Cone

** (out of four) Let's take a vote on what's more compelling: People facing difficult emotions and dealing with them, or staring off into space for a while and ultimately experiencing minimal conflict? Thought so. Chicago-based writer-director Stephen Cone's “The Wise Kids” boasts better performances than his recent, underwhelming “In Memoriam,” but the filmmaker still takes a disappointingly superficial approach to worthwhile situations and characters lacking interior lives.

Tuesday's largest snow of the season might have kept some away, but die-hard Rainbow Cone fans didn't let the cold get in the way of the cone.  Rainbow Cone  General Manager Michelle Desnoyer said about 15 people had been in by Wednesday afternoon, the first day of buisness this season for the Beverly neighborhood mainstay.  “They're always happy we're back open, it means spring is right around the corner," she said. "They wish we were open year-round. It's a little less busy (than most opening days)

Review: Backwoods 3335 N. Halsted St. 773-935-9663 (enter on Buckingham Place) Rating:  !!! (out of 4) Off to a good start When it comes to late-night eats, tacos do the job and pizza by the slice hits the spot. But there isn't a better portable drunk food than double-fried potatoes in a parchment paper cone. Yes, my friends, I'm talking about Belgian frites. Shops hawking this addictive snack can be found all over Belgium, and some U.S. cities have been blessed with their own late-night fry shacks, which serve steaming-hot frites to sauced-up bargoers.

Like a slumbering beast, Rainbow Cone has awakened. The Original Rainbow Cone , a legendary South Side Chicago treat, took to Facebook Tuesday after months of hibernation to announce this season's opening date--and it's just around the corner. The Beverly shop will open its doors for the season at noon March 6 to sell the iconic cone--a stack of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (a mixture of vanilla, cherries and walnuts) and pistachio ice cream with orange sherbet on top. The combo has remained unchanged since 1926.

Ben & Jerry's annual Free Cone Day will be celebrated nationwide today, April 3, according to its website . From noon to 8 p.m., shops across the country will dish out one free scoop of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet or Greek frozen yogurt. Ben and Jerry's Chicago location is at 600 E. Grand Ave. For more shop locations, click here .  

Like a slumbering beast, Rainbow Cone has awakened. The Original Rainbow Cone , a legendary South Side Chicago treat, took to Facebook Tuesday after months of hibernation to announce this season's opening date--and it's just around the corner. The Beverly shop will open its doors for the season at noon March 6 to sell the iconic cone--a stack of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (a mixture of vanilla, cherries and walnuts) and pistachio ice cream with orange sherbet on top. The combo has remained unchanged since 1926.

Tuesday's largest snow of the season might have kept some away, but die-hard Rainbow Cone fans didn't let the cold get in the way of the cone.  Rainbow Cone  General Manager Michelle Desnoyer said about 15 people had been in by Wednesday afternoon, the first day of buisness this season for the Beverly neighborhood mainstay.  “They're always happy we're back open, it means spring is right around the corner," she said. "They wish we were open year-round. It's a little less busy (than most opening days)

Is anyone else suffering from a serious case of end-of-summer panic? You go to a couple street fests and restaurant openings, spend a weekend at Lollapalooza and all of a sudden, it's approaching mid-August. While hot days are still on the horizon, we've put together a checklist of cool treats to savor, ranging from shaved ice to upside-down ice cream cones to ice pops fit for the most adventurous foodies. Get a start on it now and you'll have your fill by the time you're ready to throw on your first scarf of the fall season.

Sweets stroll Ready for a sugar rush of champions? Start your quest at Bittersweet (1114 W. Belmont Ave. 773-929-1100), where beautifully crafted tarts fill the pastry case. Continue west along Belmont and turn right on Southport to Candyality (3425 N. Southport Ave. 773-472-7800), a wall-to-wall palace of sugar treats, including a nostalgic collection of retro candies. Just north, Southport Grocery (3552 N. Southport Ave. 773-665-0100) bakes the best cupcakes in the neighborhood, from simple vanilla to decadent red velvet with goat-cheese frosting.

Have you heard? It's hot out. Really hot. So hot that complaints about back sweat have become a social norm. While you're looking for your own personal cooling center, why not aim for a spot that serves more than just chilled beer? Go for frozen booze. Whether you're trying to beat the heat in Wicker Park or River North, these Chicago bars and restaurants are serving up icy treats that pack a buzz. Spiked snow cones Red Door 2118 N. Damen Ave., 773-697-7221 If you've experienced Malort Face firsthand, prepare yourself: Malort-chartreuse is among the flavors of “Adult Snow Cones” served...

Is anyone else suffering from a serious case of end-of-summer panic? You go to a couple street fests and restaurant openings, spend a weekend at Lollapalooza and all of a sudden, it's approaching mid-August. While hot days are still on the horizon, we've put together a checklist of cool treats to savor, ranging from shaved ice to upside-down ice cream cones to ice pops fit for the most adventurous foodies. Get a start on it now and you'll have your fill by the time you're ready to throw on your first scarf of the fall season.

Review: Backwoods 3335 N. Halsted St. 773-935-9663 (enter on Buckingham Place) Rating:  !!! (out of 4) Off to a good start When it comes to late-night eats, tacos do the job and pizza by the slice hits the spot. But there isn't a better portable drunk food than double-fried potatoes in a parchment paper cone. Yes, my friends, I'm talking about Belgian frites. Shops hawking this addictive snack can be found all over Belgium, and some U.S. cities have been blessed with their own late-night fry shacks, which serve steaming-hot frites to sauced-up...

Ben & Jerry's annual Free Cone Day will be celebrated nationwide today, April 3, according to its website . From noon to 8 p.m., shops across the country will dish out one free scoop of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet or Greek frozen yogurt. Ben and Jerry's Chicago location is at 600 E. Grand Ave. For more shop locations, click here .  

** (out of four) Let's take a vote on what's more compelling: People facing difficult emotions and dealing with them, or staring off into space for a while and ultimately experiencing minimal conflict? Thought so. Chicago-based writer-director Stephen Cone's “The Wise Kids” boasts better performances than his recent, underwhelming “In Memoriam,” but the filmmaker still takes a disappointingly superficial approach to worthwhile situations and characters lacking interior lives.

After 10 years in the kitchen at Wave in the W Chicago Lakeshore, Kristine Subido is teaming up with her mother to open a casual counter-service spot that focuses on bringing an unfamiliar cuisine to life through one very familiar ingredient. “As common as chicken is, Filipino food is not that common [in this country],” she said. “If you ask the average person what Filipino food is, nobody can really tell you. Even Filipinos have a hard time explaining it.” At Pecking Order, scheduled to open in early summer by the intersection of Clark Street and Montrose Avenue, Subido will serve...

Katy Perry's firework bra is about to become even more unrealistic. Thr.com reports the singer has signed a deal with Electronic Arts to collaborate with its "Sims" series, including clothing, hairstyles, furniture and props within the game. Are these two a match made in virtual heaven or what? It's been a while since we jumped into the "Sims" world, but we did some brainstorming ahead of the March release of the new title to see what might be in store for gamers. damoran@tribune.com | @redeyedana "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"