BYOB at Park Grill

One of the best places to visit for locals and tourists in the city is Millenium Park.  There's so much to see and do, from the Jay Pritzker Pavillion to the Cloud Gate (the Bean!), that can be enjoyed by families, loners, couples, etc.  This spot holds a special place in my heart because I proposed to my wife on the Ice Rink just over 3 years ago (obviously she said YES!). 

I also enjoy visiting the Park Grill, a cozy spot you can relax with good food, drink and a view of the rink.  We also ate there just after my wedding proposal and have sat in the same booth every visit.  I recently found out there is no corkage fee on Sundays and Mondays, making it a great BYOB spot on those days!

We decided to go to the Park Grill for dinner this past Sunday for our 2nd anniversary dinner.  So we called a babysitter for Liljana, grabbed a bottle of wine and headed out.  We normally have Dom Perignon for our anniversary drink, but I mistakenly forgot to stock a bottle, so it was time to dig into the stash.  Since Blagica was in the mood for red wine, I decided on Colgin Cellars Cariad, a Bordeaux style blend from Napa Valley comprised mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.  It's not an easy wine to find (I bought mine from a liquidation sale), but you could try to get on their ordering list, though it's running 3 years behind!

The Park Grill was steady as always.  They have a very good menu featuring local fruits, vegetables, pork, beef and chicken, along with wild caught fish.  Service is very knowledgable and attentive, though they seemed thinly stretched as it took around ten minutes before we were initially greeted by our server.  They feature a very good cocktail list, beer selection and bar menu, along with $5 food & drink choices in the bar area every Thursday from 5pm-close.  Their wine list is a bit pedestrian, with many of your usual suspects, but I see alot of value choices like Newton Chardonnay ($50), Babich Sauvignon Blanc ($39), Peter Lehmann Shiraz ($36), and Chateau Labat Haut Medoc ($48).

All in all, another satisfying experience, made even better with our own wine.  Make sure to take advantage of their Sunday/Monday BYOB and enjoy the Millenium Park fun!

Fun, Sun, and Wine

If you are looking for something to do during your lunch hour today, try some Twister!  Make your way to the Park Grill in Millenium Park.  Always a good spot for some food, but today, there will be a rather large Twister mat set up under a tent in the south patio from 11am to 3pm.  Almost 1000 sq. ft. of Twister mat, expecting over 1000 contestants on a beautiful sunny Chicago day. 



For adult refreshment, complimentary Seven Daughters Winemaker's Blend will be onhand and sure to please.  A California blend of Chardonnay, Riesling, Muscat, and Gewurztraminer with tons of fruit and a bit of spice.  The wine will also be available on the Park Grill's extensive list, which, along with their beer selection, will offer some great summer drink options. 

So treat yourself to a stress reliever, enjoy the weather, and grab some vino!

Park Grill- Drink, Eat, Skate!

Millenium Park has held a special place in many people's hearts since the turn of the century.  I have been going there since the beginning to enjoy the views, study while in college, and relax while on work breaks as a waiter.  I remember when most made fun of just about everything in the park, saying how much was spent, the ugly architechture, etc.  But, millions have fallen in love with the entire 2.45 acres of parkland, seen how funny we look in "The Bean", been "spit" at by the Crown Fountain, attended free concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion, and skated for free at the McCormick-Tribune Ice Skating Rink.



There is also a restaurant, The Park Grill, which is a WCWG favorite.  I proposed to my wife on the ice just under two years ago, and we've shared dinner at "our" table numerous times.  Recently, we met up at the bar for appetizers.  The selection is very good- try the pork nachos, tempura shrimp, or crisp calamari.  We really love the Kobe beef burger- it is topped with gorgonzola cheese and comes with killer seasoned fries.

As far as the beverages go, they have a good selection.  Goose Island on tap is in house, along with one of my favorites, Anchor Steam, a San Francisco based brewery.  It has a rich amber color, hoppy yeasty scents, and a bit of citrus and nuttiness on the palate.  The wines are all low to mid range pleasers.  I moved to the Miner Family Viognier, which has fresh peach and apricot flavor, while my wife enjoyed the Babich Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.  She really liked the ripe citrus flavor.  The key to value is to get a "quartino": a 1/4 liter flask (almost 9 oz.), usually about $3 more than the glass pour (6 oz.), and a significantly better value.  The bottle list is comprised of common favorites like A to Z, Elena Walch, Craggy Range, Saintsbury, Guenoc, Luna, and Penfolds.  If you are looking to "bling it up", you may want to look elsewhere, as this list is more geared toward frugal satisfaction.

So make your way down to Millenium Park.  Work up an appetite exploring or skating, then move to the Park Grill for good food and beverage!