Elysian Named No. 1; Vera Opening Oct. 19; More!

GOLD COAST—The Elysian Hotel, home of Ria and Balsan, was named the No. 1 hotel in the United States in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards. [EaterWire]

WEST LOOP—Mark and Liz Mendez will open their Spanish-themed chef-driven wine bar, Vera, on Oct. 19. The Feast has a sneak peek of the food and menu. [EaterWire/The Feast]

BUCKTOWN—The 7th annual Bucktown Apple Pie Contest takes place on Oct. 16 in Holstein Park with judges Jennifer Olvera, Steve Dolinsky, Malika Ameen and Chris Tong, assessing pies from more than 170 entrants. [Concierge Preferred]

LINCOLN SQUARE—Each Sunday, LM exec chef Justin Perdue invites you in for Sunday Supper, a $30 three-course prix-fixe dinner with optional $20 bottles of wine. [EaterWire]

Elysian Hotel [Photo: Chicago]