Photo: Bob Parilla

This black bean cake with chipotle mayo will be available at the new Twisted Tapas. 

Openings

• Friday, 8/16: Tucked in neatly behind Burke’s Bacon Bar, Jimmy (610 N. Rush St., 312-660-7191) is a spin-off of the original cocktail bar in New York. A 1970s design, list of classic mixed drinks, and small bites like goat cheese fondue all promote its retro theme.

• Tuesday, 8/20: Speaking of Burke’s Bacon Bar (610 N. Rush St., 312-660-7200), it is also up and running. The pork haven stays open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, and 3 a.m. on Saturdays. Late night run for a Spamwich or bacon peanut brittle anyone?

• Tuesday, 8/20: On the heels of Chicago's craft beer revolution, craft distilleries are gaining in popularity. CH Distillery (564 W. Randolph St., 312-707-8780) in the West Loop produces vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey, and it is the first distillery in the city to have a cocktail bar attached to its place of operation.

• Saturday, 8/24: Although their grand opening is the 29th, the State Street location of Connie’s Pizza (1030 N. State St., 312-266-6437) will start serving pastas and pies this weekend. This is the seventh branch of the family-run Chicago chain.

Morsels

With the building under new ownership, Lakeview’s Twist (3412 N. Sheffield, 773-388-2727) closes October 26. However, owner Bob Parilla plans to open Twisted Tapas (1146 W. Pratt Blvd., 773-856-3486) in Rogers Park at the beginning of September. The new spot will mix some of Twist’s old menu items with a few new dishes for a fresh concept.

The list of brunch options continues to grow: Stout Barrel House and Galley (642 N. Clark St., 312-475-1390) launched its weekend meal this past Saturday. Served from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the menu has sections for breakfast favorites, Latin-inspired dishes, sweet pastries, and small bites. You can order chilaquiles, red velvet waffles, and lobster rolls, and customize your favorite breakfast booze with a build-your-own Bloody Mary option.

Chicago’s barbecue scene just got a bit meatier. The Smoke Daddy (1804 W. Division St., 773-772-6656) has teamed up with Paulina Meat Market (3501 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-248-6272) for a rewards program: Whenever guests spend $125 at one location, they receive a $20 gift card for the other. To mark this announcement, Smoke Daddy added a new sandwich to its menu featuring Paulina hot links.

Bistro Bordeaux (618 Church St., 847-424-1483) in Evanston is the setting of tonight’s episode of Food Network’s Mystery Dinners. The reality-style show taped at the French restaurant for three days, and only a few of the employees knew about the filming. The episode, titled “Too Many Cooks”, airs at 9 p.m.