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Hungry Brain Possible Relaunch, BaconFest 2016 Dates, More AM Intel

Plus, Cleo's Bar & Grill seeks a late-liquor license, Boka's truffles special, Insomnia Cookies in Wicker Park and NFL milkshakes at the Virgin Hotel.

Hungry Brain
Hungry Brain
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Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

—Could the Hungry Brain be reopening? There's no confirmation on that, but the dive, which closed in December 2014, looks to be the host of an upcoming concert on Thursday, Dec. 3. The organizers of the Charles Rumback album release show said they think it's a precursor to a reopening, but again, there's no official word from Hungry Brain brass. Their Facebook page continues its dormancy, with the last post coming in June.

—The organizers of BaconFest haven't been thwarted by pleas from the World Health Organization to cut bacon consumption. They've announced dates for next year's event, which will take place Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, again at the UIC Forum. They'll have cocktail pairings this year, plus tiki, Bloody Mary and Old Fashioned themes for sessions. Early bird tickets go on sale at noon Dec. 7 here.

Cleo's Bar & Grill, the dive at 1935 W. Chicago Ave., wants a late-liquor license so the establishment could stay open until 4 a.m. daily, and until 5 a.m. into Saturday night. However, some neighbors are weary due to Cleo's TVs in the beer garden, which draw enthusiastic cheers from sports fans outdoors. They say the noise hurts business, DNAinfo reports.

Boka has a special for truffle fans. They're offering Alba white truffles shaved over their homemade tagliolini or cavatelli with parmesan. It's available until the end of truffle season at 4 grams for $32 or 8 grams for $64.

Insomnia Cookies, the chain that offers cookie delivery service, will open its third Chicago space, inside the former iCream at 1537 N. Milwaukee Ave., according to DNAinfo. They're targeting a January opening. Their other Chicago spots are at 2260 N. Lincoln Ave. and 6470 N. Sheridan Road.

—The Bears play Green Bay on Thanksgiving Night and Miss Ricky's, the diner inside Virgin Hotel Chicago, is gearing up with milkshakes representing each football team. First off is the Chicago Bears No. 9 (salted-caramel ice cream, chocolate liquor, bacon, peanut caramel). Proceeds from that creation go toward Bears' kickers Robbie Gould's Goulden Touch Foundation charity. Then there's the Green Bay Packer Cheesehead (mint chocolate chip ice cream, cheesecake and cheese puffs). The shakes will be available all week.

Virgin Hotel shakes

[Photo: Virgin Hotels Chicago]

iCream

1537 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 342-2834 Visit Website

Boka

1729 North Halsted Street, , IL 60614 (312) 337-6070 Visit Website

Miss Rickys

203 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 940-4777 Visit Website

Virgin Hotel

203 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 940-4440

UIC Forum

725 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 413-9875

Hungry Brain

2319 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 (773) 935-2118

Cleo's Bar & Grill

1935 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (312) 243-5600 Visit Website