It has been a pretty dismal alfresco season so far this year. An exceptionally cold and wet spring has produced (until this week) fewer than a dozen decent-weather days since the outdoor dining season began May 1 (the first day that sidewalk cafes can open for business).
But with summer less than a week away and the hope that the chilly days are finally behind us, let’s take our annual look at the area’s alfresco options.
We begin at the top–rooftops, specifically.
The Chicago area has sidewalk cafes galore and plenty of beer gardens (beer gardens sit on private property; sidewalk cafes are on city property), but relatively few rooftop perches. Which is too bad; rooftops offer privacy, a respite from city street noise (though you’d be surprised how well emergency-siren sound carries) and sometimes terrific views.
For instance, Avenue Ale House, a convivial American tavern in Oak Park, has a very pretty rooftop deck, with smooth cedar-plank floors, rough-sawn cedar walls and room for about 150 at umbrella-shaded tables and plastic chairs. The menu features massive burgers (including the Alehouse burger smothered in bleu cheese), hot sandwiches and entrees such as a very pleasant pork tenderloin crusted with macadamia nuts and served with a huge baked sweet potato. On a clear day, diners get a great look at the downtown Chicago skyline, and if you can’t find a table upstairs, don’t fret — the downstairs area has large windows that swing open, turning it into an open-air cafe. 825 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 708-848-2801.
NoMI, the international restaurant inside the Park Hyatt hotel, has an elegant seventh-floor garden, a gorgeous area with slate floors, beautiful wood and rattan furniture, free-standing umbrellas, rock garden and a shallow pool–a very tranquil space. In the evening it serves cocktails and light items, but at lunch features a fascinating menu of skewered meat, fish or vegetables, which you match to sides, sauces and condiments. There are chef’s choices for the indecisive, but it’s more fun to make your own combinations. Each costs $18. 800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-335-1234.
The rooftop cafe at Pegasus has always been pretty, with outstanding city views. The downside has always been that only appetizers are served there. But the offerings have been expanded enough, especially at lunch, that diners should have no difficulty assembling a satisfactory meal. Go for filling dishes such as taramosalata, or charcoaled baby octopus in a tangy vinaigrette. At lunch, the lamb sandwich with goat cheese is a keeper. 130 S. Halsted St., 312-226-3377.
Recent construction has reduced the view at Rock Bottom Brewery’s rooftop cafe, but the casual American chain compensates with lights, music and lively atmosphere that makes this one of the most crowded roofs in the city. The menu offers burgers, sandwiches and pastas, plus a half-dozen hand-crafted beers. 1 W. Grand Ave., 312-755-9339.
Shanghai Terrace, in the Peninsula Chicago, is the most elegant Chinese restaurant in town, and it also boasts a beautiful, spacious outdoor area called The Terrace. It’s open for lunch most days, serving Shanghai’s regular menu; in the evening, it’s frequently booked for private parties (especially on weekends), so call ahead. 108 E. Superior St., 312-337-2888.
Some other alfresco recommendations:
Sidewalk cafes
Atwood Cafe, 1 W. Washington St., 312-368-1900. A nice Loop spot for after-work or early-evening dining. Fridays in June there will be entertainment.
Becco D’Oro, 160 E. Huron St. 312-787-1300. This excellent Streeterville Italian has an awning-shaded, 70-seat cafe on a relatively quiet street.
Bistrot Margot, 1437 N. Wells St., 312-587-3660. Planters filled with flowers and ivy give this bistro’s outdoor space a homey touch.
Blackbird, 619 W. Randolph St., 312-715-0708. The Phillippe Starck outdoor furniture is a good complement to Blackbird’s minimalist interior.
Carmine’s, 1043 N. Rush St., 312-988-7676. You can’t beat the people-watching at this Gold Coast Italian. The outdoor cafe also serves brunch Saturdays-Sundays.
Cyrano’s Bistrot & Wine Bar, 546 N. Wells St., 312-467-0546. A cheerfully appointed cafe with very good French food. Cyrano’s also operates a cafe along the river, between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.
