Between “Phantom of the Opera” and the various summer music festivals, there will be a lot of people in the Grant Park/Loop area this season. Here are some suggestions for those who want to eat before or after or (for Grant Park) during the show:
– Trattoria No. 10, 10 N. Dearborn St., is offering a fixed-price, pre- theater dinner special from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The three-course meal includes a glass of wine and features an entree choice of veal scallopini with mushrooms or black pasta ravioli with shrimp. Cost is $28 per person. 948-1718.
Upstairs from the restaurant is Sopraffina, a carryout store offering gourmet-to-go treats such as appetizer pizzas, lasagna and tiramisu.
– Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 N. Michigan Ave. The elegant Buckingham Restaurant in this hotel offers steaks and seafood-as well as 57 wines at an even $20 each. For the budget-minded, there’s the Pavilion, which serves egg dishes, sandwiches and salads. And for the post-show crowd there’s Kitty O’Shea’s, an Irish pub that dishes out shepherd’s pie, lamb stew and something called a “blarney burger.” O’Shea’s offers live Irish music until 1:30 a.m. Mon.-Sat. An adjacent outdoor pub closes at midnight. 922-4400.
– Binyon’s, 327 S. Plymouth Ct. Parking is a snap at Binyon’s. Drop your car at the door; the car will be parked in a lighted lot a block from the Auditorium Theatre. Pick your keys up as you leave the restaurant, and you’ll be able to walk straight to the car after the show. 341-1155.
– Austin Koo’s Mandarin, 318 W. Adams St. Across from Sears Tower is this handy Chinese restaurant, which offers early seating (open from 11:30 a.m. on) for Phantom fans and carrout service for Grant Parkers. One catch: The restaurant is closed Saturdays and Sundays. 853-1155.
– Italian Village, 71 W. Monroe St. The Florentine room is still being renovated, but La Cantina and the more informal Village still serve food as late as 1 a.m. most nights. Two strolling singers will perform selections from “Phantom” nightly. 332-7005.
