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—Start lining up now if you’re a fan of “Star Wars” and cocktails. After causing hysteria and mass three-hour lines to get into its first event last year, The Whistler is bringing back its “Star Wars” event for another episode on May 4. Expect live music modeled after the cantina band from Episode IV as well as “Star Wars”-inspired cocktails similar to the beloved Logan Square cocktail bar’s inaugural event in 2016. Relive that night right here.
—After more than six years in, chef/owner John des Rosiers has shuttered his high-end takeout restaurant and market Wisma on the North Shore, a concept he previously expanded to another suburban location, the Chicago French Market, and a food truck. An LTH Forum poster shared the announcement email which des Rosiers says he is “truly saddened that we had to close” and that the reason behind the shutter “is something that is private between the partners of the company.” He similarly told Daily North Shore that “I promise it was never my intention to close the store.” His full restaurant, Inovasi, remains open across the street in Lake Bluff.
—Intelligentsia’s Loop location in the Monadnock Building at 53 W. Jackson Blvd. is reopening today at noon with a brand-new look after closing for a remodel on March 24. The coffee bar has been open for more than 10 years in the historic location.
—Sushi doughnuts are officially a thing in Chicago. Simply Thalia in Block 37 has been serving a few varieties for the last couple of months and Time Out Chicago popped in for a sampling, concluding that “these sushi rolls won't blow your mind, but they will make the perfect Instagram photo,” as well as to prepare for a wait. The trendy dish has previously existed in New York and Hot Woks Cool Sushi has also been serving them since January.
—Popular South Side restaurant mainstay Litehouse Whole Food Grill — a beacon of good food in a food desert-saturated area — closed its longtime location on 53rd Street in order to move. The new spot, at 1660 E. 55th Street, is slated to open on April 17.
—And finally, President Trump’s immigration policies and threats are affecting Mexican restaurants. NBC News dives into the story, using Little Village and restaurant mainstay Mi Tierra as its prime example. Owner Ezequiel Fuentes sadly tells the network that "People are scared. They are scared to go out. The decrease of business (after the election) probably was 40 percent during the week, especially in the day time." The story also reports a decrease in business for food and drink street carts as well as other retailers.