Four Things In Chicago Not to Miss This Month
- For community, by community: Portage Park’s beloved Community Tavern just joined Resy, which is good timing, as chef Joey Beato’s summer menu is full of enticing new specials: corn dumplings with black garlic; red curry noodles topped with Vietnamese meatballs, corn, and opal basil; and a snap pea and arugula salad with fried black rice and an artichoke vinaigrette. Of course, this isn’t the only new spot to join our ranks. There’s also Nashville import Dicey’s Tavern, Dolce Restaurant and Wine Bar (offering live piano throughout your meal), and more. See the latest additions right here.
- Let’s brunch (and then some): August is your last chance to partake in TenGoku Aburiya’s Saturday Japanese brunch buffet, packed with favorites like sushi and their signature skewered kushiyaki. Busy on Saturdays? Head to Diego’s Asada Sunday for chef Gavin Yang’s carne asada by the pound, straight off the grill — best enjoyed in the glorious outdoors. And on Aug. 10, attend a full-day community event hosted by La Licor Panamericana, including a Colombian coffee tasting, a dance workshop, and a live concert — a one-time only chance for you to partake in an immersive Colombian experience. Check out our full August events here.
- Grab a drink or two: Summer Fridays are in full swing for one more month, and we have all the spots to do them right, whether you want your cocktail shaken, stirred, or sans alcohol entirely. First up is Maxwells Trading for a five-spice old fashioned. Then it’s onto the Chef’s Special for a lemongrass gimlet. The Meadowlark has a zippy The Sun Brings All the Heat, spiced with Thai chili; and for a great N/A option, Broken Shaker offers the Poms Away: Seedlip Citrus, hibiscus-sage, lime, and Fever Tree ginger beer. For more creative drinks to try when you slam your laptop shut, check out our full list right here.
- Sweet mornings, if you need it: And if you’ve perhaps overdone it on one of those summer Fridays, you may be craving something sweet the next day. Start at Middle Brow for sourdough cinnamon rolls and doughnuts (they are the fermentation experts, after all), then pop over to Marisol for fresh beignets. If you have trouble choosing, you can always order a flight of baked goods at Gemini, which includes a warm cinnamon bun, an old fashioned doughnut brightened with orange zest, and coffee cake with brown sugar streusel. Then ride that sugar high through the rest of our neighborhood guides.
New to the Hit List (August 2025)
Mi Tocaya Antojería, Cellar Door Provisions, La Josie, Coda di Volpe
