Supping with a Side of Sunshine
It almost feels too good to be true, but Chicagoans can now dine outside without risking frostbite. Al fresco dining season is upon us, as restaurants, bars, and cafes across the city roll out any type of patio space they can finagle. More so than ever before, diners are hungry for a little Vitamin D with their dinner.
Sixteen stories above the Chicago River lies one of the best al fresco perches in the city. The Terrace at Trump, nestled alongside Sixteen within the Trump International Hotel & Tower, is entering its season, providing stunning views of downtown along with a savorous patio menu of Mediterranean-inspired bites and quenching cocktails. This year, the Terrace boasts seating for 250, lush with greenery and floral decor, enhanced with a sultry soundtrack, and of course, accentuated by some serious urban eye candy in the background. Chef Michael Fiddler curates a patio-friendly menu of Mediterranean-inspired plates, while desserts from pastry chef Aya Fukai include coconut cream pie, Nutella chocolate profiteroles, and fruit raspado. To drink, get thirsty for crafty, fruity cocktails, boutique wines, and refreshing beers.
The Smoke Daddy stands out as an oasis of outdoor dining and drinking on the bustling Division Street strip. On one hand, the barbecue bastion features a flower-y sidewalk patio, while another option is the restaurant’s sprawling outdoor bar area. Bringing a sense of the indoors outside, The Smoke Daddy features 60-inch high-definition television screens in its outdoor bar area, which play sports games as well as stream live music from indoor performers. Bonus points for dog-lovers, because The Smoke Daddy offers housemade smoked pig ears for pups.
Cicchetti unveils its patio on May 12, and by the looks of things, it’s going to be good. Adding 100 seats to its roster, the patio extends around Erie and St. Clair in Streeterville, draped in orange stingray umbrellas and outfitted with comfy banquettes and dining tables. Coming in June: new specialty summer cocktails.
Pisco takes the spotlight at Tanta’s soon-to-open second floor lounge and rooftop patio. The massive space contains indoor seating for 35 and outdoor seating for 85, complete with a skylight in the floor that looks down into the main dining room. Special pisco-focused cocktails and a food menu inspired by Peruvian street foods are sure to keep guests quenched and sated as they linger into the evening.
The newest addition to Restaurant Row, Packing House is all about the al fresco scene. With a 130-seat terrace and bar area with retractable roof, a 30-seat sidewalk patio, and a rooftop bar with a 360-degree vista, it’s actually a challenge to go here and not feel like you’re basking in sunshine. As guests lounge about outdoors, they can sip and sup on modern American cuisine by chef Amanda Barnes and luscious cocktails sure to evoke sensations of summer.
The Terrace at Trump
401 N Wabash Avenue, Chicago
(312) 588-8600
Website
The Smoke Daddy
1804 W Division Street, Chicago
(773) 772-6656
Website
Cicchetti
671 N St. Clair Street, Chicago
(312) 642-1800
Website
Tanta
118 W Grand Avenue, Chicago
(312) 222-9700
Website
Packing House
1113 W Randolph Street, Chicago
(312) 929-4787
Website
