In recent years, Millennium Park has had a boom in popularity to become the most visited site in Chicago and the Midwest at large, overtaking the previous reigning champ, Navy Pier. A stroll through the gorgeous, lush park and surrounding neighborhood makes it abundantly clear why it’s such a popular spot. Since the park’s completion in 2004, taking over a former section of Northwestern Grant Park that was primarily parking lots and rail yards, the 24-acre parcel has blossomed into a world-renowned destination for public art and architecture, like the sprawling Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Lurie Garden, Crown Fountain, and most famous of all, Cloud Gate, aka the “Bean.”
As the park itself filled up with visitors, the surrounding neighborhood changed, too. With such an increase in foot traffic, tourism, and events, suddenly the Eastern portion of the Loop was in a whole new spotlight, with restaurants old and new emerging as key anchors in the rapidly developing area. Some, like Michigan Avenue’s relative newcomer Remington’s, have ridden the wave of popularity in the neighborhood, opening to provide ample options for the hordes of passers-by. Meanwhile others, like 90-year old Italian Village, have adapted over the years as Millennium Park’s ripple effect pushed downtown Chicago into a new era as a global destination.
Photo via Terzo Piano
Terzo Piano {159 East Monroe Street; 312.443.8650}
Located on the third floor of The Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing, Terzo Piano showcases a different kind of art—the kind you can eat. Courtesy of Chef/Partner Tony Mantuano, who also owns River Roast and Spiaggia, the restaurant specializes in seasonally-inspired Italian and Mediterranean fare, utilizing the freshest local ingredients.
tesori Trattoria & Bar {65 East Adams Street; 312.786.9911}
Located alongside Chicago’s Symphony Center and a stone’s throw from the world-class Art Institute of Chicago, tesori is a conveniently located Italian trattoria for pre- or post-theatre or museum outings in the Millennium Park area.
The Italian Village {71 West Monroe Street; 312.332.7005}
Opened in 1927, The Italian Village is one of the most historic and venerable restaurants in all of Chicago, divvied into three different restaurants across three floors. Along with one of the most expansive wine cellars in the country, the trifecta of restaurants features regional takes on Italian classics, from pastas and pizzas to steaks and seafood, offering something for every craving.
Atwood {1 West Washington Street; 312.368.1900}
Open for 18 years, Atwood has long been an anchor of State Street, the Loop, and most recently, Millennium Park. The all-day restaurant housed inside The Alise Hotel features contemporary American cuisine with big, bold flavors, like Spoonbread with honey butter and lardo, Braised Pork Belly with Champagne gastrique and Bacon Oatmeal Cream Pies.
Photo via Remington’s
Remington’s {20 North Michigan Avenue; 312.782.6000}
The classic American grill gets a modern update in Remington’s, a sprawling relative newcomer on Michigan Avenue located directly across the street from Millennium Park. Steaks, seafood, chops, burgers, and sandwiches are all well represented.
Columbus Tap {200 North Columbus Drive; 312.444.9494}
The quintessential neighborhood watering hole, Columbus Tap is located in one of the area’s longstanding hotels, the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park. The restaurant and bar is a modern interpretation of a gastropub, featuring seasonally-inspired brunch, lunch, and dinner and a robust beer, wine, and cocktail program.
Filini restaurant {221 North Columbus Drive; 312.477.0234}
Seasonal, contemporary Italian cooking is the bill of fare at Filini, a sleek and stylish restaurant located inside the Radisson Blu Aqua.
Tavern at the Park {130 East Randolph Street; 312.552.0070}
The ultimate Millennium Park dining destination, Tavern at the Park sits at the Northern border of the park itself, affording prime views of the city, the skyline, the lake, and all the sights within the park. A modern-day tavern, the restaurant offers all-day crowd-pleasers like tuna tacos, flatbreads, burgers, steaks, and more.
Photo via Brightwok Kitchen
Brightwok Kitchen {21 East Adams Street; 312.583.0729}
Nestled in the heart of the Loop, a stone’s throw from Millennium Park and Grant Park, Brightwok Kitchen is a fast-casual, vegetable-centric eatery. Chef Kolter Livengood brings years of experience working in fine dining to the restaurant, offering high-quality ingredients at accessible prices, with a menu of customizable bowls brimming with curries, teriyaki, rice, tahini, and more.
Favorite thing about Millennium Park: For Jeremy Klaben, founder and CEO of Brightwok Kitchen, he loves how the park brings together so many different groups of people. “We’re so close to the Art Institute and Cloud Gate that we attract travelers, families, as well as professionals and students,” he says.
Mezcalina {333 East Benton Place; 312.240.5000}
Mezcalina artfully creates modern takes on the traditional regional dishes of the Mexican states of Jalisco, Puebla, Oaxaca, and beyond. With murals covering the walls of this unique eatery, guests will take a gastronomic journey, enjoying dishes like Chile en Nogada, Enchiladas Poblanas, and Beef Tenderloin in Black Mole.
Photo via Yolk
Yolk {1120 South Michigan Avenue; 312.789.9655}
For Yolk, a breakfast- and lunch-focused sensation that’s spawned locations in Indiana and Texas, it all started on Michigan Avenue by Millennium Park. The sunny eatery quickly developed a Chicago following for its myriad Benedicts, hashes, omelets, pancakes, French toast creations, and more; delighting tourists and locals alike.
For more hot spots in and around Millennium Park, plus more insights from our city’s best chefs, pick up our Fall/Winter Holiday 2017 issue, or read it online here.
By Matt Kirouac
The post The Dawn Of A New Food Millennium appeared first on DiningOut Chicago.