Over the past week, Jet Wade, Sky coach/general manager James Wade’s son has been running around their home chanting,

“USA! USA! USA!”

It’s the same chant Wade and his wife Edwige Lawson-Wade listened to him yell during the Tokyo Olympics, to her surprise. You see, the Wade household is one that’s slightly divided. Lawson-Wade helped lead the French Women’s National basketball team to their first Olympic medal, a silver after losing to Team USA in the gold medal game in 2012.

Jet has bounced back and forth between the two teams in his young fandom, but now he has a whole new reason to cheer.

Wednesday, Wade was tapped by USA Basketball to serve as an assistant for the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Washington D.C.

“My parents always tried to do the best thing for me,” Wade said. “The fact that their hard work affords me the opportunity to share this with him is not lost on me.”

WNBA head coaches Vickie Johnson (Dallas Wings), Curt Miller (Connecticut Sun) and Mike Thibault (Washington Mystics) were also selected to join Cheryl Reeve’s staff for the upcoming training camp and qualifying games.

All four will be court coaches during the Feb. 5-9 training camp. Johnson and Thibault will assist on the bench for the tournament, while Wade and Miller will continue as court coaches and team scouts. This staff does not necessarily reflect who will be with the team in September and October for the FIBA World Cup in Australia.

Wade’s hire reunites him with Reeve. He spent two seasons as an assistant on Reeve’s Lynx staff, helping guide them to their fourth WNBA title in 2017.

In the last four years, Wade made his head coaching debut in the WNBA (2018), won WNBA Coach of the Year (2019) and won two WNBA titles, as an assistant in 2017 and leading the Sky in 2021. His meteoric rise as a coach is further evidenced by his hiring to USA’s staff, but if you ask Wade about his success he’ll likely evade the question and opt instead to share how thankful he is for the moment.

His coaching career is marked by a lot of character traits, and depending on who you talk to you’ll hear different ones each time. One you’ll hear directly from him is his lack of expectation. When he retired as a player to pursue a career as a coach, he promised himself he would remove all expectations.

“It was hard to reach certain expectations [as a player],” Wade said. “I never really reached them. It causes disappointment instead of appreciation for what you do have.”

Since Wade’s coaching career began as an intern on Dan Hughes’ San Antonio Stars staff in 2012, he always kept his attention focused on the task at hand. Within a year he was promoted to a full-time assistant position and four years later he was hired in Minnesota.

Hughes has described Wade as one of the best player-development coaches he’s worked with. Reeve similarly commended him for his ability to bring the best out of the game’s most elite players.

Wade’s authenticity is what struck Sky principal owner Michael Alter the most in one of their first meetings. Alter said it’s one quality that’s contributed to his success with players.

“He has a good personality with players and a love for teaching,” Reeve said on an episode of Sun-Times podcast, Equal Play. “He enjoys being in the trenches with players. Whatever players needed he was going to do that.”

Wade was being considered to lead the Canadian Women’s National basketball team. He had a couple of discussions about the head coach position but said it was always his intention to be part of USA Basketball in any capacity they would have him.

The next month will be busy for Wade.

Negotiations began Jan. 15 for free agents, contracts can be signed on Feb. 1 and the World Cup qualifying tournament is scheduled for Feb. 10-12. Athletes selected for the upcoming training camp will be announced at a later date but are expected to be WNBA players.

The Washington D.C. tournament site will feature USA, Belgium and Puerto Rico. Team USA will play Belgium on Feb. 11 and Puerto Rico on Feb. 12.

Beyond winning the qualifying tournament and making Reeve’s and the players’ jobs easier, Wade only has one other expectation for the future.

“Get these players signed in free agency,” Wade said.

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The list of Bears chairman George McCaskey’s remarks in his press conference last week that were weird, confusing or unnecessarily dodgy is long and wearying.

