Previewing Alinea 2.0, Hot Doug's Coming Back to Summer Festival, More Intel

—When Alinea reopens in a matter of weeks, expect "a brand-new restaurant in everything but the name," Kevin Pang reports in The New York Times. Grant Achatz's food will have "less shock value" that will focus on emotion, and the iconic restaurant will have a completely revamped interior. More to come.

—Dog Dayz, the sausage-themed festival that debuted last summer and featured the temporary return of Hot Doug's, is returning for round two on June 24 and 25 at the Goose Island Barrel Aging Warehouse in Humboldt Park. Tickets are on sale now via the festival's website.

—The city's second Portillo's is slated to open on May 31 at 520 W. Taylor St., according to DNAinfo.

—Suburban restaurant Burger Antics was the recipient of a love letter of sorts that has garnered more than two million views, NBC5 reports. The letter, which was left in the Brookfield restaurant by a customer, includes nuggets such as "your burgers are so f-cking good that all other food is ruined for me."

—Furious Spoon ownership is in talks to possibly acquire longtime Logan Square dive Two Way Lounge, DNAinfo also reports. The bar is adjacent to the ramen hotspot's forthcoming Logan location that's slated to open in early June with a full bar, 8-10 cocktails, and a 70-seat patio.

—Embeya is launching "A Journey Through Asia" series today, where chef Mike Sheerin and crew are offering multi-course menus, cocktails, and more based on different Asian cuisines for months at a time. First up is Thailand, which runs from today through July 15, and will be followed by Japan.

—Piccolo Sogno Due is now temporarily closed as the Italian restaurant reconcepts and renovates to turn into the more casual spot Nonnina in July.