Millennium Park, nearby eating

I took my daughter to Millennium Park this weekend. It was a beautiful day for a picnic, but we weren't prepared. We wanted to relax at a restaurant, but I don't know what is around that area. Any suggestions within a few blocks of the park. I would be interested in casual spots we could walk to. Thanks

janeyb wrote: Any suggestions within a few blocks of the park. I would be interested in casual spots we could walk to. Thanks

Janey,

I had an enjoyable dinner at Park Grill, in Millennium Park, last week. They are open for lunch with outdoor seating. Park Grill has a commissary as well with a full range of take away, including picnic baskets.


Enjoy,
Gary

Millennium Park is wonderful. But, whatever you do, DO NOT fall into the trap of picking up a sandwich at the tent set up right next to the Pritzer Pavillion to cater to the Grant Park Symphony crowd. They were out of most everything by the time I got there, but had some Italian sandwiches left (called something more romantic, like Tuscany Breeze). I knew it would be over-priced and, at $7, it was. Fortunately it was small. About a two inch section of baquette, overstuffed with salami and ham that had been miracously stripped of all flavor. There was allegedly some artichoke and basil dressing on it, and a "splash" of vinegar, but you could have fooled me. There had been something wet on it, though, because the bottom part of the sandwich was a soggy mess. It had the overall consistency of something that had been sitting in the bottom of a cooler among the melting ice for a week or so before someone pulled it out and decided to sell it to me.

I'm hoping that the park will inspire some nearby places to stay open on evenings and weekends. In the meantime, byo.

I've been working up a whole post on our visit to Millinium Park, but I'll keep the non-food stuff to the blog (e.g., the irony of the BP Bridge putting you smack dab facing the ex-BP Tower where BP snatched away thousands of jobs in Chicago). Still, for me, the trip to MP was mostly an excuse to try the long heralded (by JeffB at least) Australian Ice Cream from Belgium sold at Marshall Fields.

And you know what. It was worth it. This is some really excellent ice cream. Made in small batches--I watched and nagged for tastes as each new stuff came out of the machine and ready for sale--creamy and rich, it tasted pretty much the same as "frozen custard". The fruit based sorbets really taste of fruit and both the passion fruit and mango have that just picked tropical funkiness that can be achieved with flash freezing but cannot really be achieved via shipping. The chocolate and vanilla were exemplars of these basics, the maple walnut, a pleasant variation.

Two suggestions just outside the Park: Russian Tea Time, on Jackson just off Michigan Ave., and the outdoor cafe inside the Art Institute of Chicago (I can't remember the name). The Cafe has simple food in a beautiful setting. Russian Tea Time has very good food just a few blocks from the Park.

...that place is dreadful - bad food, worse service. Don't do it!!

You can also head to the original Heaven on Seven in the Garland Building, which is what we did last Saturday.

The place was nearly empty, but the food was good as always. We split a shrimp po boy (comes with cup of soup & cole slaw) and a side of the etouffee.

========

Heaven on Seven
111 N. Wabash; 7th floor
312.263.6443
http://www.heavenonseven.com
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm;
Saturday: 10:00am - 3:00pm

sundevilpeg wrote:...that place is dreadful - bad food, worse service. Don't do it!!

S:

I agree about the cafe at the Art Institute but in your post, you mention that place only in the title, which appears non-prominently in a small font size. At first, it looked as though your comment was about Russian Tea Time, which I remember as being pretty good (though I haven't been there in years)...

The AI cafe is really pretty bad, at least in my experience...

A
_________________

The AIC also has the new refurbished Garden Restaurant. The food's ok; the service is improving.


http://www.artic.edu/aic/visitor_info/restaurants.html

The Garden Restaurant
Daily, 11:30 - 3:00
Lower level, accessible from Columbus Drive entrance

Enjoy table-side service, with a full bar, wine list, and menu that features seasonal cuisine of varying styles and influences created by Executive Chef Doug D'Avico, formerly of Trattoria 10. Reservations are accepted but not required. Call (312) 553-9675.
From spring (late May) through early fall, weather permitting, the Garden Restaurant extends into McKinlock Court for shady alfresco dining. Outdoor seating is first come, first served.

Believe it or not, there is an outdoor restaurant east of Millenium Park. Walk east on Monroe almost to Lake Shore Drive. On your left, you'll see some mini putting greens, then some tables (I think the restaurant is called something like "Greens"?). Been there a couple of times. Very casual place and open in the summer only. But the food is decent and the atmosphere is so relaxed, it's a really lovely way to spend an hour or two. Family friendly, also.

We will probably be on our way before I can read a reply, but was wondering - any other winter lunch options besides Russian Tea Room? We'll be walking from the El - so proximity is pretty important in this weather. It's not clear to me if the other places mentioned are seasonal...the Art Institute has a formal restaurant, but I'm not sure if that's what we're looking for today.

Thanks!

The Gage
24 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603

(312) 372-4243

Park Grill, at the entrance to Millennium Park, is nice for lunch and has a great burger.

Pizano's on Madison has Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.

I bet this is too late but hopefully this will help folks in the future . . .

There's a small little burger place on Adams between MIchigan Ave & Wabash called Patty's Burger. It's just burgers and fries but the few times I've been there I had a very good 40's style cheeseburger, that was just juicy/greasy enough but not too much so.

If you have kids and need something fast but you want eat a little better/more variety, Baci on Michigan Ave due west of the Bean has decent minestrone & pizzas and a wide variety of salads and sandwiches. The salad trio is nice if you want to take it away to "picnic" or eat after ice skating.

One place I have not been but colleagues speak highly of is the Pittsfield Cafe in the Pittsfield Building at 55 E Washington. Supposed old school charm, ancient waitresses, straightforward comfort food . . . haven't been but keep meaning to. I do not know if they are open on Sundays but they are on Saturdays.

hope this helps!

bjt

7th Floor of Macy's. 2nd best shake in Chicago, Takashi Noodles, Rick Bayless on Mexican, something for everyone.

I suspect you didn't see this in time.

One place i like to go to is Osaka on 400 s Michigan. they have good sushi and their bubble tea is really good, Only problem is that their more focused towards take out. so the seating isnt the most comfortable.