Sheil and Nora start their conversation with the news of Justin Herbert’s foot injury and how this latest misfortune is just another chapter in the Chargers’ woeful lore. They then shine a light on all the latest training camp frustrations and skirmishes around the league before diving into some QB updates in Denver and Pittsburgh (8:50). Finally, they break down the new pre-snap motion rules taking effect and share their takes on the Hard Knocks: Offseason With the New York Giants and America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders reality series (45:32).
Hosts: Sheil Kapadia and Nora Princiotti Producer: Chris Sutton Production Supervision: Conor Nevins and Arjuna Ramgopal Social: Kiera Givens and Eduardo Ocampo
GoodFunk serves a regularly rotating selection of natural wine alongside sibling spot Beatnik on the River.|
GoodFunk
One thing’s for certain: Chicago can never have too many wine bars. For almost 30 years, they’ve been one of the city’s top destinations for first dates, special occasions, civilized girls’ night out festivities, and more. Plus, if you’re rolling solo, you’ll be hard-pressed to stay that way for long.
Wine bars tend to be ideal spots to make friends fast — including with the people who work there. Everyone’s enthusiastic to chat about their favorite wines and adventures with vino, and if you’re super lucky, someone’s guaranteed to share a bottle. Peruse Eater Chicago’s selections for the best places to sip and swirl around town.
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
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There will be plenty of food and drink vendors and with several food-focused festivities outside of the confines of Grant Park Chow Town — along with a band or two — at this year’s Lollapalooza, which runs from Thursday, August 1 to Sunday, August 4.
Take advantage of the fest-related specials, which range from pre- and after-parties to artist-inspired cocktails and a croissant collab, and scope out restaurants around Grant Park to refuel before or after a show.
Specials and after-parties
Beatrix, Beatrix Market: Those heading to Lollapalooza can use their wristband to buy a $1 cold brew. On Thursday and Friday, head to Beatrix (Loop), Beatrix Market Loop, or DePaul locations; on Saturday and Sunday, the deal is at at Beatrix locations in River North, Streeterville, and Fulton Market.
Beatrix
Rotisserie Ema: Cool down with $1 frozen Greek yogurt topped with olive oil and sea salt from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday at this Mediterranean restaurant in River North.
Tao Chicago: This multi-level nightclub in River North gets into the Lolla spirit with after-show parties each night. Thursday features Loud Luxury with Canadian DJ duo Andrew Fedyk and Joe Depace, ZEDD on Friday, and Metro Boomin on Saturday. Doors open at 10 p.m. Tickets are available online.
Tao Chicago
Cindy’s Rooftop: Embrace the Lolla vibe early with Just.One, a Chicago open-format/R&B DJ set, on Wednesday, July 31 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Part of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel’s In the Sky DJ series, the monthly terrace party offers with views of the Navy Pier fireworks as well as Millennium Park below. Try it out with one of six specialty cocktails inspired by performers — a single malt whiskey-forward Take Me to Church, perhaps? — from Thursday through Sunday.
Time Out Market: Honor the Chicago-born phenomenon of house music, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, with a festival after-party on Thursday, August 1. The West Loop food hall will transform into a three-level pop-up venue filled with food and music. Chicago house legends Felix Da Housecat, NEZ, and special guests Vic Mensa will be, um, in the house.
Daisies: Croissant-collab extraordinaire Leigh Omilinsky works her pastry magic with Killer Mike of Run the Jewels (performing at the festival on Saturday, August 3) on a flaky croissant filled with grapefruit cream and tossed in lime-raspberry sugar. The croissant is a partnership with the launch of Run the Jewels’ new Juice Runners canned paloma cocktail. Both are available throughout August at Daisies in Logan Square.
Welcome to the Farm: This brand new River North spot from athletes Jimmy Butler and Roquan Smith and musician Chase Rice features two official Lollapalooza after-parties this weekend. On Friday, DJ Brandi Cyrus hosts the festivities. On Saturday, it’s Travis Barker, who will do a live drum set with DJ Spider. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Pendry Chicago: This boutique Michigan Avenue hotel celebrates Lolla with headliner-inspired drinks at Bar Pendry, its lobby-level cocktail lounge, and rooftop oasis Chateau Carbide. Try cocktails like Red Hot Chili Peppers-inspired Mezcalification with a savory lineup of skewers.
Pizzeria Portofino: Inspired by the custom pizza that singer-songwriter Benson Boone (performing at Lolla on Thursday) created earlier this year at this lavish riverside pizza palace, Benson’s Beautiful Pizza is topped with marinara, Italian sausage, red onions, mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, and Parmesan. Sprinter Vodka Seltzers will be available for $10 as well as a group-sized drink the Portofino Purse for $85.
Singer-songwriter Benson Boone is back in Chicago for Lollapalooza. Lindsay Eberly/Pizzeria Portofino
RPM Italian: No stranger to visits by Lollapalooza artists over the years, this River North restaurant answers the call for vegetarian and vegan offerings with specials like rigatoni pomodoro and focaccia de Roma, available Thursday through Sunday.
Spin Chicago: This River North ping pong club offers thePerry Bomb, a play on a vodka-based cherry bomb named after Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell, for $13 from Thursday through Saturday.
The Blackstone Hotel: Bespoke bouquet brand Floriography Fellows is setting up shop outside this Michigan Avenue hotel with flower crowns made from locally sourced fresh and dried flowers. Each crown has a special meaning, drawing from the Victorian-era language of flowers. The stand will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Swadesi: This new West Loop Indian cafe from chef Sujan Sarkar will offer a special Lolla lavender lychee lemonade with butterfly pea flower in addition to regular menu items like chicken tikka toasties, butter chicken croissants, and jaggery chocolate chip cookies.
Nearby Restaurants
Tanta: From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday take advantage of discounted Peruvian snacks and drinks — think ceviche, empanadas, and pisco sours — at this River North restaurant’s popular happy hour. Or, go for weekend brunch, including a bottomless mimosa special. There are live DJ sets on Saturday.
Tzuco: This upscale Mexican restaurant from decorated chef Carlos Gaytán offers a popular weekend brunch with hits like chilaquiles and lobster tacos. It features happy hour specials from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with small plates (think tuna tostadas and chicharrón de pulpo), sangria, and margaritas.
Ummo: This contemporary Italian restaurant is designed to please a crowd with classic dishes such as fresh pasta next to more modern spins like octopus carpaccio. Creativity continues at its weekend brunch with sweet (pistachio custard-stuffed bombolone) and savory (lamb shakshuka) dishes. Upstairs, Loft 22 pairs vinyl sessions, live music, and cocktails in a stylish setting.
The Smith: On weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., this River North restaurant offers discounted specialty martinis and hearty bites (black truffle arancini, potato chips with blue cheese fondue) during its martini hour. Weekend brunch options include shrimp and grits, potato waffle Benedicts, and vanilla bean French toast.
Three Dots and a Dash: This River North lounge leans heavily into a tropical vibe, both in its rum cocktails — think cold-pressed juices, tropical fruits, and fancy spirits — and its kitschy interior design. Its “secret” entrance via an alley adds to its charm.
