Another Jewish Deli Is Closing in Chicago

Lakeview Jewish deli Milt’s Extra Innings is closing

As many Chicagoans believe that Jewish delis are a dying breed within the city limits, another one of the city’s essentials will close soon. The owners of Milt’s Extra Innings, the Kosher deli expansion of Milt’s Barbecue for the Perplexed in Lakeview, announced its last day of service will be March 17, writing that “we have struggled to compete with the other options around us, and sales at MEI are not what we projected them to be.” The deli, which opened less than 17 months ago, highlighted Jewish baseball history, employed special needs workers and donated 100 percent of profits to charity, was included on Eater Chicago’s map of the area’s essential Jewish delis a week ago. Owner Jeff Aeder wrote that “we are exploring plans to open a new business in the space that has a stronger financial outlook and would suit the emerging skill-set of many of our employees.”

Famed Thai restaurant Pok Pok will pop up in Chicago this month

Pok Pok, the highly acclaimed Thai restaurant in Portland, Oregon and New York City, will pop up at Eater Award-winner Pacific Standard Time on March 26. Pok Pok chef-owner Andy Ricker and PST’s Erling Wu-Bower will helm the one-night-only dinner that includes three courses for $85. Reservations and more info are available here.

More details on this year’s groundbreaking cocktail conference

Tickets and the full schedule have been released for this year’s Chicago Style, the groundbreaking cocktail conference and event series that began last year. This year’s schedule includes a “Where Did Your Gay Bar Go?” panel discussion and a pop-up of acclaimed Bay Area bar Starline Social Club.

Nightclub employee shot and killed early this morning

An employee was shot and killed and a business associate was also shot outside River North nightclub Sound Bar early this morning, according to news reports. A fight of around 15 people erupted outside the club before someone pulled out a gun and fired. No one is reportedly in custody.

Fulton Market gets a new brunch option this weekend

New River North wine bar and Mediterranean restaurant Joe’s Imports launches weekend brunch service tomorrow. The weekend daytime menu from the Francesca’s Restaurant Group spot include Parmesan cheese puffs with fondue, maple glazed pork belly with pecans, and lots of Champagne cocktails.

Here’s who won this year’s Cochon 555 in Chicago

And finally, acclaimed chef Daniel Espinoza won this year’s Chicago leg of whole pig cooking competition and party Cochon 555 on Sunday, according to a news release. He’ll compete for the national title on September 15.