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Al Fresco Dining

Patio season is almost here and restaurants in Chicago are dusting off their outdoor furniture to serve you al fresco.

The Mozzarella Store - Opening May 2019

Opening May 2019, the Mozzarella Store, Pizza & Caffè (822 N. Michigan), is a restaurant and specialty retail shop in the heart of Chicago steps from Michigan Avenue. The Mozzarella Store offers fresh-made-daily “Fior di Latte” mozzarella and burrata, along with fresh and aged Italian cheeses made from local organic milk, created the traditional Italian way. The menu features a wide range of Italian offerings, including pizza Napoletana, coffee, small plates, and other Italian specialties with an organic focus. The patio, that wraps around the building at Michigan and Pearson will seat 42 guests at two and four tops. Dine al fresco-style with seating surrounded by planters with greenery and umbrellas to shade you in the sun. 

Bar Cargo (605 N Wells)

Patio opening date: end of April. Bar Cargo features two patio spaces: a large beer garden in the back and patio seating on Wells street. There will be close to 100 seats in the beer garden and 40 on Wells Street. There will be an interactive element in the beer garden (ping pong table, etc). Two and four top tables - can be moved to accommodate larger parties. The front patio will be dog-friendly for guests bringing their furry friend. Both patios will include similar decor as the inside with greenery, green wall, ciao Bella signage, water feature, string lights. Three large, flat-screen TVs will be set up as well. 

Stefani Prime (6755 N Cicero Ave, Lincolnwood, IL)

Stefani Prime is the latest concept by the Stefani Restaurant Group. Stefani Prime is a restaurant offering prime cuts, seafood, signature Italian dishes and more. Stefani Prime's new patio will seat roughly 60 guests for 2-4 top tables between a more formal dining table area and a laidback cocktail lounge. The patio will feature raised seating, a fire pit, and a water fountain while being decorated with greenery and lights.  

MAD Social (1140 W Madison St)

Second generation restaurateur, Gina Stefani, has created a modern American restaurant with global twists at MAD Social. Their patio will be dog-friendly and seat 32 guests overlooking Madison St.  

Morton’s The Steakhouse (Wacker Place)

The Morton's patio will seat 12 guests overlooking Wacker St.

Superkhana International

Opening this May in Logan Square, Superkhana International will be celebrating Indian flavors, local cooking and the culinary connections between India and America. This is a joint venture between Yoshi Yamada (Lula Cafe, Blackbird, Babbo) and Zeeshan Shah (The Biscuit Man, Old Town Social, The Bristol) in conjunction with close friend/mentor Jason Hammel (Lula Cafe, Marisol, Pilot Light). Superkhana International's open-air Haveli-style courtyard is the focal point of the restaurant’s interior. Hidden inside the restaurant, the courtyard will be strung with twinkle lights and overflowing with plants. This secluded area will be a place open to eat and drink, which guests can also rent out for private events. 

Daisies 

Daisies’ outdoor patio will be back by Memorial Day weekend (hopefully sooner) with updated bench seating around the perimeter as well as new plants and greenery from Bottle and Branch. Daisies is launching a vegetable cocktail flight this summer, and it will be available in time for patio season.

Joe’s Imports

Recently opened at the gateway of Fulton Market (813 W. Fulton), Joe’s Imports, a concept by Scott Harris, features a 15 seat patio with bistro tables, for summer al fresco dining. The front of the restaurant also opens up to the patio with accordion doors – giving those inside the restaurant indoor-outdoor dining. Guests can drink seasonal wines, special “happy hour” wine flights, dinner and brunch, looking onto Fulton Street. 

Mia Francesca’s

A ‘hideaway’ in the center of the restaurant’s grounds, the restaurant seats up to 28 people under a canopy of lights

Francesca’s Bryn Mawr

This large, DOG FRIENDLY patio seats 45 to 50 people, surrounded by florals, an herb garden and lush umbrellas in the heart of Edgewater

Photo Apr 20 3 42 15 Pm
Patio at MAD Social (Photo Courtesy of Victoria Kent)

The Patio at Cafe Brauer

The Patio at Café Brauer will open for its 2019 summer season on Friday, May 3 with several new additions to enhance Chicago’s the patio experience. Located just south of the Lincoln Park Zoo’s main grounds, The Patio offers views of a restored prairie ecosystem. 

“We look forward to The Patio’s opening day each year,” says Ubert Berrum, general manager of Café Bauer. “It’s a historic outdoor dining destination in our great city, and our goal is to continue offering exciting new ways for our guests to experience it year after year”.

From the accommodations, to the music, to the menus, the 2019 season will showcase updates including:

NEW The Patio Lounge - Beer Garden & Satellite Bar:

The Patio Lounge, an outdoor beer garden and satellite bar will be added to the landscape of The Patio at Café Brauer, offering over beer, wine, canned cocktails and bar snacks overlooking the lagoon. 

NEW Summer Menu:

Helmed by Executive Chef Daniel Kelly, The Patio at Café Brauer will unveil a new summer menu focusing on seasonal preparations that will be available for both lunch and dinner. New menu items include Carne Asada, Chicken Tinga and Spicy Tilapia Tacos, Vegetable Samosa and Local Midwest Cheese Plate.

Guests can also expect the return of Saturday and Sunday Brunch. Available from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each weekend. Brunch items include Southern-Style Biscuits and Gravy, Chorizo-Poblano Brunch Burritos, and pillowy Sourdough French Toast. A selection of burgers, salads, sandwiches, and panini round out the menu, offering something for every brunch craving. Guests will be offered an array of cocktails like sangria, Bloody Mary, mimosas, margaritas and mojito’s.

NEW Kids Corner: 

This year, they are introducing an exclusive kid’s play area, complete with tables, chairs, games, puzzles, and coloring books. Opens Memorial Day Weekend

LIVE Acoustic Music: 

Beginning on Tuesday, June 4, local acoustic performances will be available Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. 

The music series is a chance to experience local music, beer and food in the setting of the Patio at Café Brauer, located at the Lincoln Park Zoo's Nature Boardwalk. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the summer, different local musicians from the Chicago area will be spotlighted. Guests can enjoy drink specials and linger over an alfresco meal..and even bring their dog.

Event Details:

Tuesdays – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

CJ Clark

Wednesdays – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Nate Kay 

Thursdays – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Luke Mueller 

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