Casa Chi: New on the scene, this cocktail lounge on the ground floor of the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile from restaurateur Richard Sandoval explores Peru’s Nikkei cuisine, which combines Japanese and Peruvian ingredients. Cocktails take center stage, although there’s a small menu of flavorful snacks, with a robust agave-forward tequila and mezcal list, available in flights, tastings, and mixed drinks.
Kindling: James Beard Award-winning chef Jonathon Sawyer heads up the kitchen at this Willis Tower restaurant with a variety of wood-fired dishes from the live-fire kitchen. Happy hour at the bar from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday features a selection of specially priced dishes and drinks such as Nashville hot chicken tenders, crispy Brussels sprouts, and Aperol spritzes.
Vol. 39
Vol. 39: Located on the second floor of the Loop’s Kimpton Gray Hotel, itself a historic building, this cocktail bar and lounge offers an extensive selection of high-end wine and spirits. Look for bespoke cocktails with a nod to the classics as well as a menu of small plates.
The Dearborn: The Lawless sisters, Clodagh and Amy, operate a gorgeous American tavern near the Washington Blue and Red Line stops at the Block 37 development in Downtown Chicago. Brunch is a specialty at the Dearborn with dishes like fried chicken and waffles, fried perch Benedict, and PB&J French toast.
Jiao by Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings: Qing Xiang Yuan, shortened to QXY, is a favorite for handmade dumplings. For many, it’s the first restaurant visitors patronize when visiting Chicago’s Chinatown. Ownership saw how customers outside of the neighborhood loved coriander-lamb dumplings and other items, so they created Jiao in the Loop with hopes of opening more locations across the country. This is a great spot for a quick and filling meal.
The Gage and Acanto: The Gage is a handsome Irish restaurant and pub right across the street from Millennium Park and is an excellent pitstop for a pint of Guinness, a bite, or a full meal. Billy Lawless (The Dawson) also owns Italian restaurant Acanto next door, which offers a standout wine program. Both feature a patio with views of the park.
Hot Woks Cool Sushi: Offering a variety of Japanese and Thai dishes at easy-on-the-wallet prices, the Michigan Avenue location of this family-owned restaurant chainlet is walking distance from the festival. Signature dishes at Hot Woks Cool Sushi range from pad Thai and spicy chicken wings to crunchy spicy tuna maki.
Miller’s Pub: A beloved Chicago institution for almost 90 years, Miller’s Pub is a must-visit spot whether you’re here for Lolla or not. Located in the Loop, Miller’s attracts locals and visitors alike, who come for an after-work cocktail, post-theater burger, or a nightcap. Vintage oil paintings, stained glass, and lots of dark wood provide a charming setting for dishes such as Greek chicken, build-your-own burgers, and prime rib French dip.
Brightwok Kitchen: This Asian assembly line restaurant is gluten-free with tons of vegetarian options. It’s a make-your-own stir fry concept with fresh ingredients and sauces made on-site. Brightwok Kitchen is good for folks with tight dietary needs.
Bien Me Sabe Venezuelan Arepa Bar: A favorite of several Latin American baseball players on the Chicago White Sox, Bien Me Sabe Venezuelan Arepa Bar features a deep selection of Venezuela’s signature dish, arepas, including gluten-free and vegetarian options. Ceviche, tostones, and empanaditas round out the menu.
Exchequer Restaurant & Pub: Only a handful of names are associated with Chicago outside of the city. Barack Obama and Michael Jordan are easy marks. But Chicago’s gangster ties still make Al Capone a figure many connect with the city. Exchequer only opened in 1982, but the building allegedly housed a speakeasy that Capone and his goons would frequent. The pub serves thin pizzas, barbecue ribs, salads, and more.
Cafecito: This Latin coffee shop and counter-service restaurant is a good bet for a quick breakfast or lunch with pressed sandwiches, including fan-favorite Cuban, lechon, and choripan. Breakfast features a handful of egg-focused sandwiches. Cafecito has three Chicago locations.
Mercat a la Planxa: Mercat a la Planxa is a Spanish stalwart just a touch south on Michigan Avenue with plenty of small tapas-style plates, large meals, and cocktails and wine. Sit down in the colorful dining room with views of the park across the street or order a drink at the secluded downstairs bar.
Roots Handmade Pizza – South Loop: Quad Cities thin-crust pizza cut into puffy strips is the specialty of Roots. Its unique style has made the pizzeria popular for families across Chicago. This South Loop/Printer’s Row location has a gorgeous patio space with a retractable roof as well as a sidewalk patio.
Devil Dawgs on State: Yes, folks can grab a hot dog at fest, but why fight those lines? Devil Dawgs is a Chicago mini-chain that does a proper dog dragged through the garden with all the toppings that the city is known for. The South State location is where to stop to try some genuine Chicago street fare.
Eleven City Diner: Eleven City Diner offers classic diner fare with Jewish deli classics like hearty pastrami and corned beef sandwiches. Breakfast is served all day and includes lox platters, bagels, soups, salads, and more.
Lowcountry South Loop: Lowcountry was one of Chicago’s first places for Asian Cajun seafood boils. This is the second location (there’s one in Wrigleyville and another in Chinatown), and the restaurant also serves refreshing cocktails.
Aurelio’s Pizza: Chicago loves its deep-dish pizza, but the city has more than one pizza style. Crispy square-cut tavern style pies are a South Side invention, and Aurelio’s Pizza is among the premier pizza makers in the city. Up the Chicago vibe and get it with giardiniera.
Minghin Cuisine: Minghin has several locations around Chicago and specializes in dim sum cart service. The decor has all the trappings of a traditional Chinese restaurant, including the Lazy Susan trays. This is a dumpling lover’s delight; the steamed shrimp are among the top selections.
Flo & Santos: Those with an appetite for South Side Chicago cuisine will want to visit Flo & Santo’s. There are pierogis, pork wings, and tavern-style pizzas at this popular restaurant that features an outside beer garden and daily drink specials.
Victory Tap: Some of Chicago’s best Italian American food comes from the throwback Victory Tap. The pastas are fresh, service is great, and the drinks are stiff. The spacious bar offers plenty of seating for walk-ins.
AO Hawaiian Hideout: This restaurant serves up poke, barbecue, Japanese teriyaki, and Thai noodles. The space is casual and has a large vegan menu. The tropical drink selection is also a bit nostalgic and feels like a Cantonese restaurant from the ’80s. Daily specials from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. include Tropical Thursdays ($6 tropical cocktails) and Freaki Tiki Friday ($6 pineapple shandy beer).
Miru: Inside the fancy St. Regis Hotel Chicago at the start of Upper Wacker Drive and overlooking Lake Michigan, this luxe restaurant focuses on sushi with a few American accents, including a cheeseburger at lunch. The all-day restaurant offers traditional dishes, including a Japanese breakfast with rice and King salmon. The views here are gorgeous, and this is where rapper Drake first enjoyed a shot of Malört. (Note: ‘Enjoyed’ might be embellishing.) On Sunday, August 4, brunch service will be paired with a live DJ on the terrace starting at 10 a.m.
Avli on The Park: Avli is a Greek American blockbuster hit with multiple locations. The Lakeshore East location differs as it has a larger bar space and an outdoor deck for private events. Fun wines, nice cocktails, and dependable modern Greek small plates make Avli a great choice for dinner and weekend brunch.
