CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lakeview, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Chicago Loop, Logan Square, Portage Park

Lakeview: 5 months into water main construction on North Broadway and merchants are beginning to quote The Who and say, “We’re not gonna take it!” Clouds of dust have been stirred up by the construction and business owners are reporting a significant loss of business. While there wasn’t much parking available to begin with, now they say it is “non-existent”. The dust is painful to breathe for shop owners, covers store shelves, and drives away regular foot traffic. The water and sewer lines running from Belmont Avenue to Irving Park Road are 100 years old, prone to flooding, and past due for replacement. Tensions between merchants and city officials are high, so hopefully the project will be completed as scheduled by the end of June.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: A new breakfast spot is coming to Wicker Park. Cafe con Leche Express will open in the basement of Flash Taco in July. Located at 1576 1/2 North Milwaukee, the new store will be geared towards people who want their breakfast on a budget. The menu includes steak or ropa vieja sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, ham, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwiches, street foods, Mexican gelatin, and milkshakes. Hours will be 6 am to 3 pm daily. After 5 pm, it will open as an extension of Flash Taco. The restaurant also plans to serve weekend brunch.

Lincoln Park: Celebrity chefs and athletes are pairing up this weekend for the annual Chef Bowl fundraiser. The proceeds benefit Saturday Place, an organization which offers Saturday instruction for 3rd and 4th grade Chicago Public School students. These students live in an under-resourced area and are a year behind in their studies. Chef Tony Piolo (of Piccolo Sogno and Nonnina) leads the chefs and Rashied Davis (formerly of the Chicago Bears) will lead the athletes. Tickets are $65 and include food samples and a bowling pen for autographs. Find out more information about Saturday Place and this great event here.

Chicago Loop: The chefs behind the popular Logan Square restaurant Giant are opening a new spot in the Ace Hotel this fall. The menu will focus on contemporary American cuisine and seeks to be a casual spot, for any occasion, serving a wide range of dishes. Brunch will be served daily until 3 pm and dinner service will begin at 5 pm. Chefs Jason Vincent and Ben Lustbader will also run Ace Hotel’s in-room dining and events menus. The hotel is set to open September 1, but the restaurant may open earlier than that. Location is 311 N. Morgan St. You can find more information about the hotel and restaurant here.

Logan Square: Chicago now has its very own kombucha bar. The Kombucha Room, the city’s first, opens at 9 am on Saturday at 2355 N. Milwaukee Ave. 20 varieties of kombucha will be on tap from various Chicago and Midwest brewers, including Boochy Mamas, Kombuchade, and Frog Juice. Owner Mel Mohamednur is excited to offer Jun, which she describes as the “honey-based champagne of kombuchas.” While it is served at high-end restaurants like Alinea, the Kombucha Room will be the first in Chicago to serve it on tap. The owner also plans to host home brewing and indigo-dyeing workshops, yoga, and meditation classes. Find out more information on the shop’s Facebook page.

Portage Park: Looking for a new facial spot? Bella Faccia, a new outpost by Nadine Senese, has got you covered. In addition to regular facial services (cleansing, exfoliating, facial massage, and masks), Senese offers more high-end treatments as well. LED light therapy for acne, vitamin-infused oils, and a special occasion treatment using collagen infused with 24-karat gold. Services are by appointment only; you can arrange your first session by calling 773-206-2320. You can also find more information here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO