Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
116
Tips
Chilling Out with an Italian Ice
When in Little Italy, do as the Italians do: Cool off with an Italian ice. In a heat
wave,
Mario's Italian Lemonade,
at 1068 W. Taylor St., has been the place to chill
for 35 years. They're open from 11am to midnight from May to mid-September.
Lemon is the most popular flavor, but piña colada, fruit cocktail, or chocolate
might appeal to more adventurous kids.
more international twist, such as pappardelle pasta with littleneck clams, chorizo sausage,
leeks, and basil. F or lighter appetites, a number of salads and some thin-cr ust pizzas
round out the menu. L unch selections include a good mix of sandwiches—ev erything
from Cajun chicken br east and barbecue beef to a smoked-salmon club and BL T with
truffle may onnaise—and a kids ' menu includes the usual mac and cheese, spaghetti,
chicken fingers, and more.
11 N. Michigan Ave. (at Madison St.).
&
312/521-PARK.
Kids' menu, highchairs, boosters. Reservations
recommended. Main courses $10-$21 lunch, $17-$41 dinner; kids' menu around $6. AE, DC, MC, V. Sun-
Thurs 11am-10:30pm; F ri-Sat 11am-10:30pm. Sub way/El: Red Line t o Washington or Br own, Orange,
Purple, or Green Line to Madison.
Petterino's
AMERICAN Named for Ar turo P etterino, maitr e d ' at the P ump
Room in the days when it swarmed with celebrities, this r estaurant re-creates the feeling
of downtown dining in the 1940s and 1950s. I nside the G oodman Theatre building,
Petterino's is a popular pre-theater option, so book a table in advance if you have to catch
a show. Families will want to avoid the bar area, which does offer tables with great street
views, but is often smoky. Go instead for the dining room, decorated in dark wood with
red leather booths. The overall feel is relaxed rather than hyped-up. The straightforward
menu is filled with classic American big-night-out fav orites: veal chops, New York strip
steak, slo w-cooked beef brisket, and some fr esh fish selections. P astas include baked
ravioli and fettuccine Alberto (a version of Alfredo with peas and prosciutto). Among the
old-time appetizers, you'll find shrimp
de jonghe,
coated with garlic and br ead crumbs,
and an ex cellent tomato bisque soup . Kids can choose fr om half-orders of any of the
pastas (the ravioli is a fav orite), and the r estaurant will make cheeseburgers, mashed
potatoes, chicken sandwiches, and other kid fav orites upon request. In keeping with the
restaurant's entertainment connection, some dishes ar e named after local celebrities—a
nicely done salad of chopped mix ed greens and blue cheese is named for longtime
Sun-
Times
columnist I rv K upcinet. The lunch menu offers smaller v ersions of the dinner
entrees, along with a good mix of salads and sandwiches.
150 N. Dearborn St. (at R andolph St.).
&
312/422-0150.
www.leye.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reserva-
tions recommended. Main courses $9-$25 lunch, $10-$40 dinner ; kids' menu about $10. AE, DC, DISC,
MC, V. Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm; Fri 11am-11pm; Sat 11:30am-11pm; Sun 3-7pm. Sub way/El: Red Line to
Washington or Brown Line to State/Lake.
5
Russian Tea Time
Finds
RUSSIAN/TEA Need a respite after touring the Ar t
Institute of Chicago? R ussian Tea Time is a popular spot, and is open the entir e after-
noon, making this the per fect stop for a midafternoon snack for y our kids. This family-
owned restaurant's extensive menu is like a tour through the cuisine of czarist Russia and
the former Soviet republics (for Russian neophytes, all the dishes are well described). The
atmosphere is old-world and cozy , with lots of woodwor k and a friendly staff . D on't
