Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
world. Rosebud also offers pasta lovers five different
cavatelli
dishes, a house spe-
cialty, and a tempting selection of
secondi
—meat, fish, and poultry dishes.
If you don't feel like trekking to the original, Rosebud offers another, trendier
version just off the Mag Mile at 720 N. Rush St., at Superior Street (
&
312/
266-6444
).
1500 W. Taylor St. (1 block east of Ashland Ave.).
&
312/942-1117.
High chairs, boosters. Reservations rec-
ommended, especially on weekends. Main courses $5.95-$13 lunch, $11-$30 dinner. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri 11am-11pm; Sat 5-11pm; Sun 4-10pm. Subway/El: Blue Line to Polk.
South Water Kitchen
AMERICAN Although South Water Kitchen isn't
breaking any new culinary ground, it deserves a mention as one of the few places
in the Loop that welcomes kids while featuring food sophisticated enough for
discerning moms and dads. The dining room evokes the spirit of an old-fash-
ioned city saloon, and the menu goes the retro route as well. Entrees include
modern twists on familiar favorites, including a pork chop with sage bread pud-
ding; free-range chicken fricassee with herb dumplings; and a different “blue-
plate special” every night (at $14, it's an excellent deal for the neighborhood).
The restaurant provides not only kids' menus but also games to keep the little
ones occupied. Best of all, half the proceeds of all children's meals go to the
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
In the Hotel Monaco, 225. N. Wabash Ave. (at Wacker Dr.).
&
888/306-3507.
www.swk.citysearch.com.
Kids' menu, high chairs, boosters. Reservations accepted. Main courses $8-$17 lunch, $14-$22 dinner; kids'
menu items around $5. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm; daily 5-9pm. Subway/El: Red Line to
State/Lake.
The Village
SOUTHERN ITALIAN Upstairs in the Italian Village is The
Village, with its charming interpretation of alfresco dining in a small Italian
town, complete with a midnight-blue ceiling, twinkling “stars,” and banquettes
tucked into private, cavelike little rooms. It's the kind of Pan-Chicago place
where you might see one man in a tux and another in shorts. The massive 200-
item menu includes some time-warp appetizers (oysters Rockefeller, shrimp
de
jonghe
) and the old-time, hearty southern Italian standards. This is old-school
Italian: eggplant
parmigiana,
a heavy spaghetti
alla carbonara,
veal scaloppini,
calves' liver, and yes, even pizza. The food is good rather than great, but what
sets The Village apart as a place for families is the bordering-on-corny faux-Ital-
ian atmosphere that will delight your kids, and an old-time waitstaff that some-
how keeps up with the nonstop flow of patrons.
71 W. Monroe St. (between Clark and Dearborn sts.).
&
312/332-7005.
www.italianvillage-chicago.com.
Sassy seats. Reservations recommended (accepted for parties of 3 or more). Main courses (including salad)
$8-$20 lunch, $10-$30 dinner. AE, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat 11am-1am; Sun
noon-midnight. Subway/El: Red or Blue Line to Monroe.
Vivere
REGIONAL ITALIAN On the main floor of the Italian Village is
Vivere, the Italian Village's take on gourmet cooking. Teenagers might enjoy this
upscale—but not snobbish—take on Italian fare. The bold interior, with rich bur-
gundies, textured walls, spiraling bronze sculptures, and fragmented mosaic floors,
makes dining a theatrical experience. No spaghetti and meatballs here: The pasta
dishes feature upscale ingredients, from the
pappardelle
with braised duck to the
agnolottini
filled with pheasant. Fresh fish is always on the menu (a recent entree
selection was salmon with spiced carrot broth), along with a good selection of
meats and game. Grilled venison medallions are served with foie gras ravioli, while
roasted duck is accompanied by a potato terrine and sautéed spinach.
