. Kasama Kwon said it was held in a Ukrainian village as a takeaway cafe in the summer of 2020 with the goal of “mainstreaming Filipino cuisine.”
Last fall, the Filipino restaurant added a 13-course tasting menu for dinner. The dish includes oysters and green mangoes, and lamb belly with bagoong, a Filipino fish paste. To guarantee income and ward against possible future capacity limits. This restaurant has recently been awarded a Michelin star. Dinner is one of the most difficult bookings.
“For Filipinos, it’s amazing to see a 13-course tasting menu offering rustic food moms and pops,” Flores said.
New on the South Side Bronzeville Winery It has a unique social mission to promote the revival of Bronzeville, a historically black business and cultural district.
“I live in Bronzeville and I’m a foodie, but I’m always driving,” said co-owner Eric Williams, who helped promote the revitalization of the now-fashioned Wicker Park area as a retailer. .. It is on the north side. “We should have something in our block.”
Before the pandemic, Brewing SocietyA national industry group called the top breweries in the Chicago Metro area, beer enthusiasts will find tap rooms scattered throughout the city and suburbs.
Cultural currency
Early on, the museum was a place of comfort when it was barely open, providing a quiet reflex to the vaccinated and masked ones.Several protocols remain, including advance ticket sales at The art in Chicago And that Museum of Contemporary Art..
Travel trends defining 2022
Future outlook. As governments around the world relax coronavirus restrictions, the travel industry hopes this year will be the year when travel returns. Here’s what you can expect:
It was closed during the pandemic, National Museum of Mexico It served as a vaccination center and continued to be an important member of the Latin community in Pilsen near the South Side. The reopened vibrant showcase of Mexican art, “Frida Kahlo,” recently featured images owned by iconic painters that make up what the museum calls a “collage of photographs” of her life and era. She made her debut (until August 7th).
Far south Pullman National Monument A new visitor center has been added to the 1880 clock tower in the country’s first planned industrial city. In addition to a factory that manufactures Pullman railcars, there are hundreds of nearby workers’ homes, lush parks, and Queen Anne-style Hotel Florence with shutters. The exhibit examines the strikes of creative workers and the employment of blacks as Pullman’s porters.
“The same conversations and discussions they had in the 1880s and 90s about what labor wages, trade unions and worker safety are are still very important today,” said the monument director Teri Gauge. Said.
The festival is back
Downtown the Loop district is quieter than before, but closer, as many workers are in remote areas Navy pier With the opening of the first hotel last year, we are ready to keep our visitors longer. Sable in Navy PierHilton’s Curio Collection, which offers panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the skyline.
The full slate of summer events is ready to renew interest in the city center, including: Chicago blues festival (June 9th to 12th) Chicago Jazz Festival (September 1st to 4th). Chicago taste We will take a hybrid approach that combines a small food event in Grant Park (July 8-10) with a series of neighborhood pop-ups in June.
There is at least one new festival on the calendar. Pizza City Fest (July 23-24). Founded by food journalist Steve Dolinsky, author of The Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide, the event brings together 40 pizza makers at the Westloop Plumber Union Hall for additional discussion on topics such as perfect dough and pizza. to hold. Make at home.
“I’m tired of seeing people spread the myth about Chicago pizza, but that’s no longer true,” Drinsky said, with 10 different pizzas, including the famous deep plate, as evidence of local experimental motivation. I went out. “Chicago is a city of innovation.”
Helene Grusac writes a column for modest travelers. Follow her on her Instagram @eglusac..