It was such a ham-handed back and forth that at one point McCaskey struggled to give a concrete commitment to Justin Fields as the team’s quarterback of the future. After repeated pressing on whether it was a prerequisite for general manager and coach candidates to believers in Fields, McCaskey broke from the pocket and sprinted for the sideline.

The best he could muster about potential candidates’ confidence in Fields was, “We want to know what their plan is with the quarterback position for the Bears.”

It was his most bizarre response of the day because it was probably the easiest question he faced. Of course the new administration must be pro-Fields. Otherwise there’s no point in even applying for these two jobs.

When former general manager Ryan Pace traded the 2022 first-round pick to move up and take Fields at No. 11 last year, he put the franchise all-in on Fields. He’ll be with the Bears for at least three more seasons.

That’s about how long a coach typically gets to prove himself, so the new guy is in trouble if he’s not on board with Fields. And if he’s in trouble, the Bears are in trouble.

There’s no off ramp like the Cardinals had when they drafted Josh Rosen No. 10 overall in 2018 and bailed on him a year later to take Kyler Murray No. 1. There’s no Murray-type prospect in the upcoming draft, and the Bears don’t have a first-round pick anyway.

So the Bears don’t need to hear a plan for the quarterback position. They have their quarterback. What they need to hear from a prospective general manager or coach is how they plan to facilitate Fields’ success.

The latest on those concurrent searches, by the way, was that the Bears scheduled a second interview with Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus for next week and received word from Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds that he is no longer pursuing the job, NFL Network reported.

In a perfect world for the Bears, candidates would be climbing over each other just to get the chance to build a team around Fields and coach him.

That’s what happened last year when the Chargers had an opening that was attractive because of quarterback Justin Herbert’s rookie season, and the Jaguars job is seen as a golden opportunity because everyone still projects greatness for former No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence.

Fields showed promise as a rookie, but it’s impossible to make a definitive determination on how good he is because of the very problems the Bears are trying to solve: Pace hindered him with an ill-conceived roster, and former coach Matt Nagy clouded the view of Fields from the start.

Their errors are the reason no one knows whether Fields is the answer.

Pace put Fields behind a shaky offensive line, he didn’t have a surefire tight end and he was asked to play in an offense that had already fallen flat.

On Nagy’s end, he insisted on Andy Dalton as his starter and put Fields on a slower track with the assumption that he’d sit on the bench all season. He seemed completely unable to maximize his skillset, which was evident in his starting debut. That game plan was so atrocious that Nagy surrendered play calling to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor days later.

If the Bears are going to continue entrusting Fields to people that are unable or unwilling to support him, the mess they’re in is going to get a lot worse.

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The NHL announced Wednesday its reconstructed schedule for February, filling in what was originally intended to be the Olympic break.

For the Blackhawks, that update meant their six previously postponed games were all given new dates, and one other upcoming game was also moved.

After the All-Star Break from Feb. 3-6, the Hawks will play three consecutive road games, visiting the Oilers on Feb. 9, the Blues on Feb. 12 and the Jets on Feb. 14.

The Blues road matchup had been scheduled for Jan. 30 until Wednesday’s update; the Oilers and Jets matchups were previously postponed.

The Hawks will then return home for a three-games-in-four-nights stretch, all at the United Center, when they host the Blue Jackets on Feb. 17, Stars on Feb. 18 and Panthers on Feb. 20.

All three of those games had been previously postponed. They carry into a preexisting three-game home stand that starts with hosting the Devils on Feb. 25, functionally extending it to a six-game home stand.

Finally, the Hawks’ previously postponed home game against the Flames was tucked into the late-season schedule on April 18.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — White Sox Hall of Famer Luke Appling is among the latest class of inductees for the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Appling, a native of High Point, North Carolina, played 20 years in the major leagues, all with the White Sox, from 1930 to 1950. The shortstop was a seven-time American League All-Star and twice was the league’s batting champion.

