Openings

Open now: The latest member of the Four Corners Tavern Group family (which includes Benchmark and Gaslight, among others) is open near the Merchandise Mart: Highline Bar + Lounge (169 W. Kinzie St., River North, 312-533-2742), which will cater to the post-work drinking, snacking, and sports-watching crowd.

Wednesday, September 17: Hooray! After a fire forced the buzzy sushi spot Juno (2638 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Park, 773-935-2000) to shut its doors at the start of this year, the restaurant is finally ready to reopen tonight—and in addition to a refreshed space, they’re adding chef Sam McDermott (Elizabeth) to take care of the hot dishes on the menu.

Thursday, September 18: It’s almost time. Tomorrow marks the official opening of Chicago’s first-ever Umami Burger (1480 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wicker Park), the hot California-based chain known for its flavor-loaded patties. Expect lines. Long, long lines.

Saturday, September 20: Make room for some massive sandwiches, West Loop denizens. The second location of Humboldt Park’s beloved Cemitas Puebla (817 W. Fulton Market) will start assembling Atomica sandwiches (that’s a breaded pork chop, a marinated pork chop, and ham on sesame seed bread) this weekend.

Monday, September 22: Lincoln Square is about to get a serious infusion of flour power with the opening of Baker Miller Bakery & Millhouse (4610 N. Western Ave., 312-806-4645), a bakeshop from Dave and Megan Miller (formerly of Bang Bang Pie Shop in Logan Square) with all manner of baked goods, full meals, and (yes, seriously) a toast bar.

Morsels

As if you needed a national magazine to tell you this, Chicago has been named the greatest drinking city in America by the boozers at GQ magazine. The story gives some serious shout-outs to bars all over the city, including a few of our favorites: Bar DeVille, Scofflaw, Barrelhouse Flat, and more. Take a peek here.) (Full disclosure: Many of these excellent recommendations come from our own chief dining critic, Jeff Ruby. He’s got another handy piece in the mag this month, on how to drink without shame around sober types.)

The wait is (sort of!) over for diners at Fat Rice (2957 W. Diversey Ave., Logan Square, 773-661-9170). The hopping Macanese spot is now taking some reservations via OpenTable, particularly for off-hours dining at dinner and brunch. They’ll continue to take walk-ins, though, especially at peak hours. Act fast if you’re looking for a table for four at 5:45—the slots are already filling.