Gioco, 1312 S. Wabash Ave., 312-939-3870. Greatly improved South Loop Italian seats 30 at lunch and dinner at its cafe.
Keefer’s, 20 W. Kinzie St., 312-467-9525. This acclaimed steak and seafood spot has a sunny sidewalk cafe. Don’t overlook the bistro options.
Fortunato, 2005 W. Division St., 773-645-7200. This terrific new Italian in Wicker Park has a 40-seat outdoor cafe with sleek, stainless-steel furniture.
Le Colonial, 937 N. Rush St., 312-255-0888. Try to snare one of the balcony tables at the two-level outdoor cafe of this accomplished Vietnamese restaurant.
Napa Valley Grille, 626 N. State St., 312-587-1166. You can get the full menu at this sidewalk cafe, or try the “Little Bites” menu–tiny treats paired with 2-ounce wine pours.
Nick & Tony’s, 1 E. Wacker Dr., 312-467-9449. It’s easy to overlook this outdoor patio, thanks to the Wacker Drive reconstruction, but at least there won’t be too many cars whizzing by.
Gardens
Athena, 212 S. Halsted St. This Greektown spot’s outdoor patio, with its pretty city views, is one of the most popular outdoor dining spots in the city.
Bistro Banlieue, 44 Yorktown Convenience Center, Lombard, 630-629-6560. One of my favorite bistros anywhere has a serious fenced-in patio with sturdy furniture and (just in case) space heaters.
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, 2024 N. Halsted St., 773-935-5000. This long-lived Spanish restaurant offers a large outdoor garden — which can be covered in case of inclement weather.
Chez Joel, 1119 W. Taylor St., 312-226-6479. A classic French bistro in the heavily-Italian Taylor Street neighborhood, with a spacious private garden.
Como, 695 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-733-7400. A classic Italian much like the late Como Inn, operated by the grandsons of Como Inn’s founder, Como offers a secluded garden space set well back from the street.
Crawdaddy Bayou, 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., 847-520-4800. This theatrical Cajun/Creole restaurant has a comfortable screen-in porch.
Dinotto Ristorante, 215 W. North Ave., 312-202-0302. A sister property to Trattoria Dinotto a block to the east, Dinotto has a wonderful secluded courtyard that’s perfect for outdoor dining.
Emilios Tapas, 4100 W. Roosevelt Rd., Hillside, 708-547-7177. The Roosevelt Road construction is complete, making the outdoor tables peaceful as well as pretty this summer.
Green Dolphin Street, 2200 N. Ashland Ave., 773-235-6434. The contemporary cooking is reason enough to visit, but the pretty landscaped riverfront garden, with a protected area in case of rain, is a wonderful summer option.
La Bella Winnetka, 505 Chestnut St., Winnetka, 847-441-6002. There’s a wonderful tented space adjacent to this North Shore Italian, but sometimes it’s booked for weddings. This year, however, a new 130-seat outdoor area has been added, increasing your alfresco chances.
Meritage, 2118 N. Damen Ave., 773-235-6434. The 120-seat, tented patio is a three-season space, thanks to built-in heaters, but it’s especially nice in summer.
Mon Ami Gabi, 2300 Lincoln Park West, 773-348-8886. The fenced, tree-shaded garden adjacent to this Lincoln Park Bistro is irresistible.
Park Cafe, Petrillo Music Shell, 312-377-0933. Open during Grand Park Music Festival concerts, this kiosk has outdoor seating for 24 and a menu of sandwiches and salads; you can also pre-order boxed picnic dinners (two days’ notice required). And there are rental chairs, should you prefer to sit closer to the music.
Thyme, 464 N. Halsted St., 312-226-4300. Secluded by a high fence, filled with illuminated trees, this is one of the nicest outdoor dining spaces in the city. The French-influenced food isn’t bad, either.
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For more alfresco dining options, including reader’s favorites, log on to metromix.com.
