CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS- Lakeview, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Andersonville, Chicago Loop, Evanston

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Lakeview: Poke bowls are the newest foodie craze to hit Chicago. FireFin Poke Shop, a Chicago chain, will open two new restaurants this spring; one in Wicker Park and one in Lakeview. The new Lakeview spot is at 3200 N Halsted St and will be able to seat between  30-40 people. Poke bowls range in price from $8.95-$15.95, are gluten free, and chock-full of fresh ingredients. The Spicy Salmon bowl caught my eye: salmon, pineapple, fire and spicy honey mayo sauce, pickled jalapenos, cucumber, scallions, and sweet onions. Yum!

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Santullo’s, a Wicker Park pizza staple, has temporarily closed for cleaning. The neighborhood favorite is located at 1943 W. North Ave. and has been closed for the past two weeks. Owner Sean Mulroney insists the closure will not be permanent; it was simply time for regular maintenance, including cleaning and painting. He anticipates the restaurant will be back in business by the middle of February.

Lincoln Park: Are you a frequent visitor of the Chicago History Museum? Well you’re in luck! The museum has just extended its evening hours on Tuesday evenings. The museum’s regular hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am-  4:30 pm and Sundays from 12 pm- 5 pm. Tuesdays the museum will now be open until 7:30. Tuesdays are also free admission day for Illinois residents, those hours will now be from 12:30 to 7:30 pm. Check out the new exhibition: Vivian Maier’s Chicago, a thrilling look at urban life through this photographer’s lens.

Andersonville: Andersonville will be introducing its very first Restaurant Week this year, from February 17-26. A number of local restaurants will be offering prix fixe menus valued at $10, $20, and $30. Participating restaurants include: Andies, Big Jones (a southern dining favorite that has landed on Chicago Eater’s Top 38 a number of times), Jin Ju, a Korean favorite of mine, and Lady Gregory’s. Check out more information here.

West Loop: Do you like coffee? How about toast? Do you prefer beer?  How about whiskey? At this new West Loop restaurant, you don’t have to choose. Slightly Toasted opens on January 30 at 22 N. Clinton St. The offerings will include gourmet toast, sandwiches, pastries, whiskey, cocktails, and beer. 170 whiskies will be featured, as well as 14 rotating beer taps and 50 bottles and cans. Hours are Monday- Friday 7 am to late and the kitchen will be open until 9 pm.

Evanston: The Evanston Ecology Center is holding an Winter Indoor Farmers’ Market every Saturday, from 8 am to noon. A list of participating vendors can be found here. Some vendors do rotate during the week; for a specific list, you can contact the Ecology Center directly at 847-448-8256. The center is located at 2024 McCormick Blvd. There is free parking in a lot across the street.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO