Best Alfresco Dining in Chicago

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A city beachscape

From a three-tier deck, patrons at Oak Street Beachstro (left) soak up a beautiful lakeside scene: the regal Drake Hotel, the towering John Hancock Building and an elbow-shape beach with silky sand, rippling water and buff bodies.

Though portions are generous, you pay for the views, so don't expect cheap burgers and dogs. Quesadillas, crab cakes, salads and pizza appetizers ring up $6-$18. Burgers and sandwiches run $7-$15 (add $3 for fries and a watermelon slice). Kids' meals run $5. Entrees include steaks, seafood, ribs and pasta ($15-$30), plus live lobsters nightly for $25 each.

At noon, Oak Street Beachstro satisfies sunbathers and families. Come sundown, the place is a romantic date spot and moonlit party palace. Beachgoers stay hydrated at all hours with milk shakes, sodas, beers ($6-$8), wines sold by the glass and bottle ($8-$90), cocktails and frozen fruit concoctions.

Oak Street Beachstro, Oak Street Beach, 1000 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago (312/915-4100).