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  • Chicago’s Best Restaurants to Celebrate Diwali

    Chicago’s Best Restaurants to Celebrate Diwali

    Diwali is a South Asian holiday with numerous food traditions, a time to celebrate for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains. However, the festival of lights has become a global phenomenon, observed in many countries. Last year, New York declared it a state holiday, giving public school students a day off starting in 2024.

    This year, Diwali — also known as Divali or Deepavali — starts on Thursday, October 31.

    Awareness of the holiday has crossed over to Chicago’s South Asian restaurants, providing a way for folks of all backgrounds to celebrate. Below are some of the more notable Diwali menus and events held at Chicago restaurants. Eater Chicago also has a South Asian restaurant guide for more ways to celebrate.

    Basant, Wednesday, October 23 through November 3.

    This North Center restaurant has pushed the boundaries for what to expect from an Indian restaurant not located along Devon or in downtown Chicago. Neighborhood Indian restaurants often trot out the same generic Northern Indian menus, but not Basant.

    For two weeks, Basant is offering a special a la carte menu and will decorate its space with diyas painted by workers, and a hand-drawn rangoli. The menu includes raj kachori chaat; mango duck kebabs with spicy white sauce & chili crisps; “mini-thali” with raswale alu, masala puri, halwa, and boondi raita; seafood khichdi; and lamb shank dum biryani. Reservations are available via OpenTable.

    Basant’s lamb shank dum biryani.
    Basant

    Sifr, Sunday, November 3

    While not serving traditional Indian food, Sifr, a Middle Eastern restaurant boosts a menu from James Beard nominated Sujan Sarkar and culinary director Sahil Sethi. Sarkar’s Indienne is Chicago’s only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant.

    Sifr’s holiday offerings consist of a four-course prix fixe. Items include dahi bhalla papdi chaat, papad with pindi chloe, baigan bharta, tamatar ki chaat, sliced onion, aloo tuk, and a mint and cilantro chutney. Entrees include paneer pasanda with lababdar gravy, jackfruit kofta with kadai gravy, butter chicken, or goat do pyaza. Reservations and $75 tickets are available on OpenTable. Sifr is also offering reservations upstairs on its enclosed patio.

    Sifr’s dining room.

    Sifr is celebrating Diwali.
    Sifr

    Patel Brothers

    Patel Brothers, the iconic South Asian supermarket chain, launched its Patel’s Fresh Kitchen about three years ago, coinciding with the opening of its new store along Devon. The goal was to serve younger customers who don’t know how to cook but still wanted a taste of home. Fresh Kitchen is 100 percent vegetarian, specializing in flatbreads — there are 20 different types of paratha. For folks throwing Diwali parties at home, they can email the bakery manager at their local Patel Brothers — find the emails on the chain’s website — to order parathas, samosas, and more.

    Umami From Scratch, October 23 to 31 for pickups.

    Divs Ray has been running Umami From Scratch, a micro bakery that takes online orders, since 2020. Her snacks are creative, blending traditions from different regions together with modern baking techniques. She’s launched a special Diwali menu with specials like rose-lime mooncakes, mithai canele, muhallahbiah with poached red fruits and kataifi, and chaat masala sweet potato focaccia. Order online and pick up October 23 to 31.

    Ashok Selvam

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  • Lula Cafe Will Celebrate 25 Years in Logan Square With Star-Studded Pop-Up Series

    Lula Cafe Will Celebrate 25 Years in Logan Square With Star-Studded Pop-Up Series

    The summer season kicked off with a bang for chef Jason Hammel, who in June took home a James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality at his iconic 25-year-old farm-to-table restaurant Lula Cafe in Logan Square. It was the sole medal awarded to a Chicago restaurant this year, but Chicagoans’ outpouring of joy over the win has taken Lula Cafe to new heights of popularity.

    Rather than resting on his laurels, Hammel and his wife, singer and songwriter Amalea Tshilds, are preparing to unveil their hotly anticipated new project, Loulou. Located a short walk from Lula in the long and narrow former home of Mini Mott and Second Generation at 3057 W. Logan Boulevard, Loulou won’t be a traditional restaurant, Hammel says. The couple have long dreamed of a space that blends food with other art forms like literature and music, where they can host pop-ups, special meals, chef and vendor panels, and other gatherings.

