Restaurant Review: Igloos make for cozy dining outdoors during Chicago winters

What’s so great about dining outdoors in Winter? 

Turns out, plenty when you and your family are sitting in an igloo! 

Igloos offer a unique, cozy  private outdoor dining experience, allowing you to enjoy scenic views and festive atmospheres with heaters and comfortable seating, And Chicago offers numerous options throughout the city!

Atop Hyatt Place in Wicker Park, the Kennedy Rooftop, 1551 W. North Avenue, has a new, larger igloo for up to 12 guests, as well as smaller ones for up to six guests. Their A LA CARTE package offers  offers the possibility of ordering anything from the menu, with a minimum spend of $85 per person. With that, you can choose from shareables like their 606 CHARCUTERIE PLATTER, with assorted meats, cheeses, jams, nuts, crostini and crackers. SEASONAL HUMMUS is a different selection every day and is served with pita bread. KRT DRY RUB WINGS comes with your choice of Buffalo, Bbq, or garlic sauce. AL PASTOR PORK SLIDERS are topped with housemade al pastor sauce and a unique, tasty pineapple coleslaw served on mini brioche buns.

The Kennedy Rooftop Igloos are available  Monday-Thursday at 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm; Friday-Saturday at 5pm, 7 pm, and 9pm; and Sunday at 4pm and 6pm. For reservations, click here.

At River North’s rooftop IO Godfrey, 127 W. Huron, you can enjoy items from their Celebrate Menu as WAGYU SLIDERS & FRIES  with bacon jam and blue cheese, served with your choice of truffle or sweet potato fries. CHICKEN SATAY is marinated with hot peppers and served with Thai peanut & Japanese Bbq sauce.

Small igloos accommodate up to 8 people, and admission is “one bottle from the Celebrate Menu.” Okay! The minimum for a large igloo, accommodating up to 10 people, is $750. Igloos are only available for a two-hour window and fully close by midnight, and 8pm on Sundays. For reservations, click here.

Through January 25, Rudolph’s Rooftop Winter Igloos at LondonHouse Chicago, in Chicago’ s Loop, embraces the season with private, heated igloos offering an intimate escape from the city’s bustle for up to six people. Take in the city’s magnificent skyline while enjoying a chef-prepared dining menu. Guests will pre-order from an exclusive holiday cocktail menu and à la carte food menu, with a $600 food and beverage minimum required per reservation.

Among the unique offerings are their PRETZEL BOARD, with a housemade pretzel, two charcuterie meats and cheese, Bavarian butter-cheese spread, fruit preserves, mustard, pickled vegetables, and fresh fruit. Their TRUFFLE CHEESEBURGER is made with a Slagel Farms dry-aged beef patty, truffled bourbon bacon jam, English truffled cheddar, roasted tomatoes, and crispy shallots on a brioche bun. Or, try their PEPPERONI FLATBREAD with Ezzo pepperoni, fresh mozzarella and crispy basil, in a 72-hour fermented crust. Lots more available, so make your reservations soon, by clicking here.

Enjoy the cozy comfort of a winter cabin at the atrium at Harry Caray’s Tavern on Navy Pier 700 E. Grand Avenue,is transforming into Lakefront Lodge — a festive winter lodge overlooking the city and “mesmerizing, icy Lake Michigan.”  Gather your crew in Harry’s Winter Warming Hut, a private igloo tucked away on the scenic lakeside patio. 

You can order such delights as CREAMY BURRATA with roasted beets, radishes, sea salt, and extra virgin olive oil, on a crostini. TOASTED CHEESE RAVIOLI is served with marinara sauce. STUFFED MUSHROOMS has spinach, parmesan cheese, and a balsamic glaze. Harry’s longtime specialty, CHICKEN VESUVIO is a can’t-miss with garlic and white wine sauce. 

Designed for up to 10 guests, it features patio games, a private firepit perfect for making s’mores, and full food and drink service. The space can be booked for 90 minutes for $100, and reservations can be made by clicking here. 

Though it’s not advertised on their website, Jefferson Park’s Colletti’s Dining & Banquets, 5707 N. Central Avenue,  has a distinctive igloo outside their location. A secret for the 75 year old, family-owned Italian ristorante? You’ll have to call them for details at  (773) 270-8197 or collettisrestaurant@gmail.com! A call to the restaurant was unanswered.

In the meantime, enjoy appetizers like ZUCCHINI FRITTI, with freshly sliced, lightly coated zucchini fried crisp, served with ranch dip. JR’S CHEESE BINGS, hand-breaded mozzarella cheese served with tomato basil dip. BRUSCHETTA CAPRESE, capped with fresh mozzarella. ESCARGOTS EN CROUTE are served with garlic butter and mushroom caps, while BANG BANG SHRIMP has crispy shrimps tossed in a sweet and spicy Thai chili sauce. The huge menu offers lots of options in their dinner and lunch entrees for every palate. For reservations, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago