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— Nando’s Peri-Peri is putting a lot into their upcoming restaurant at Michigan Avenue and Lake Street. A spokesman calls the new location the Chicago flagship for the South African chain. Given the high-profile opening, they’re getting out the big guns. Chicago megastar Chance The Rapper — who loves donating money to local charities — will make a charity photo op at Nando’s grand opening on Tuesday. The hip-hop artist will grill chicken and serve customers starting at 6 p.m. at 117 E. Lake St. Tuesday is also the first day of the Chicago Pubic School year, and Nando’s will donate to Chance’s SocialWorks charity.
— Highline, the bar at 159 W. Kinzie St. in River North, will today unveil a new arcade game room. They call the space Hi-Point Game Lounge. The space houses about 20 games, including vintage arcade cabinets like NBA Jam and Pac-Man, as well as Skee Ball and more. New food items include a walking taco and a Nashville Hot fried chicken waffle cone. There’s also new cocktails. Take a look at the space below.
— El Che Bar in the West Loop has promoted Ashley Danello to executive pastry chef. Danello joined John Manion’s restaurant in December as pastry sous chef. The Massachusetts native has worked at Mindy’s Hot Chocolate in Bucktown. She’s looking for big changes in the dessert menu, using El Che’s hearth for grilled, charred, and smoked items, according to a news release. Danello replaces Marianna Reynolds who left in August.
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— As the Paramount Room prepares to close on Saturday (a month sooner than expected) after a decade in River West, ownership has revealed that they’ll continue to host private events through October. They’re also throwing a special tasting-menu dinner on Thursday, Sept. 21. Tickets for the five-course meal cost $74 and can be purchased here.
— The Art of Chicken remains closed after a fire last week at the restaurant, 2041 N. Western Ave. DNAinfo reported the details about the blaze the struck at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, as crews were working on the roof in Bucktown. No one was hurt. The 4-year-old restaurant serves flame-broiled chicken.