Established in 1852, Marshall Field's was a pioneer in many ways, including being the first to offer a bridal registry and the first department store to open a dining room. The exquisite Tiffany dome that soars over the entry floor is the largest of its kind, and its holiday windows displays are a favorite for Chicagoans. Marshall Field's flagship store - the 2nd largest department store in the world - is a great place to spend hours shopping, and believe me, I could go on and on about how fun it is to explore here. Recently, Marshall Field's also installed several "boutique" shops within their store, among them a bookstore and a florist.

But we're here to talk about the food!

We begin in the basement, where, in addition to a sports bar, expansive candy/chocolate counter (Frango mints are Marshall Field's signature chocolates) and a Starbucks, you will find their do-it-yourself marketplace, which consists of a ready-made deli counter, sushi bar, sandwich counter, design-your-own-salads, and hot meals. The marketplace is constantly bustling, and I love their deli counter, particularly their pasta salads. Marshall Fields has supplied many the supplies for a picnic at Ravinia!

Upstairs on the seventh floor you will find three selections:

- The Frango Café, which offers limited food selections and is focused primarily upon desserts, especially ice cream and chocolates. This is a fabulous place to indulge a little in the middle of your day!

- The Walnut Room, ((312) 781-3125) is a local favorite, open daily 11-4, evoking memories of an earlier age. If you cannot get to the Drake Hotel for high tea, then at least try the Walnut Room, which offers delicious fare at reasonable prices. They take reservations any time of year except at the holidays - which is also their busiest time. (don't worry, outside of 12-1pm, you will likely not have to wait long for a table). Their chicken pot pie is great - although with their recent rennovations, you'll find an attractive selection to choose from.

- Seventh on State is their "other" food court - this one an upscale version decorated in blond woods and offering more "upscale" selections than the basement marketplace. Seventh on State offers several differnent counters to choose from, each with a seperate specialization such as soups, salads, Oriental, etc. The service is fast and the food is excellent.

First, the girls loved the escalators, they loved the fountain that runs between the up and down escalators on the first floors, they loved running around each floor, they loved poking their fingers at the windows of the candy store on the second (or third?) level, there was nothing about the building they didn't love actually. They were so entranced by the escalators that they wanted to ride up and down them quite a bit -- and since it was a free activity, I let them! I was bored silly but hey, I'm a grown up, I've had my fun. Neither the building nor its shops did much for me, nevertheless I was quite pleased that the girls were having such a good time and would definitely take them back.

Bonus for the girls was finding the MacDonalds tucked away on the fifth (or sixth?) floor. They love MacDonalds and while I am absolutely not willing to spend twenty minutes in the average fast food spot I didn't mind spending time with them at this particular one. The dining room was clean, the patrons seemed happy, the bathrooms were spotless and the food was - well I didn't eat, but the girls LOVED it, and as that was the only MacDonalds they got on the vacation the event rated quite highly with them in their travel journals.

So, my recommendation for the least offensive spot to indulge your offspring in a MacBurger -- the MacDonalds at Water Tower Place.