
City Cast Chicago
🫢 Is Chicago’s fine dining scene overrated?
April 3, 2024
How do you beat another gloomy Chicago day? I asked the City Cast Chicago team.
- 🌿 Podcast host Jacoby Cochran: Edibles, shoutout to Mindy Segal
- ☀️ Newsletter editor Sidney Madden (me): Summertime Chi dreaming
- 🎶 Producer Michelle Navarro: Embrace the gloominess and listen to “Cannock Chase” by Labi Siffre
Executive producer Simone Alicea is on vacay, which might be the best method of all!

What's CITY Talking About?
Weighing In on School Safety Plans
CPS is asking parents, students, and other community members to weigh in on how the district should approach school safety in a survey that closes Thursday. [WTTW]
- The Chicago Board of Education voted to remove police officers from schools this fall. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Some Riders Say Cars > CTA
Why are some CTA riders becoming car owners? Reliability — the city’s transit agency continues to struggle to get back to pre-pandemic service levels. Safety and cleanliness are also factors. [Crain’s 🔒]
- What’s the worst part of parking in the city? You tell us — we want to hear your Chicago parking woes. [Hey Chicago 💻]
Going to a Chicago Museum For Free
Illinois residents can go to eight museums — from the Field Museum to the Museum of Science & Industry — on free admission days this month. [NBC Chicago]
- It’s just one of the many things to do in Chicago in April! [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

What To Do
Wednesday, April 3
- Senior Talent Showcase 🎤 South Shore | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | $20
- Arab American Heritage Walk 👟 Willow Springs | 4–6 p.m. | Free
- Climate Cafe 💬 Avondale | 6:30–8 p.m. | Donation
- Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band 🎸 Merrionette Park | 7–10 p.m. | $5
Thursday, April 4
- Earth Month 🌏 Hegewisch | 5–7 p.m. | Free
- Singles Cocktail Party 🍸 West Loop | 6:30–9 p.m. | $25+
- Skate Shindig 🛼 Summit | 7–11 p.m. | $30+
- Sound of Silent Film Fest 🎥 Lakeview | 7:30 p.m. | $25
- Magician Joshua Jay 🪄 Rogers Park | 7:30 p.m. | $30+

Today on City Cast

Chicago Fine Dining 101
Between elaborate tasting menus and molecular gastronomy, there’s no denying that fine dining can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be: Journalist Ari Bendersky gives us tips for Chicago’s fine dining beginners.

Any Bucktown or Wicker Park residents want to help pen a neighborhood guide? Your fav newsletter editor is new to the area and wants to explore beyond Aldi and the library 😅
—Sidney Madden
Thanks to editors Michelle Navarro and Lizzie Goldsmith!
Free · Daily

