CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Bucktown and Wicker Park, River North, Lincoln Square, Portage Park

Lincoln Park: Pizzeria Bebu is coming to the Lincoln Park neighborhood, opening today. Located at 1521 N. Fremont St., this cozy spot is offering crispy, thin-crust pizza. The pizzas are baked quickly, for just 3 1/2 minutes, in a gas-powered brick oven. Pies start at $16, with the most expensive at $19. Looking over the menu, the Proscuitto pizza caught my eye: panna, roasted garlic, proscuitto, fresh mozzarella, arugula and red onion. Half of their 10 beer tap selection will be dedicated to Off Color Brewing beers. Pizzeria Bebu is open Mondays through Fridays from 11 am to 10 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 10 pm.

Lakeview: Furious Spoon, a Chicago ramen chain, will be joining FireFin Poke Shop in Lakeview at 3200 N Halsted St. The two restaurants will share the space, bringing new flavors and late hours to the neighborhood. Furious Spoon will be able to seat up to 80 customers and is a counter-service style restaurant. A chain favorite is the aptly named Furious Ramen: tonkotsu broth, spicy miso, chasu pork belly, white pepper chicken, poached egg, marinated mushrooms, garlic relish, and fury sauce. They will also offer beer, sake, and cocktails. Check out their other locations in Wicker Park, Logan Square, and Revival Food Hall.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Looking for your musical fix? Look no further than 1415 N. Ashland Ave. in Wicker Park. “High Fidelity: The Musical” is playing at a pop-up storefront theatre, renamed Refuge Records for the show’s run. Based on both the movie and book of the same title, the story follows Rob, a vintage record shop owner. It chronicles Rob’s re-telling of the top 5 breakups of his life. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm, Sundays at 6 pm, and select Mondays at 8 pm. Find tickets here, at the Refuge Theatre website. The show closes on March 5, don’t miss it!

River North: If you’re in need of a new brunch spot, you’re in luck. Located at 217 W Huron St., Bar Lupo is an Italian Pub that also serves lunch dinner, and a late-night menu. Their brunch menu is small, but exciting, with offerings such as Lupo Potatoes Bolognese, complete with a fried egg and house-made ricotta. For a more traditional breakfast, try the Soft Scrambled Eggs, with lupo potatoes and bacon. Prices are very reasonable, starting at just $8.99. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 am to 3 pm.

Lincoln Square: During the month of February, Chicago Public Library branches will be conducting events for Black History Month. On February 18 from 10-11 am, the Sulzer Regional Library will hold its first event, “The Magic of Water and Its Role in the Lives of African Descendants”. Acclaimed storyteller Mama Edie will lead the child-focused program. This same branch is hosting another event, “Transforming Lives One Garden at a Time” from 2-3 pm on February 25. Darius Jones, general manager of Garfield Produce, will speak of how agriculture transformed his life, as well as share gardening tips.

Portage Park: Many people were saddened to see Sally’s Waffle Shoppe close its doors at the end of 2016. The owner and his family are moving out of state, so he personally shopped for a suitable replacement. He decided on Cozy Corner Restaurant & Pancake House, which has three other locations in the Chicago area. Cozy Corner hopes to open at 5454 N. Harlem Ave in June.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO