Park Cafe and Grant Park Music Festival

We%26#39;ll be in town on the 11th of July when there will be a concert at Grant Park. I%26#39;ve read that the Park Cafe packs picnics and even seating if you call and make reservations. Is this whole thing worth it? Should we just go eat at the Park Grill instead? Is the Grant Park Music Festival so crowded we%26#39;ll wish we gone and done something else? We%26#39;re from San Diego and picnic a lot -- so even tho%26#39; this sounds lovely, I want it to be interesting and different enough to be worthwhile.... will the cicadas be problematic?

Park Cafe and Grant Park Music Festival

I have eaten at the Park Cafe and am sure they would do a fine job That said, there are a slew of options within a block of the Park Cafe where you could easily pick up to go meals for the festival. Personally, I don%26#39;t think the Music Festival is too crowded so as to be uncomfortable.

Other nearby options:

The Garden Restaurant at the Art Institute of Chicago (111 south Michigan Avenue 312 553 9675) is a popular lunch spot. Thursday evenings regular hours are extended for free live jazz from 4:30 to 7P (doors open @ 4PM). Note that this outdoor area does not accept reservations.

The Green at Grant Park located at 352 East Monroe (312 642 7888). All seats are outdoors. If the weather is nice, relax in a location that has views of Monroe Harbor + Buckingham Fountain and a light menu of burgers, salads, appetizers, and usually a couple of entree speicals. Best part is the 18-hold putting course ($8 was price to play last season). The Green has a full liquor license and is sometimes fully booked for private or corporate functions, so do call ahead.

Park Cafe and Grant Park Music Festival

When I go to the concerts (which are rarely overcrowded), I usually walk across the street to a place like Corner Bakery or Cosi, and pick up a sandwich and walk back over to have my own picnic. I love it!