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Wednesday night, Chicago Bulls fans watched as some familiar faces were sent packing in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Tom Thibodeau’s New York Knicks were dropped by the Atlanta Hawks in just five games, seeing their magical season come to an early ending. The Knicks were finally back, thanks to Thibodeau and […]

Chicago Bulls: 3 free agents from New York Knicks to consider – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & More

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With summer on our doorsteps, it’s time to enjoy the area’s many al fresco dining options.

With pandemic restrictions increasingly easing, and Chicago making huge strides to a return to pre-pandemic normalcy, the area’s restaurant community is adding a spring/summertime favorite to its menus: al fresco dining.

Devasted by the pandemic, Chicago’s culinary scene has weathered more than a year of closures, carryout, deliver-only and limited indoor dining. But customers have done their best to patronize their favorite eateries and discover some new ones along the way.

Jeff Marini

Here’s a look at some of what the area’s outdoor dining scene is offering. But check out your neighborhood — there are hundreds of restaurants, diners and food-offering bars serving up some of the best food in the country.

Aba: The rooftop patio seating features heaters and fire pits throughout, and a Mediterranean menu from chef CJ Jacobson, highlighting influences from the Mediterranean, including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece. 302 N. Green Street; abarestaurants.com

Aire: Located at the Hyatt Centric in the Loop, this rooftop hotspot has a 360-degree view of the city and features fire pits, cabanas and couches. The menu includes an array of appetizers, flatbreads and salads plus craft cocktails and beer. 100 W. Monroe; hyatt.com

Angelo’s: The Albany Park restaurant has a streetside patio plus a handy covered patio in case of inclement weather. The menu includes pasta, pizzas and seafood plus craft cocktails and wine. 3026 W. Montrose; angeloschicago.com

Hyatt

Athena: This Greektown staple has a charming patio with a retractable roof, Greek columns and a waterfall. The extensive menu is full of Greek-inspired classics from flaming saganaki to gyros and solmades plus many varieties of lamb. 212 S. Halsted; athenachicago.com

Avli River North & Avli on the Park. The River North spot offering contemporary Greek cuisine features a cedar terrace/patio and sidewalk café. The Lakeshore East location has a rooftop patio with fireplaces and a great view. 702 N. Wells and 180 N. Field; avli.us

Bar Avec: Located in River North, this new rooftop is inspired by the leisurely style of dining found at seaside diners in coastal Spanish and Portuguese towns. Chefs Paul Kahan and Ross Henke’s menu is simple fare that showcases seafood and seasonal vegetables as well as Avec classics. 640 N. Lasalle; baravec.com

Bar Chido: A patio extends the fun atmosphere of this restaurant that offers a modern take on Mexican street food. There’s also a taco takeout window. 1012 Curtiss, Downers Grove; facebook.com/barchidodg/

The Barn Steakhouse: The Evanston restaurant features an outdoor space with Adirondack chairs and firepits. In addition to steaks, the menu includes seafood, salads and more. 1016 Church, Evanston; thebarnsteakhouse.com

Big Star Wicker Park & Big Star Wrigleyville: The outdoor patio of the Wicker Park location is a lively neighborhood cornerstone with tasty tacos, slushies and margaritas with music provided by DJs. A smaller streetside patio at the restaurant’s Wrigleyville location features the same food and honky-tonk vibe within sightlines of the ballpark. 1531 N. Damen and 3640 N. Clark; bigstarchicago.com

BiXi Beer: The Asian-inspired brewpub located in Logan Square features a roof deck with a covered section for outdoor dining in inclement weather. Chef Bo Fowler’s menu includes noodles, burgers, seafood and more. 2515 N. Milwaukee; bixi.beer

The Bureau Bar + Restaurant: The South Loop restaurant and event space is equipped with outdoor patio seating, a pool table, live music, and a comprehensive menu including brunch options. 2115 S. State. Visit bureaubarandrestaurant.com.

Cabra: Stephanie Izzard’s Peruvian-influenced restaurant is situated atop the Hoxton hotel and includes a partially covered patio space with views of Fulton Market. The menu features small plates including salmon ceviche, goat empanadas, eggplant saltado and more. 200 N. Green; cabrachicago.com

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises

Café Ba-Ba-Reeba: Chicago’s original tapas bar has tented outdoor tables where patrons can enjoy a menu of authentic Spanish cuisine designed to share. 2024 N. Halsted; cafebabareeba.com

Chez Moi: The French restaurant located in Lincoln Park features bistro-style outdoor dining with a romantic ambiance. Chef Dominique Tougne’s classic French menu includes onion soup, foie gras, steak frites, crème brulee and more. 2100 N. Halsted; chezmoichicago.com

City Winery: The restaurant/music venue has a large dog-friendly outdoor patio where patrons can enjoy a selection of small and large plates, pizzas, salads, cocktails and, of course, wine. 1200 W. Randolph; citywinery.com/chicago

Coco Pazzo Café: This casual eatery has reopened with an outdoor patio and a new menu of small plates. 212 E. Ohio; cocopazzocafe.com

The Duck Inn: Enjoy everything duck (rotisserie duck, duck fat French fries, duck wings and more) under a tent on the Bridgeport restaurant’s backyard patio. 2701 S. Eleanor; theduckinnchicago.com

Found Kitchen & Social House: The restaurant includes an outdoor patio where you can enjoy chef Debbie Gold’s menu that highlights seasonal flatbreads, an array of cheeses, shared plates and kitchen driven craft cocktails. 1631 Chicago, Evanston; foundkitchen.com

French Quiche: There’s cozy patio hidden away in the back of this Lincoln Park establishment. It’s the perfect place to read the paper and enjoy quiche, sandwiches, sweets and more. 2210 N. Halsted; fqchicago.com

Frontier: Chef Brian Jupiter’s bar/restaurant features a covered patio with string lights and a fireplace. Famous for its Whole Animal Experience perfect for a large group, the menu also features blackened salmon, wagyu ribs, char-grilled oysters and the fan favorite five-cheese mac. 1072 N. Milwaukee; thefrontierchicago.com

Fuller House: Enjoy signature American cuisine on this restaurant’s large outdoor patio while also soaking up some sunshine. 35 E. First, Hinsdale; fullerhousebar.com

Fulton Market Kitchen: Chef Jonathan Harootunian offers a new seasonal menu with ingredients sourced from regional farms and markets at this part restaurant, part art gallery crossover that also has a comfortable outdoor patio. 311 N. Sangamon; fultonmarketkitchen.com

Geja’s Café: Enjoy fondue and fine wines on a pergola-covered patio at this North Side staple know as “Chicago’s most romantic restaurant.” 340 W. Armitage; gejascafe.com

Gibson’s Italia: The restaurant’s outdoor area features a retractable roof and walls for warm summer nights along the Chicago River. Chef Jose Sosa’s menu pairs the tastes of Italy with the meat-based menu of Gibson’s Steakhouse. 233 N. Canal; gibsonsitalia.com

Greek Islands: The Greektown restaurant has a traditionally decorated outdoor space and a menu of favorite Greek classics. 200 S. Halsted; greekislands.net

Harold’s #88 Chicken Meets Beer: While the hook is the chicken, the South Loop location stands out with outdoor patio seating, “infused” smoothies, and an occasional Thursday comedy night. 1450 S. Michigan. Visit instagram.com/haroldschicken88meetsbeer/.

Il Culaccino: Located in the South Loop, this Italian eatery has an outdoor patio with a retractable roof and walls. The menu boasts an extensive list of pasta dishes as well as salmon, chicken and veal. 2134 S. Indiana; ilculaccino.com

IO Godfrey: A year-round rooftop patio with a retractable roof, craft cocktails and a menu that features shared plates, grilled selections, sushi and flatbreads. 127 W. Huron; iogodfrey.com

The J. Parker: The rooftop restaurant sits atop Hotel Lincoln and features great views of the city and Lake Michigan. The menu features small plates, sandwiches and burgers. There’s also a breakfast menu. 1816 N. Clark; jparkerchicago.com

Kennedy Rooftop: Located in Wicker Park atop the Hyatt Place Chicago, this outdoor deck has views of the Chicago skyline. The menu features sharable plates as well as burgers, salads and more. 1551 W. North; kennedyrooftop.co

Kimski: Operating within Bridgeport’s Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar, the Polish-Korean mashup has outdoor patio service, eats such as the “Puff Daddy,” a burger patty in between two pizza puffs, and Chap Chae noodles, a vegan stir-fry delicacy. 954-960 W. 31st. Visit kimskichicago.com.

Courtesy Kinzie Chophouse

Kinzie Chophouse: The River North mainstay’s streetside patio features overhead awnings and large umbrellas. Order from the expansive menu (steaks, seafood, pasta) or just stop by for happy hour, which features its own drink and food menu that includes buy one get one free appetizers. 400 N. Wells; kinziechophouse.com

La Josie: The West Loop eatery features a rooftop deck plus a sidewalk café. The upscale-casual Mexican restaurant’s menu includes tacos, enchiladas and more plus a full agave bar. 740 W. Randolph; lajosie.com

MacArthur’s Restaurant: The West Side institution, which boasts Southern comfort food such as smothered chicken, fried catfish, and collard greens, among many other eats, has an outdoor patio. 5412 W. Madison. Visit macarthursrestaurant.com.

Nobu Hotel: Located along the Randolph Street’s restaurant row, this restaurant and hotel has a rooftop space that is partially covered from the elements and has a relaxed, lounge vibe. The menu features small and large plates inspired by the team at Nobu. 155 N. Peoria; chicago.nobuhotels.com

Norman’s Bistro: The North Kenwood hotspot boasts outdoor patio service, a menu featuring signature sandwiches, and a weekly jazz set, among other amenities. 1001 E. 43rd. Visit normansbistro.com.

Offshore: The large rooftop deck located at Navy Pier has spectacular views of the Chicago Skyline and Lake Michigan. The menu offers salads, pizzas, poke bowls, fish and burgers plus an extensive drink menu. 1000 E. Grand; drinkoffshore.com

Open Outcry Brewery Company: The Morgan Park-based brewery, which has a rooftop beer garden and a community taproom, specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza. 10934 S. Western. Visit openoutcrybrewing.com.

Osteria Langhe: Patrons can enjoy the traditional Piedmontese cuisine of chef Cameron Grant in the relaxed atmosphere of a patio hidden behind this Logan Square eatery. There’s also a curated regional wine list. 2824 W. Armitage; osterialanghe.com

Pacino’s: Pull up a seat under the outdoor pergola at this Italian eatery where Sicily meets South Loop. Menu includes antipasti, pizza, salads, seafood, pasta and more. 1010 S. Delano; pacinoschicago.com

Pacino’s

Pilsen Yards: Sporting a menu including tequila and bourbon options, along with vegan pozole and “Drunken Tres Leches (rum, mezcal, charred pineapple),” the Pilsen eatery and event space has outdoor patio seating and other amenities. Live DJ vinyl sets from local creatives round out the ambiance. 1163 W. 18th. Visit pilsenyards.com.

Pizza Friendly Pizza: Hidden behind the Empty Bottle music club in Ukrainian Village this is an urban patio that has an alt-rock energy. There’s a walk-up window to order chef Noah Sandoval’s Sicilian-style pizza and tables to sit at under twinkling lights. 1030 N. Western; pizzafriendlypizza.com

The Promontory: The Hyde Park-based restaurant and event space is equipped with an outdoor patio downstairs, an outdoor deck upstairs, and a menu featuring “Heavy Artillery,” a cocktail with bourbon, cognac, rum, pineapple, lime, black pepper, along with food options. 5311 S. Lake Park West. Visit promontorychicago.com.

The Publican: The West Loop mainstay of chef Paul Kahan features a patio expanded into the closed-off street. The menu as always features an array of meat, seafood and vegetables. 837 W. Fulton; thepublicanrestaurant.com

Publican Quality Meats: Patrons can enjoy artisanal meats and cheese plus unique sandwiches in this outdoor café setting. There’s also a menu of charcuterie selections curated by chef-butcher Rob Levitt. 825 W. Fulton; publicanqualitymeats.com

Reggie’s On the Beach: Reggies Chicago’s Jackson Park seasonal location opened this month. While the eatery has a similar menu (burgers, wings, etc.) as the original, the latest iteration sports an outdoor patio within the backdrop of a beachwalk shoreline behind the 63rd Street Beach House. 6300 S. Lake Shore. Visit reggieslive.com.

Roof on the Wit: Check out the sweeping skyline views at this bar atop the Wit hotel with a retractable roof plus an open patio under the stars. The menu features Neapolitan-style pizzas and classic cocktails. 201 N. State; roofonthewit.com

Saint Lou’s: The Fulton Market hangout spot has a new drink menu and a socially distanced, dog-friendly backyard patio with picnic tables, fire pits and a Bocce ball court. The food menu includes snacks, dips and poboys. 664 W. Lake; saintlouischicago.com

Testaccio: The Logan Square restaurant’s cozy patio echoes al fresco street dining in Europe. The menu features Italian comfort food and wood-fired oven specialties from chef Jacob Solomon plus live music throughout the summer. 2456 N. California; testacciochicago.com

Tuscan Hen Market: The North Center eatery has a quaint European-style patio in its back courtyard where you can enjoy your favorite Italian dinner under the stars. 4019 N. Damen; tuscanhenmarket.com

Tzuco: This Gold Coast restaurant features a patio with a cantilevered ceiling and removable side panels where you can enjoy chef Carlos Gaytán’s vision of Mexican cuisine. 720 N. State; tzuco.com

Uncommon Ground: The Edgewater location has a large patio where patrons can peruse a menu that includes seasonal bucatini, bacon wrapped meatloaf, BBQ roasted chicken and more. 1401 W. Devon; uncommonground.com

Venteux: The French brasserie from chef Donald Young offers a Parisian-inspired garden patio with umbrellas, hanging plants and floral arrangements. Enjoy Young’s nouvelle French menu along with wine and craft cocktails. 224N. Michigan; venteuxchicago.com

Virtue: The Hyde Park eatery has a wrap-around patio where you can choose from chef Erick Williams’s Southern-influenced menu, which includes blackened catfish, lemon chicken, pork steak and more. 1462 E. 53^rd; virtuerestaurant.com

The Woodlawn: The Chatham eatery and event space, where the menu includes jerk chicken salad, jambalaya flatbread pizza, and turkey tips, among other eats, is equipped with a rooftop deck and outdoor dining. Starting today, The Woodlawn kicks off their “Underneath the Moon” rooftop DJ and dining series. 1200 E. 79th. Visit thewoodlawn1200.com.

Compiled by Mary Houlihan and Evan F. Moore

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The Chicago Bears began the voluntary portion of the their offseason program with OTAs this week and Bears head coach Matt Nagy has once again addressed the rumors that rookie quarterback Justin Fields may unseat veteran Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback for the team. Since the Bears made the decision to trade up to […]

Chicago Bears News: Matt Nagy not ready to crown Justin Fields – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & More

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The term “minimalism” often conjures up white walls and bright lights—a defiant barrenness in a world steeped in chaos—but Chicago-based industrial duo Hide take their stark sounds to a far darker and more malevolent space. On the new Interior Terror, multi-instrumentalist Seth Sher (Coughs, Ga’an) and singer and visual artist Heather Gabel don’t attempt anything particularly complex or detailed, but they more than compensate with punishing volume and powerful messages—they use Gabel’s voice, field recordings, and a smokestack of electronic hardware (including a skipping Depeche Mode CD) to craft brutal social commentaries.…Read More

Check out our guide of things to see and safety guidelines to follow.

