Bow Truss Owner Blames Crain’s For Bankruptcy Filing

— In the latest news in a tough stretch for Phil Tadros, the Bow Truss coffee owner filed for bankruptcy. Crain’s wrote much more about it, including this epic quote: “Are you fucking kidding me? You’re writing about this? It’s your fault. Crain’s is the reason all of this happened.” All of this includes the majority of Tadros’ shops shuttering after employees walked out and multiple lawsuits which followed a Crain’s expose about his questionable business practices.

— Four Chicago restaurants received AAA’s coveted five-diamond rating — and they’re the same restaurants as last year. Acadia, Alinea, Everest and Sixteen were awarded the maximum amount of diamonds, which indicate an “entire evening of wow moments.” All of them have held their ratings since at least 2013. Local restaurants that used to hold the rating include the shuttered Grace and Tru, and the demoted Arun’s and Travelle. Check out the full list from the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean here.

— 110-year-old department store restaurant relic The Walnut Room will officially continue to operate in The Loop after Macy’s on State Street announced the expected sale of its upper floors, according to multiple reports. Some worried about the restaurant’s future last year as Macy’s plans started to become public, although a spokeswoman later said it would remain open.

— Bo knows bacon and the “Sandwich King.” 1980s football and baseball star Bo Jackson — who apparently owns a food line named Bo Jackson Signature Foods — is now an equity partner in Jeff Mauro’s fast-casual sandwich chain Pork & Mindy’s, according to a news release. Expect the chain to release a special line of Pig Candy bacon with Jackson’s company’s packaging at local Mariano’s and eventually around the country.

— In other pork news, annual touring whole-heritage pig cooking competition Cochon 555 announced its lineup for this year’s Chicago leg: Ryan Burns (The Blanchard), Mario Garcia (Kitty O’Shea’s), Carlos Gaytan (Mexique), Corey Morris (Boleo), and Andres Padilla (Topolobampo). Tickets for the event, which comes to the Hilton Chicago on April 8, are available here.

— Passion House Coffee Roasters’ Logan Square cafe is closed until March 10 for remodeling. When it reopens it will have a new look from Siren Betty Design and a new line of pastries from Bittersweet, according to a news release. The cafe from the popular local coffee roaster took over a former Bow Truss coffee space at 2631 N. Kedzie Avenue and opened in April 2017 with pastries from The Bakery at Fat Rice.

— And finally, Chicagoans will again be able to eat and drink all the Eataly product they want when the Italian superstore with multiple restaurants hosts SpringFest in River North, part of its bi-annual event on March 23, Time Out Chicago reports. Tickets, which cost $75, are on sale now.