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

Lincoln Park: The Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark St.) is adding a new event to their monthly calendar.  The museum hosted their first of a monthly series: “History Happy Hour” this Tuesday. Happy hour is from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Tuesday’s event kicked off with a tasting from Koval Distillery! Each month, local breweries and distilleries will be featured. Tickets are $15 and include a spirit tasting and one craft beer. General admission to the museum is free for Illinois residents on Tuesday evenings. The next happy hour is on June 10, so mark your calendars now!

Lakeview: After a stint in Andersonville, Taverna 750 has gotten a face-lift in Lakeview. The new outpost, re-titled Bistro 750, is located at 750 W. Cornelia Ave. The menu has been redesigned, offering Mediterranean shared plates at what the chefs call “a neighborhood price”. The menu will shift seasonally and dishes will be created with produce and raw ingredients from around the Midwest. I’m particularly intrigued by the parsnips served with miso-fermented mushrooms, fried calabrian chiles, and peanuts. Another mouthwatering dish is the Sunchokes Four Ways: poached in olive oil and fried, then served with sunflower tahini sauce, sunflower seed crackers, black currants, and a spring onion emulsion. Hours are 5:30 pm to 11 pm on weekdays, 5:30 pm to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm (brunch) and 5:30 to 10 pm (dinner service).

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Are you a Nicolas Cage fan? You’re in luck! Wicker Park’s annual movie series is themed this year: “The Summer of Cage”. Wormhole Coffee (1462 N. Milwaukee Ave.) sponsors the film series and the entire staff was united in choosing this year’s theme. All movies play at 1425 N. Damen in Wicker Park. The series kicks off on June 15 with Moonstruck at 8:30 pm. June 29: Raising Arizona, July 6: National Treasure, July 20: The Wicker Man, August 24: Gone in 60 Seconds.

Chicago Loop: Poké is one of the hottest food trends this summer and the Loop is about to enter the game. High Tide Poké opens today! Located at 203 N. LaSalle St., the restaurant promises to serve locally sourced ingredients and sustainably, responsibly raised fish. The menu includes poké bowls, seaweed wraps, smoothies, juices, and cold brew coffee. Customers can build their own poké bowls or choose from house-created bowls. I want to try the Ahi + Salmon Vallarta: ahi tuna, salmon, cilantro, maui onion, fresh jalapeño, lime, and chipotle agave. Yum! Hours are 8 am to 6 pm Mondays through Fridays.

Lincoln Square: A Lincoln Square staple is set to close at the end of June. At Granville Picture Framing and Gallery Arts (4757 N Lincoln Ave.), business is booming, but owner Alaina May is ready to retire. May will accept framing orders until June 10, so get your projects in now. The shop has a large art inventory, but May hasn’t set a date for a clearance sale yet. Granville’s sister store, located in Edgewater, will also close at the end of September.

Evanston: Need a family friendly activity for this weekend? Head up to the Emily Oaks Nature Center for a Campfire Cookout! This fun outdoors event will teach you to make lunch over a campfire using a variety of techniques. You’ll make a three-course meal, with all food and equipment provided. If you’re a Skokie resident, you get a break on tickets, just $10 per person. Non-resident tickets are $13 and there’s no charge for children under 3 years old. The event runs from 11 am to 12:45 pm this Saturday. To register, call 847-677-7001.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO