Trenchermen is going meatless with a new weekly vegetarian prix fixe, then swinging the pendulum back in the other direction for burgers and beers on Wednesdays. The farthest thing from a one-trick pony, Trenchermen continues to push the envelope, proving its dexterous affinity for culinary creativity. It’s all thanks to executive chef Pat Sheerin, constantly thinking outside the box and coloring outside the lines.

When it comes to cider, it’s not all cinnamon and apple juice. Sure, a warm cup of classic cider is comforting, but there’s a bevy of cider creations in Chicago this season that think outside the mug, proving that cider lends itself well to a variety of applications. And don’t forget to eat your cider in the form of doughnuts, dumplings, sorbet, and more. Cheers to cider season!

Judging by the prominence of ramen menu news in Chicago lately, it looks as if upscale “broke college student dining” is en vogue. It’s hard to fling a chopstick without hitting a haute bowl of ramen these days, as more ramen restaurants open up and ramen-focused dishes hit menus. From slurpable bar food to the latest ramen spots in town, here’s the latest ramen roundup.