A Swanky Lounge With Grant Park Views Is Coming to the South Loop

The South Loop is getting a swanky lounge and French restaurant in April

The developer behind rooftop hotspot LondonHouse is aiming to unveil a new two-floor lounge in early April with standout views across from Grant Park. SX Sky Bar will live on the fifth and sixth floors of the forthcoming Essex on the Park development at 808 S. Michigan Avenue and include a swanky interior with a “tech-inspired” dance floor, cocktails, champagne, and small plates, a news release touts. It will be attached to the new Hotel Essex next door at 800 S. Michigan Avenue — formerly the Essex Inn — that will include a ground-floor all-day French restaurant from LM Restaurant Group named Grant Park Bistro, the Tribune reports.

The 2019 Black Restaurant Week is underway

The fourth annual Chicago Black Restaurant Week kicked off on Sunday with deals at 37 black-owned restaurant in the city and suburbs through February 17. Head here for a list of participating restaurants and available deals.

A popular downtown breakfast and lunch option moved

The owners of Saucy Porka, the six-year-old fast-casual fusion restaurant in the Loop, have moved it down the street and combined it with sister restaurant Spotted Monkey at 335 S. Franklin Street. They’re combining “the best of both menus” in one space that’s open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Saucy Porka Hyde Park (1164 E. 55th Street) is unaffected.

The home of Chicago’s best sushi deals was hit by a fire

Lawrence Fish Market, the far North Side spot that’s home to perhaps the best sushi deals in Chicago, is temporarily closed after a fire. Ownership has relocated it to Bryn Mawr Fresh Market at 3318 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue while it undergoes renovations.

Chicago’s barbecue and country music festival is moving

Windy City Smokeout, the massive barbecue and country music festival, will be held in a different place when it returns this July. Organizers announced that it will be in the United Center parking lot this year, rather than at Grand Avenue and the Chicago River where it was in previous years. The 2019 lineup and ticketing info are available on its website.

Chicago’s first cider taproom will start distribution soon

And finally, Chicago drinkers will soon be able to partake in Eris Brewery and Cider House’s products in other bars and restaurants. The owners of Chicago’s first cider taproom and restaurant — which Eater Chicago readers voted the Eater Award winner for 2018 bar of the year — hope to start distributing their ciders across the city within the next couple months, Block Club reports.