Restaurant Review: For year-round rooftop dining, Cindy’s can’t be beat
The temperatures may be dropping, but a beautiful view of Chicago is year-round, thanks to restaurants perched high atop Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers.
Take, for example, Cindy’s, on the 13th Floor (no room for superstition here!) of the Chicago Athletic Association.
Previously a club-only option, the restaurant overlooks Millennium Park through a glass-topped atrium.
I’ll agree with their assessment that it’s a remarkable backdrop for Chopped Grand Champion and Executive Chef Kaleena Bliss‘ inspired menu, featuring local wild and seasonal produce and fresh seafood.
For starters, try their STRIPED BASS AGUACHILE with Aji Amarillo (Peruvian yellow chili pepper), coconut milk, and ginger, cucumber, pickled shallot, sorrel, Nori and sesame rice crisp, or a CHILLED KING CRAB & LOBSTER SALAD, with soy ginger aioli with mint, scallion, celery, cucumber, citrus pickled fresno chile, radish, and toasted Nori. Or their GRILLED EGGPLANT SALAD with green beans, shaved radish, mint, miso Tahini vinaigrette, eggplant puree, Fromage Blanc, and crispy shallot.
Some of their imaginatively prepared entrees include a POTATO GNOCCHI, served with ramps & mint pesto, with foraged mushrooms, asparagus, green bean, cashew cream, and parmigiano. PRAWNS NAYARIT are served with cherry tomato, cucumber, pickled Cipollini onion, fish sauce, lime, cilantro, and grilled sourdough. TROUT has warm gazpacho, pickled plum, roasted Cippolini onion and fennel.
Not to be missed are unique desserts like their ROASTED CORN PANNA COTTA with candied corn, maple glazed pecans, five-spice caramel, and brown butter ice cream, or their CHOCOLATE MOCHA CAKE with Mocha Crémeux, and malted milk ice cream.
Google reviews were spectacular:
“This is one of the gems of the city. Very nice posh restaurant with a beautiful view over the lake, the skyline and the famous bean. The food is quite well prepared and all dishes are very tasty and well presented. Raw materials are also of quality. Good selection of spirits, wines and beers. Definitively recommended for a nice evening in a lovely place. The building which hosts the restaurant is also remarkable with beautiful marbles and mosaics. I think it was an old athletic club for the city of Chicago.”
“Went to Cindy’s for supper this Thursday evening! A special thank you to our server Anthony, who was attentive, thorough and personal! A special credit to the entire staff for taking care of celiac needs. From the front desk to the chef, I had confidence that the food was going to be safe for me. This communication and attention to details is unique and made for a spectacular night out. And… the view did not disappoint!”
There are lots more selections on their lunch, brunch and Thanksgiving Day menus. Cindy’s is located at 12 S. Michigan Ave. They are open Monday-Thursday 11am – 11pm, Friday 11am-12am, Saturday 10am – 12am, and Sunday 10am-11pm.
Walk-ins are welcome. Reservations can be made through RESY. (NOTE: they are unable to take reservations by phone or via email as a credit card is required to book due to our cancellation policy.) For reservations, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
