Kilwins will open a new shop at Burr Ridge Village Center this spring, bringing ice cream, fudge and other sweets to 745 Village Center Drive.

Burl, the new wood‑fired spot from Tom and Rachel Carlin, has opened on Prairie Avenue with farmer‑driven, Midwestern‑leaning plates and Great Lakes fish. Hours, menu highlights and booking info inside.

A new slice stall from the Table, Donkey & Stick team opened in Sterling Food Hall, serving New York‑style slices, grandma squares and whole pies for delivery.

Chef Zubair Mohajir will leave Coach House on Feb. 19 to open a chef‑run Lincoln Park restaurant this spring with East Asian and southern Spanish influences.

7 Brew plans a drive‑thru at Belvidere West Commons on Route 120; construction could begin this spring with a summer/fall 2026 opening.

A Paris-inspired cocktail lounge, CachE9 310, opens in the West Loop on Feb. 14 with velvet drapes, secret backrooms and a short small-plates menu. Expect classic-forward cocktails and intimate seating.

Nearly $700,000 in grants will help 15 local farms and food businesses scale production and sell to schools, hospitals and meal programs across Metro Chicago.

A new acai cafe is coming to downtown Skokie — owner Amy Feldman secured a small TIF grant and hopes to open in May.

Cleo's Southern Cuisine has opened at 2826 N. Lincoln Ave in Lakeview, bringing its fried catfish, The Ten and a 24‑karat muffin to the North Side.

The Currens behind The Graceful Ordinary are opening The Idle Hour, a members‑only cigar lounge, and RILY, a raw‑bar jazz club at 11 S. 2nd Ave in downtown St. Charles; construction is underway and openings are expected this year.

Mauro Mafrici is planning a new restaurant at the former Spiaggia space on the Magnificent Mile, with filings and social posts pointing to a 2026 opening.

Carmine’s returns to Rush Street Monday with a rebuilt dining room, roughly 10,000 square feet and a year‑round terrace. Reservations open Sunday.

Blue Bottle Coffee will open a shop at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie on Monday, joining the mall's redevelopment and new dining lineup.