photo: courtesy aramark

The initial design for the Field Museum's new Field Bistro. 

Openings

• Monday, 8/19: Chalkboard’s chef/owner Gilbert Langlois wanted more time to spend with his son, so he restructured the concept of his restaurant. Now named Homegrown Café (4343 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-477-7144), the cozy dining room comes with a relaxed atmosphere and homey decor. The kitchen fixes Southern-influenced food for breakfast, brunch and lunch, and afternoon tea. 

• Friday, 9/6: In keeping with its British roots, The Langham, Chicago (330 N. Wabash Ave., 312-923-9988) adds afternoon tea, titled “Tiffin at The Langham”, to its list of dining options. The menu is dotted with pastries and savory bites such as apricot scones, meringues, and, of course, cucumber sandwiches. The service is priced at $40; tea time is from 3 to 6 p.m. daily.

• Next week: The French Market gets a taste of New England with the addition of Da Lobsta (131 N. Clinton St., no phone yet). The vendor location is anticipated to open midweek with the same meaty, butter-drenched lobster rolls as its original Gold Coast shop. You can also find lobster grilled cheese, lobster mac and cheese, and “clam chowda” on its menu.

Morsels

The Field Museum announced Monday that it is partnering with ARAMARK in a redesign of its food and beverage program. The new Field Bistro will take the place of the current Corner Bakery and intends to open in mid-November. According to the press release, “a highlight of The Field Bistro on the main level will be the ‘World Grill,’ which will showcase dishes from around the world that will serve as a way of bringing the Museum’s permanent exhibitions to life.” Following the opening of the Field Bistro, the museum’s McDonalds will close to make way for the Explorer Café, a family-friendly spot with an outdoor patio. ETA: April 2014.

Parents pay heed to the new special at Brasserie by LM (800 S. Michigan Ave., 312-431-1788). The French restaurant’s Museum of Science and Industry package gives diners a free child’s ticket into the museum with purchase of one adult and one kid entrée. Offered through the end of October, the deal is limited to two tickets per bill.

Eight sandwiches from chef Chris Curren (Homestead, The Berkshire Room) are now available at West Town Bakery (15 E. Ohio St., 312-894-0800) in the ACME Hotel. Half of the list features hot sandwiches, such as a French toast peanut butter and jelly, and a Reuben, with the other half sporting cold options like smoked chicken salad and a shrimp po’boy. You can order them 10 a.m. until close seven days a week.

Jeni’s Ice Cream Truck tweeted that it will be giving out free scoops on the corner of West Lake Street and North Desplaines Street (the parking lot of Solstice Mobile) from 2 to 4 p.m. today—so, like, now. No word yet on an official opening date for the bricks-and-mortar scoop shop, but we hope it’s soon.

The brunch wave hits Takito Kitchen (2013 W. Division St., 773-687-9620), which serves the meal Friday through Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Spanish ham and eggs, polenta with veggies and eggs, and a variety of sopes round out the list of options.