Eat. Watch. Do. — CosMc’s commotion, best books of 2023, plus 42 Christmas dining specials

It’s Thursday, Chicago.

We’re in the home stretch before our end-of-year time off.

If you haven’t heard the news, last week global megachain McDonald’s launched its beverage-focused drive-thru-only restaurant CosMc’s in Bolingbrook to much media fanfare. But the menu offerings didn’t feel exactly out of this world to Tribune food critic Louisa King Liu Chu. We have that story, and also over three dozen takeout and dine-in specials for the Christmas holiday in dining this week, as well as a River North coffee house highlighting Kazakh culture.

In entertainment, our critics’ “best of” lists continue, including a roundup of 2023′s best theater, concerts, books and more. To top it all off, you can embrace the season’s chill and plan your next winter trip with the help of our guide for cozy vacation spots across the U.S. — no hand warmers required.

Enjoy the weekend, and we’ll see you back here next week.

— Lauryn Azu, deputy senior editor

First Taste: Our food critic visits CosMc’s, a futuristic concept from McDonald’s now open in Bolingbrook

Before making the trek and waiting in a two-hour drive-thru line, read Chu’s roundup of what to try here.

‘Reacher’ Season 2 review: The big guy is back, guns blazing

Season 2 of Amazon’s “Reacher” is based on the novel “Bad Luck and Trouble” by Lee Child and stars Alan Ritchson. Read Tribune critic Nina Metz’s review here.

Review: The view is great, but Sifr’s grill deserves attention, too

“Much more approachable than the stately and subdued Indienne, Sifr trades the tasting menu format for lots of shareable plates and a boisterous atmosphere,” former Tribune critic Nick Kindelsperger writes. Read what he tried at the newest restaurant from chefs Sujan Sarkar and Sahil Sethi here.

Best Chicago theater of 2023: From ‘Tommy’ to a soul opera, our top 10 shows chosen from many

Eat. Watch. Do.

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This year was “an especially fine year for musicals,” even as Chicago theater struggled financially, Tribune theater critic Chris Jones writes. His Chicago theater top picks include “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” and “Once.” Read the rest of what he selected here.

42 Chicagoland Christmas dine-in and takeout specials, from brunch with Santa to buche de Noel

You can focus on getting gifts underneath the tree and let Chicagoland restaurants do the heavy lifting for Christmas dinner. Read where you can find a special near you here.

Top 10 live concerts in Chicago in 2023: Springsteen rocked, Chance returned and yes, Taylor Swift lived up to the hype

2023 was one of the busiest, most robust concert schedules this city has ever witnessed, and Chicagoans rocked out to Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen and more artists this year. Read Bob Gendron’s top 10 shows for the year here.

Tary Coffee House brings taste of Kazakh culture to Chicago

The River North location of Tary Coffee House is the first to open in the U.S. Franchise owner Symbat Zharkynkyzy wants to expose Chicagoans to the Kazakh staple tary, or millet, which has many nutrients. Read what else the coffee house is serving here.

Best of classical music and jazz 2023: It’s always sunny in Chicago

From the CSO’s search for a new music director to the red-hot band New Jawn at Constellation, this was an eventful year in Chicago’s classical music scene, Tribune critic Hannah Edgar writes. Check out the most memorable moments here.

Love the idea of a cozy winter vacation but hate the actual cold? These spots are perfection

Fantasize your next winter vacation at an 18th-century farmhouse in Vermont or at a winter wonderland recreated in Scottsdale, Arizona, on the list here.

10 best books for 2023: Or make that 12, if you include a trio that shouldn’t work at all

From fiction to histories to climate change books, it’s a crowded list, writes Tribune reporter Chris Borrelli. Read about his favorites here.