The Time Out Chicago blog team

Seated in the back dining room at the Loop’s stalwart pizza and ribs joint, Exchequer Restaurant & Pub, you might spot a new, if unassuming, gold-framed remake of Amedeo Modigliani’s Portrait of Jeanne Hébuterne in a Large Hat that’s seemingly cracked right down the middle. Push gently—it’s a door!—and you’ll find yourself at Club X, a moody, retro-mod speakeasy pouring smoke bubble-topped whiskey sours and fresh, funky wines from Croatia, Georgia and Italy. You wonder, “Can it possibly be the same ownership?” Well, sorta. Managing partners Emily Minella, her brother James Mannos and their cousin Christopher Mannos quietly debuted Club X on December 5, uncoincidentally the same day that Prohibition was repealed in 1933. The trio took the reins as second-generation operators of the Exchequer last winter from Minella and James’s dad Jimmy Mannos (who remains involved), Christopher’s dad Tom Mannos and their uncle George Mannos. The space Club X now occupies had been operating seasonally for years as a private party room for the pub. After taking over, the three decided to take it back to its roots a hundred years ago—when it was a bar and restaurant called Club 226 with a brothel and speakeasy operating surreptitiously upstairs. “I realized we were sitting on a goldmine with the open space and the rich history of the restaurant,” Minella says. “The Loop has been in dire need of more contemporary and newer spots, so I wanted to tap into more modern trends, with funky...

The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony is still months away, but the James Beard Foundation has just announced this year’s semifinalists. A number of Chicago's best restaurants and chefs are up for the industry’s highest honors. Widely referred to as the “Oscars of the food world,” the James Beard Awards recognize the country’s most distinguished culinary and media talents. The winners will be revealed during an event on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. 2025 marks the Awards’ 35th anniversary, and will feature three new categories focused on beverages: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. Chicago has 22 total semifinalists this year. Check out all of the local nominees below. RECOMMENDED: Experience more of the city's best restaurants and chefs at Time Out Market Chicago 2025 James Beard Awards Chicago semifinalists Outstanding Restaurateur Brian Jupiter and Aaron Torricelli, Pioneer Tavern Group (Frontier and Ina Mae Tavern) Outstanding Chef Lee Wolen, Boka Outstanding Restaurant Galit Emerging Chef Jacob Potashnick, Feld Best New Restaurant Cariño Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker Leigh Omilinsky, Daisies Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program Elske Outstanding Bar Kumiko Best New Bar Bisous Truce Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service Thomas Kakalios, Asador Bastian Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service Christopher Marty, Best Intentions Best Chef: Great...

After 39 years of operation at 63 W. Ontario Street in River North, Chicago's Hard Rock Cafe will officially shut down on March 29 of this year, according to NBC Chicago. The news was first shared by a fan account on Facebook last week, confirmed today by NBC Chicago. "Today, Chicago is the 4th oldest cafe left of the original 10," reads a post by Scott's Hard Rock. "Now there are just 3. Also, this is the 3rd location to be closing so far in the new year." Although no official reason behind the closure was provided, Scott's Hard Rock account posits that the location "wasn't earning any profits anymore."  The company told NBC Chicago that two other area Hard Rock Cafes, Rockford and Northern Indiana, will remain open for now.  As for the employees of the to-be-shuttered River North destination, they will be receiving "outplacement support and resources," according to an official statement. They are also encouraged to apply to other open positions across the company. Fans of the River North business quickly took to Scott's Hard Rock Facebook page to express their consternation and devastation at the development. "Loved this cafe," a user wrote. "It’s one of the few ‘old style’ ones left." "This is very sad news," someone else noted. "Chicago was [the] first location that I went to and where I fell in love with the Hard Rock brand. I have an original jean jacket from this location and will definitely wear it more often!" "Got engaged there in 1993! So sad to hear it’s...