A look back at 5 of Chicago’s most historically romantic restaurants

By Linze Rice | Feb 14, 2023

Compared with the apex of romantic fine dining that was Everest, the Waterfront Cafe in Edgewater is much more grounded — but no less lovely or off the beaten path (literally). The seasonal outdoor restaurant could not be more hidden; it’s found next to a dead-end behind the Berger Park Cultural Center, with no signage to offer clues.

 But once discovered, the Waterfront feels like a tropical destination far away from the shores of Chicago. The patio is surrounded by tall greenery and generously decorated with brilliantly colored flora. The lake becomes a vast ocean. Still, sightlines all the way to downtown skyscrapers hint at your true location. At sunset, the sky melts through watercolor tones into an endless black sky that makes the perfect path for passing planes. Only a sandy walking path divides diners and the water, and it’s up to the strung lights, Tiki torches and moon to provide evening light. Nightly live music, like jazz and classical guitar, keeps guests entertained but not overwhelmed.

Here, upscale dining isn’t the name of the game — ambience and privacy are. But the seafood rolls, summer salads and tropical drinks keep customers plenty satisfied. Using a former coach house as its kitchen, the Waterfront slings seafood classics like blackened Cajun shrimp, brown butter crab, and lobster rolls. It first opened as Dawghaus Cafe in 2007 serving only snacks, then bloomed into the Waterfront in 2009. Its menu is limited, allowing lovers ample opportunity to focus on each other.

Berger Park Cultural Center, 6219 N. Sheridan Road,

773-761-3294, waterfrontcafechicago.com

A music critic’s 8 great places for live music this summer

By Bob Gendron | Chicago Tribune | Jul 04, 2023 at 5:45 am

Where does your mind go when you think about summer and music? For many, the season means enjoying concerts outdoors in settings conducive to breathing fresh air, hanging out with friends, disconnecting from work and reveling in laid-back vibes.

This summer, the concert docket is busier than at any time in recent memory. Prices for many national tours and big festivals suggest that demand continues to outstrip supply. But there’s good news. You don’t need to spend the equivalent of a few car payments for tickets or brush up against thousands of sweaty strangers at Lollapalooza to see a good show.

Though some of these spots do not attract household names, they deliver the intimacy and relaxed atmosphere many large locations lack. Even better: Most give you a chance to be outside and relish a pairing — comfortable weather and live music — as pleasing as a glass of iced tea on a steamy afternoon. 

Approaching Waterfront Cafe can feel like entering a secret garden. Tucked behind the Berger Park Cultural Center, it’s an escape from the urban grind and a reminder of Lake Michigan’s breathtaking beauty. Framed by trees and hanging plants and adjacent to the beach, the patio appears to reverse time. Bring a book, dog, romantic partner or good friend, silence your smart device and surrender to the ambience. In addition to libations, Waterfront Cafe offers salads, rolls and appetizers that somehow taste better than they should. A rotating cast of local musicians who trade in low-key jazz, classical and folk add to the appeal.

Upcoming shows: Luciano Antonio (Wednesdays in July and August); Silver Stream Jazz Trio (Thursdays in July and August); Arthur Wolff and Kayla Jackson (Sundays in July and August); Derek Duleba (July 17 and 31); AKA Jazz Trio (July 21, July 28 and Aug. 4); Kevin Fort (July 25, Aug. 8 and Aug. 22)

At 6219 N. Sheridan Road; waterfrontcafechicago.com

Bob Gendron is a freelance critic.