Chicago Says Thank You Rizzo

BEST DATE NEWS

Sept. 11, 2025: Best Date News Volume #143

Welcome to Best Date News, your favorite Chicago weekly newsletter! In this week’s edition, you’ll read Anthony Rizzo’s retirement, Chicago restauranteurs being chosen by the Pope, a Bears stadium update, Chicago Water Music, IShowSpeed’s Chicago visit, a variety of food deals, what to do this weekend around Chicago and more!

Sept. 11: National Holidays

• National Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance

• National School Picture Day

• National Make Your Bed Day

• National Hot Cross Bun Day

• National No News is Good News Day

Sponsored by our friends at Eataly Chicago

All You Can Eataly SeptemberFest

• Eataly Chicago: One of Eataly’s best and biggest events of the year is happening Friday, Sept. 16. All You Can Eataly SeptemberFest is an all-inclusive, four-hour party with unlimited food and drinks.

• This is the ultimate Italian experience with 40+ bites, 30+ wines, plus spirits, beer, entertainment, live music, chef demonstrations, bocce ball, games and more. It’s truly a foodie event unlike any other in Chicago. Expect endless pizza, meat, cheeses, pastas, desserts, wine and more.

• New this year, The Second City takes the stage with two performances from some of Chicago’s best comedians, adding even more Chicago flavor to the night. Get ready for laughs in between your bites and sips.

• The event is $119 per person for 7:30 p.m. entry tickets and $129.54 for 7 p.m. entry tickets. However, we have an exclusive discount for you! You can use our special coupon code BDF10 to get $10 off each ticket! Grab yours soon before they sell out!

Chicago News

• Anthony Rizzo: Chicago Cubs legend Anthony Rizzo announced his retirement from MLB yesterday after a 14-year career, officially retiring as a Cub. Congratulations, Rizzo! Rizzo spent 10 seasons in Chicago, highlighted by the 2016 World Series championship team, and ranks sixth in franchise history with 242 home runs. A three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner and Silver Slugger, he defined an era as the Cubs’ starting first baseman. Watch this video. The team will honor him with a special ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 13, where he’ll also be introduced as an official Cubs ambassador.

• Vatican Restaurant: Two Chicago food legends, Phil Stefani and chef Art Smith, have been chosen to open the only restaurant at Borgo Laudato Si, a 135 acre retreat and former papal estate outside of Rome in Castel Gandolfo now owned by the Vatican. Approved by Pope Leo XIV, the restaurant is expected to debut in spring 2026, serving Italian farm-to-table cuisine with touches of Chicago and Peru as a nod to the Pope’s roots. The opportunity of a lifetime will also feature a marketplace, eco-friendly farming, olive harvests and a solar-powered greenhouse, blending food, culture, sustainability and community.

• Bears Stadium: Just before Monday Night Football, the Chicago Bears dropped an open letter from President & CEO Kevin Warren about the team’s Arlington Heights stadium plans. Warren doubled down on building a “world-class home” in the suburbs, sparking fresh debate about whether the Bears’ future lies outside the city. With Soldier Field’s fate hanging in the balance, fans are watching closely to see if the NFL’s oldest franchise is preparing to leave Chicago, which now seems almost a certainty at this point. One person who might not mind either way? The owner of this jaw-dropping Bears man cave, who will likely be watching from home no matter where they play.

• Avec: Award-winning Chicago restaurant Avec is opening a third location in the suburbs at 250 Waukegan Avenue in Highwood, or a fourth if you count Bar Avec. The new spot from One Off Hospitality will be nearly 5,000 square feet and will focus on rustic Mediterranean and Midwestern shared plates. Construction begins this November and it’s expected to debut in spring 2026.

• Next: Space: This weekend, Next, the Fulton Market restaurant from the Alinea Group, is unveiling Space, its newest concept. Drawing on the wonders of the universe, the menu charts a course between science, imagination and dining. It asks what interstellar dining might look like, transporting guests to the final frontier with endless possibilities for exploration. Think meals on Mars, dinners inside a rocket ship and flavors inspired by galaxies far away. Next: Space opens Sept. 13 and reservations are now available.

Just For Fun

• Chicago Water Music: The second annual Chicago Water Music took place last night on the Chicago River, featuring Handel’s Water Music performed by Music of the Baroque. The floating, classical music concert celebrated the city’s architecture, cultural community and rising young talent from the group’s Strong Voices program, which supports students at seven Chicago public high schools. It was incredible! Take a look.

• BOGO Chipotle: In honor of football season, Chipotle is rolling out its first-ever “Wear Your College Football Jersey” promotion. On Monday, Sept. 15 after 5 p.m., anyone who wears a college football jersey in-store can score a buy-one-get-one free entrée.

• IShowSpeed: The famous YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, who has over 43 million YouTube subscribers, was in Chicago this week as part of his America 24/7 tour. He visited Wrigley Field, took in Monday Night Football at Soldier Field, stopped by 360 Chicago to experience TILT, grabbed deep dish at Lou Malnati’s and even stopped by Portillo’s, drawing plenty of attention from fans along the way.

• Free Desserts: Two sweet deals are hitting Chicago. Insomnia Cookies is hosting their PJ Party 2025 and giving away free cookies on Tuesday, Sept. 16 for anyone who shows up in pajamas from 8 p.m. to close. At Stan’s Donuts, Donut Friday is back on Sept. 12, 19 and 26, with loyalty members getting a free glazed donut with any $2.30+ purchase. And while not completely free, the new Van Leeuwen in Wicker Park opens tomorrow at 1555 N Damen Ave and will offer $1 scoops from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

• Fun Fall Menus: Fall flavors have officially arrived in Chicago. Geja’s Cafe in Lincoln Park is serving a limited-time Fall Fondue Menu with Jalapeño Popper Fondue and Pumpkin Pie & White Chocolate Fondue. Milk Bar’s new fall menu is also rolling out Cider Donut Truffles, a Pumpkin Coffee Cake Cake and Cinnamon Pretzel Soft Serve. Both menus are available now, offering cozy, limited-time treats to kick off the season.

Weekend Plans

• Mexican Independence Day Parade: On Sunday, Sept. 14 from 12–3 p.m., the 54th annual 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade returns to Little Village. This year’s theme, “Pride and Power: Our Strength, Our Legacy,” honors the resilience, contributions and cultural richness of the community. As one of the largest parades in the Midwest, it attracts more than 400,000 participants and fills 26th Street with floats, folkloric dancers, mariachi bands, community groups and festive energy from start to finish.

• Lakeview East Festival of the Arts: This Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14 from 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Broadway from Belmont to Hawthorne will transform with live music, food, drinks, family activities and more. The 20th annual Lakeview East Festival of the Arts will also feature more than 150 juried artists showcasing and selling paintings, sculpture, photography, furniture and jewelry. Entry has a suggested $5 donation.

• Ravenswood ArtWalk: From 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14, the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor between Lawrence and Irving Park will come alive with open studios, galleries, pop-up performances and an outdoor art market featuring more than 80 local makers as part of the 23rd annual Tour of Arts & Industry. This two-day Ravenswood ArtWalk also includes live music across two stages, a pop-up beer garden, food trucks, kids’ activities and more, making it a true neighborhood-wide celebration of creativity.

• Chicago Sports: The Cubs host the Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game series at Wrigley Field, Sept. 12–14. In college football, Northwestern takes on the #4 Oregon Ducks in Evanston on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. That same night, the Chicago Fire face New York City FC at Soldier Field at 7:30 p.m. To close out the weekend, the Chicago Stars host the Portland Thorns for an NWSL match on Sunday, Sept. 14 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

• Concerts in Chicagoland: It’s a busy weekend for live music across genres. On Friday, Sept. 12, B.o.B brings the hits to House of Blues while HAIM headlines the United Center. Saturday features country star Jason Aldean at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre and indie favorite Mt. Joy at the United Center. Then on Sunday, Sept. 14, pop artist Conan Gray is at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre to close out the weekend.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last newsletter, we asked if you thought the Chicago Bears would make the playoffs this year, and 73% of you said that you do not.

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

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

• Sunrise: 6:26 a.m. (7 minutes later)

• Sunset: 7:06 p.m. (12 minutes earlier)

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