Outdoor dining recommendations?
Jul 26, 2010 | 12:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Carolina
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Outdoor dining recommendations?
Looking for any waterfront, riverfront outdoor cafe dining that anyone can recommend?
Not too expensive, but nice atmosphere.
Staying at the Hotel Indigo Goldcoast (N Dearborn Pkwy) but have CTA passes, and have no trouble getting around.
Thanks!
Not too expensive, but nice atmosphere.
Staying at the Hotel Indigo Goldcoast (N Dearborn Pkwy) but have CTA passes, and have no trouble getting around.
Thanks!
Jul 26, 2010 | 2:57 pm
#2
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There are lots of options...are you looking for dinner or lunch? Or happy hour?
For the latter two, check out Rivers downtown, in the CME building.
Otherwise, just search Yelp or Zagat and tick the box for "outdoor seating available".
For the latter two, check out Rivers downtown, in the CME building.
Otherwise, just search Yelp or Zagat and tick the box for "outdoor seating available".
Jul 26, 2010 | 5:19 pm
#3
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Here's the conundrum:
Many of Chicago's restaurants that offer "outdoor seating" sandwich you between the sidewalk and the street. Not the most attractive option. And a lot of our waterfront places seem to be more gimmicky, where the view is a bigger draw than food.
I'd actually suggest that you consider one of Chicago's rooftop bars, most of which are connected with hotels. Great view (without the car exhaust), usually good people watching, fun vibe and some have decent food. (I draw a blank on names, but I've been to the one on Erie or Ontario'ish east of Michigan, as well as the one connected to the hotel at Northbridge.)
Many of Chicago's restaurants that offer "outdoor seating" sandwich you between the sidewalk and the street. Not the most attractive option. And a lot of our waterfront places seem to be more gimmicky, where the view is a bigger draw than food.
I'd actually suggest that you consider one of Chicago's rooftop bars, most of which are connected with hotels. Great view (without the car exhaust), usually good people watching, fun vibe and some have decent food. (I draw a blank on names, but I've been to the one on Erie or Ontario'ish east of Michigan, as well as the one connected to the hotel at Northbridge.)
Jul 26, 2010 | 10:26 pm
#5
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The only two restaurants worth going to in the lakefront parks are North Pond (quite expensive) and Jackson Harbor Grill (somewhat difficult to find). There are a few others along the river; I can't vouch for the quality of the current riverwalk-facing restaurants downtown, but those might be worth a try.
Jul 28, 2010 | 10:30 am
#6
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Slightly off topic about al fresco dining....but it does mention a couple of good spots at the top.
More:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...5588682.column
The joys of outdoor dining are great. And the lengths Chicago will go to eat outdoors are even greater.
For every gorgeous, landscaped urban oasis in town at Piccolo Sogno, for example, or the courtyard at Athena there are three or four spots so unappealing you wonder who on Earth thought putting tables and chairs there would be a good idea.
But here's where they're smart, and I'm dumb. Those unfortunate locations are full of people.
We Chicagoans will endure anything if it involves dining outdoors. Direct views of a trash bin? Not a problem. Cheap molded-plastic chairs sized with an anorexic preteen in mind? Bring 'em on. Downwind from a sewage-treatment facility? Hey, it brings out the oak in the wood-grilled salmon.
Volare is a restaurant a block north of Tribune Tower. Cute place. But for an 18-month stretch a couple of years back, the building across from Volare's sidewalk cafe was leveled, cleared and slowly rebuilt, and for most of that time, the street was dustier than Capone's vault.
Death for Volare's outdoor business? Not a chance. The sidewalk seats were packed every day, even at lunch, when the jackhammers were happily blasting bricks to smithereens.
For every gorgeous, landscaped urban oasis in town at Piccolo Sogno, for example, or the courtyard at Athena there are three or four spots so unappealing you wonder who on Earth thought putting tables and chairs there would be a good idea.
But here's where they're smart, and I'm dumb. Those unfortunate locations are full of people.
We Chicagoans will endure anything if it involves dining outdoors. Direct views of a trash bin? Not a problem. Cheap molded-plastic chairs sized with an anorexic preteen in mind? Bring 'em on. Downwind from a sewage-treatment facility? Hey, it brings out the oak in the wood-grilled salmon.
Volare is a restaurant a block north of Tribune Tower. Cute place. But for an 18-month stretch a couple of years back, the building across from Volare's sidewalk cafe was leveled, cleared and slowly rebuilt, and for most of that time, the street was dustier than Capone's vault.
Death for Volare's outdoor business? Not a chance. The sidewalk seats were packed every day, even at lunch, when the jackhammers were happily blasting bricks to smithereens.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...5588682.column
Jul 29, 2010 | 8:04 pm
#7
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The only two restaurants worth going to in the lakefront parks are North Pond (quite expensive) and Jackson Harbor Grill (somewhat difficult to find). There are a few others along the river; I can't vouch for the quality of the current riverwalk-facing restaurants downtown, but those might be worth a try.
I remember Mon Ami Gabi as being another restaurant in the area worth going to: have not been there lately, but food was good, not too expensive and view of Lincoln Park and Conservatory was nice.
http://www.monamigabi.com/chicago
Jul 29, 2010 | 10:52 pm
#8
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You are right about North Pond.
I remember Mon Ami Gabi as being another restaurant in the area worth going to: have not been there lately, but food was good, not too expensive and view of Lincoln Park and Conservatory was nice.
http://www.monamigabi.com/chicago
I remember Mon Ami Gabi as being another restaurant in the area worth going to: have not been there lately, but food was good, not too expensive and view of Lincoln Park and Conservatory was nice.
http://www.monamigabi.com/chicago
Jul 30, 2010 | 8:42 pm
#10
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Facilities
Mon Ami Gabi's airy interior sets a fresh, cosy atmosphere. This casual bistro is not only warm and welcoming, but also offers guests scenic outdoor dining during the summer months with a great view of the Lincoln Park Conservatory
They do: it's very pleasant. Little breeze, nice view, good food,
fun to stay for an after dinner drink or 2.
Aug 2, 2010 | 8:15 pm
#11
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after dropping some bills (ok many
) at L2O, my wallet wishes we had chose Mon Ami Gabi. We all agreed the outdoor seating at Mon Ami Gabi looked quite refreshing.^
) at L2O, my wallet wishes we had chose Mon Ami Gabi. We all agreed the outdoor seating at Mon Ami Gabi looked quite refreshing.^
Aug 8, 2010 | 8:27 pm
#12
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Two greek places I recommend:
I enjoy the rooftop at Pegasus (Halsted and Adams). Awesome view of the loop. Menu is greek small plates (like Spanash tapas).
The outside garden at Athena (Halsted between Adams and Jackson) is also very nice.
I enjoy the rooftop at Pegasus (Halsted and Adams). Awesome view of the loop. Menu is greek small plates (like Spanash tapas).
The outside garden at Athena (Halsted between Adams and Jackson) is also very nice.
Jan 31, 2011 | 11:46 pm
#13
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Pegasus is today's Groupon: based on your description, I am about to purchase one or 2.
Jan 31, 2011 | 11:52 pm
#14
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