    Lula has been a linchpin in the community since ’90s and used to host similar events several nights a week. Hammel admits there was some fear when retail chains and others began arriving along Logan Boulevard, but the neighborhood has kept its spirit. “Logan Square remains fiercely independent. owner-operated, and new things are opening all the time,” Hammel said during a June interview with Eater.

    Loulou marks a bit of a return to those roots with performers and visiting chefs holding court while the kitchen prepares food based on the event. “That’s why we’ve been thriving for 25 years, because we really care about the stories and the depth of experience,” he added. “We want to do that for the public [at Loulou].”

    Now, as the opening approaches, Hammel and Tshilds are setting the stage for future collaborations with 25 for 25, a series of five pop-up dinners featuring some of the city’s most celebrated chefs to raise funds for local nonprofits. Slated to run over the five days leading up to Lula Cafe’s 25th anniversary – Monday, August 26, through Saturday, August 31 – the Resy-sponsored events will feature a distinct menu with a portion of proceeds from the $250 per person tickets going to a different charitable organization.

    Check out the lineup below.

    Monday, August 26

    Chefs: Erick Williams (Virtue), Lee Wolen (Boka), Jonathan Zaragoza (Birrieria Zaragoza), Paul Virant (Gaijin), and Stephanie Izard (Girl & the Goat).

    Menu items: Wolen’s bluefin tuna marinated in strawberry, black garlic, and tomato; and Zaragoza’s smoked potato taco with ceviche a la Mexicana, jocque, salsa roja, and peanut salsa matcha.

    Charity: Virtue Leadership Development Program

    Tickets available via Resy.

    Wednesday, August 28

    Chefs: John Shields (Smyth, the Loyalist), Sarah Stegner (Prairie Grass Cafe), Giuseppe Tentori (GT Prime), Sarah Gruenberg (Monteverde), Joe Frillman (Daisies) and Leigh Omilinsky (Daisies).

    Menu item: Tentori’s wagyu beef with miso pomme puree and fennel.

    Charity: The Evolved Network

    Tickets available via Resy.

    Thursday, August 29

    Chefs: Jason Vincent (Giant, Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar), David Posey (Elske), Anna Posey (Elske), John Manion (El Che, Brasero), Diana Dávila (Mi Tocaya Antojería), and Sandra Holl (Floriole).

    Menu items: Vincent’s eggplant lahmacun with phyllo, tomato, onion, parsley, and grated bresaola; David and Anna Posey’s cured tuna with smoked tomato, sunflower, and marigold.

    Charity: The Abundance Setting

    Tickets available via Resy.

    Friday, August 30

    Chefs: Carrie Nahabedian (Brindille), Joe Flamm (Rose Mary), Paul Kahan (The Publican, Avec), Oliver Poilevey (Le Bouchon, Obilex), and Mindy Segal (Mindy’s Bakery).

    Menu items: Flamm’s rabbit mortadella tortellini in brodo; Segal’s Ode to Lula carrot cake.

    Charity: Impact Culinary Fund

    Tickets available via Resy.

    Saturday, August 31

    Chefs: Matthias Merges (Mordecai, Billy Sunday), Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo), Zach Engel (Galit), Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia, Proxi), Tim Flores (Kasama), and Genie Kwon (Kasama).

    Menu items: Bayless’ camote blanco tamal with Oaxacan green mole, confit fennel, and grilled chayote; Engel’s cucumber salad with melon, ramps, shmaltz, gribenes, and kaluga caviar.

    Charity: Pilot Light

    Tickets available via Resy.

    Naomi Waxman

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  • Where to Celebrate the James Beard Awards in Chicago

    Where to Celebrate the James Beard Awards in Chicago

    The James Beard Awards, a revered celebration of American hospitality, will soon return to Chicago for its glitzy annual awards gala on Monday, June 10 at the Lyric Opera House. The occasion brings a special buzz to the city’s restaurant industry, which offers plenty of opportunities over the weekend leading to the awards. Here’s a list of events that are open to the public.

    Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards. Eater is partnering with the James Beard Foundation to livestream the awards in 2024. All editorial content is produced independently of the James Beard Foundation.

    Friday, June 7

    The Loop: The team behind California-based Caribbean cocktail bar Strong Water Anaheim, a 2024 James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program, will take over downtown rooftop bar Chateau Carbide from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 7 atop the Pendry Chicago hotel. Attendees can mingle with the staff and try rum-based drinks while taking in sweeping views from the historic Carbide & Carbon Building. Reservations are available via OpenTable. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Chateau Carbide, 230 N. Michigan Avenue, 24th Floor.

    Saturday, June 8

    The Loop: JBF Cocktail for a Cause runs Saturday, June 8 through Monday, June 10 at Bar Mar by José Andrés, where a portion of proceeds from each Salt Air Margarita sold will go to the Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Fund. Available all day from Saturday, June 8 through Monday, June 10 at Bar Mar, 120 N. Wacker Drive.

    West Loop: James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef Stephanie Izard will celebrate Beards weekend by slinging free ice cream and selling cocktails, sundaes, and more from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 8 via her Taiwanese-style walk-up window Baobing. No reservations are required. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Baobing, 857 W. Fulton Market.

    The Loop: Chef Melissa Tung, special culinary advisor to Ohio-based nonprofit Justice for Migrant Women, and Oakland Bloom executive director Diana Wu, will join moderator and Justice for Migrant Women founder Mónica Ramírez from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 8 for a panel discussion “Caring for Communities and the Role of the Restaurant Industry” at Kendall College. Tung and Wu will share their experiences “confronting crises and supporting care in communities that surround them, and the workers that make them run,” according to a rep. Reserve a seat via email at info@oaklandbloom.org. 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Kendall College at National Louis University, 18 S. Michigan Avenue.

    River North: The Beard Foundation will host a star-studded panel, “Under the Influence: How Dining Trends are Shaping Drink Choices,” from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 8 featuring local cocktail heavyweight Julia Momose (Kumiko), a 2022 James Beard media award winner, Chicago sommelier Tia Polite (Indienne), Speed Rack founder Lynnette Marrero, and Beard-award winners chef Gregory Gourdet (Kann) and sommelier Aldo Sohm (Le Bernardin, Sohm Bar). Diageo Beer Company president and Beard trustee Rodney Williams will moderate the panel, which will be held at private club Bian, founded by panel co-host and Beard-winning restaurateur Kevin Boehm (Boka Restaurant Group). Free reservations are available online. 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Bian, 600 W. Chicago Avenue, Suite 001.

    The Loop: Chateau Carbide will be back at it with another boozy Beard finalist pop-up — this time featuring Ryan Christiansen, head distiller at Vermont-based Barr Hill Cocktail Bar, and his team from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 8 on the rooftop at the Pendry hotel. This is a prime opportunity for sustainability enthusiasts, as Barr Hill is noted for its focus on local sourcing (including regional raw honey) and partnerships with farmers. Reservations are available via OpenTable. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Chateau Carbide, 230 N. Michigan Avenue, 24th Floor.

    Sunday, June 9

    Logan Square: Chef Joe Frillman, owner of Michelin Green Star-winning restaurant Daisies, will host an open-to-the-public chat, “Culinary Titans Tackle Sustainability from Planet to Plate to People,” from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 9 featuring a stacked lineup of hospitality leaders who emphasize locally-grown, sustainably-produced food. Panelists, moderated by Food & Wine associate editorial director Chandra Ram, will include decorated celebrity chef and Green City Market founder Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo), Beard-nominated California chef Geoff Davis (Burdell), Beard-nominated Missouri chef and cookbook author Rob Connoley (Bulrush), Beard-nominated Vermont GM Patrick Amice (Barr Hill Cocktail Bar), and Daisies’ bar director Nicole Yarovinsky. As if that’s not lure enough, Daisies partner and pastry chef Leigh Omilinsky will furnish sweets and pastries for the occasion. Reserve a seat via email. 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Daisies, 2375 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

    West Loop: Nobu will host a splashy, celebratory brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 on its 11th-floor rooftop featuring cocktails and “reception-style” food. Tickets ($95) are available online. 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nobu Chicago, 155 N. Peoria Street, 11th Floor.

