Cindy's

Cindy's Restaurant Review:

This rooftop bar and restaurant at the trendy Chicago Athletic Association Hotel offers killer panoramic views of Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park and Lake Michigan beyond via a small terrace open during warmer months or glassed-in windows from the main dining and congregating area. Be gone boys’ club of yesteryear; cherry-blonde wooden picnic tables in the center seat big groups of men and women looking to imbibe and share dishes, illuminated by the skylights overhead that create an airy, indoor-outdoor feel. Other high-tops are scattered all around, flanked by a long bar at the back where mixologists whip up classic and creative cocktails. The menu focuses on Midwestern-inspired dishes that change with the seasons and local food availability. Look for pan-fried smelt come summertime and milk-braised local pork shank with caramelized turnips in the fall. Desserts don’t miss either: boozy creations like a chocolate cake infused with Vietnamese coffee and Kahlúa ice cream and a Maker’s Mark pecan pie. A private seating area off to the side can be reserved for intimate gatherings. The room can crowd on weekends, so reservations, especially for larger groups, are recommended. Or expect a wait downstairs at the elevator bank.