Local Root Shutters, Rachael Ray's Festival Coming, More Intel

—Local Root, the locally-sourced cafe and wine bar on McClurg Court in Streeterville, is no more. Ownership announced the shutter on its website which was subsequently picked up by the Tribune, blaming construction traffic, street repair, and its high-rent location. The restaurant was open for three and a half years.

—Rachael Ray's Feedback, a music and food festival attached to the TV, cookbook and retail personality, is coming to Lincoln Park Zoo on June 25 after launching in Austin. Tickets and information are available on its website.

—Tribune critic Phil Vettel filed reviews for two new Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, Oyster Bah and Naoki Sushi. Vettel gives each just one star, calling Naoki "cautious" and "not yet a giant leap forward," and Oyster Bah a "focused version of Shaw's."

—The Aviary will be open seven days a week and an hour earlier (5 p.m.) every day beginning in a week, on March 28. The Alinea Group's lauded cocktail bar was previously closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

—Lots of top chefs are coming out for the inaugural Charlie Trotter Food & Wine Spring Festival, a fundraiser in part for the planned statue of the departed iconic chef and restaurateur. Taking place April 11, a $75 ticket buys tastes of 20 restaurants (including EL Ideas, The Blanchard and Tanta), wine, beer and cider. More information and tickets are available here.

—Try a longtime South Side stalwart for free on Wednesday, as Old Fashioned Donuts is giving away free ones at noon at its shop on 11248 S. Michigan to those who "share what they like about their neighborhood."