Tired of battling for a seat at one of the Division Street or Southport Avenue alfresco hotspots? Problem solved. We’ve got 10 new patios, from boozy back yards to rooftop rooms with a view, that’ll help you make the most of your season in the sun.
O'Shaughnessy's Public House
The recently opened Irish pub in the old Zephyr’s ice cream parlor space also boasts a new sidewalk area that seats 34. Get your green on with a chef’s selection of Emerald Isle cheeses, smoked ham and tomato chutney served with brown bread.
C-View
The aptly named rooftop aerie on the Affinia’s 29th floor offers a vista of the nearby Hancock Building, the Sears Tower and Michigan Avenue. The luxe terrace with seating for 36 features a communal table and cushioned benches; the penthouse bar hosts 30 more. Select menu items from C-House, celeb chef Marcus Samuelsson’s restaurant in the hotel, will be available upstairs in mid-July.
Fat Cat
Get a taste of the great indoors, outdoors, with an alfresco "living room" of sofas, club chairs and coffee tables coupled with more traditional seating on this 80-person patio along Broadway and Gunnison Street. Specialties include poached pear salads, curried chicken wraps and frozen Mai Kais (that’s a Mai Tai with Kilo Kai rum).
Debonair Social Club
This hipster haunt in the historic Flat Iron Building gives a modern nod to Europe’s classic cafes with a sleek chrome and black sidewalk patio for 25. The menu includes panini, flat bread pizzas and lighter specials such as Effen Italian ice lemonade.
Aberdeen
This neighborhood hang with sidewalk seating for about 25 sports umbrellas, flowers and can lights. Homemade dishes range from fish tacos to Guinness ice cream. Daily drink specials include the Berry Sling (42Below Manuka Honey vodka, Chambord, muddled limes and cranberry juice).
Vines on Clark
Sip a Wrigleyville martini (Absolut Citron and peach schnapps with cranberry and pineapple juices) and nosh on white bean hummus a ball’s throw away from the Friendly Confines at this parking-lot-cum-patio for 200. The resto-bar loads the bases with additional rooftop seating for 50 and a sidewalk cafe for 27.
Minibar | Winebar
Like its diminutive counterpart, Minibar, this streetside Boystown boite is well, mini, with seating for a select 15. Beat the heat with a strawberry-basil caipirinha.
The Orbit Room
Chill out on a fenced backyard deck for 125 built around an illuminated cherry tree. Orbitinis (Malibu rum, Midori and pineapple juice) and El Cubano sandwiches (shaved pork, ham and Swiss cheese on a baguette) add summer sizzle.
Relax Lounge
The loungey vibe inside carries over to this intimate 16-person sidewalk cafe. Lighten up with make-your-own mixers for two ($20) or four ($38) featuring shots of Cointreau served with club soda, Amaretto Di Saronno and cherry garnishes.
Eno
The address may be on Michigan Avenue, but the seating runs along Illinois Street, which means on Wednesday and Saturdays you can squeeze in a view of the Navy Pier fireworks. Plus, you’re still close enough to the Mag Mile for quality people watching. Grab a seat at one of several granite-topped tables and sample wine, cheese and chocolate flights.
[ Bathsheba Birman is a metromix special contributor. ]
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Boiler279 from Westmont - August 08, 2008 at 5:50 AM
Outdoor Summer Dining in Chicago is awesome.
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