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Pope Leo Celebratory Mass at Rate Field

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Best Date Food
June 12, 2025

BEST DATE NEWS

June 12, 2025: Best Date News Volume #130

Welcome to Best Date News, your favorite Chicago weekly newsletter! In this week’s edition, you’ll read about the Pope Leo celebratory Mass at Rate Field this weekend, the Signature Room’s replacement, the new Navy Pier Marina and more!

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June 12: National Holidays

  • National Red Rose Day

  • National Peanut Butter Cookie Day

  • National Jerky Day

  • National Superman Day

  • International Falafel Day

Sponsored by our friends at TacoRio

Chicago’s Best Summer Patios

  • TacoRio: Patio season has finally arrived, Chicago! One of our favorites is TacoRio on the east end of the Chicago Riverwalk (435 E Riverwalk). Their dog-friendly patio is huge and sits right on the water, making it a perfect spot to hang out. Check out our video from our visit this past week!

  • It’s the perfect place to sit out on a nice day. They have tables for two along the river, a bar, group tables, and a new lounge space elevated on a deck that you can reserve for private parties or just because you feel like it. All tables are first come, first served. The only exception is the lounge when it’s reserved.

  • When you go, try their Margarita Flights as shown in the photo above. You can choose any four of their signature or frozen 10 oz cocktails for $45. Options include Margarita, Strawberry Margarita, Spicy Margarita, Paloma, Sneaky Lemonade, Riverwalk Long Island, and more. Just want one? Their cocktails come in 12 oz, 16 oz, 24 oz, and pitchers.

  • For food, their specialty is tacos. Our favorites are the Al Pastor and Carne Asada. During June, they have a lunch special where you can get three tacos for $12, and draft cocktails for $12, Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Their freshly made guacamole is a must too!

Via Navy Pier Marina

Chicago News

  • Pope Leo XIV Mass: The celebratory Pope Leo XIV Mass at Rate Field will take place this Saturday, June 14. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 2:30 p.m. and Mass beginning at 4 p.m. Tickets had sold out quickly, but they just released additional $5 tickets in the outfield. You will also be able to watch it on TV (NBC, Telemundo), The Archdiocese of Chicago’s website and on YouTube. While Pope Leo won’t be there in person, he will send a special video message. Did you see that he was wearing a White Sox hat at the Vatican this week?!

  • Signature Room Replacement: We finally know what’s replacing the former Signature Room, the restaurant space on the 95th and 96th floors of the former John Hancock building that abruptly closed in 2023. You may recall that 360 Chicago, which operates the 94th floor, acquired the two floors last year. Their plan is to remove part of the 95th floor to connect all three levels with a grand staircase, creating Chicago’s first ever multi-story observation deck.

  • Navy Pier Marina: It’s been years in the making, but it’s finally happening. Starting tomorrow, June 13, boaters can finally pull right up to Navy Pier as its new transient marina (Navy Pier Marina) is set to open on the north side of the pier. The marina will have a capacity for 150 boats and will allow short-term docking for things like a meal, cocktails, a Centennial Wheel ride or even an overnight stay. It’s the first time public docking has ever been allowed.

  • Fire by Alinea: Grant Achatz and the Alinea Group are closing Fire, their upscale live-fire concept at 951 W Fulton Market. It opened this past November, replacing Roister, and will serve its final meal on June 15. The team says that Fire could have a rebirth in a new location soon, while the current space will be reimagined into something new. No details yet on what that will become.

  • Pilot Project Brewing: The Logan Square beverage incubator Pilot Project Brewing announced that they are opening a second Chicago location in Wrigleyville. For those keeping track, they also have a production facility, plus tasting room, in Milwaukee. The new Wrigleyville location will be at 3473 N Clark St. and will have a tap room, restaurant, rooftop and basement cocktail lounge. No opening date has been announced yet, but it’s likely coming soon. Learn more about their cool story and what companies they’ve helped launch.

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Just For Fun

  • New Jeni’s Flavors: Jeni’s Ice Cream just released three new flavors: Toasted S’mores, Pink Bubble Gum and Root Beer Float. Toasted S’mores is the one we are most excited for! It will have “toasty vanilla bean marshmallow ice cream with gooey milk chocolate and graham cracker cookies.” All three are now available in their shops and online.

  • Hello Kitty: The global pop culture brand Hello Kitty is bringing their Hello Kitty Cafe Truck to the Chicago area as part of their 2025 U.S. tour in celebration of Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary. The first stop will be in Oakbrook Center this Saturday, June 14 and their second will be at Orland Square on June 21. The truck will have exclusive treats and limited-edition merch. Full details.

  • Best Bars in America: Esquire, a long-running men’s lifestyle magazine, came out with their list of The Best Bars in America 2025. Of the 15 places listed, one Chicago spot, located in Lakeview, made the list.

  • National Rosé Day: Saturday, June 14 is National Rosé Day. The Hampton Social, known for their love of rosé, is celebrating with a Pink Power Hour from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday with half off select rosé and frosé.

  • Ranalli’s Deal: If you thought the rosé deal was good, this one is even better. Ranalli’s West Loop just launched BOGO Mondays and Tuesdays where they are doing buy one, get one 12” pizzas (specialty or two-topping) for dine-in only. This deal is only valid at their West Loop location.

Via Soldier Field

Weekend Plans

Poll Question of the Week

Are you excited about the new multistory observation deck coming to the former John Hancock Building?

If not, what were you hoping for instead?

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Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last newsletter we asked if you put ketchup on your hot dog. 59% of you said that you do put ketchup on your hot dog while 41% of you don’t.

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

Here is today’s outlook in Chicago (compared to last week):

  • Sunrise: 5:14 a.m. (2 minutes earlier)

  • Sunset: 8:26 p.m. (4 minutes later)

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