Summer dining means warm breezes and great scenery, and one of the best places to get both is on the Riverwalk, the pedestrian walkway along the south bank of the Chicago River. Each year, the city permits a few restaurants to operate cafes along the Riverwalk between Wabash Avenue and Wells Street; you can grab a light bite or a full meal and enjoy it just feet away from the river and the surrounding architecture. Participating Riverwalk restaurants include the Cubby Bear, serving sandwiches, salads and pizzas; O’Briens, offering steaks and other American dishes; Lalo’s, for Mexican food; and Cyrano’s Bistrot & Wine Bar for French cuisine.
And though hundreds of restaurants offer outdoor dining in summer (for a complete list, log on to metromix.com), summer is also a great time to head for the park or beach with a well-stocked picnic basket. You don’t even have to pack your own meal; just give a call to Vivere, 71 W. Monroe St., which will whip up an Italian picnic of antipasto, panini, parmesan chips, dessert, fruit, bottle of chardonnay and Evian water and all needed plates and napkins for $65 (serves two). Five-day notice required. 312-332-4040.
Or if your budget permits, the four-star restaurant Everest, 440 S. LaSalle St., will prepare picnic meals for two to four–including gourmet food, wine, stemware and everything else you need–for $100 per person. One week’s notice required. 312-663-8920.
If you head to Oak Street Beach without food, keep in mind that Oak Street Beachstro, located right on the beach, is open 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m. daily (weather permitting), serving sandwiches, pastas and fresh seafood. You can assemble your own picnic–or at least some of the components–by visiting one of the city’s many farmer’s markets that crop up in the summer. One such market is held 11 a.m.-7 p.m. each Tuesday, beginning June 20, in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Stock up on vegetables, baked goods, herbs and flowers, and while you’re at it, visit the museum; admission is free on Tuesdays.