Reggie’s: Formerly a run-down auto repair shop, this multi-level South Loop spot has earned plenty of fans for its live music, laidback vibe, and wallet-friendly drinks and food. Its rooftop deck is a refreshing alternative to the city’s fancy (read: pricy) spots with free pool, bags, and basketball hoop. Cool off at the outdoor shower.
Two key North Side Foxtrot locations will not be part of the comeback plan led by the chain’s founder. CoStar reports that Hotel Chocolat, a company founded in the U.K. — and recently purchased by Mars — has leased the spaces at 900 W. Armitage Avenue in Lincoln Park and 3334 N. Southport Avenue in Lakeview.
Mars, which manufactures Twix and M&Ms from its Goose Island campus, paid about $662 million for the premium chocolate maker with 126 locations in the U.K., Japan, Ireland, St. Lucia, and Gibraltar. According to its website, the company began in 1994 and opened its first shop in 2004. They sell drinking chocolates, gift boxes, and more while “challenging the status quo for cacao farming.” A New York location opened in 2018 but has since closed.
The Lincoln Park Foxtrot shared space with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Coincidentally, a Jeni’s remains open a few doors from the Southport location in Lakeview. Foxtrot was an upscale corner store that sold trendy snacks and stocked some items made by those within Chicago’s restaurant community. That includes Pretty Cool Ice Cream, the brand created by Dana Salls Cree, the former pastry chef at the Publican.
Foxtrot founder Mike LaVitola has been busy reestablishing vendor relationships since the chain suddenly closed in April. LaVitola was not in charge of Outfox Hospitality when it ceased operations, and the newly formed venture is separate from Foxtrot’s former parent which also included the two Dom’s Kitchen & Market stores in Old Town and Lincoln Park. LaVitola has attempted to distance himself from Outfox’s failures in convincing former vendors to work with his new company.
The sudden closure extinguished goodwill with vendors who haven’t been paid for their orders. Workers have filed lawsuits alleging the company didn’t properly inform them of the closures while demanding backpay.
Last week, liquor applications began to pop up in city records showing plans to reopen stores in Old Town, Fulton Market, Wicker Park, and Gold Coast. Earlier this summer, LaVitola said he planned on reopening 15 stores in Chicago and Austin, Texas. The majority would be in Chicago. LaVitola founded Foxtrot in 2015 and is chairman of the new entity set to revive the chain. It’s backed by Further Point Enterprises, an investment fund. At a May auction, it paid $2.2 million for Foxtrot’s assets.
Sometimes, turning a linear game into an open world just makes sense. Whether it’s Elden Ring or Breath of the Wild, plenty of franchises have found that their core gameplay loops map well to an open world iteration. With Elden Ring, you can disperse the intense FromSoft difficulty across a map that invites players to “git gud” at their own pace. With Breath of the Wild, the entire world is now a dungeon, every hill and valley a puzzle. Playing both, it almost feels as though each franchise and its mechanics were just waiting to be spread across a sprawling map. They just feel right.
By contrast, Isles of Sea and Sky, an open-world Sokoban game, isn’t quite as obvious a fit. But just because something isn’t immediately obvious doesn’t mean it won’t work.
Released in late May, Cicada Games’s Isles of Sea and Sky employs Game Boy Color-era Zelda aesthetics in pursuit of a genre mashup that produces harmony and dissonance in equal parts. The game makes a great first impression. It evokes that feeling of playing Link’s Awakening DX (pre-remake), to the point where you’d be forgiven for mistaking one of Isles’ beaches for Awakening’s. Moving from screen to screen is a nostalgic joy, with a Vocaloid-infused soundtrack that imbues the game with even more personality, which is good, because at its core, open world or no, this is a Sokoban-ass Sokoban game.
You will push blocks in Isles of Sea and Sky. You will push many, many standard-issue blocks into standard-issue holes, allowing you to cross over those holes in order to push more blocks. You will also push things that aren’t blocks, like little boulder dudes (definitely not Gorons) who roll as far as they can in the direction you push them, crushing any boxes they encounter. Or little water guys, who can extend riverways if you push them downstream. The puzzles start simply, easing you into the game’s increasing difficulty one screen at a time, until eventually you find yourself stumped. And, in being stumped, you will find yourself pushing up against the contradictions inherent to Isles’ mixture of freedom and linearity.
Image: Cicada Games
One of the pleasures of Sokoban games is the underlying conceit that, though you may feel frustrated by an individual puzzle, you always have the necessary abilities to get through the level. Each stage is then simply a matter of thinking and working through what things you have tried and not yet tried. You’re stuck, sure, but you’re not lacking anything you need to achieve the solution.
Not so in Isles of Sea and Sky. Early on, you will be presented with puzzles you are not yet able to complete until you unlock a new ability. While plenty of games include this kind of lock-and-key design, where you must first unlock an ability before you can access certain areas, this runs contrary to genre expectations for Sokoban titles. Going into Isles, the player might reasonably expect that, if they’re stuck, they just need to keep trying different solutions. Such a mentality will get you through similar games like Baba Is You or A Monster’s Expedition. The solution is there. You just need to keep at it. By contrast, in Isles, you are often meant to move on, to travel elsewhere in the game’s map and overworld. In short, you are meant to give up when you get frustrated.
At first, I found myself stymied by this dynamic. How am I meant to know when I am failing to understand a puzzle versus lacking the ability to solve it? When is my frustration an intended element of the solution and when is it futile? To its immense credit, Isles goes out of its way to reduce some of this frustration by allowing the player, at any point, to rewind their actions step-by-step, or to reset the entire puzzle, each with the press of a button. But you cannot rewind the real-life time you are putting into the game. You cannot undo the minutes spent bashing your head against the wall, stubbornly trying to solve something you are simply unable to solve. Encountering this, I found myself asking why anyone would design a game in this way, when they must know that players will get stuck like this.
That’s when it hit me. They know players will get stuck like this.
Full disclosure: I can be a bit stubborn. I like to think of myself as a creative problem-solver, but my general approach is to stick to something until it’s done. This can be a good trait (sticktoitiveness and all that), but it can also be a problem (see: my description above of bashing my head against the wall). Traditional Sokoban titles are designed with this kind of player in mind — someone like myself, who will spend hours trying out different things until finally they figure something out. The folks at Cicada Games clearly love this genre, as is evident by the sheer number and variety of puzzles they’ve crammed into Isles, but what they clearly don’t love is that feeling of being stuck without any recourse, of being unable to move on.
Not to quote a meme, but to quote a meme: Isles of Sea and Sky is here to say “Just Walk Out. You Can Leave!!!” What began for me as a frustration with the game turned into a bit of self-reflection when I stopped to consider why, exactly, I felt the need to stay frustrated, when, at any point, I could simply leave, or, to quote our generation’s preeminent philosopher dasharez0ne, “hit da bricks!!!” Sure, there are some areas you cannot access before completing at least a certain number of puzzles, but in general, you can well and truly leave behind most anything that’s too frustrating in Isles and find something you’d rather be doing. The challenge, at least in my case, was in allowing myself to do so.