The hall, which announced the new class on Wednesday, also welcomed former N.C. State and St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt, who grew up in Gibsonville; Ahoskie native and former Winston-Salem State and Dallas Cowboys running back Timmy Newsome; and the late Sam Mills, a 12-year NFL veteran who spent his last three seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues was elected previously, but couldn’t attend the ceremonies, so he will join the current class during the 58th annual induction banquet on April 22 at the Raleigh Convention Center.

After a standout career at Wake Forest, the 5-foot-3 Bogues spent 14 seasons in the NBA and remains the shortest player in league history. Bogues, who became a very popular member of the Charlotte Hornets, ranks among all-time leaders in NBA history with 6,726 career assists and assists per game at 7.6.

Others inducted into the class of 2022 are:

— Missouri Arledge, a star athlete who averaged 31.3 points per game during her senior year at Durham’s Hillside High School. Arledge went to Philander Smith College in Arkansas, scoring 21.0 points per game as a sophomore and becoming the first African-American woman to play in an AAU tournament (1954) and the first to be named AAU All-American the following season.

— Ronnie Barnes, a graduate of East Carolina University’s sports medicine program in 1975 who was an assistant athletic trainer and instructor at ECU, and then went to Michigan State, where he was head athletic trainer and earned his master’s. He moved on to the New York Giants in the NFL as an athletic training intern, rising to head athletic trainer in 1980 and now senior vice president for medical services, working for the Giants for over 40 years.

— Henry Bibby, a Franklinton native who was the starting point guard on UCLA men’s basketball teams that won three straight NCAA championships in the early 1970’s, averaging 14.4 points per game for his career and earning first-team all-American honors. He played nine NBA seasons, winning a title with the New York Knicks. As a coach at the University of Southern California, he led three teams to the NCAA tournament, including an Elite Eight trip in 2001.

— Dan Brooks, the 1981 graduate of Oregon State University who has put together 40 years of success as head women’s golf coach at Duke University. Brooks has led the team to seven NCAA national championships and 21 Atlantic Coast Conference titles, and his 140 team victories are the most of any women’s golf coach in NCAA Division I history.

— Tom Suiter, a Rocky Mount native who was a sports anchor for WRAL in Raleigh for 45 years, from 1971 until 2016, although he retired from the newscasts in 2008. He created a popular Friday night high school football highlight show and added an award acknowledging achievements away from the field and court.

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The Bears want to hear more from Matt Eberflus.

After interviewing the Colts’ defensive coordinator for their head coaching vacancy on Monday, the Bears want to schedule another with him at some point next week, per NFL Network.

Exactly what that means for the Bears’ dual head coach and general manager searches is unclear. The Bears are still conducting their first rounds of interviews with GM candidates. Chairman George McCaskey would prefer to hire a GM before a coach, meaning Eberflus’ second interview would likely have to come after the team hires a new GM.

Time might be of the essence, though. The Bears aren’t the only team with interest in Eberflus; He’s due for a second round of interviews with the Jaguars.

Eberflus has been the Colts’ defensive coordinator for four years. He was actually hired to work for Josh McDaniels before the Patriots offensive coordinator backed out of the Colts head coaching job in 2018. The Colts kept Eberflus anyway. He inherited a team that finished 30th in yards allowed and points allowed in 2017. In three of the past four years, the Colts have been ranked in the top 10 in fewest points allowed.

Eberflus already knows a few Bears GM candidates: Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds, who interviewed Monday, and Colts college scouting director Morocco Brown, who’s supposed to meet with the team later this week. Dodds, though, told the Bears he was withdrawing from their search on Wednesday, per NFL Network. He’s a candidate for the Raiders’ vacancy.

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With National Hot Chocolate Day happening on January 31st, I know you’re ready to treat your taste bud for a cup of divine goodness in town! Check out our personal favorite restaurant and cafes with the best hot chocolate in Chicago! From your classic, original hot chocolate, to new flavors you’d never think about, to spiked hot chocolate for a good kick on a gloomy winter day… Whatever you want, whatever Chicago has to offer!

1651 North Wells St. Chicago IL 60614

Voted “Best Spot for Hot Chocolate in the country” by the Food Network, this playground for chocolate lovers is nestled in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood close to the Mag Mile. Grab a cup of their decadent drinking chocolate along with one of their fresh-baked cookies. They also have plenty of chocolate barks and hand crafted chocolate to choose from!

832 W Randolph St. Chicago IL, 60607

Since 2015, this West Loop staple has been serving up insane desserts and drinks. And their hotter chocolates are back for a limited time! Sinful flavors include s’mores, classic, cookie crumble, or you can build your own concoction. Choose from waffle cones, donut holes, sprinkles, and other condiments. Who can make the tastiest hot chocolate?

23 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

We don’t need to tell you how good Jojo’s is. But… did you know they’re turning National Holiday Day into a half-year celebration? Yes, you heard that right! JoJo’s ShakeBAR’s Biggie hot chocolates make it the perfect place to honor National Hot Chocolate day. Until April 24, 2022, JoJo’s ShakeBAR will introduce a new decadent hot cocoa to the scene every few weeks in honor of National Hot Chocolate Day and the hot chocolate season.

The Cholotaes are:

The Birthday Wishes Hot Chocolate (February 21 – March 6, 2022): Topped with toasted marshmallow fluff, cotton candy, a white chocolate pretzel with rainbow sprinkles, a birthday marshmallow dipped in rainbow sprinkle dots, and finished with a candle on top.
The Lucky Charms Hot Chocolate (March 7 – March 20, 2022): Topped with marshmallow fluff, a chocolate marshmallow with a green drizzle, a clover s’more, and a chocolate dipped pretzel with gold sprinkles.
The Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate (March 21 – April 10, 2022): Topped with toasted marshmallow fluff, a chocolate marshmallow, and a chocolate s’more.
The Peep Show Hot Chocolate (April 11 – April 24, 2022): Topped with cotton candy, a bunny peep, and a candy s’more.
The Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate (available all season): Topped with toasted marshmallow fluff, a gold star marshmallow, toffee marshmallow, and a toffee pretzel.

1747 N. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

Owner Mindy Segal’s hot chocolate blends are truly out-of-this-world. Flavors include Mexican (Mexican – Dark with Cinnamon and Cayenne), Medium (Belgium milk chocolate, French bittersweet chocolate & French milk chocolate with a hint of salt), and Dark (French Bittersweet Chocolate & Butter Cocoa). Each blend makes approximately 8 cups. Grab a bag for $25 each. 

1724 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

If you are anywhere near Evanston, you know Kilwins is the holy ground for sweets lovers. During summer, this is the place we go for ice cream and fudges. During winter days, their hot chocolate is the most healing thing anyone can ask for after a stressful week working and coping with miserable weather.

Want to know why their hot chocolate is considered legendary? You gotta try it yourself!

5940 N Broadway St. Chicago, IL 60660

Craving a Mexican hot chocolate? Spice up your life and pop into Brasserie for their take on the classic warm drink for $4.95. Add on a delicious cookie (chocolate chip, triple chocolate, kitchen floor, and more) for the best day ever. 

6977 N Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL 60626

Step inside this vibrant, sprinkles and rainbows cafe and you can’t help but smile. XO Marshmallow has all sorts of treats but their gourmet hot chocolate takes the cake. Order a s’more to enjoy with your drink for the ultimate dose of nostalgia. 

3300 N. Broadway St. Chicago IL 60657

Frozen hot chocolate? Yes please! We know it’s 10 degrees outside but something holy  happens when you pair a warm donut with a cold drink. Scoop up some of their glazed old fashioned donuts, a frozen hot cocoa, and experience the magic for yourself.

400 N Michigan Ave Suite 100 Chicago, IL 60611

Chocolate lovers: run don’t walk to your paws on Ghirardelli’s heavenly hot chocolate drinks. Choose from a Classic Hot Cocolate with a luxuriously deep chocolate flavor, topped with whipped cream and dusted with cocoa powder. Or Sea Salt Caramel which is a classic hot cocoa blended with the creaminess of caramel, topped with whipped cream, sea salt, and caramel sauce.

2643 N Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

This Logan Square gem is a ~vibe~ with green velvet chairs, warm lighting and comforting specialties. Sweeten your day with their signature hot chocolate drink topped with a donut, Oreo, and whipped cream. You won’t regret it!

River North, Fulton Market, Streeterville

All this hot chocolate talk made you feel like a little kid? Need a boost in your adult sassiness? No problem! Come to Beatrix for their spiked peppermint cocoa for a change. Made with creme de menthe, creme de cacao, and white chocolate, this is one of our favorite winter cocktails of all time.

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Got a sweet tooth? We’ve got you covered with this list of the best bakeries in Chicago. From conchas and croissants to cookies and cakes, Chicago is home to all types of bakeries for sweet seekers. Start your day off right with a cup of coffee or tea to accompany these delicious confections. Check out our bakery guide below!

Also, remember to pair your pastry with a divine cup of hot chocolate this month for National Hot Chocolate Day!

1114 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

916 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

Bittersweet is a true European-style bakery that has served the Lakeview neighborhood since 1992 with a recent expansion to Time Out Market. Stop by for pastries, pies, tarts, brownies, French macarons, cookies, and more. 

There’s also a small, thoughtfully curated gift section in the Lakeview location for last minute gifting or celebratory additions like cards and candles. The bakery is also known for its custom wedding and celebration cakes, having created cakes for Oprah, Michael Jordan, and the Cubs.

1649 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

1127 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610

901 N Larrabee St, Chicago, IL 60610

911 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

International Terminal 5, 10000 W O’Hare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666

The Goddess and Grocer has been a popular Chicago spot for baked goods, lunch, drinks, and groceries since its first location opened in 2005 in Bucktown. Since then, the gourmet deli concept has expanded to four additional locations as well as opening several Goddess and the Baker cafes as well. 

One of the most popular items to order is the Rainbow Cake. Cakes and cupcakes are also available to order on Goldbelly with nationwide shipping.

1332 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

Aya Pastry brings a creative take on signature bread and pastries from the culinary expertise of James Beard-nominated pastry chef Aya Fukai. Previously the head pastry chef at Maple & Ash, Aya opened the bakery in West Town in 2019, and has since been adored as one of the best bakeries in Chicago. From Asian-inspired flavors and treats to classic flaky croissants and bread, Aya has delicious treats for any craving. The bakery recently won the “Best New Baked Good Empire” title for the 2021 Eater Awards.

2144 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

1726 West Division St. Chicago, IL, 60622

Tous les Jours is a South Korean bakery franchise with more than 1,650 stores worldwide, including two in Chicago––Chinatown and Wicker Park––and five in the burbs. You’ll get more than your usual bakery fare here, though the chain has those classics too. 

The bakery specializes in French-Asian-inspired baked goods, including bread, pastries, cakes, desserts, and beverages. Try the Ube Latte and Taro Cream Bread if you’re jumping into the ube trend or the Red Bean Bread for a classic Asian bun.

100 E Walton St, Chicago, IL 60611

In 2010, Hendrickx brought Belgian baked treats and light fare to Chicago’s Gold Coast. Belgian Chef Renaud Hendrickx and his team use artisanal Belgian methods to craft fresh bread and pastries from scratch. The bakery has 13 different croissants, artisanal breads, macarons, pastries, and Belgian chocolates. Also on the menu are sandwiches, soups, and salads for something more savory.

1634 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Panaderia Nuevo Leon is a traditional self-serve Mexican bakery that has been in the Pilsen community since 1973. The bakery serves conchas, gorditas dulces, cakes, donuts, muffins, brownies, empanadas, and more. Conchas are made fresh daily with high quality ingredients throughout the day. Vegan selections are available as well.

