Rainbow Eats And Treats For Gay Pride Parade Weekend

As the massive Gay Pride Parade prepares to kick off this weekend, it's an apt time to feast on all things rainbow-hued in Chicago. And in honor of Gay Pride Month, restaurants and bars have rolled out a miscellany of vibrant eats and treats. 

(Pride cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery)

During the Gay Pride Parade on Sunday, 2 Sparrows will be offering lustrous popsicles and drinks to coincide. Using seasonal fresh fruits, the restaurant is whipping up colorful popsicles to help guests cool off and show support. To drink, there's gimlet slushies made with your choice of vodka or gin. 

Through the parade, Ceres' Table is featuring a special cocktail called the Bomb Pop. This illustrious flag-colored libation features vodka, blue curacao, lime juice, ginger beer, and red Peychaud's bitters. 

Things get sweet at Magnolia Bakery, where the sweets shop is currently slinging Pride-friendly cupcakes made with chocolate or vanilla cake, rainbow decorations, and confetti sprinkles. 

One of the most apropos destinations for Pride snacking this weekend is Original Rainbow Cone. If the name doesn't sell you, hone in on their incomparable rainbow sherbet, which is delicious as is or stacked along with various ice cream flavors for a killer cone. 

The Goddess and Grocer regularly stocks various cakes available by the slice or by the whole with pre-order. One of their best, most beautiful flavors is their rainbow cake. Featuring a dizzying myriad of vivid layers, the white-frosted cake makes for an ideal confection Pride weekend. 

The quintessential dinner dish this weekend is undoubtedly rainbow rolls from any number of sushi restaurants in town. The classic maki is pretty easily attainable, but I like the version at Coast made with a California maki enrobed with salmon, yellowtail, tuna, avocado, and masago. 

- Matt Kirouac