Terrible Love owner Brian Knowles is converting the Baker Center's band room into a wine bar focused on Spanish‑style vermouth and low‑ABV pours.

Koko’s Bavarian has reopened on South Lamar as a 7,000‑sq‑ft beer hall with massive screens, an oak‑shaded patio and a menu of house sausages, pretzels and big pours.

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 local soup‑dumpling shop will take over Red Robin’s big Palladio unit in Folsom, giving Journey to the Dumpling its largest location yet. The swap signals more food‑first activity at the center.

Con Madre Cocina will reopen at its East Oltorf location this Friday with a new 24-foot trailer and its full breakfast taco menu.

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

Maze in Kakaako earned two stars and a Critics' Pick from The New York Times — the first Hawaii restaurant to get a Times rating.

Historic Star Lounge reopens in Midtown with chef Galice Ryan’s French-leaning menu, a cocktail-forward bar program and a hushed dining room in the restored 1928 hall.

A farmers-market favorite opened on Newport Avenue, serving naturally leavened loaves, sourdough bagels and seasonal pastries.

The Padres opened Diamond Room, a 50‑seat, ’70s‑inspired cocktail lounge beside Gallagher Square at Petco Park offering retro cocktails and a short small‑plates menu.

Four Las Vegas restaurants landed on Yelp’s Top 100 for 2026, from Strip novelty to Chinatown favorites. Local spots earned national recognition this week.

Istanbul Mediterranean is setting up a second Las Vegas restaurant at 505 Fremont Street this spring, bringing halal doner, kahvaltı, pide and late-night hours to Fremont East.

Award‑winning pitmaster Bryan Furman will run a three‑month barbecue residency beneath Gregory Gourdet’s Kann in Southeast Portland, serving brisket, peach‑mustard sauce and family sides.