🍽️ Find your new favorite restaurant

Where Will The Bears Play?

Bears fans are anticipating next month's NFL draft, but the future of the team’s stadium remains unknown. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran discuss the various options. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Illinois Voter Data Settlement

The company that exposed the birth dates and home addresses of 6 million Illinois voters has settled a lawsuit without fines or admitting criminal wrongdoing. It must now destroy restricted voter data and refrain from publishing similar information. [WBEZ]

Public School Funding Standoff

With a budget deadline looming on March 30, Chicago City Council is requesting the Board of Education reimburse the city’s $175 million payment for non-teacher pension costs or else risk losing other financial support, including construction project funding and waived utility fees. [Chalkbeat]

A Decade of Asian Pop-Up Cinema

Chicago’s annual pan-Asian film festival kicks off Thursday and runs through April 13th, with a 10th anniversary gala on April 5th. This year’s fest will be a juried competition. [Block Club Chicago]

• The film fest has long been one of our faves 📽️ [CityCast Chicago 🎧]

Recent Openings

Kanin in Lincoln Square

The new Filipino-Hawaiian bodega-style restaurant is a delightful grab-and-go. We’re eyeing the spam and shrimp musubis, chimichurri pork skewers, and an ube-banana pudding.

Pupuseria el Centroamericano in North Center

The family behind the delicious freshly-made pupusas has had restaurants from Uptown to Des Plaines. Now, they’re bringing Salvadorian specialties — alongside other Central American flavors — to their newest location.

Spoko in Old Town

This Polish street-food restaurant and beer garden covers the basics with authentic zapi and pierogi. They also serve nine flavors of milkshakes and a weekend brunch menu — pierogi benedict, anyone?

Mariscos Los Cuates in Pilsen

This new Mexican seafood spot serves up seafood boils, ceviche three ways, and as many mussels and oysters as you can consume. Just save some room for churros, bread pudding, or their homemade flan.

Mr. B’s Caribbean Grill in Jefferson Park

Opened last week, Mr. B’s name honors the owner’s late father with Caribbean-Chicago fusion: island barbeque plates Chicago style. Pick your favorite protein and pair it with plantains or corn spinach fritters.

Anticipated Openings

Ambar in River North

With three locations in and around Washington D.C., this Michelin-recognized Balkan eatery is arriving in Chicago in April with innovative versions of classic dishes.

Hiro Izakaya in West Town

This approachable Japanese restaurant will be moving into what was once the Michelin-starred Porto in late spring. Expect an evolving menu from their two-kitchen layout — one for wood-fired dishes and the other for fresh sushi.