    Avalon Park: 2022 James Beard finalist Maya-Camille Broussard, a breakout star on Netflix’s Bake Squad, will host a celebration of Chicago’s South Side from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June, 9 at her lauded bakery Justice of the Pies. Broussard will be joined by New York chef and 2023 Beard media award nominee Adrienne Cheatham and 2024 Beard finalist chefs Serigne Mbaye (Dakar) and Fariyal Abdullahi (Hav & Mar). The group promises a la carte dishes “laced with Southern influences while retaining the spirit of the greater Black diaspora.” Attendees can also count on live music and terrace seating. No reservations are required. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Justice of the Pies, 8655 S. Blackstone Avenue.

    The Loop: A trio of decorated Chicago hospitality leaders will take the stage from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 for a panel discussion, “The Rise and Impact of Chef Civic Leadership,” at Kendall College. James Beard Award-winning chef Erick Williams (Virtue), celebrity chef Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill), and Beard semifinalist and chef Matthias Merges (Billy Sunday, Mordecai) will address their work to “use their platform to drive positive change [and] tackle social issues,” according to a rep. Reserve a seat for free online. 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. at Kendall College at National Louis University, 18 S. Michigan Avenue.

    Andersonville: Queers at Beards, the only queer celebration of the awards weekend, will kick off at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 at Beard award finalist and LGBTQ cocktail bar Nobody’s Darling. This “Drag Day Party” co-hosted by James Beard Award-winning chef Mavis-Jay will include a three-hour open bar, performances from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., and a dance party from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets ($25) are available online. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 at Nobody’s Darling, 1744 W. Balmoral Avenue.

    The Loop: James Beard Award-winning chef Beverly Kim (Anelya, Parachute), the founder of the Abundance Setting nonprofit, will host “It Takes a Village,” a panel discussion about the challenges hospitality professionals face in balancing parenthood with a demanding career. Set for 3:45 to 4:45 on Sunday, June 9, the panel will feature Beard nominees Ann Ahmed (Khâluna), Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere (Baobab Fare), and Chicago’s own Darnell Reed (Luella’s Southern Kitchen). Reserve a seat for free online. 3:45 to 4:45 on Sunday, June 9 at Kendall College at National Louis University, 18 S. Michigan Avenue.

    West Loop: Local okonomiyaki restaurant Gaijin will throw a matsuri (or Japanese festival) with whisky giant Suntory and Chicago’s Japanese Culture Center from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 9. Organizers promise unlimited food — think mochi donuts, and kakigori — drinks (like highballs), city pop vinyl, and a Tsukasa Taiko drum performance, plus a soundtrack from DJ Van Paugam. Tickets ($65) and more details are available online. 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 at Gaijin, 950 W. Lake Street.

    Wicker Park: Chef Zubair Mohajir and his team at South Asian-style bar and street food spot Lilac Tiger will get into a festive mood with a night market pop-up on Sunday, June 9. Attendees can expect 10 food stations set up throughout the bar, patio, and neighboring fine dining sister restaurant the Coach House, as well as a menu of South Asian cocktails. Tickets ($100), available via Tock, include six food tickets and two cocktails. 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 at Lilac Tiger, 1742 W. Division Street.

    Wicker Park: Those who missed Barr Hill Cocktail Bar’s pop-up on Saturday in the Loop have another shot to try cocktails from the team of 2024 Beard Award finalists. They’ll appear from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 at famed cocktail bar the Violet Hour in Wicker Park. The cost of admission will include two drinks, small passed bites, and a Barr Hill gift bag. Tickets ($39) are available via Tock. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 at The Violet Hour, 1520 N. Damen Avenue.

    Naomi Waxman

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  • 7 Suggestions To Celebrate 4/20

    7 Suggestions To Celebrate 4/20

    The cannabis world has changed since 1971 when five students in California coined the phrase 4/20. They used a treasure map to hunt for an abandoned marijuana crop, but today Canada, 24 states, DC and more have legal dispensaries peppering the big and small towns. Since then, the movement and public opinion has done a 180 with 85% of the public believing marijuana should be legal in some form. Fox covers the cannabis industry in their business news and even the President mentioned it in his State of the Union Address.

