Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Maggiano's
ITALIAN A great pick for large groups, Maggiano's is a shrine
to family-style Italian dining. Like many of its fellow Lettuce Entertain You
restaurants, Maggiano's feels a bit contrived, with traditional Italian red-check-
ered tablecloths and old family portraits (which family, we'll never know),
designed to create the feel of Little Italy throughout the nine separate dining
rooms. Still, heaping plates of pasta meant to be shared make Maggiano's a good
choice for a large and budget-conscious family. In fact, everything on the menu
is supersize. Steaks are all more than a pound, and most pasta dishes weigh in
over 25 ounces. You're expected to share dishes, pass things around, and try a lit-
tle bit of everything. The menu is vast and features Italian pasta classics such as
chicken and spinach manicotti, eggplant Parmesan, and meat or marinara
lasagna, plus chicken, veal, steaks (try the Prime New York Steak al Forno Gor-
gonzola, a strip steak served with caramelized onions and melted Gorgonzola
cheese), chops, and seafood. There's no kids' menu, but the kitchen will accom-
modate with smaller portions. Downstairs, there's a banquet room that accom-
modates parties of 20 to 200. On holidays Maggiano's has live music.
516 N. Clark St.
&
312/644-7700.
High chairs, boosters. Main courses $11-$33. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Mon-Thurs 11:30am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm; Sun noon-10pm. Subway/El: Brown Line to Merchan-
dise Mart; Red Line to Grand. Bus: 65 or 22.
Reza's
MIDDLE EASTERN Whether your kids are already avid
eaters of Middle Eastern food or you want to start exposing them to it, Reza's is
a good option. With high ceilings and exposed brick, this warm and family-
friendly restaurant is housed in a former microbrewery. Specialties include a
deliciously rich chicken in pomegranate sauce, and kids might go for one of a
variety of kabobs. Despite the menu's meat-heavy emphasis, there's a full selec-
tion of vegetarian options, too. The appetizer combo is a nice option for fami-
lies; it includes hummus, stuffed grape leaves, tabbouleh, and other standbys
nicely presented in a red lacquer bento box. Reza's has another location in
Andersonville, at 5255 N. Clark St. (
&
773/561-1898
), but the River North
spot is the most convenient for visitors staying downtown.
432 W. Ontario St. (at Orleans St.).
&
312/664-4500.
High chairs, boosters. Main courses $9.95-$17. AE,
DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am-midnight. Subway/El: Red Line to Grand.
Scoozi
REGIONAL ITALIAN Families should plan to visit Scoozi on
Sunday evening, when the restaurant gives kids “make your own pizza” time
from 4 to 5pm. Chefs show kids how to make a pizza, then pop them in the
wood-burning oven. Kids dine on their culinary masterworks, and you get a nice
stretch of “adult time” at the table while your little chefs are at work.
Scoozi's sprawling loft space has been its home since 1986, the year it opened
and began serving up authentic Italian cooking—a real pioneering effort at the
time, complete with focaccia in its breadbaskets. Scoozi's menu is no longer
unique, but Chicagoans return for its reliable lineup of Italian flavors. Appetizers
include an antipasti bar (favorites are orzo with shrimp and wood-roasted mush-
rooms); deep-fried calamari with basil, aioli, and arrabbiata sauce (a spicy tomato
sauce); or small pizzas, such as one smothered with garlic spinach, oven-roasted
tomatoes, and goat cheese. Main courses include
petto di pollo
(grilled chicken
breast with baby artichokes, red potatoes, and warm coriander-seed vinaigrette);
ravioli baked in a wood oven (smoked chicken, Taleggio cheese with smoked
bacon, or artichoke); and
gnocchi con salsa rossa
(homemade potato dumplings in
a tomato-basil cream). For dessert, head directly for the tiramisu.
Value
