Elijah Decious

After 6 years in business, Gianna’s Italian Beef has closed without warning.

From Japanese lunch sets and swordfish to grape cocktails and pappardelle, there’s no shortage of delights in this year’s specials for Think Iowa City Restaurant Week.

Named executive director of the Catherine McAuley Center on Jan. 14, Anne Dugger took the helm of the nonprofit service provider for refugees, immigrants, women and adult learners. Here’s her vision.

Called “Black Memorabilia” and “Black Americana” at times, blackface characters and apparel have had a long run in America. Now, the African American Museum is confronting their legacy head-on.

The Uptown Marion restaurant and bar did make any announcements before its sudden closure.

Cedar Rapids resident Katie Hopkins survived a heart attack at half the average age for a woman’s first heart attack. Now, she is raising funds and awareness to save lives.

BarTini’s, a new concept serving a menu of over 100 martinis, opened at 151 First Ave. SW, Unit 104, on Feb. 1.

A new, tavern-style Italian restaurant opens in downtown Cedar Rapids this week with fresh pasta, steaks and a few unique menu items.

In an industry not culturally known for its accessibility, Lubben Vineyards & Wines leaves pretension at the door. And, by some measures, consumers are taking notice.

The space, home to Craft’d for several years, will transform into Craft’d After Dark starting at 5 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Chick N Max, a Kansas-based fast-casual chain that calls itself “Home of the Chicken Sandwich,” has plans for several Iowa markets in a new wave of Midwestern expansion.

At 19 restaurants, this year’s list is one longer than last year’s. The annual event, running this year from Friday, Feb. 21 through Sunday, March 2, includes two full weekends to enjoy limited-time specialty dishes offered at each restaurant.

The new direction will affect several Corridor Wahlburgers locations, according to the restaurant’s location list.

The cherished pizzeria, a staple in Iowa City since 1999, is returning to downtown for the first time in 11 years — this time under different ownership.

Despite social media and technology connecting the world more than ever, more and more people are feeling lonely. A new event at Prairiewoods is giving them a chance to unplug and reconnect in real life.