As I’ve argued, Sokoban games are not an obvious fit for an open world iteration. Their inherent linearity rubs up against a style of game best known for its variety and, well, openness. The focus required of the player feels categorically different than the desirable distraction of asking, “What’s over that hill?” With Isles of Sea and Sky, specifically, there’s an immediate dissonance between how you expect to play a block-pushing puzzle game and how you’re meant to play this block-pushing puzzle game. But dissonance can resolve into consonance, to harmony and stability, and in Isles’ case, you’re pushed not only toward accepting limitation, but toward the inclination to free yourself.
For me, it was difficult, at first, to see moving on as a valid strategy, having become so accustomed to the habit of pushing through mental blocks, both in Sokoban titles and in life. But once I did, I found that mentality extending beyond the game. Is stubbornness helping or hurting here? Do I have to sit in this feeling? Why do I think of moving on as giving up?
In the end, I was happy to play a game that inspired this kind of self-reflection. Isles of Sea and Sky challenged me to take a step back, to reassess, and to move on. Maybe it’ll do the same for you.
Isles of Sea and Sky was released May 22 on Windows PC. The game was reviewed with code provided by Cicada Games. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.
Rachel Lindsay, Callie Curry, and Chelsea Stark-Jones break down the week in Bravo news
Rachel Lindsay and Callie Curry begin today’s Morally Corrupt with a breakdown of the lackluster Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14, Episode 11 (10:20). They then dive headfirst into a discussion about the disappearance and reappearance of Caroline Brooks in The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 2, Episode 8 (19:02). Later, Chelsea Stark-Jones joins the pod to recap Alexis’s best Single White Female impression from The Real Housewives of OC Season 18, Episode 3 (33:44).
Host: Rachel Lindsay Guests: Callie Curry and Chelsea Stark-Jones Producer: Devon Baroldi Theme: Devon Renaldo
Each week on Polygon, we round up the most notable new releases to streaming and VOD, highlighting the biggest and best new movies for you to watch at home.
This week, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the new buddy cop movie starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, comes to VOD this week along with the Hindi action thriller Kill. There’s plenty of other exciting releases to choose from that are new to streaming this week too, like Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire on Netflix, the Michael Keaton-directed crime thriller Knox Goes Away on Max, the sci-fi drama The Beast on Criterion Channel, and more.
Here’s everything new that’s available to watch this weekend!
New on Netflix
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Where to watch: Available to stream on Netflix
Photo: Sony Pictures
Genre: Supernatural comedy Run time: 1h 56m Director: Gil Kenan Cast: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard
The Ghostbusters have returned with an all-new movie, and this time Bill Murray is here! Three years after the events of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the Spengler family must join forces with the veteran Ghostbusters to stop a wrathful demonic entity from freezing all of New York City. Oh, and Slimer is here too, because of course.
The Ghostbusters franchise doesn’t really seem to be aimed at anyone anymore. It isn’t funny. It isn’t scary. It’s mostly abandoned its new younger characters, and its older actors barely seem to care. Frozen Empire’s unintentional answer to the question seems to be that Ghostbusters is now corporate nostalgia-farming given cinematic form. Sure, it’s missing all the charm and goofiness that earned the original Ghostbusters so many fans — but if you stick around long enough, they filmmakers will show off the proton packs again, and there’s always a new person to slime. It’s a franchise reduced to nothing more than a parade of hollow, familiar images, lightly repackaged in hopes that we’ll buy another ticket and try to revisit the emotions we felt when we encountered this world for the first time.
New on Hulu
Femme
Where to watch: Available to stream on Hulu
Image: Anton/Utopia
Genre: Thriller Run time: 1h 39m Directors: Sam H. Freeman, Ng Choon Ping Cast: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, George MacKay, Aaron Heffernan
After being viciously attacked by an unknown man and their group of friends, a drag queen named Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) confronts their assaulter — a closeted young man named Preston (George MacKay) in a gay sauna. Striking up an affair, Jules plots his revenge against Preston, who is oblivious to Jules’ true identity and intentions.
Genre: Crime thriller Run time: 1h 50m Director: Adam Cooper Cast: Russell Crowe, Karen Gillan, Marton Csokas
After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, retired homicide detective Roy Freeman (Russell Crowe) is motivated to reopen an investigation into the murder of a college professor when a mysterious new witness comes forward with a compelling piece of evidence. As he works to track down the true culprit, he’ll have to fight to convince those around him to trust his intuition and theories.
Genre: Crime thriller Run time: 1h 54m Director: Michael Keaton Cast: Michael Keaton, Al Pacino, James Marsden
Sixteen years ago, Michael Keaton made his directorial debut with The Merry Gentleman, about a hitman going through some hard times. Now he’s back with his second directed feature, also about a hitman going through some hard times. This time, the hitman is John Knox, a contract killer separated from his family who takes on one last job after he’s diagnosed with dementia.
New on Criterion Channel
The Beast
Where to watch: Available to stream on Criterion Channel on July 28
Image: Kinology
Genre: Sci-fi romance Run time: 2h 26m Director: Bertrand Bonello Cast: Léa Seydoux, George MacKay, Guslagie Malanda
Imagine Cloud Atlas meets The Age of Innocence meets Mulholland Drive. That’s about the simplest way of describing The Beast, Bertrand Bonello’s sci-fi romance drama. Léa Seydoux (Spectre) stars as Gabrielle, a woman living in the near-future who undergoes a process to “purify” her DNA of strong emotions by reliving her past lives. Her procedure becomes more complicated after crossing paths with Louis (George MacKay), a man whom — in a past life — she may or may not have loved.
The Beast’s three timelines play with seemingly unmixable genres: a classic period romance, a gripping horror-thriller, and dystopian sci-fi. That places them at a logistical disconnect, but Bonello binds them aesthetically and emotionally. Through his lengthy, thought-provoking close-ups of Gabrielle and Louis in each section, he creates a sense of longing and isolation across time, binding together human experiences of the past, present, and future, and putting them into sharp and chilling context.
New on Shudder
Humane
Where to watch: Available to stream on Shudder
Image: IFC Films
Genre: Horror Run time: 1h 33m Director: Caitlin Cronenberg Cast: Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire, Peter Gallagher
The feature debut from Caitlin Cronenberg is a horror thriller worthy of the family name. Set during a worldwide ecological collapse, Humane follows estranged siblings who learn that their father and mother have chosen to take part in a nationwide euthanasia program as a form of public service. When things go awry, the family will have to choose one of their own to offer up as a substitute participant. Naturally, things get personal.
New to rent
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and Vudu
Photo: Frank Masi/Columbia Pictures
Genre: Buddy cop action Run time: 1h 55m Directors: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah Cast: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens
The Bad Boys are back for another spin around the block! Bad Boys for Life directors Adil & Bilall return for the latest entry in the franchise, this time following partners and best friends Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) as they work to clear the name of their late boss Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano) when he’s posthumously implicated in a criminal conspiracy.
El Arbi and Fallah’s direction is the brightest aspect of Ride or Die. The pair has leveled up since Bad Boys for Life, showing themselves as eager students of Bayhem, happy to deploy camera work as exciting as the shootouts it captures. Frenetic drone shots zoom through gunfire, cameras pivot over the barrel of a gun, and nothing ever, ever stays still. It’s a bit overwhelming: Restrained compared to Bay in their previous effort, they overreach a bit here. Their action shines brightest when it features someone capable of believably kicking ass on screen, like Jacob Scipio, returning as Mike Lowrey’s long-lost son from Bad Boys for Life.
