Where to Dine - Chicago 2005 - page 127

truly delicate and palate-pleasing selection. Be sure to save some room for a slice
of that famous cheesecake—which homesick former Chicagoans have shipped
to them across the country.
215 E. Chicago Ave. (at Fairbanks Court). & 312/642-1393. Reservations recommended. Main courses
$18-$35. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11am-3pm and 5-11pm; Sat-Sun 5-11pm. Subway/El: Red Line to
Chicago/State.
Mike Ditka's Restaurant AMERICAN/STEAK In this city, nobody
refers to him by name. He is simply “Da Coach.” Immortalized as such in the
classic “Super Fans” sketch on Saturday Night Live, “Iron” Mike Ditka remains
the quintessential cigar-chomping, hard-nosed Chicagoan—despite the fact that
it's been almost 2 decades since he led the Chicago Bears to victory in Super
Bowl XX in 1986 Flooded with dim, amber light and filled with dark wood,
leather banquettes, and walls lined with Ditka memorabilia and artful tributes
to the coach's own sports heroes, this is real-man country—and the food is a
good step up from your average sports bar. Appetizers here are called “Kickoffs”
and include a “Duck Cigar,” a hand-rolled pastry with a hearty duck-and-mush-
room filling, and a “Souper Bowl” of corn chowder (“the Coach's favorite”).
There are lots of salads, pastas, and seafood dishes to choose from, but why be
a wimp? Go for the “Fullback Size” filet mignon, with spinach and homemade
onion rings, or “Da Pork Chop,” surrounded by warm cinnamon apples and a
green-peppercorn sauce. When you're finished, light up a stogie in the second-
floor cigar lounge, and who knows? You might be joined by Da Coach himself,
who does make regular appearances here.
100 E. Chestnut St. (in the Tremont Hotel, between Michigan Ave. and Rush St.). & 312/587-8989.
www.mikeditkaschicago.com. Reservations accepted. Main courses $9-$13 lunch, $15-$30 dinner. AE, DC,
DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri 11am-11pm; Sat 10am-11pm; Sun 10am-10pm. Subway/El: Red
Line to Chicago.
MODERATE
Bistro 110 CONTINENTAL Bistro 110 enjoys a prime location just a half-
block west of North Michigan Avenue. Although a harbinger of the now-boom-
ing bistro trend, it's really too large and pricey to be considered an authentic bistro.
The menu does cover a broad price range and several bistro classics such as escar-
gots in puff pastry, mussels in white-wine sauce, French onion soup, cassoulet, and

Dessert Tour Finds

Eli's cheesecake is a Chicago icon; the rich, creamy cakes have been
served at presidential inaugurations and numerous other high-profile
events. For a behind-the-scenes peek at Chicago's most famous dessert,
take a tour of Eli's bakery on the northwest side of the city. After
watching the cooking and decorating process, you get to enjoy a full-
size slice of your favorite flavor. Tours are given Monday through Fri-
day at noon (although reservations aren't necessary, call to make sure
the bakery isn't closed for periodic maintenance). The 40-minute tour
costs $3 for adults, $2 for children under 12, and special packages are
available for groups of 10 or more. Eli's bakery is at 6701 Forest Pre-
serve Dr., at the corner of Montrose Avenue ( & 800/ELI-CAKE; www.
elischeesecake.com).