It’s not true that people ask 5,000 dining questions around the holidays. People generally have one question, which they ask 5,000 times.
“Where can I dine before/after (blank)?”
Only the (blank) changes.
So I’ve filled in the blanks with five areas of Chicago that are especially popular during the holidays, with a few dining suggestions for each.
Michigan Avenue
A shopper’s paradise, albeit one clogged with cabs, buses and pedestrians. Get away from the crowds for a relaxing bite:
Coco Pazzo Cafe, 636 N. St. Clair St.; 312-664-2777. Unquestionably the finest restaurant ever located inside a Red Roof Inn, this is an affordable, casual Italian with excellent pasta dishes.
Lawry’s the Prime Rib, 100 E. Ontario St.; 312-787-5000. For a quick lunch, you can’t beat the Ale & Sandwich bar, where you can get meaty, carved-to-order sandwiches, including the signature prime rib. At dinner, prime rib is the way to go as well, though there are a couple of other options. And evenings beginning Nov. 30, Lawry’s features costumed carolers strolling through the dining room (call ahead for exact times).
Pane Caldo, 72 E. Walton St.; 312-649-0055. Extremely popular among neighborhood restaurants, this tiny fine-dining Italian is worth knowing about. A bit on the pricey side, but the food is well worth it. And it’s open for lunch every day.
Rosebud Steak House, 192 E. Walton St.; 312-397-1000. A formal, white-tablecloth steakhouse that just happens to serve the best burger in the city. Open for lunch Mondays-Fridays; weekends, the restaurant opens at 3 p.m.
Viand Bar & Kitchen, 155 E. Ontario St.; 312-255-8505. A very good restaurant featuring chef Steven Chiappetti, this restaurant has more promos than a sweeps-month newscast. There’s a box lunch special on Mondays, $2 burgers on Tuesdays (in the dining room until 5 p.m., at the bar thereafter), a $21 three-course menu Thursdays and, Friday and Saturdays, a chocolate dessert bar ($18) from 10 p.m. to midnight.
The Loop
Another shopping destination. Not too long ago, good dining choices were tough to come by, but things have improved dramatically:
Atwood Cafe, 1 W. Washington St.; 312-368-1900. A very popular lunch destination, mainly because of its contemporary comfort-food menu, Atwood Cafe also features Afternoon Tea from 2-4 p.m. through the end of the year — a very nice shopping respite.
Christkindlmarket, Daley Plaza. There’s more to this annual German Christmas market, which runs Nov. 22 through Dec. 24, than handcrafted ornaments and beer steins; there’s also a goodly amount of hearty food — especially this year, because the famed Milwaukee restaurant Mader’s is a participant. Potato pancakes, wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, strudel and bienenstich (bee sting cake) will fortify you against the winter weather.
Macy’s, 111 N. State St.; 312-781-1000. Everybody clamors to lunch under the Great Tree in the Walnut Room, but right next door is a new Wine Bar, which features more than 100 wines and a munchies menu of cheese, ham-wrapped breadsticks, Marcona almonds and a chocolate sampler.
Shikago, 190 S. LaSalle St.; 312-781-7300. This dual-personality concept — carry-out market up front, fine-dining restaurant in back — features the Asian/French cooking of chef Kevin Shikami. Relax over a few sushi rolls, go for a full-fledged meal or split the difference with a few “taste” portions (available on selected dishes).
Millennium Park
That big metal bean is effectively a tourist magnet, luring visitors to the park’s outdoor sculptures, free skating rink, musical performances and one-of-kind city views:
Aria, 200 N. Columbus Drive; 312-444-9494. Inside the Fairmont Chicago, this upscale, “culturally inspired” restaurant features contemporary American food with international influences. If you’re ready to be pampered, this is a good choice.
The Gage, 24 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-372-4243. Bustling and busy lunch and dinner, this gastropub offers a wide range of dining options, from fish and chips to a pairing of lamb chops and spicy lamb vindaloo. It’s kind of British, kind of American, and really good.
Park Grill, 11 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-521-7275. Sitting alongside the skating rink (indeed, the rink becomes the restaurant’s outdoor dining space in summer), this American grill has beautiful interiors and terrific food, including one of the city’s best burgers.
Tavern at the Park, 130 E. Randolph St.; 312-552-0070. From playful mini-burgers to a massive pork chop bathed in cherry-cola barbecue sauce, this American tavern piles on the comfort food. Go for the second-floor dining room that overlooks Millennium Park, or in the much quieter Wine Cellar room.
Navy Pier
Illinois’ No. 1 tourist attraction packs the crowds in, whatever the weather. There’s free entertainment, rides, exhibits, the Chicago Children’s Museum and lots more. And the annual Winter Wonderfest runs from Dec. 7 through Jan. 6:
Charlie’s Ale House, 700 E. Grand Ave.; 312-595-1440. This old-time pub has four locations, including one in the middle of Navy Pier, where you’ll find good beer and good food (I like the burgers, turkey burgers and the chicken pot pie).
Copperblue, 580 E. Illinois St.; 312-527-1200. Located in the base of Lake Point Tower, Copperblue is a fine-dining restaurant by chef/owner Michael Tsonton, who is adept at creating cunning food pairings, such as herbed gnocchi alongside baby octopus salad, or codfish with a ragout of smoked bacon and flageolet beans. No lunch; closed Mondays.
DeLaCosta, 465 E. Illinois St.; 312-464-1700. A lively place to drop in for a fresh ceviche (at the ceviche bar, no less) or a full-fledged meal, DeLaCosta features the nuevo Latino cuisine of Douglas Rodriguez. Stop by late at night, when the place really sizzles. No lunch weekends.
Joe’s Be-Bop Cafe & Jazz Emporium, 600 E. Grand Ave.; 312-595-5299. There’s live music every day at this Southern-style restaurant, which specializes in hickory-smoked ribs, slow-cooked brisket and pulled pork.
Riva, 700 E. Grand Ave.; 312-644-7482. High-end seafood (and a spectacular lake/skyline view) upstairs, casual atmosphere and moderate prices downstairs. Plus valet parking, which spares you from meandering about the pier’s massive parking garage.
MSI
The “Christmas Around the World” exhibit, in its 66th year, pulls in hundreds of holiday visitors. But the Museum of Science and Industry’s dining options are meager. Here are some better choices nearby:
Blu 47, 4655 S. King Drive; 773-536-6000. A 3-year-old Bronzeville restaurant serving contemporary versions of Southern-American classics, such as spicy Bayou catfish and chicken lollipops (grilled drumettes). Dinner only during the week, though there’s a nifty Jazz Brunch buffet on Sundays.
Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop, 5225 S. Harper Ct.; 773-363-4943. Friendly, bustling, casual restaurant featuring Cajun and Creole cooking, among other treats. Check out Calypso Cafe, Dixie’s Caribbean cousin (773-955-0229), across the courtyard.
La Petite Folie, 1504 E. 55th St.; 773-493-1394. Hyde Park’s best restaurant, a charming French cafe with moderate prices. No lunch on the weekends.
Piccolo Mondo, 1642 E. 56th St.; 773-643-1106. Cute Italian restaurant with good pastas, impressive daily specials.
Valois Restaurant, 1518 E. 53d St.; 773-667-0647. Pronounced vuh-LOYS, this super-inexpensive cafeteria, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, is a neighborhood staple.
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pvettel@tribune.com
