Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
144
Dining Alfresco
Cocooned for 6 months of the year, with furnaces and electric blankets blazing,
Chicagoans r evel in the warm months of lat e spring , summer , and early
autumn. For locals and visit ors alike, dining alfresco is an ideal wa y to experi-
ence this multifaceted city. Be prepared to wait on a nice night; you'll be fight-
ing a lot of other diners for a coveted outdoor table.
THE LOOP & VICINITY
Athena 212 S. Halst ed St., bet ween Adams and Jackson str eets ( & 312/655-
0000 ). 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 incr edible view of the do wntown skyline with the S ears
Tower right in the middle.
Park Grill 11 N. M ichigan A ve., at M adison Str eet ( & 312/521-PARK [521-
7275]). Millennium Park's restaurant serves upscale v ersions of American c omfort
food with panoramic views of Michigan Avenue. In the summer, you can pick up a
sandwich and g rab a seat on the lar ge patio (c onverted into an ic e-skating rink
come winter).
Rhapsody 65 E. A dams St., at Wabash Avenue ( & 312/786-9911 ). A tranquil
oasis amid the L oop high-rises, Rhapsody's outdoor garden is m y top pick f or a
romantic meal downtown.
MAGNIFICENT MILE & GOLD COAST
Charlie's Ale House at Navy Pier 600 E. Grand Ave., near the entranc e to
the Pier ( & 312/595-1440 ). One of several outdoor dining options along Navy Pier,
this outpost of the Linc oln Park restaurant wins f or lip-smacking pub far e and a
great location on the southern pr omenade o verlooking the lakefr ont and L oop
skyline.
Le Colonial 937 N. Rush St., just south of Oak Str eet ( & 312/255-0088 ). This
lovely French-Vietnamese restaurant, located in a vintage Gold C oast town house
and evocative of 1920s Saigon, does have a sidewalk caf e, but y ou'd do bett er to
reserve a table on the tiny second-floor porch, overlooking the street.
Oak Street Beachstro 1000 N. Lake Shor e Dr., at Oak Str eet Beach ( & 312/
915-4100 ). Suit up and head for this warm-weather-only beachfront cafe—literally
on the sands of popular Oak Str eet Beach—which serves inventive cafe fare (fresh
seafood, sandwiches, and pastas). Beer and wine are available.
Puck's a t the MC A 220 E. Chicago A ve., at F airbanks C ourt ( & 312/397-
4034 ). This cafe—run by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck—is tucked in the back of the
Museum of C ontemporary Ar t, where, from the t errace, you'll get a view of the
museum's sculpture garden. (Restaurant-only patrons can bypass museum admis-
sion.) Take in the ar t, the fr esh air, and a shrimp club sandwich, Chinois salad , or
wood-grilled pizza.
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