🍽 ON THE PLATE
PopUp Bagels is open. The doors opened at 7 a.m. this morning at 2321 N. Lincoln Ave., and if you drove past and saw a line wrapping the block, now you know why. The East Coast cult bagel brand — famous for its hot-from-the-oven, never-sliced, never-toasted bagels and the "Grip, Rip and Dip" routine — is officially in Lincoln Park. We told you this was coming back in Issue 2 when they first announced. The first Midwest location is a franchise play with 25 planned across greater Chicago, but this morning it's all about the flagship. They've partnered with Portillo's for a limited-edition giardiniera schmear. Open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week.
Boka Restaurant Group is opening The Ives at the Chicago Athletic Association in May. The James Beard–winning group is replacing the former Cherry Circle Room at 12 S. Michigan Ave. with what they're calling a "modern grill room" — contemporary American dining with tableside preparations, champagne carts, and a menu built by veteran chef Chris Pandel. This is Boka's latest addition inside the landmark hotel, following the eight-seat omakase spot Midōsuji and the long-running Cindy's rooftop. No exact date yet — representatives told What Now Chicago it'll be sometime in May.
🌿 GET OUTSIDE
The Hand & The Eye opens Saturday. The $50 million magic venue inside the restored McCormick Mansion at 100 E. Ontario St. debuts to the public tomorrow. This is not a dinner show — it's a 36,000-square-foot, five-level immersive experience with multiple theaters, two restaurants, eight bars, a rooftop, and a members-only club, all designed by David Rockwell. Chicago entrepreneur Glen Tullman is behind it. Levy Restaurants handles the food, which riffs on Chicago classics — chicken Vesuvio, prime carpaccio, grasshopper baked Alaska. Dress code is strictly enforced: collared shirts and jackets for men, no sneakers, no jeans. 21+ only. Tickets at thehandandtheeye.com.
[solidcore] Lincoln Park is open at 2206 N. Halsted. The Pilates-meets-strength-training studio known for its slow-burn, high-intensity classes on reformer machines has quietly opened a Lincoln Park location.
🏗 PERMIT DESK
A $300,000 restaurant remodel permit just dropped for 2423 N. Clark. That address on Clark Street in LP has churned through concepts — LP Stadium Bar & Grill, The Hen, Frida Room, Ceiba — and it looks like another one is on the way. The permit describes remodeling of the existing restaurant space. No license filing yet, no name. But $300K is real money for an interior buildout in a space that size.
Wicker Park's 13-story apartment tower is finally moving forward. The long-delayed project at Milwaukee and Wicker Park Ave cleared its latest hurdle after years of neighborhood pushback and zoning battles.
QUICK HITS
Two new gyms are coming to Bucktown. Block Club reports two fitness concepts will open on the same stretch, offering training and community hangout space for all ages.
Lincoln Park Mayfest — May 15–17 on Halsted. We mentioned this in Issue 1 — it's now five weeks out. Live music, art, local vendors. Mark it.
See you next Friday — The 60614