While Lost Lake Takes a Vacation, One of N.Y.’s Best Bars Will Pop Up

Lost Lake to welcome Death & Co. in March

The staff from Lost Lake, Logan Square’s tropical cocktail destination, will be in Jamaica next month so they looked to some from friends to cover for them while they’re out of the country. They’ll be on an educational rum distillery tour, according to a rep, so from March 10 to 14, members of Death & Co., a beloved New York bar with locations in Denver and LA, will be in Chicago for a five-night residency. Known for its sophisticated drinks with unexpected ingredients, Death & Co. will serve drinks (all $14) including “Doctor Mindbender” (El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, Empirical Spirits Habanero, lime, guava, Angostura), “Flying Guillotine” (Plantation OFTD, Plantation Guyana rum, Calvados, papaya, Don’s Spices, absinthe), and “Reef Break” (Citadelle Gin, Plantation 3 Star Rum, Fino Sherry, cinnamon, passion fruit). Large-format options are also available. They menu will also be specialized for Death & Co. Snacks include Thai chili-dried mango with Thai red curry powder and Phoenix silken tofu with truffle, mushroom broth, and grilled mushroom salad. Lost Lake’s crew will return on March 15.

Barista fatally stabbed outside River West bar Friday night

A 23-year-old man was killed on Friday night outside Richard’s Bar, 491 N. Milwaukee Avenue, according to multiple reports. Kenneth Paterimos was a barista at a Starbucks, and was stabbed multiple times following an argument outside the late-night bar, according to the Sun-Times. The suspect, a 30-year-old man, was allegedly thrown out of Richard’s by a bouncer. That man was arrested and charges are pending, according to reports. Paramedics took Paterimos to Stroger Hospital where he died, according to reports. There’s no word if local authorities will investigate Richard’s for public safety concerns as they’ve done with bars like DrinkHaus in West Loop and EvilOlive in West Town.

Baconfest and new sibling fest announce lineups

Gale Street Inn is among the new vendors at this year’s Baconfest, which will take place April 18 at UIC Dorin Forum. Organizers have announced the full lineup for the 12th annual festival. This year, the new wrinkle is another event that focuses on classic Chicago dishes. It’s on April 17 and called Da Best Fest. Chefs will unveil classic dishes or serve twists on items like deep-dish pizza, jibaritos, and shrimp DeJonghe. There are more than 30 participating Chicago restaurants including the Duck Inn, Hermosa, and XO Marshmallow.

Pop-Up to feature malört grilled cheese

Today is the first day of a pop-up series at Dorian’s, the restaurant and music lounge at the former Saved by the Max space in Wicker Park. It features Jeremy Leven, the former chef at Steadfast in the Loop. It’s called Chingona, and Leven will partner with other chefs on the menu serving Chicago-style small plates. The menu will rotate, but for Monday and March 2, they’ll have a grilled cheese made with “malört cheese” and Japanese milk bread; pork belly salpicón, and shrimp DeJonghe made with prawns and an uni emulsion. Other items include pozole made with charred pumpkin.

Theatre District restaurant gets a refresh to celebrate 22th birthday

Crews at 312 Chicago in the Loop have been working to renovate the 22-year-old restaurant which has been closed since February 24. The space will reopen on March 6 to unveil its new look, according to a rep. To celebrate, they’re serving a special 22-layer lasagna for $22 from March 9 to 22. The restaurant is in the Metropolitan Building, 136 N. LaSalle Street, and is part of the Kimpton Hotel Allegro.