    RELATED: People Who Use Weed Also Do More Of Another Fun Thing

    From sneaking around and trying to keep cool, to the new trend of California sober, cannabis has had a make over worthy of any streaming service. DIY Queen Martha Stewart helped move marijuana to the mainstream. Aside from a few politicians who want nanny states, the public is more curious the concerned.  According to BDSA, a leading analytical firm which covers cannabis, 49% of people who consume cannabis have done it with a gummy.  Dispensary bought goods are a thing.  Healthier than alcohol, Gen Z has drifted away from booze and are settling into weed. To mark the acceptance here are 7 suggestions to celebrate 4/20.

    Photo by coffeekai/Getty Images

    Coffee wake and bake

    Kick off the day with a little something special in your coffee. This combination of the energizing effects of caffeine and the relaxing effects of cannabis can provide a unique and enjoyable experience which starts your day in a good mood. Excellent for the canna-newbie or the seasoned consumer – start with a low dose of 2.5mg.

    Share the joy

    With all of Canada and over 50% of the country having access to legal weed – now is the time to maybe do a mini treat bag, a simple gift or an edible exchange.  You can take some cute tiny bags and drop one or two edibles in and share it with friends who may be curious.   Most edibles and gummies come in packs of 10 – why not grab a couple of extra and share them people who may have asked about it or who really need to chill.

    Do something meaningful

    The stigma has faded so why not embrace the spirit of the stoner and do something for your fellow man. Donating blood is a great way to make an impact, get a free cookie and help out. Another way is to mix up your dispensary choice to see who is doing something for the community on 4/20.

    Learn how to roll the perfect joints

    Something interesting and fun you can try out is learning how to roll joints. While there are hundreds of tutorials out there (and this helpful guide), here is one which will help you hone your craft.

    Watch some stoner movies

    If you want to chill and maybe have some self care, snacks, me time, why not snuggle in for a movie night. Here’s a list of recommendations.

    Have a dance party

    study claims that there are dance moves that are scientifically sexy
    Photo by Brooke Cagle via Unsplash

    A dance party can be for 1, 2, 10 or 100…your choice! Take time to let your body move – be it alone in the kitchen, a tango for two leading to the bedroom (wink wink) or invite a few friends or go to a club, meet up or head something where your feet, body, mind and music meld into motion.

    Take advantage of the 4/20

    Some dispensaries have great sales, merchandise, music and more. Maybe take a retail tour so see what is up for the holiday – you could save a few bucks!

    Sarah Johns

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  • This Scandinavian Treat Proves There’s More to Fat Tuesday Than Paczki

    This Scandinavian Treat Proves There’s More to Fat Tuesday Than Paczki


    It’s telling that in Chicago, Fat Tuesday — the day before Lenten Season begins, this year on Tuesday, February 13 — is generally referred to as Paczki Day. Weighing in at around 400 calories each, the Polish pastries inevitably whip up excitement among fans who form long lines, sometimes in the wee hours of the morning, to snag paczki by the dozen in a wide array of classic and contemporary flavors.

    Amid all the paczki pandemonium, however, lie Fat Tuesday specialties from a variety of ethnic groups that now call Chicago home. In Andersonville, the city’s historic Swedish American enclave, a lauded local pastry chef is shining a spotlight on the Scandinavian tradition of the semla, a rich yet delicate sweet roll also known as fettisdagsbulle, literally “Fat Tuesday bun.”

    Pastry chef Bobby Schaffer brings fine dining style to Swedish semlor.

    As in the case of many Fat Tuesday treats, modern semlor (the plural of semla) evolved significantly from their original form. Historically, semlor simply referred to bread rolls floating in warm milk, a combination also dubbed hetvagg. In an ominous anecdote, 18th-century Swedish King Adolf Fredrick is said to have died after wrapping up a hearty, boozy meal with 14 servings of the dish. Today, typical semlor are small, baked yeast buns enriched with butter and egg, flavored with cardamom, stuffed with almond paste and whipped cream, and finally, dusted with powdered sugar. Sweden’s neighboring countries feature regional variations, such as Finnish laskiaispulla and Danish and Norwegian fastelavnsboller.

