Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dining Alfresco
Cocooned for 6 months of the year, with furnaces and electric blankets
blazing, Chicagoans revel in the warm months of late spring, summer,
and early autumn. For locals and visitors alike, dining alfresco is an ideal
way to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and social fabric of this
multifaceted city. Just remember to be prepared to wait on a nice night,
because you'll be fighting a lot of other diners for a coveted outdoor
table.
LOOP & VICINITY
Athena
This Greektown mainstay offers a stunning three-level outdoor
seating area. It's paved with brick and landscaped with 30-foot trees,
flower gardens, and even a waterfall. Best of all: an incredible view of
the downtown skyline with the Sears Tower right in the middle. 212 S.
Halsted St.;
&
312/655-0000.
Charlie's Ale House at Navy Pier
One of several outdoor dining options
along Navy Pier, this outpost of the Lincoln Park restaurant wins for lip-
smacking pub fare and a great location on the southern promenade
overlooking the lakefront and Loop skyline. 700 E. Grand Ave.;
&
312/
595-1440.
Cyrano's Café on the Riverwalk
Run by chef Didier Durand of Cyrano's
Bistrot (p. 146), this outdoor cafe sits along the south bank of the
Chicago River, between Michigan and Columbus avenues. The food is a
few steps above your usual outdoor refreshment stand, and the set-
ting—with tables scattered on the grass—is a peaceful retreat from the
surrounding skyscrapers.
&
312/616-2000
.
MAGNIFICENT MILE & GOLD COAST
Le Colonial
This lovely French-Vietnamese restaurant, located in a vin-
tage Gold Coast town house and evocative of 1920s Saigon, has a side-
walk cafe. But you'd do better to reserve a table on the tiny second-floor
porch, overlooking the street and close to Le Colonial's atmospheric cock-
tail lounge. For a full review, see p. 146. 937 N. Rush St.;
&
312/255-0088.
Oak Street Beachstro
Suit up and head for this warm-weather-only
beachfront cafe—literally on the sands of popular Oak Street Beach—
which serves inventive cafe fare (fresh seafood, sandwiches, and pas-
tas). Beer and wine are available. 1000 N. Lake Shore Dr., at Oak Street
Beach;
&
312/915-4100.
Puck's at the MCA
This cafe—run by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck—is
tucked in the back of the Museum of Contemporary Art. From the ter-
race you've got a view of the museum's sculpture garden. Take in the
art, the fresh air, and a shrimp club sandwich, Chinois salad, or wood-
grilled pizza. (Restaurant-only patrons can bypass museum admission.)
220 E. Chicago Ave.;
&
312/397-4034.
RIVER NORTH
Thyme
One of the most beautiful alfresco spots in the city belongs to
this contemporary American restaurant on the western fringe of River