Kill
Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and Vudu
In this thriller, an army commando leads a mission to rescue his girlfriend from an arranged marriage — and then ends up also rescuing a train from a gang of bandits. Kill premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was the first runner-up for the People’s Choice Award: Midnight Madness.
Kill makes the most of the close-quarters setting and the many different weapons on display — knives, limbs, fire extinguishers, and the architecture/layout of the train itself all play into the combat. It’s a real treat for action fans, especially when things take a turn 45 minutes in and the violence amps up significantly. Kill doesn’t go from 0 to 60; it starts at 60 and goes to 200. The movie’s action design is basically broken into two halves, allowing the team (and Lakshya as a lead) to show a variety of approaches to the fight scenes. I won’t say too much, to avoid spoilers, but the action design becomes much more lethal in response to the events of the story, which allows Kill to start with a more classic nonlethal martial arts approach to action before transitioning into something closer to what you might find in a horror movie.
If you’re a PlayStation 5 owner who participates in the console’s beta program for testing new features before the rest of the public gets them, you’ll receive access to an update on Thursday that includes some new features for PS5 Remote Play and 3D audio. Both features seem designed for households where multiple people are sharing just one PS5.
I’m a big fan of the Remote Play feature on the PS5, and this specific update is addressing a hyper-specific need for Remote Play users — but if it’s a need you happen to have, it’ll be great news. Basically, this feature lets PS5 owners “adjust Remote Play settings per user and choose who is allowed to connect to [their] PS5 console using Remote Play.” The PlayStation blog includes this handy picture of what it would look like in action, depicting multiple user profiles with a toggle switch that would presumably allow you to shut off each person’s access to Remote Play.
Image: PlayStation
My wife and I both use the PS5 in our house, but I’m the only person who uses PS5 Remote Play; I use it all the time on my Steam Deck. It’s actually even possible to get PS5 Remote Play to work on a Steam Deck if you’re away from your PS5 and not connected to your home internet; it’s difficult to set this up, but it’s feasible. That’s part of why I think this feature could end up being weirdly useful in very specific circumstances, such as households where a lot of people are using Remote Play, including people who are away from home.
It’s kind of passive-aggressive to just turn off somebody’s access to Remote Play when they’re no longer in the PS5’s vicinity, but sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do. I can’t help but think of those times in my life when I’ve had a breakup and had to change my Netflix password. Obviously that’s a worst-case scenario. More likely, you’d just want to turn off this option if somebody isn’t living with you anymore, but they might still visit you and want to use Remote Play in the future. Again, pretty specific need, but nice to have.
There are also some beta updates coming to 3D audio profiles on the PS5. This is another update that benefits households where lots of different people use just one console; if multiple people each have a set of corresponding PS5 headphones for 3D audio, this update has their names all over it.
According to the PlayStation blog post, this “feature that lets your PS5 console create a personalized 3D audio profile just for you […] You can run through a set of sound quality tests to analyze a vast number of factors to create an audio profile that best fits your hearing characteristics.”
Here’s a video depicting what those sound tests are like and the options that are available. You’d go to go to [Settings] > [Sound] > [3D Audio (Headphones)] in order to make these selections.
Last but not least, the update includes adaptive charging options for PS5 controllers, but only for people who own the new slimmer PS5 model. If that’s you and you’re a beta features participant, you’ll be able to select adaptive charging as an option, which “helps save power by adjusting the length of time that power is supplied to your controller based on its battery level.”
Fancy downtown food fest Chicago Gourmet, the annual fete that gathers together some of the city’s best-known chefs and restaurants, has launched ticket sales for the 2024 event that will run from Saturday, September 21 to Sunday, September 29 at the Harris Theater rooftop in Millennium Park.
The Grand Cru, arguably the main attraction, will return with two sessions on September 28 to the Harris Rooftop with wine and bites from Chicago chefs. But 2024 won’t be the year for those hoping for a pre-pandemic return when the festival occupied most of Millennium Park. This year, organizers at the Illinois Restaurant Association are weaving together sartorial and culinary art forms with the theme “Fashion, Plated,” and encouraging attendees to come dressed to impress in specific colors and styles for each event. “Fashion and food both tell stories, sharing history, traditions, and cultures of people,” association President Sam Toia writes in a press release.
Chicago native and Food Network personality chef Jeff Mauro is set to host Chefs Get Pickled, a new kickoff event set for Saturday, September 21, that will include an inaugural Chicago Gourmet Chef Pickleball Tournament featuring bites, drinks, and the chance to watch chef competitors such as Tigist Reda (Demera), Art Smith (Reunion), Sarah Mispagel-Lustbader (Loaf Lounge), and Kevin Hickey (The Duck Inn). On Wednesday, September 25, fellow food media star Mario Rizzotti will host a House of Gourmet Italian Dinner, another first-time event, inside the Chicago History Museum. Organizers promise an “extravagant” multi-course meal from chefs Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno), Fabio Viviani (Siena Tavern, Bar Siena), Diego Puddu (Eataly), José Sosa (who recently departed Ummo in River North for Greggory Hearth & Tavern in suburban South Barrington), and Casey Doody (Boka Restaurant Group).
Despite being bumped from its usual slot at the onset of Chicago Gourmet, Tacos & Tequila will return on Thursday, September 26 on the Harris Theater Rooftop. Attendees are encouraged to don bright colors for the event, hosted by celebrity chef Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo) and Marcos Carbajal (Carnitas Uruapan), where they’ll find tacos, agave spirits, cocktails, and more from chefs including Diana Dávila (Mi Tocaya Antojería), Carlos Gaytan (Tzuco), and Danny and Jhoana Espinoza (Santa Masa Tamaleria).
On Friday, Top Chef alums Joe Flamm (Rose Mary) and Adrienne Cheatham will host the popular Hamburger Hop competition on the Harris Theater Rooftop with a “streetwear” dress code, which leaves plenty of room for stylistic interpretation. The Grand Cru, the fest’s luxurious and pricey ($255 per person) VIP-style party featuring exclusive winemakers and prominent chefs, will return with two sessions on Saturday, September 28. Hosted by chef Paul Kahan (The Publican, Avec), the sessions are inspired by the “elegant simplicity of a fashion sketchbook,” thus afternoon attendees are urged to dress for a “blackout party,” and evening visitors can expect a “white party” theme.
Smaller events will also dot the festival, including a Somm Session on Friday, September 27 at splashy Italian restaurant Adalina. Organizers expect to see crowds at a Rise & Shine Gourmet Brunch on Sunday with friends Art Smith, Lorena Garcia, and Jernard Wells, and a Late Night Gourmet after-party on Saturday, with small bites and cocktails at Tao Chicago.
Chicago is home to a robust and diverse wine scene, yet the city is somehow behind the curve when it comes to glasses and bottles from Georgia, a nation at the crossroads of Asia and Europe that’s home to an 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition. If Tamta Sanodze, founder of Georgian restaurant Stumara in suburban Wheeling gets her way, that’s all about to change.
