Eat. Watch. Do. — Labor Day recipes, ‘Rings of Power’ review, plus top picks for fall TV and movies

It’s Thursday, Chicago.

Happy first day of September — which also happens to be National Gyro Day. While the dish was invented in Greece, local companies also played a part in popularizing the sandwich, which could explain why gyros are all over Chicago. Tribune critic Nick Kindelsperger has selected five standouts to help mark the day.

Plus, we’ve got everything you need for Labor Day weekend, from the details on restaurant specials to recipes for at-home cooking, as well as what to watch. Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” premieres Friday with two episodes just in time for the long weekend. The show kicks off with a promising, lavishly outfitted start, writes Tribune critic Michael Phillips.

And with fall approaching, so come our fall arts and entertainment guides. First up are our top picks for TV and movies, including the return of the beloved sitcom “Abbott Elementary” and the much-anticipated sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

See you next week.

— Kayla Samoy, deputy senior editor

For almost two decades, Richard Nickel and his friends petitioned the city to preserve the works of architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler. When they failed — and they usually did — Nickel led risky expeditions to save what he could from the condemned buildings’ crumbling infrastructure.

“Capturing Louis Sullivan: What Richard Nickel Saw” spotlights his photography and salvage collection. Read the full story here.

Restaurants and bars around Chicago are offering a variety of deals this Labor Day weekend. Grab some brunch paella, indulge in a decadent seafood tower or bring home a seafood boil pack to mark the unofficial end of summer. Read the full list here.

Tribune theater critic Chris Jones writes that “Great Altercations” is a strikingly moralistic show with a cast that wants to teach the audience about a worldview. He says the show is at its best when it takes risks. Read the full review here.

To celebrate National Gyro Day, Tribune critic Nick Kindelsperger compiled a list of five fantastic gyros from around the city. From a $24 offering to a gyro filled with duck, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the day. Read the full list here.

The eight-episode first season of “The Rings of Power” takes place many thousands of years prior to “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit.” While it may be peacetime, the Dark Lord Sauron lurks somewhere across the Sundering Seas. Read the full review here.

Tribune critic Louisa Chu says there is finally good food at Navy Pier at Chef Art Smith’s Reunion. One of the standout dishes is Chef Art’s Famous Fried Chicken, which is served with a side of whipped mashed potatoes and a superb housemade hot sauce. Read the full review here.

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Tribune critic Michael Phillips has selected 15 upcoming fall films that hold plenty of promise. Highlights include the horror comedy “The Menu,” “Ticket to Paradise” with stars Julia Roberts and George Clooney, and, of course, the much-anticipated “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Read the full guide here.

Tribune food critic Louisa Chu put together a list of her top walks to take with her dog, complete with people food pairings to indulge in along the way.

Her recommendations include matching a classic Italian beef with a stroll through the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio neighborhood, but that’s just the beginning. Read the full story here.

Latino theater company Teatro Vista, City Lit Theater and AstonRep Theatre Company have all announced their 2022-23 seasons, which include world premieres, in-person shows and digital offerings. It also marks AstonRep’s final season. Read the full story here.

Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk opened recently in Oak Brook, offering Neapolitan-style pizzas, pastas and other main dishes.

The new restaurant comes after Luca Issa, chef and owner of Piccolo Buco in Rome, inked a partnership with Illinois-based restaurant and winery chain, Cooper’s Hawk, to open up the space. Read the full story here.

Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.