You can also find fresh and made-from-scratch flour tortillas in flavors such as mole, habanero, chile morita, black bean with jalapeño, and more.

3301 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Jennivee’s Bakery is a cozy patisserie specializing in traditional American and Filipino cakes and pastries. The LGBTQ+ owned and operated bakery is a local favorite in East Lakeview. It’s also one of the few bakeries that are open late! The bakery serves cakes by the slice and as a whole, including custom cakes. The ube cake is one of the most popular flavors––you’ve probably seen it on Instagram! You’ll also find cupcakes, cookies, brownies, bars, and other delectable pastries.

5318 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

2140 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

This Andersonville bakery and cafe serves bread, pastries, and light fare including sandwiches and quiches. Lost Larson pays homage to the neighborhood’s Scandinavian roots with menu items like lingonberry hibiscus lemonade, seasonal danishes, lingonberry almond cake, and more.

Try one of Lost Larson’s smørrebrøds, a traditional Danish-Norwegian open-faced sandwich, with filling options including smoked salmon, avocado, ham, and cheese, or turkey club. There’s also a rotating bread menu with specialties like challah, pumpkin seed kelp, sunflower rye, and potato. Lost Larson’s second location in Wicker Park has a slightly different menu and no cafe fare.

1964 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

This small bakery in Ravenswood is our new favorite lately! From ambience to pastry to simple meals offered on the menu, Sweet Moon is what we’ve always dreamed a neighborhood bakery to look like. And, just like in old times, they don’t use a website for orders. If you want to get your hands on their delicious bites, you’ll have to give them a call at (347) 985-5821!

Featured Image Credit: Lost Larson

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Is healthy eating part of your New Year’s resolution? Well, then. Check out where you can get the best signature vegetarian dish in Chicago from your favorite chefs and restaurants. Also, don’t forget to check out the best vegan restaurants in Chicago as well!

500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60661

Typically known for their award-winning Southern fried chicken sandwiches, Boxcar Betty’s offers guests the chance to swap the fried chicken breast for a pimiento cheese-stuffed, fried portobello mushroom cap on any of their signature sandwiches.

With sandwich options like the Boxcar, Chicken Not So Waffle, Buffalo, and The Betty guests can go sans meat and still enjoy signature ingredients like housemade peach slaw, house pickles, blue cheese sauce, and more while satisfying their comfort food cravings. Plus, Boxcar Betty’s is available for delivery via Grubhub, DoorDash, Postmates, and UberEats from their Bucktown or Ogilvie Station locations.

1300 W Wellington Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Honest food from the heartland makes its home at Farm Bar in Lakeview. Known for its fresh, hearty fare, the menu is filled with heavenly eats and the Cauliflower Steak does not disappoint. Made with harissa and garlic roasted cauliflower, mushrooms and roasted mini heirloom tomatoes, and kale pesto, this entree is the perfect dish to warm up with while escaping the chilly Chicago winter.

703 Church St, Evanston, IL 60201

A popular hotspot with families in Chicago’s North Shore, Farm House Evanston is known for its made from scratch midwestern fare and fresh ingredients from owner TJ Callahan’s Brown Dog Farm.

The Farro Risotto is a creamy vegetarian dish sure to satisfy any palate and is home cooking at its finest. Featuring produce like asparagus and spring peas alongside garlic, butter, parmesan, goat cheese, and toasted seeds the flavorful dish is not only filling, but decadent.

177 N Ada St #001, Chicago, IL 60607

Inspired by the fanciful brasseries of France, The Loyalist feature casual French fare and every dish is prepared with the same steadfast attention to detail as its sister restaurant, Smyth, located upstairs. A truly divine vegetarian dish comes in the form of the Gnocchi À La Parisienne À La Crème Du Fromage. This luxurious pasta is made with pleasant ridge, pumpkin seed, swiss chard and lemon and makes for a perfect winter dish to indulge in on a night out on the town.

