Where to Dine - Chicago - page 72

Dining Alfresco
Cocooned for 6 months of the year, with furnaces and elec-
tric blankets blazing, Chicagoans revel in the warm months
of late spring, summer, and early autumn.
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 sky-
line with the Sears Tower right in the middle. 212 S. Halsted St.,
between Adams and Jackson sts. & 312/655-0000.
Park Grill Millennium Park's restaurant serves upscale
versions of American comfort food with panoramic views of
Michigan Avenue. For a review, see p. 54. 11 N. Michigan Ave., at
Madison St. & 312/521-PARK.
MAGNIFICENT MILE & GOLD COAST
Le Colonial This lovely French-Vietnamese restau-
rant, located in a vintage Gold Coast town house and evoca-
tive of 1920s Saigon, does have a sidewalk cafe, but you'd do
better to reserve a table on the tiny second-floor porch, over-
looking the street. For a full review, see p. 65. 937 N. Rush St.,
just south of Oak St. & 312/255-0088.
RIVER NORTH
SushiSamba Rio For stunning nighttime views of the
skyline—accompanied by views of some pretty stunning
people—head to the rooftop deck of this Latin-Asian fusion
spot. Canopied banquettes and flickering tea lights create a sul-
try atmosphere, along with a menu of specialty cocktails. For
more info, see p. 70. 504 N. Wells St., at Illinois St. & 312/595-2300.
LINCOLN PARK
North Pond Set on the banks of one of Lincoln
Park's beautiful lagoons, the excellent North Pond serves
INEXPENSIVE
Café Iberico SPANISH & TAPAS This no-frills tapas spot
won't win any points for style, but the consistently good food and