—Seeing “Signs”: Iconic comedienne/actress Lily Tomlin will appear at Chicago’s Siskel Film Center on Thursday, July 24, at 1 p.m. for a sneak preview of the newly restored The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, according to a release. Before the film, Tomlin will engage in a short on-stage dialogue. Wife Jane Wagner created this one-woman show for Tomlin in 1985. Asked recently if she sees any signs of intelligent life in the universe at the moment, Tomlin replied, “I see a lot of intelligence, but we apply that intelligence so stupidly.” Tickets can be purchased at this link.
And now on to culinary items…
—A touch of Class: Class Act—the debut concept from Executive Chef Nicolai Mlodinow, alongside its accompanying speakeasy, Nightcap—has officially opened in Bucktown.
Class Act. Photo by Landry Hudman
The new concept aims to offer an immersive, communal tasting menu experience that blends culinary artistry with creative mixology and a spirit of connection, according to a press release. Hidden behind a sleek black façade, Class Act takes guests on a three-room progressive journey anchored by a 16-seat communal table beneath a dramatic nine-foot floating gold cloud sculpture.
The experience straddles the line between dinner party and performance, encouraging guests to engage with the culinary team in an open kitchen setting as they enjoy Mlodinow’s whimsical tasting menus paired with imaginative cocktails, curated wines, or spirit-free options. After dinner, guests slip through a hidden passage into Nightcap, a velvet-draped speakeasy offering bespoke drinks in a plush, mood-lit setting. The debut menu, “Growing Up,” features a squash blossom filled with parmesan mousse and topped with micro flowers; and globally inspired creations like Blackened Seafood, Taco Truck and Celebration. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.
—French twist: Western Springs spot Petite Vie is celebrating Bastille Day on July 14.
Petite Vie, the French brasserie from James Beard-nominated Chef Paul Virant, is inviting guests to toast the day with spritz specials and $2 oysters. Located in downtown Western Springs, the intimate café will offer a complimentary spritz to diners in honor of the French holiday. The specials include the Bastille, Lillet, Cherie Chamomile, Parisienne and Astoria spritzes.
Those looking to celebrate a little early can enjoy Petite Vie’s French-inspired brunch, served Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu features hors d’oeuvres like black truffle gougères and foie gras mousse, plus hearty entrées such as duck confit poutine, crème brûlée French toast and savory buckwheat galette. Guests can also indulge in bistro staples like quiche, steak frites and Croque Madame, alongside a curated selection of French cheeses and housemade pastries. À la carte options include eggs (any style), brunch potatoes, pommes frites, pain au chocolat and kouign-amann.
—French twist, part two: On Monday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m., in honor of Bastille Day, guests are invited to join Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar in Andersonville and indulge in a curated five-course dinner inspired by the flavors of France and paired with exquisite wine selections from Jules Martin of Albert Bichot Wines. Menu highlights will include watermelon burrata paired with rosé, caramelized onion tart paired with Chablis, filet tartare accompanied by a beaujolais, braised duck breast paired with Sautenay Premier Cru, and more.
Admission is $110/person; visit this link.
—Milk money: Also on July 14, Chef John Manion of El Che Steakhouse & Brasero will be donating all proceeds from his Spilt Milk Family Meal event to support Birrieria Zaragoza, the family-run restaurant working to reopen after a recent fire.
For $25 after 5 p.m., guests will enjoy a special collaboration steak sandwich created by Manion and Chef Jonathan Zaragoza, along with two sides from each chef. There will also be a live auction and raffles featuring contributions from some of Chicago’s top chefs and restaurants, including Lula Cafe, Monteverde, Le Bouchon, Galit, Cafe Yaya, The Omakase Room, Sepia, The Coach House, Il Carciofo, Sifr and more. Donations to help Birrieria Zaragoza can be made here.
—We have a wiener: On July 16, at 6 p.m., in celebration of National Hot Dog Day, Cody’s Public House in West Lake View will host a festive Wiener Dog Meetup.
Dog lovers and their four-legged companions will enjoy an evening of complimentary bites, pet-friendly treats and drink specials. Beginning at 6 p.m., guests can enjoy FREE hot dogs, while pups will be treated to free pup cups and dog swag courtesy of Cody’s. In addition to the pet-friendly offerings, guests can take advantage of drink specials available throughout the evening, including $5 Lagunitas, $6 house wines, $8 Classic Tito’s vodka martinis, $8 Empress gin martinis and $9 espresso martinis.
—“Tap”-notch: The eighth annual Ravenswood on Tap festival, hosted by the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce (GRCC), returns July 19-20 for a weekend celebrating the local Malt Row community.
Featuring beer and spirits from local breweries and distilleries, Ravenswood on Tap—located along Ravenswood Avenue between Berteau and Belle Plaine avenues—celebrates one of the most prolific craft brewing communities in the country. The spotlight is put on local businesses in the neighborhood from restaurants to retailers, artisans, creators and more. The festival includes a suggested donation of $10 to benefit various organizations.
Participating breweries and distilleries will include Begyle Brewing, Cultivate by Forbidden Root, Demo Brewing, Dovetail Brewery, Half Acre Beer Company, Hop Butcher for the World, Is/Was Brewing, KOVAL Distillery and Spiteful Brewing. Food vendors will include Cafe Tola, Bad Johnny’s Wood-Fired Pizza and Yum Dum Food Truck, among others. Entertainment will include axe-throwing; live painting; and music from acts such as Billy Joel Jr., Lydia Cash, Punk’d, Serengeti and She’s Crafty (an all-female Beastie Boys tribute act).
Levain Bakery and Pretty Cool Ice Cream’s summer 2025 partnership. PR photo
—Cool runnings: Levain Bakery and Pretty Cool Ice Cream have come up with more ways to have people engaged in their collaboration.
From Thursday, July 17 through Sunday, July 20, Levain will offer a brand-new dulce de leche ice cream flavor from Pretty Cool Ice Cream at both of the Levain Chicago shops at 840 W. Randolph St.. and 408 N. Clark St. Also, for National Ice Cream Day (July 20), the first 100 guests at each location to order ice cream will receive free, limited-edition Levain Bakery bucket hats. Lastly, in addition to Levain à la Mode (an eight-ounce cookie with a scoop of Pretty Cool’s toasted vanilla or dulce de leche, for $10.50), guests have been coming up with their own creations, such as affogato (ice cream with hot Levain coffee poured over) and ice-cream sandwiches (a scoop between two fresh-baked Levain cookies).
That’s the news for this week. Be sure to come back next week for more tasty treats! And please don’t forget to subscribe to SAVOR with Andrew for even more insider info.
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