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both ordinary and exotic specialties on the mezzanine of Water
Tower Place mall. Seats are spread out cafe style in a pleasant envi-
ronment under realistic boughs of artificial trees festooned with
strings of lights. A hostess will seat you, give you an electronic card,
and then it's up to you to stroll around and get whatever food strikes
your fancy (each purchase is recorded on your card, and you pay on
the way out).
The beauty of a food court, of course, is that it offers something
for everybody. At foodlife, diners can choose from burgers; pizza;
south-of-the-border dishes; an assortment of Asian fare; and veggie-
oriented, low-fat offerings. A lunch or snack is basically inexpensive,
but the payment method makes it easy to build up a big tab while
holding a personal taste-testing session at each kiosk.
In Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave.
&
312/335-3663.
Reservations not
accepted. Most items $8-$15. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Breakfast kiosk daily 7:30-
10:30am. All other kiosks Mon-Thurs 11am-8pm; Fri-Sun 11am-9pm. Subway/El:
Red Line to Chicago.
4 River North
River North, the area north of the Loop and west of Michigan
Avenue, is home to the city's most concentrated cluster of art gal-
leries and a something-for-everyone array of restaurants—from fast
food and themed restaurants to chains and some of our trendiest
dining destinations.
VERY EXPENSIVE
mk
AMERICAN Even though foodies rank it one of the
top American restaurants in the city, mk doesn't flaunt its pedigree.
The loftlike dining room is as understated as the lowercase initials
that give the restaurant its name. Chef Michael Kornick keeps the
menu focused on a fairly straightforward seasonal mix of meat and
seafood: Menu selections might range from hearty (roasted duck
breast with baby turnips and fava beans; rack of lamb with lamb-
stuffed cannelloni and fig jam) to lighter offerings, such as grilled
salmon with a Chinese mustard glaze and ginger-soy vinaigrette. The
presentations are tasteful rather than dazzling; Kornick wants you to
concentrate on the food, and that's just what the chic, mixed-age
crowd does. Service is disciplined yet agreeable, and fine table
appointments signal this restaurant's commitment to quality. As for
dessert, The Peanut Gallery (peanut butter mousse, crispy milk
chocolate, warm brownies, pretzels, hot fudge and caramel) is worth
the calories.