As the Chicago area’s zoos, arboretums and botanical gardens start to roll out their programming schedules for 2021 and beyond, here’s an update on new exhibit installations and social distancing guidelines.

Brookfield Zoo

When: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

What: The Chicago Zoological Society’s zoo, which is requiring all visitors to wear masks and practice social distancing guidelines, is operating at 60 percent capacity. Some zoo attractions including The Carousel, Butterflies!, Dolphins in Action, Hamill Family Play Zoo and playgrounds are not open. The Hamill Family Wild Encounters is currently open.

Where: North Gate Main Entrance, 8400 31st St. (at 1st Avenue), and South Gate Main Entrance, 3300 Golf Rd

Tickets: Everyone must secure and purchase tickets online before entering the zoo. Visit czs.org.

CZS-Brookfield Zoo

Chicago Botanic Garden

When: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (8 p.m. starting June 7)

What: The spring/summer rollout of exhibit installations at the Chicago Botanic Garden has begun with “Picturing the Prairie,” the work of artist Philip Juras depicting the ecology and history of Illinois’ prairies (through September). Starting in July, the photography of Garden Photographic Society members will be featured in the “Nature in View” exhibit. Guests are required to wear masks and observe CDC-mandated social distancing guidelines.

Where: 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe

Tickets: Admission is free, but parking starts at $25 for non-members. Visit chicagobotanic.org.

The Morton Arboretum

When: Daily, 7 a.m. to sunset (last entry at 6 p.m.).

What: The new Human+Nature (pronounced “human nature”) exhibit features five large-scale, 15- to 26-foot-tall sculptures created by South African artist Daniel Popper. The sculptures, which were created to “reflect how trees are at the heart of the Arboretum’s mission, work, and vision for the future,” include “Heartwood,” a 15.5-foot tall bisected face representing the connection between trees and humans. They are located in different locations onsite. The Arboretum is limiting the number of members and guests on the grounds, and masks are required for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals when social distancing of six feet is not possible.

Where: 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle

Tickets: Reserve timed-entry passes. Visit buy.acmeticketing.com.

Lincoln Park Zoo

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

What: The Helen Brach Primate House welcomed “Murray,” an 11-year-old white-cheeked gibbon, and the Regenstein African Journey! added “Sonny,” a male meerkat into its ranks. Masks are required inside animal buildings and outside when social distancing cannot be maintained.

Where: 2400 N. Cannon Dr.

Tickets: Admission is free; tickets need to be reserved online. Visit lpzoo.org.

Lincoln Park Zoo

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Michael Williams, 30, was charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery and felony gun charges.

A man has been charged with attempted murder after a toddler and his mother were shot through a window of their apartment in Austin on the West Side.

Michael Williams, 30, is also facing aggravated battery and felony gun charges, according to Chicago police.

Around 11:45 p.m. Tuesday, a 30-year-old woman was in a garden unit apartment in the 5200 block of West Congress Parkway with her 1-year-old son when someone fired shots through a window, police said.

She was grazed by a bullet, and the boy was struck twice in the legs. They were taken to Stroger Hospital, where the woman was in good condition and the boy’s was stabilized, police said.

Williams was arrested about 1:20 a.m. the following day in the 7200 block of North Sharidan Road. He was due in bond court Thursday.

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The Chicago Blackhawks were awarded the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. The Draft Lottery gave the first overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres and the Seattle Kraken the second overall pick. The Anaheim Ducks are the only team who fell a spot as they went from second to third. This isn’t necessarily […]

Chicago Blackhawks: 3 options at pick 11 in 2021 NHL Draft – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & More

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