‘Top Chef’ Boots Chicago Contestant, Hope For Chicago Food Trucks, More Intel

—If you’re a "Top Chef" fan and still haven’t seen the latest episode that aired more then three days ago, well, prepare for a spoiler. The Chicago contestant on Season 14 of the ever-popular Bravo cooking competition TV show, bartender Amanda Baumgarten of The Victor Bar, was cut on Thursday evening after judge Tom Colicchio deemed her duck dish "kind of flat." Check out a full recap of the episode here.

—Despite a Cook County Judge’s December ruling that dealt a major legal blow to the Chicago food truck industry, there’s still a chance that the city can ease the stifling laws. One councilman has proposed legislation that would lengthen the time that trucks can stay in one place, the food trucks’ law firm appealed the December ruling, and now the Tribune reports that the group representing Illinois restaurants "now supports a compromise" and that food truck owners are "cautiously optimistic." There’s still a long way to go, so stay tuned.

—And now, another Bill Murray sighting in Chicago. The actor hit up Chicago Cut Steakhouse last night with former Cubs pitcher Rick Sutcliffe, which you can check out a photo of below. There’s no update on his proposed Caddyshack-themed bar in Rosemont, however.

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—A few popular restaurants that are currently BYO applied for liquor licenses and may start full alcohol service soon: The Angry Crab Wicker Park, Ramen Misoya in Streeterville, and Albany Park chicken wing favorite Cafe Orient 33.

—Eater 38 member Boeufhaus will start serving its popular burger at the bar on Tuesday nights, as well as unveiling a revamped beverage menu, $8 happy hour cocktails, half-price wine night on Wednesdays, and will expand the menu at its butcher and deli counter to serve lamb, goat, and pork.

—A string of robberies have hit restaurants, bars and stores in the Loop in recent months, the Tribune reports. Seven restaurants or bars were burglarized downtown between September and December.

—And finally, when Chicago’s first cider pub The Northman opened last March, one common complaint was a lack of flights or tastes of its many draft ciders. But it recently started serving four-ounce pours of most of them, giving patrons an opportunity to try many in one sitting.