Imgae Credit: Funkenhausen

1709 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

At Funkenhausen, Chef Mark Steuer draws on his German heritage and Charleston, South Carolina upbringing to create a menu that re-imagines his fondest meals and memories from childhood. Schnitzel is one of Germany’s most popular dishes and while commonly made with meat, at Funkenhausen they offer a vegetarian take on this classic dish with fresh ingredients and an emphasis on squash.

Vegetarian guests can order the Zucchini “Schnitzel” made with potato crust, smokey squash puree, pickled squash, herbed ricotta with a basil aioli for a fresh take on this traditional dish.

110 N Upper Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606

Contrary to what its name suggests, José Andrés’s reimagined steakhouse places an extreme amount of care not just on steak and meat, but also on other products from the land: vegetables. Vegetarians will find themselves with a variety of options to create a full menu, in the unique tapas-style steakhouse experience that Bazaar Meat encourages.

Start with the seasonal Chilled Beet Gazpacho or Not Your Everyday Caprese Salad before moving along to the “Beefsteak” Tomato Tartare and King Trumpet Mushroom Carpaccio. A variety of vegetables and potato dishes include: Catalan Spinach 2.0, Cauliflower Couscous and Roasted Leeks with Salsa Negra.

854 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

Vegetarians looking for exquisite Japanese cuisine should dine at Nobu Restaurant Chicago where guests can choose from a menu of a wide variety of hand-crafted vegetarian dishes that are equally as delicious as they are unique. With an extensive sushi menu, vegetarian guests can enjoy the Kappa, or cucumber roll, and the Vegetable sushi roll.

Meanwhile, those not looking for sushi can enjoy menu items such as Nobu’s vegetable tacos, Japanese eggplant tempura, and the Miso Soup with Tofu to warm you up on a chilly, Chicago evening.

122 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603

Named for a move from Argentine tango, Boleo brings the dramatic flavors and sultry beats of South America to the best rooftop in the Loop for Chicagoans to enjoy year-round. Inspired by Peruvian and Argentinian street food, the menu of snackable dishes and other small plates include delicious vegetarian options as well. Stop by and enjoy Empanada Vegetariana made with kale, provolone, crimini mushrooms, and romesco.

221 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60601

Experience farm-to-table dining in the heart of Downtown Chicago at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar. The acclaimed American grill concept, known for its wood-fired cooking, offers a menu featuring delicious vegetarian dishes. Begin the meal with rotisserie baby cauliflower and house marinate or a fresh beet salad with goat cheese, micro-greens, watermelon radish, and granola.

For the main dish, try a Field Burger made with black bean, sweet corn, chickpea burger, crisp onion, ginger avocado mayo, wild mushroom, lettuce, tomato and pickled vegetables on a multi-grain bun. Steps from Lake Michigan and Millennium Park, FireLake is an inviting showcase for the excellent food and welcoming spirit that define the city.

1134 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607

The Press Room is a small, subterranean restaurant with an oversized heart, serving sophisticated but familiar food, friendly wines and classic cocktails in Chicago’s West Loop. The Press Room runs on attentive service and affable vibes by offering guests the ultimate speakeasy experience.

Growing up, Chef Noah Zamler and his family were Vegetarian. To accommodate those who are vegetarian, diners can indulge in a variety of large and small plates including the King Oyster Mushroom dish, served with wheat berries, 63 egg, spinach, and soy vinaigrette.

400 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Located in the heart of River North, The Smith offers diners a variety of American-fare featuring an expansive selection of salads, sandwiches, entrees, burgers, pastas, and more. On the menu, diners can indulge in the Veggie Burger Royale, featuring a slow roasted veg + quinoa patty, cheddar, pickled beets, shredded lettuce, red onion, secret sauce, on a sesame brioche bun or unless.

