Chicago’s First Organic Fast Food Chain Opens in the Loop Next Month

— Downtown office workers, tourists and residents will get an organic fast-food option beginning next month. Nic’s Organic Fast Food, the local chain with suburban locations in Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg, plans to open its first city spot on November 19 at 180 N. LaSalle Street, according to a news release. Nic’s advertises that all its food — burgers, fries, breakfast sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, desserts and more — is “100 percent certified organic.” Ownership is also planning an ambitious national expansion, aiming to open 75 restaurants by 2020 in major markets including New York, Southern California, South Florida, and more.

— Alpana Singh officially returns as host of “Check, Please!” tonight. The restaurateur and master sommelier’s first new episode since exiting the show in 2013 airs on WTTW at 8:00 p.m., where she and three Chicagoans visit and review Go 4 Food, Dos Ricco’s, and Tied House. Catherine De Orio, who successfully hosted the show for five years in Singh’s stead, is working on a national food and travel show for PBS.

— The Flamingo Rum Club, the Caribbean-themed cabaret and cocktail spot in River North, is now only open for private events and is closed to the general public. Phil Stefani and Adolfo Garcia opened it in December 2016 at 601 N. Wells Street.

— The owner of two suburban restaurants was sadly shot and killed yesterday while riding in a car on the Northwest Side, according to multiple news reports. Peter Rim, 46, owned El Cochino and Bistro Wasabi in Lake in the Hills.

— And finally, Terzo Piano chef de cucina Carolina Diaz won the Barilla World Pasta Championship. Diaz beat out 17 competitors in Milan over the last two days to take the crown, according to a news release.