“[Georgia] is the birthplace of winemaking,” says Sanodze, a native Georgian who immigrated with her husband three years ago to the U.S. from the country’s capital city, Tbilisi. Georgian wines are fermented for months in a qvevri, a huge earthenware vessel buried deep underground. “We have a rare and special technology to make these wines, [so] the tannins and flavors are very special.”
Georgian wines aren’t novel anymore in places like Washington D.C.and New York, but have only recently begun to grab a foothold in a smattering of Chicago restaurants including Lakeview’s Chicago Diplomat Cafe and Mediterranean spot Oda in Andersonville.
Sanodze, who opened Stumara in April at 847 W. Dundee Road next door to her Georgian deli bakery Pirosmani, aims to bring an even higher local profile to Georgian viticulture with educational wine dinners, a menu of traditional dishes that pair well with the wines, and with an eventual second location in Downtown Chicago. “At Stumara, our guests are already asking for a location downtown where we can [share] a little bit more about our country, our history, our dishes, and wines.”
Stumara may also introduce Chicagoans to traditional staples like khinkali (massive, meaty Georgian soup dumplings), adjaruli khachapuri (bread boats stuffed with cheese and egg), and megruli kharcho — a savory beef cheek stew with rich spiced walnut sauce. Georgian cuisine has a well-earned reputation for meat-heavy dishes, but Sanodze also attends to vegetarians and vegans with options like nigvziani badrijani — fried eggplant stuffed with spicy garlic and walnut paste.
Tucked inside a suburban strip mall, Stumara seats around 50 in a space carefully designed to aid in Sanodze’s larger project — spreading the good word about Georgian history and culture. Its revered textile industry, for example, is represented in eye-catching pillows and upholstered furniture, and text from The Knight in the Panther’s Skin, the national epic poem of Georgia by medieval luminary Shota Rustaveli, decorates the walls in both Georgian and English.
“It’s a story about love and friendship,” Sanodze says of the poem, which scholars describe as a call to live each day with joy, courage, and perseverance. “It’s about the special moments and what’s important in life.”
College football is back in video games for the first time in nearly a decade with the upcoming release of EA Sports College Football 25. And while the game will arrive in a week, the specific release time is a little complicated, and there’s even a sneaky way that superfans can get on the gridiron a few days early.
Here’s when College Football 25 releases in your time zone, and how you can play it a few days early.
EA Sports College Football 25 release time: When does College Football 25 release?
EA Sports College Football 25 officially comes out on Friday, July 19, on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. EA hasn’t made it clear what time exactly the game will be available, but this post will be updated when that information is announced.
How to play EA Sports College Football 25 early
If you pre-order the Deluxe Edition of the game, you can start your march toward the National Championship a little bit earlier. If you pre-order this version before July 18, you will be able to play the game starting on Monday, July 15, at 4 p.m. ET. Here’s when that is in your time zone:
1 p.m PDT on July 15 for the west coast of North America
4 p.m. EDT on July 15 for the east coast of North America
9 p.m. BST on July 15 for the U.K.
10 p.m. CESTon July 15 for western Europe / Paris
5 a.m. JSTon July 16 for Tokyo
The Deluxe Edition also contains several Ultimate Team goodies, like an Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack, a Cover Athlete Ultimate Team Pack, and a Bring Glory Home Ultimate Team Uniform, as well as 4,600 College Football Points, the game’s Ultimate Team currency. The Deluxe Edition of the game costs $99.99 on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
What to expect from EA Sports College Football 25
College Football 25 marks the virtual return of licensed collegiate football for the first time in a decade, and it looks like plenty has changed in that time. But just because this series has been on a break for 10 years doesn’t mean that College Football 25 is simply going to be a Madden clone. In fact, in the 20-minute gameplay video EA Sports released earlier this week, we can see plenty of unique features, like a highly upgraded option game, new animations, and a unique presentation for some of the most exciting stadiums and environments in college sports, like Penn State’s White Out games.
Along with those unique elements, the game will also feature upgraded versions of EA Sports’ classic game modes like Ultimate Team, Dynasty, and Road to Glory, which will let you take your own customized player and play out their collegiate career, from the earliest days all the way to the Heisman Trophy.
Adam Nayman takes a look at some must-see found footage films
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of The Blair Witch Project, Ringer contributor Adam Nayman takes a look at some must-see found footage films.
Each week on Polygon, we round up the most notable new releases to streaming and VOD, highlighting the biggest and best new movies for you to watch at home.
This week, The Bikeriders, the new crime drama starring Jodie Comer (The Last Duel) and Austin Butler (Dune: Part Two), comes to VOD alongside The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and several other exciting new releases. That’s not all — there’s tons of other movies new to streaming to watch this weekend, like the hybrid animated period drama The Peasants on Netflix, the sci-fi drama The Animal Kingdom on Hulu, a documentary on the life and career of actress Faye Dunaway on Max, and much more.
Here’s everything new that’s available to watch this weekend!
New on Netflix
The Peasants
Where to watch: Available to stream on Netflix
Image: Breakthru Films/Sony Pictures Classics
Genre: Animated historical drama Run time: 1h 54m Directors: DK Welchman, Hugh Welchman Cast: Kamila Urzędowska, Robert Gulaczyk, Mirosław Baka
Loving Vincent directing duo DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman return with yet another period drama composed of thousands of hand-painted images. Set in a 19th-century Polish village rife with feuding and gossip, a young woman named Jagna strives desperately to forge a life for herself beyond the expectations of those around her.
Genre: Sci-fi Run time: 2h 10m Director: Thomas Cailley Cast: Romain Duris, Paul Kircher, Adèle Exarchopoulos
In a world where humans have been stricken with a genetic mutation that transforms them into animal hybrids, a desperate father (Romain Duris) takes his son (Paul Kircher) to search for his wife, who has disappeared into a nearby forest along with other similarly affected hybrids. Think Sweet Tooth meets The Lobster. Polygon had the opportunity to speak with Cailey about the origins and creature design of the film.
Genre: Documentary Run time: 1h 31m Director: Laurent Bouzereau
This documentary looks back on the life and career of Faye Dunaway, the Academy Award-winning actress known for her iconic performances in such films as Bonnie and Clyde, Network, and Chinatown. Bouzereau’s film collects testimonies from Dunaway’s peers and admirers, as well as extensive interviews with Dunaway herself.
New on Prime Video
Divorce in the Black
Where to watch: Available to stream on Prime Video
Image: Prime Video
Genre: Drama Run time: 2h 23m Director: Tyler Perry Cast: Meagan Good, Cory Hardrict, Joseph Lee Anderson
Tyler Perry’s newest movie follows a young bank professional whose husband leaves her. At first she’s determined to fight for their marriage, but she soon realizes that her husband once sabotaged her chance at true love.
New on Shudder
Arcadian
Where to watch: Available to stream on Shudder
Photo: Patrick Redmond/RLJE Films
Genre: Action horror Run time: 1h 31m Director: Benjamin Brewer Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins
If you already caught Nicolas Cage in Longlegs, here’s another Cageian drama for you. The actor stars as a father of two sons desperate to protect and raise his family in a near future Earth decimated by the arrival of a ferocious nocturnal creatures. When their father is wounded by one of these creatures, his sons must band together and call upon every lesson of their training in order to survive.
Once the action really gets underway, though, Cage is largely absent, and muddy spatial relationships and confusing, hard-to-see action take a significant percentage of the power out of what should be an explosive final act. And once the film settles into a fairly standard chase-and-fight movie, its lack of more character depth or nuance, or more compelling relationships between the protagonists, limits what the filmmakers can do to make this story stand out from all the past projects it echoes. Arcadian does a few things remarkably well for a sci-fi/horror movie, but it needed a lot more to really spark: more commitment to its vaguely realized setting, more energy between the two very different brothers at its center, and above all, more Nicolas Cage — either version of him.
New to rent
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and Vudu
Image: 20th Century Studios
Genre: Post-apocalyptic sci-fi Run time: 2h 25m Director: Wes Ball Cast: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand
Picking up 300 years after the events of Matt Reeves’ War of the Planet of the Apes, this new installment in the franchise follows Noa (Owen Teague), a young ape who embarks on a journey to rescue his tribe from Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), a maniacal ape who has twisted Caesar’s legacy to create an empire built on conquest and slavery.
As a story, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes rarely reaches above narrative competence. But because of its almost single-minded focus on the apes, its technical prowess in their rendering is always front and center. It is frankly incredible what the team at Wētā FX has done in conjunction with all of the film’s other effects artists to bring the apes to life, to give them all distinct body language, and to faithfully transpose actors’ every tic and subtle expression onto their faces. These are some of the most soulful digital creations ever seen in a blockbuster action movie, and it’s incredible to see them in a film that is so pedestrian.
The Bikeriders
Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and Vudu
Image: 20th Century Studios
Genre: Crime drama Run time: 1h 56m Director: Jeff Nichols Cast: Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy
The Bikeriders follows a motorcycle club over the course of a decade, as they go from a simple gathering of enthusiasts to a hardened gang. Jodie Comer plays Kathy, a young woman who gets swept up in the biker gang world after meeting hotheaded Benny (Austin Butler).
The Bikeriders is a film of old-fashioned, simple pleasures: great tunes, perfect costumes, myth-making shots, and a cast of great character actors really going for it. (Including, but not limited to, Michael Shannon, West Side Story’s Mike Faist, Justified’s Damon Herriman, and a completely unrecognizable Norman Reedus as a shaggy Californian wildman biker.) It’s a film about looking at the gorgeous, unknowable people on the screen — and that one gorgeous, unknowable person in particular — just as Hardy’s character does at one point with Marlon Brando in The Wild One, and thinking: What would it be like to be them?
The Exorcism
Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and Vudu
Image: Vertical Entertainment
Genre: Horror thriller Run time: 1h 35m Director: Joshua John Miller Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Simpkins, Sam Worthington
Russell Crowe plays an actor on the set of a supernatural horror film that resembles the original Exorcist movie. His mental state is in slow decline, and as his behavior becomes more erratic, his daughter begins to suspect that there might be a more sinister cause behind it than his previous substance addictions.
The Garfield Movie
Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and Vudu
Image: Sony Pictures
Genre: Adventure comedy Run time: 1h 41m Director: Mark Dindal Cast: Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham
It’s Chris Pratt! As Garfield! The lazy orange cat reunites with his long lost father Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, of all people). Along with Odie, Vic and Garfield plan a heist to a farm so that they can steal a lot of milk in order to appease the Persian cat crime boss that Vic works for. The movie comes by way of director Mark Dindal, best known for The Emperor’s New Groove.
The Convert
Where to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and Vudu
Image: MBK Productions/Magnolia Pictures
Genre: Historical drama Run time: 1h 59m Director: Lee Tamahori Cast: Guy Pearce, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Antonio Te Maioha
In this historical drama, a preacher comes to a remote outpost in New Zealand — only to get caught in the middle of a war between Māori tribes. It’s based on the 2011 novel Wulf by New Zealand author Hamish Clayton.
Wildcat
Image: Renovo Media Group/Oscilloscope Laboratories
Genre: Biographical drama Run time: 1h 43m Director: Ethan Hawke Cast: Maya Hawke, Rafael Casal, Philip Ettinger
Maya Hawke (Stranger Things) stars in her father Ethan Hawke’s latest film: a biographical drama centering on the life and struggles of the inimitable Southern Gothic author Flannery O’Connor. Wildcat follows O’Connor’s efforts to publish her first novel, interspersed with episodes reenacting characters and scenes inspired by the author’s own short stories.
And later, they debate what the hell is going on with Caroline Brooks
Rachel Lindsay welcomes Chelsea Stark-Jones back to the podcast to break down all of the Bravo news from the past two weeks (2:27) before they launch into a recap of the promising Season 18 premiere of The Real Housewives of Orange County (17:39). Then, Rachel is joined by Callie Curry to discuss Season 2, Episode 6 of The Real Housewives of Dubai and debate what the hell is going on with Caroline Brooks (42:06).
Host: Rachel Lindsay Guests: Chelsea Stark-Jones and Callie Curry Producer: Devon Baroldi Theme: Devon Renaldo
At long last, summer temperatures have arrived in Chicago, which means locals are eager to hit the pavement and savor every moment of the all-too-brief season. That means it’s a great time to explore the city’s many bar and restaurant pop-ups to keep things interesting and preview up-and-coming hospitality talent. Follow along for a sampling of the best the city has to offer in Eater Chicago’s pop-up round-up.
Have a pop-up that should be listed? Email information to chicago@eater.com.
July
Lombard: Annual touring event Halal Ribfest is back in town for a meaty, family-friendly celebration of halal-certified barbecue and street food from Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14 in suburban Lombard, according to a rep. Attendees can snag samples from competitors in a BBQ Showdown and vote for the top contenders in categories like “best ribs,” “best sauce,” and “people’s champion.” There’s also a special zone for kids with free activities like magic shows and inflatables. Tickets (prices vary) and more details are available online. Halal Ribfest Illinois 2024, Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14, 203 Yorktown Shopping Center in Lombard.
Fulton Market: Celebrity chef Stephanie Izard (Girl & the Goat) will team up with James Beard Award-winning chef Jonathon Sawyer (Kindling) and fellow Top Chef alum Joe Sasto on Thursday, July 18 for a rooftop party at Cabra, her Peruvian-style spot atop the Hoxton hotel, according to a rep. Party people can expect “seasonal eats,” tequila-based cocktails, frozen drinks, and sweeping city views. Tickets ($125) are available via OpenTable. A portion of each ticket sale will be donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Hot to Goat! at Cabra, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 200 N. Green Street.
Fulton Market: Izard will keep the party going on Friday, July 19 with a 14th birthday celebration of Girl & the Goat, her famed restaurant with James Beard Award-winning Boka Restaurant Group. Tickets ($85) include passed appetizers and two drink tickets, and are available via OpenTable. Birthday Bubbles & Bites Happy Hour at Girl & the Goat, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, July 19, 809 W. Randolph Street.
Avondale: Heavy metal-themed burger mini-chain Kuma’s Corner will hold a launch party on Saturday, July 20 for the Stella’s Burger, a new burger creation designed to raise funds for a 13-year-old Chicagoan who is recovering from a physical assault in 2023 at her middle school, according to a rep. The Angus beef burger features its namesake’s favorite toppings: spicy dijonnaise, mushrooms, fried pickles, Muenster, and avocado, and $2 from each burger sold will go to a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Stella’s medical expenses and assist in a search for a more accessible home. It will remain on the menu until the teen’s GoFundMe campaign reaches its $25,000 goal. Release party festivities will include a raffle, a silent auction, and limited edition t-shirts available for purchase. Stella’s Burger Release Party at Kuma’s Corner, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2900 W. Belmont Avenue.
River North: Chef Brian Baxter of lauded fine dining spot The Catbird Seat in Nashville will join Chicago chef Sujan Sarkar and his team at Michelin-starred Indienne for a collaborative one-night-only pop-up on Monday, July 22 in River North, according to a rep. Baxter and Sarkar promise an eight-course tasting menu ($190 per person) and optional wine pairings ($120 per person) from Indienne sommelier Tia Polite. Reservations are available via Tock. Indienne x The Catbird Seat, Monday, July 22, 217 W. Huron Street.
The Loop: Seoul nightlife-inspired cocktail bar Miki’s Park is bringing back its K-Pop fireworks boat party for the second year running on Wednesday, July 24 aboard the “Summer of George” boat. Attendees will have access to two cash bars throughout the three-hour ride on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan with tunes from Miki’s Park’s resident K-Pop DJ Dorian Westwood, a fireworks show from the boat’s top roof deck, and entry to the bar’s late-night afterparty. Tickets and more details are available online. Miki’s Park K-POP Fireworks Boat Party, 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, Departs from River City Marina at 900 S. Wells Street.
In this week’s episode, we replay Sal’s interviews with Jimmy Kimmel and Joel McHale, then Guillermo Rodriguez of Jimmy Kimmel Live! joins.
Host: Cousin Sal Guests: Jimmy Kimmel, Joel McHale, Guillermo Rodriguez Producers: Michael Szokoli, Joel Solomon, Jack Wilson, Chris Wohlers, Jonathan Frias
Burned the **** out, girl is stressing me the **** out and blaming me for everything, unable to take personal accountability unsurprisingly. So I’m taking off for the middle of nowhere without cell service to sleep in my hammock and float in the river and get **** faced for a while. Might just not come back and become one with the trees.
When Aaron Steingold opened his modern Jewish deli Steingold’s of Chicago in 2017, he already had baseball on the brain. A lifelong fan and self-described baseball historian who attended games at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx as a child, he harbored a dream of opening a location near Wrigley Field, the famed home of the Chicago Cubs.
Seven years later, Steingold is swinging for the fences with Steingold’s Bagels & Nosh, a new location across the Friendly Confines inside the Hotel Zachary. Steingold’s features classic deli hits and playful new additions and officially opened its doors Thursday, July 11 in the 1,200-square-foot former home of West Town Bakery at 3630 N. Clark Street.
“It’s always been a part of my long-term goals to open something closer to the ballpark,” says Steingold, nodding toward the longstanding romance between American Jews and the iconic game. “Nostalgia is a big part of our cuisine… and baseball is as Americana as it gets, so it’s a match made in heaven for us.”
All but five of the deli’s 28 seats have a view of Wrigley Field.
Steingold’s Bagels & Nosh aims to pull off a tricky balancing act of maintaining tradition — the subject of animated discussion among Jews for millennia — while surviving and thriving in the modern era. That means fans can count on staples like hot pastrami on rye, classic bagel and lox sandwiches (the deli’s number-one seller, says Steingold), latkes, and bagels in bulk. The dynamics of ballpark crowds and hotel guests have also prompted some fresh additions like the Traditional, a build-your-own sandwich with numerous meat, cheeses, and condiments to choose from, and customizable breakfast sandwiches with new vegetarian ingredients like culinary director Cara Peterson’s (whose experience includes working at New Orleans’ award-winning Shaya) red lentil patties. Steingold has offered Vienna Beef bagel dogs on and off for a few years, but at Bagels & Nosh, they’re a permanent menu item with brown mustard for dipping.
In a sign of the times, Steingold has for the first time added gluten-free bagels to the lineup, sourced from California-based brand Original Sunshine, as well as a few additional vegetarian open-faced bagel sandwiches. “We’re hoping to not just be [associated] with the high-calorie, heavy-duty sandwiches that people probably know us for,” he says.
Design elements like subway tile lend the feel of a classic Ashkenazi-style deli.
The Steingold’s team designed the tiny space for maximum speed and efficiency.
That isn’t to say that Bagels & Nosh is a health food spot — Steingold tapped operations director Sean Courtney to design a drink menu, which includes a dozen mostly local draft beers, “easy-drinking” wines, and rotating boozy slushies like a frozen watermelon limonada that riffs on Middle Eastern mint lemonade. The team has plans for “deli-inspired” concoctions like a twist on a classic egg cream for the winter. In the coming weeks, the deli will kick off knock-and-drop service for hotel guests, delivering smoked fish platters and more to their doors.
Explore Steingold’s Bagels & Nosh in the photographs below.
Steingold’s Bagels & Nosh, 3630 N. Clark Street, open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Longtime collaborator Heart & Bone Signs applied all the gold leaf lettering.
While Amazon’s Prime Day doesn’t kick off until next week, Target is hosting an excellent sale on board games, movies, books, and more that you’ll definitely want to check out. Through July 13, Target Circle members can get a third item free when they purchase two other eligible items of equal or greater value. While this deal is restricted to members, joining Target Circle is free, and grants you access to free two-day shipping, in addition to exclusive discounts and promotions.
There are literally hundreds of eligible products included in this sale, but we’ve picked out some of our favorites from different categories and listed them below.
The Battletech Essentials kit has everything you need to start playing the Battletech tabletop game. Each box comes with a pair of assembled mechs, a double-sided game map, quick-start rules booklet, and more.
A striking hardcover collection of the first three books in the Dune saga, featuring amazing cover art in addition to an illustrated poster inside each dust jacket.
The deluxe hardcover version of the first book in the Dune: The Graphic Novel collection is currently on sale at Target for $27.99 (was $50). The standard version of the second book is available for $13.99 (was $24.99). The third volume isn’t due to launch until July 16, but it’s currently available for pre-order for $25.99.
The Illustrated version of the Lord of the Rings illustrated edition includes 30 color illustrations, in addition to removable maps and sketches detailing Frodo’s journey and the greater geography of Middle-Earth. You can currently pick up a copy at Target for just $38.99 (was $74.99).
The pocket-sized, leatherette-bound box set featuring The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy is also on sale at Target for $34.99 (was $59.99).
The 25th-anniversary edition of Paul Verhoeven’s sci-fi satire Starship Troopers has been re-released for 4K UHD formats, complete with unique steelbook box art.
Walter Hill’s gritty New York odyssey The Warriors has been remastered for 4K UHD formats, complete with collector’s edition packaging. Can you dig it?
Capcom’s open-world fantasy RPG Dragon’s Dogma 2offers spectacular vistas, a massive world to explore, and monsters to slay. It’s dangerous to go alone, but Dragon’s Dogma 2 also features a unique take on cooperative gameplay by allowing you to recruit characters other players have made, turning them into NPCs.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth builds on the foundation of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, taking Cloud Strife and the rest of his crew beyond Midgar to regions filled with new minigames and quests — some of which were not present in the original 1997 version.
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