    Bobby Schaffer (Grace, Blue Hill at Stone Barns), has made a name for himself in the city with his contemporary takes on Swedish pastry traditions at Lost Larson, his stylish bakeries and cafes with modern minimalist Swedish vibes in Andersonville and Wicker Park. The seasonal item has a crowd of eager adherents who start peppering Schaffer with questions about availability “as soon as January hits,” he says. This year’s lineup blends old and new, juxtaposing a traditional version with playful semlor, including one stuffed with raspberry jam and topped with raspberry whipped cream and a spin on bananas foster. They’re available to walk-in customers through Monday, February 12 in both Andersonville and Wicker Park, and online pre-orders are open for pickup on Fat Tuesday in Andersonville.

    A person cracks an egg into a plastic deli container beside other containers of flour and sugar.

    Lost Larson’s team starts the process by making cardamom brioche dough.

    A person adds butter to a standing mixer of dough.

    Like paczki, semlor are an opulent treat for those about to start the Lenten season.

    A person scatters flour over a tray of dough.

    The dough is then left to ferment overnight.

    A person cuts dough on a marble counter.

    Each semla will receive its own little brioche “hat.”

    The concept of fun and funky semlor is a full-on phenomenon in Sweden, says Karin Moen Abercrombie, executive director of Andersonville’s Swedish American Museum. In Stockholm, famed 90-year-old coffeehouse Vete-Katten typically sells around 14,000 semlor ahead of Lent each year. “Today, there’s almost a competition between bakeries of who makes the best semlor,” she says.

    Schaffer had his first taste of semlor in January 2018 during a trip to Stockholm with his sister ahead of Lost Larson’s debut in Andersonville. His memories of the encounter, which unfolded in a “very old-school” bakery in Sweden’s capital, are vivid: “The texture of the cream [was] so soft, and hitting that layer of almond paste gives it a chewy, unctuous texture,” he says. “It’s very satisfying to dig into one of those.”

    A person places a brioche triangle on top of a semla.

    The “hats” are back.

    A person dusts a tray of semlor with powdered sugar through a sieve.

    Schaffer scales back the sweetness of the whipped cream to balance with powdered sugar.

    Back in Chicago, he had a serious task on his hands with the debut of his stylish bakery and cafe with modern minimalist Swedish vibes. The Swedish Bakery, a neighborhood icon for more than eight decades, had closed the year prior in 2017, and residents made plain their high expectations of Schaffer’s endeavor. Given his recent semlor meet cute, Schaffer was eager to introduce his version and included them on his opening menu, which happened to arrive in June.

    “I was a little overly exuberant to start making them,” he says, laughing. “I was quickly scolded by [Abercrombie] that it was not semla season… I didn’t want to start by offending Swedish people.”

    Abercrombie, a Swedish immigrant who has spent nearly 40 years in Chicago, doesn’t remember her first semla but does recall eating them with warm milk (a la King Fredrick, though in smaller quantities) as a girl. For her, the Swedish Bakery’s closure struck close to home. “They were the ones, for many of us, who connected us back to our home country and childhood memories.”

    A person cuts out a tringle from round brioche buns.

    Each bun undergoes a little surgery.

    A person scoops almond paste into a round brioche bun.

    Almond paste is a popular flavor in Swedish pastries and baked goods.

    A person fills a pastry bag with whipped cream.

    A person pipes a swirl of whipped cream on top of a round brioche bun.

    Despite its more contemporary approach, Lost Larson’s dedication to Swedish baking and pastry — as well as Schaffer’s openness to feedback from the community — have played vital roles in maintaining Swedish American culture in the city. The museum will also feature semlor in its pop-up cafe on Fat Tuesday, but for Abercrombie and Schaffer, it’s not about competition. “We all have to work together because if we don’t support each other, none of us will survive,” she says.

    Semla Day at Lost Larson Andersonville, Tuesday, February 13, 5318 N. Clark Street, pre-orders available online.





    Naomi Waxman

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  • Historic Mardi Gras Inn Welcomes Guests to Celebrate the Vibrant 2024 Mardi Gras Season in New Orleans – World News Report – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Historic Mardi Gras Inn Welcomes Guests to Celebrate the Vibrant 2024 Mardi Gras Season in New Orleans – World News Report – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Mardi Gras Mask

    Mardi Gras Fun

    Mardi Gras Big Easy

    Mardi Gras in the Big Easy

    There was a change in the air. It was Mardi Gras in New Orleans, after all.”

    — -Penelope Douglas

    NEW ORLEANS, LA, UNITED STATES, December 31, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — As the Marketing Director of the Historic Mardi Gras Inn, located in the heart of New Orleans’ famous French Quarter, Karen Brem invites guests to immerse themselves in the city’s most iconic celebration, Mardi Gras. The 2024 season, spanning from January 6, 2024 to February 13, 2024, promises an unforgettable experience filled with music, parades, and culinary delights.

    Mardi Gras, a historic tradition in New Orleans, is a season of joy, marked by vibrant parades, exquisite King Cakes, and a plethora of culinary delicacies unique to the region. This year, the festivities will include multiple parades, each with its own theme and character, please check online for parade schedules and routes.

    “Mardi Gras in New Orleans is not just a day; it’s a season,” says Karen Brem. “It’s a time when the city’s rich cultural heritage comes alive through music, food, and community spirit. Our inn, steeped in history, provides a cozy, convenient base for guests to explore and participate in the myriad of activities that make Mardi Gras an unforgettable experience.”

    Guests staying at the Historic…

    Original Author Link click here to read complete story..

    MMP News Author

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  • CNN’s Holiday Quiz: How well do you know these holiday facts?

    CNN’s Holiday Quiz: How well do you know these holiday facts?

    Holiday Quiz: How well do you know these facts?

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  • New Gift Registry Concept Empowers Women to Celebrate Occasions Beyond a Wedding or Baby

    New Gift Registry Concept Empowers Women to Celebrate Occasions Beyond a Wedding or Baby

    Celebrate Me Registry Launches, Encourages Women to ‘Claim All of Their Cake Days.’

    Press Release
    –

    Aug 18, 2022


    CHICAGO, August 18, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Celebrate Me Registry launches the first totally customizable gift registry service; a site designed for women who want to celebrate the milestone moments in life that don’t fit into a traditional “box.” Celebrate Me Registry’s mission is to help all women feel valued, lauded, and special – while taking the guesswork out of gifting.

    Now, users may create a completely free registry for any occasion they desire, no white dress or baby bump required. The Celebrate Me Registry platform was designed to share the excitement around landing that new promotion, getting a master’s degree, finishing chemo, or “just because.”

    The concept came to Celebrate Me Registry founder Chrisondra Boyd while attempting to create a registry for her 40th birthday, which was canceled due to Covid. “I wanted to give my friends and family a way to celebrate this moment with me, but found it frustrating that there wasn’t an elegant or enticing platform available for more non-traditional occasions.”

    Celebrants can take advantage of the easy-to-use site to compile the registry of their dreams. In addition to the website, a mobile app and Chrome extension are available to make adding gifts a breeze, from anywhere on the internet. And for those who are usually stumped when asked what they’d like to receive, the site features shoppable gift guides to remove the workload of choosing items.

    “It’s time to rethink the registry and what we deem worthy of celebration,” said Chrisondra. “At Celebrate Me Registry, we believe it’s time to empower all women to ask for exactly what they want.”

    About Celebrate Me Registry

    Celebrate Me Registry is the first totally customizable registry service that lets you add gifts from across the internet for any occasion. Created by a woman, for women who deserve to be celebrated (which is, like, all of us).

    For more information about Celebrate Me Registry, please visit www.celebratemeregistry.com or follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook.

    ###

    Media Contact:

    Ashley Gregory Hackett

    ashley@celebratemeregistry.com

    Related links

    https://celebratemeregistry.com

    Source: Celebrate Me Registry

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