It takes a special dining concept to go from pop-up restaurant to a permanent dining operation in a short span of time. But considering the ravenous opening success for Under the Table, that’s precisely what is happening just north of the city.

In case you’ve been living under a rock with a library of Dr. Atkins diet books, you’re well aware of the cronut craze sweeping the country. Not only have bakeries and restaurants been replicating New York City’s croissant-doughnut hybrid, but they’ve begun veering off in adjacent directions, coming up with all new hybrid pastries. Chicago is home to a few special creations of its own, from “Danuts” and “doughscuits” to doughnut French toast and doughnut milkshakes.

Midnight snacking gets a whole lot more gourmet at the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® Night Bites event taking place September 20. Presented in conjunction with the roving national Taste America food festival, Night Bites takes place at Union Station with a number of Chicago’s top toques, all cooking in support of the James Beard Foundation and local charity partner Common Threads