Where to Eat on Mag Mile or Gold Coast btn 2 & 5 pm?

If anyone has been out shopping on the Mag Mile or the Gold Coast, you've probably figured out that the dining sidewalks roll up at 2:01 p.m. I find that to be ridiculous, personally. Where do you get a civilized meal at 2:01 on a Saturday or Sunday? What if you don't want to eat at a sports bar like Jake Melnicks or at a tourist trap like The Cheesecake Factory?

In the past, I've eaten during these 'tween hours at:

Rosebud on Rush (but don't always want a heavy, hugely portioned meal)

RL (bar area usually crowded; expensive)

Bistro 110 (have scratched off my list; quality has gone so downhill that it's impossible to even get a decently made drink there these days)

Coco Pazzo Cafe (a nice recent find but can't always go there)

Does anyone else have any other suggestions?

When dragged for a day of shopping on Michigan Avenue, my go-to place is Cafe Spiaggia. Lunch is served until 2:30pm (which I didn't realize until just now).

Café Spiaggia
980 North Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 280-2750
www.cafespiaggia.com

Darren72 wrote:When dragged for a day of shopping on Michigan Avenue, my go-to place is Cafe Spiaggia. Lunch is served until 2:30pm (which I didn't realize until just now).

Café Spiaggia
980 North Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 280-2750
www.cafespiaggia.com

That is my before 2 pm go-to place as well - in fact, it's my favorite. I didn't know it was open until 2:30. Well, that gives me an extra half-hour.

If you don't want Nordstrom food court, which has a Tuscany, I always go to Bandera for a reasonably priced meal and a martini.
Bandera
535 N Michigan Ave, Chicago -
(312) 644-3524

And I also like Bistro Zinc, it's nice for a salad or sandwich with a glass of wine, and a little off the beaten path, so it's not crowded.

Bistro Zinc
1131 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 337-1131

Now I know my suggestion might turn people off, maybe because it can seem a little pretentious, but the Ralph Lauren Restaurant off of Michigan and Chicago is not too shabby. I had the burger with blue cheese on challah and my friend had the lobster club with smoked applewood bacon and truffle mayo. I would recommend a reservation as it seemed to be a wait for any party over two and the service was great.


Ralph Lauren Restaurant
http://www.rlrestaurant.com/
115 East Chicago Avenue
60611

Silver Spoon might be an appealing option. It is owned by the same people who run Spoon Thai. It is located on Rush, just off the craziness of Michigan Avenue.

The Goddess and the Grocer outpost on Delaware serves all afternoon. For that matter, Cru Wine Bar has food and, even better, wine!

Silver Spoon
710 N. Rush St.
312-944-7100

The Goddess and the Grocer
25 E. Delaware Pl. (entrance on Wabash)
312-896-2600

Cru Wine Bar
25 E. Delaware Pl.
312-337-4001

I enjoy RL. I've had quite a few enjoyable meals there and they have excellent Bellini's. But I do not recommend the lobster club. I've found it disappointing (twice). It had very little lobster and for that matter, truffle anywhere. I really do like the place and both times they've rebounded well.

I don't have a problem paying premium if that's what I receive in return. I do when I don't though. I still go, I just don't order that particular item anymore.

Quartino:

http://www.quartinochicago.com/

If you're willing to walk about 20 minutes, my favorite place to have a mid-afternoon lunch on weekends is Avec, which opens at 3:30pm. I like the food there, but I prefer to go only at these quiet times. Any time else, and the place gets a little too loud and crowded for my comfort.

Avec
615 W Randolph
312.377.2002

Nordstrom Cafe - excellent salads, soups, and sandwiches (there are pizzas, pastas and entrees, too). Plus they have some of the best cookies downtown.

aschie30 wrote:If anyone has been out shopping on the Mag Mile or the Gold Coast, you've probably figured out that the dining sidewalks roll up at 2:01 p.m. I find that to be ridiculous, personally. Where do you get a civilized meal at 2:01 on a Saturday or Sunday? What if you don't want to eat at a sports bar like Jake Melnicks or at a tourist trap like The Cheesecake Factory?

Aschie,

I like the big, juicy meaty burgers at Rosebud Steakhouse, I'm also partial to the buttermilk fried chicken at Lux Bar. Both are a scene and a half in the evening, weekend mid afternoon should be ok.

Enjoy,
Gary

Rosebud Steakhouse
192 E. Walton St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-397-1000

Luxbar
18 E. Bellevue
Chicago, IL
312-642-3400.

When I worked near the Mag I would walk over to a small quiet place called Sayat Nova on Ohio for a late lunch. It's a very cozy, dimly lit Armenian restaurant that serves some pretty good lamb dishes. If I remember correctly I think they even had some good Armenian wines as well.

It's pretty unique to its surroundings... I'm not sure if there's really anything like it within walking distance of the Mag...

Lunch: $8-$15
Dinner: $15-25

Sayat Nova Armenian Restaurant
157 East Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 644.9159
http://www.sayatnovachicago.com/index.html

Hours:11 a.m.-10 a.m. Monday-Saturday; 2-9 p.m. Sunday

~GS