PLACES TO EAT:

Park Grill at Millennium Park, 11 N. Michigan Ave. - No Official Web Site

The Park Grill consists of three different dining options; there is the Park Grill Restaurant, the Park Café and the Park Grill on the Plaza. The Park Café caters to picnic-goers, offering picnic lunches complete with sandwich, dessert and drink. The café even offers portable seating so you can make the most of your Millennium Park picnic.

The Park Grill on the Plaza is an extension of the Park Grill Restaurant; Chef Bernard Laskowski prepares foods that have an ethnic twist, and all food is served outdoors in Millennium Park.

The Park Grill Restaurant is the foundation of this trio; located inside, adjacent to the Café, the restaurant is upscale yet informal. With a roaring fireplace, fancy fixtures, extremely gracious wait staff and tasteful music, the dining experience at the Park Grill is a very pleasant one.

Food at the Park Grill is also prepared by Chef Laskowski, but here the focus is on American cuisine. Lunch entrees are priced between $10 and $15, and range from common yet carefully-prepared dishes such as hamburgers or Caesar salad, to more exotic choices such as roasted pumpkin soup or avocado squash and pomegranate salad.

The Rueben sandwich, served with soup and French fries, is a delight. Corned beef on toasted dark rye bread, with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing, the sandwich is refreshingly different and very tasty. The seasoned French fries are a nice complement.

For those interested in lighter fare, try the roasted pepper and fennel soup. At first taste this soup resembles a simple tomato soup, but as the flavors explode on your tongue the spicy basil and foamy cream base make themselves known. This soup goes nicely with the house salad, which consists of mixed greens with cucumber, tomato and a vinaigrette dressing.

There is a full wine menu to go with your meal, as well as a wide assortment of beverages. For dessert, there are unique choices such as vanilla crème brulee with seasonal berries, which comes highly recommended, and staples such as tiramisu or a Granny Smith apple tart.

Surely, a visit to the Park Grill is part of a perfect day at Millennium Park.



Rhapsody, 65 E. Adams St. - Official Web Site

Rhapsody is adjacent to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra building; after CSO performances, the restaurant is filled with music-loving patrons. The restaurant is spacious and has several different seating areas; there is the Conductor’s Room for private parties, a large indoor lounge, and a beautiful outdoor dining patio.

The outdoor patio is actually a lush garden, which is very popular in warm weather. The indoor lounge is massive, with long leather couches along the middle and several plush sofas in the corners for smaller groups. The large but cozy lounge is decorated in warm colors; there are small candles on every table and the bar near the back of the room seems lit from below. Everything in the room almost glows, creating a serene tone that invites conversation and lingering.

Cuisine at Rhapsody is American, with an emphasis on fresh fish. Take your pick of a number of interesting menu items, but save room for dessert. Dessert here is pure music; try the Double Chocolate Cake with Mandarin Coulis. The warm, perfectly spongy brownie is sprinkled with powdered sugar, garnished with thyme and mint and served with ice cream, strawberries and blueberries. The dish is decadent, but the serving is small and leaves no room for guilt.

Other desserts include a Blueberry Streusel Tart, Cranberry Ginger Mousse, Homemade Sorbet and a host of dessert wines.

See our Chicago Restaurant Listings.

BARS/CLUBS:

Crocodile Lounge, 221 W. Van Buren St. - No Official Web Site

The Crocodile Lounge lives up to its name, with faux crocodile décor almost everywhere you turn. The crowd spans the spectrum from casual to upscale, leaning towards the upscale in the evening. The tone of the lounge is relaxed, with cushions and candles strewn about to invite sprawling. Music at the Crocodile Lounge consists of everything from hip-hop to reggae and trance. Some patrons dance to the music; others simply sit and enjoy their cocktails, bottled beer or appetizers such as pizza or chicken wings.

The lounge is tiny, and easy to miss; it does not boast flashy signage and can be overlooked on busy Van Buren Street. However, it is worth the search; the Crocodile Lounge is a cozy little lounge that invites conversation as well as a place to meet an eclectic mix of people.

Cover: $10 on Friday and Saturday nights.

See our Chicago Nightlife Listings.

PLACES TO STAY:

theWit Hotel - In the Heart of Chicago's Theatre & Business Districts

Blending the amenities of a resort with the flair of a boutique hotel, theWit, a Doubletree Hotel, has brought a new energy and vitality to the downtown Chicago Loop. Relax in plush accommodations with breathtaking views of the Chicago River, the skyline, and Millennium Park. Take a short stroll and marvel at the city's premier museums, cultural landmarks, and entertainment. Experience the allure and style of the Chicago Loop.  Book online at theWit!

Swissotel Chicago , 323 East Wacker Drive, 312-565-0565 - Official Site
An Award-Winning Choice Among Downtown Chicago Hotels...
Reward yourself with a stay at Swissôtel Chicago, which sets the standard for downtown Chicago hotels with award-winning hospitality. Honored as "One of the 500 Best Hotels in the World" by Travel + Leisure for two consecutive years, these world-class accommodations stand as a triangle of gleaming glass, wedged at the junction of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Precise Swiss service - combined with American energy and European elegance - make this distinctive four-diamond landmark the perfect place for distinguished tastes. Relieve tension from a busy day with a rejuvenating massage. Discover the architectural sites for which the city is known on a Chicago Architectural Foundation river tour. Browse the extraordinary shopping landmark that is The Magnificent Mile. Choose this luxurious downtown Chicago Illinois hotel for an unforgettable stay, beginning with an inspiring setting:

• Located just steps from The Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago, Illinois
• A short walk to the city's financial, business, and entertainment districts
• Minutes from The Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, and Shedd Aquarium
• Within 20 miles of Chicago's major airports - O'Hare International and Midway

See our Downtown Chicago Hotels Map.

TOURS:

Chicago Landmarks, 33 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1600. 312-744-3200.

Chicago Landmarks offers The Loop Tour, which covers over thirty landmarks representing architecture from Post-Fire (1871) to Art Deco (1920’s through 1930’s.) Some of the highlights of the tour include the Monadnock Building, the Civic Opera Building, City Hall and the Chicago Theater. This tour comes highly recommended and is approved by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

See our Chicago Tours and Cruises Directory.

The Loop Web Links

• The Loop Neighborhood Feature Article
• See our Chicago Loop Video.

Chicago Neighborhood Information

• See our Chicago Neighborhood Overviews & Map.