Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
125
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Use rewards and briber y.
Tell kids that if they beha ve well and eat their
dinner, they 'll get a special desser t.
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Be flexible.
I f the k ids are tired, sk ip the appetiz ers or or der food that is
quick to prepare. If they've reached their limit, ha ve one par ent take them
outside to stretch their legs or hunt do wn a desser t spot while the other
parent pays the bill .
•
Slow down.
Before dinner, take them back t o the hot el for a nap t o rest
up or t o a pla yground to let loose some pent-up ener gy.
•
Eat early .
I f y ou plan t o eat at a mor e elegant r estaurant or if it 's the
weekend, arriv e early, bef ore the r estaurant gets full . (Plan a post- dinner
walk or activity, such as strolling Navy Pier in summer or the John Hanc ock
Center's Christmas tr ee in wint er.)
•
Do lunch.
Some of the cit y's finer r estaurants are open for lunch. Why not
make lunch y our special meal of the da y? The ambienc e ma y be mor e
kid-friendly, the pric es lower, and y our children better behaved. Then you
can all ha ve pizza f or dinner, and y ou won't feel you've missed out.
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Relax.
Chicagoans are very friendly, and most r estaurants are delighted to
have children dining with them.
5
table—yes, he makes regular appearances). The hamburger here (really, a chopped steak
burger) is one of the best in the city and easily feeds two . A ppetizers her e ar e called
“Kickoffs” and include a “D uck Cigar,” a hand-r olled pastr y with a hear ty duck-and-
mushroom filling, and a “Souper Bowl” of corn chowder. There are lots of salads, pastas,
and seafood dishes to choose fr om, but why be a wimp? G o for the “Fullback Size” filet
mignon with spinach and homemade onion rings, or “D a Pork Chop,” surrounded by
warm cinnamon apples and a gr een peppercorn sauce.
100 E. Chestnut St. (in the Tremont Hotel, btw. Michigan Ave. and Rush St.).
&
312/587-8989.
www.
mikeditkaschicago.com. Kids' menu, highchairs, boosters. Main courses $10-$16 lunch, $15-$40 dinner;
kids' menu around $8. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 7am-10pm; Fri-Sun 7am-11pm. Subway/El: Red
Line to Chicago Ave.
Oak Str eet B eachstro
AMERICAN/ECLECTIC
Could a location be mor
e
prime? Settled on the cur ve of O ak Street Beach, this bistr o offers tables on the sand.
(The cafe is open in warm w eather only and opens in early M ay.) Take a dip in the lake
with your family, then head up the beach for specialties such as the grilled salmon sand-
wich, Cobb salad, and salmon filet. Less ex otic offerings such as salads, sandwiches, and
pasta should please kids. F or the gr own-ups, beer and wine ar e av ailable, and fr ozen
drinks can be made sans alcohol for the kids. O utdoor seating provides some of the best