Featured Image Credit: Boleo

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Cody’s Public House, located at 1658 West Barry Avenue, the corner of Paulina and Barry in Lakeview, is now open. A legendary neighborhood mainstay, former owner Gene Frankowski purchased the bar in 1986 and ran it for over 30 years as Cody’s Public House, named after his dog, until closing in 2019. Frankowski sold the building to Red Door Tavern Group (The Graystone Tavern, The Rambler Kitchen + Tap) in September 2021, who promised to honor the bar’s history with tasteful restorations of its beloved elements while adding updated amenities.

“While working through our renovations and updates, we made it a priority to keep the vibe the same as the old Cody’s you know and love,” said owner Kyle Bagley. “We wanted to respectfully carry on the corner tap tradition, so we made sure to adhere as closely as possible to the original bar with thoughtful, complementary renovations while also updating the amenities for our staff and guests.”

Cody’s is open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Guests will enjoy a full bar with a selection of beer, wine, cider, seltzers, and signature cocktails and shots. For more information, check out their website!

Image Credit: Papergirl PR

The Space

Cody’s Public House is housed in a 126 year old building constructed in 1894, and Red Door Tavern Group spent months restoring several of the bar’s original elements. The existing authentic tin ceiling was repainted copper and features several antique Schlitz chandeliers hanging throughout. The original backbar sconces were repurposed as pendant lights and sconces throughout the main bar, and the original oak wood floors were refinished. The bar’s pool table and jukebox were upgraded, and both the dart boards and much of the artwork were cleaned, polished, and rehung.

New improvements included replacing the glass block windows with larger windows for better ventilation during the warmer months. Farm-style siding was added on the outside of the building, and a fresh coat of dark and cozy green paint was added inside, complemented by a knotty pine trim, as well as art and memorabilia from the new owners’ personal collections. Adding to the space’s amenities are eight 65-inch TVs around the bar for a total of 10 throughout the space. 

Newly revamped gameroom at Cody’s Public House. Image Credit: Papergirl PR

Additionally, Cody’s now has a dedicated game room that includes darts, Golden Tee and Big Buck Hunter. Available for rentals, the game room can also be used for private parties for up to 30 guests.

Outdoors, Cody’s offers an expansive beer garden that can accommodate 100 people where guests can cozy up to the year-round fire pit, weather permitting. In early spring 2022, Cody’s will remodel the beer garden adding new lights, seating, tables and backyard games.

Signature cocktails at Cody’s. Image Credit: Papergirl PR

Beverage Menu

Cody’s is equipped with a full bar and a new state-of-the-art tap system featuring 16 beers on draft. Offering local craft favorites and rotating seasonal brews, winter selections currently include Maplewood Son of Juice, Three Floyd’s Gumballhead and Zombie Dust, Revolution Anti-Hero, Spiteful IPA, Noon Whistle Bernie Milk Stout, Goose Island Greenline and more. 

For cocktails, Cody’s features a menu with classics as a nod to the building’s history ranging from $10 to $12. Signature drinks include the Black Manhattan with Piggyback Rye Whiskey, Amaro Montenegro, bitters, orange bitters and brandied cherry, an Old Fashioned with Pink Hook Bourbon, Angostura bitters and simple syrup with an orange twist, and an Espresso Martini with Tito’s, Cafe Borghetti, espresso and simple syrup. Perfect for the cooler months, hot drinks are available for $10 each including the Kentucky Hot Chocolate with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, bourbon cream, whipped cream and sprinkles and the Buckeye with hot chocolate, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, whipped cream and sprinkles.

Mini Beer Shots at Cody’s Public House. Image Credit: Papergirl PR

Cody’s also offers a menu of signature shots and bombs for $8 each like the Mini Beer with Licor 43 and heavy whipping cream, Watermelon Margarita with Hornitos Plata Tequila, watermelon juice and lime, and a Cubbie Bomb with Stoli Rasberi Vokda, blue curacao and Red Bull Coconut Edition. The full drink menu can be found HERE.

Featured Image Credit: Papergirl PR

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