Adjacent to the more formal Park Grill Restaurant is the Park Café that offers the casual option of take-away for those in search of a quick meal or beverage. You can choose from wraps & sandwiches, soups, & a salad bar. Most choices are priced under $6.
Picnic bags are available for those who wish a romantic or casual picnic in the park to listen to music in the new band shell.
Choices of picnic fares vary in price & selections. They range from the lighter "Sandwich Bag" containing Pasta salad with olives, roasted peppers & basil, choice of chips, choice of: smoked turkey Wrap or chicken salad, ham and Swiss, corn beef or tuna salad sandwich, fresh baked cookies, bottled water or soft drink for 13.95 per person. Heartier picnics can be had for 25.95-29.95 per person like "The American"containing BBQ or Fried Chicken & Corn on the Cob or "The Epicurean" filled with a special Heirloom tomato salad, Tandori chicken & couscous.
The Picnic Bag includes napkins, moist towelettes, plastic utensils & salt & pepper. I was told that picnic baskets will come later in the summer. To add a comfy touch to your picnic, there are a limited number of lawn chairs available for rent through the Café.
The Picnic Hotline to reserve your romantic dinner: 312.521.7280.
You can take you selections from the Park Café to eat out throughout the grounds of Millennium Park or sit at a shady table in a special section of the café’s adjacent summer Terrace under pretty yellow or blue umbrellas.
In collaboration with the Chicago radio station WNUA a Summer After-Work Concert Series:THE CHILL is held each Thursday night at 7pm. With your $39 concert ticket, there is a special Prix Fix Menu per person including Champagne.
Chicago planners hope Millennium Park will become an International destination. I was happy to see the thoughtfulness of Park Café’s owners with their way-making sign written in multiple languages. I hope city-planners follow their lead.