Does anyone know how to get reservations or bypass the line to eat at the Walnut Room at Marshall Fields in Chicago? Last year our concierge got us a pass to go to the head of the line. Is this the only way this can be done?

You can call and make reservations, but they do not accept them during November and December.

I was not aware that concierges could get passes - that's good info. If you're looking to go during the holiday season, that is your best bet.

Otherwise, eat at an off time. I was able to eat a late breakfast a couple years ago the weekend of the light festival with no wait at all. A late lunch would probably work as well.

I agree, because there are no reservations and IMHO they do not move quickly here either. After seating we waiting 1/2 hour for the order to be taken last year. And we went early- about 11am or 11:15.

Food is ok, but we have decided that for us- we would rather just view the tree from the 7th or 8th floors and then eat elsewhere. But it is a tradition.

After Dec. 8-10 weekend I'll be able to tell Fodorites if the turnover has affected the entire decoration or environs yet.

We visited Chicago last year the 2nd week of December - Mon-Thur and had the whole city to ourselves! No lines anywhere! Ate at the Walnut room for lunch right next to the tree, went to see Christmas Carol - great seats, ice-skated at Millenium Park, ate brunch at American Girl - saw their Christmas show, no lines! It's a great time to visit the city for the holidays if you can get away during the week. Oh - and hotel rates....Omni @ $65/night (priceline)

Honestly, I think the Walnut room is over-rated. I have fond memories of going there with my Grandmother as a child, but I don't think it is worth the wait, especially during the madness of the Holidays.... on a side-note, have any locals seen the windows this year? I'm not all that impressed with them.

That's exactly what I've heard, Vittrad.

For someone like me who remembers an entire floor devoted to the North Pole and Cozy Cloud Cottage plus so much more, I do think that the piddling "down" has been occurring more with every year, and that this year's Cinderella? is especially piddled.

You guys are making me feel better, since we probably won't make it to Chicago at all during the Christmas season this year.

Shame on all of you! Soon there will be no more Marshall Field's and that is horrible. It will be interesting to see if they keep the Walnut Room and MF traditions.You should boycott the place and join thousands of real Chicagoans who are not planning to go there when they become Macy's.

They aren't Macy's yet, and my father and several other relatives have worked at Marshall Fields. I know that past years are not nearly how it was in the 1950's or 1960's and even into the decades after those. I don't think it is disloyal to say that changes have occurred when they have. The changes in the decoration aren't half of what they were before the first sale of the store and group.

Now after Macy's comes in! Probably won't be worth going to at all, I'm sure- but as long as the Fields name is up, I'll be there to see what they've done for the Holidays.

And I am a real Chicagoan. And over a half century ago I went to employee Christmas parties when it took over an hour to view Cozy Cloud Cottage and Santa's village BEFORE you got into the room to relate to Sants what you wanted for Christmas. It was a maze of an entire floor with elves, Mrs. Klaus, Uncle Mistletoe and all kinds of other characters greeting and talking to you along the way.

I also consider myself a "real chicagoan" whatever that is supposed to mean, and I'm none to thrilled about this Macy's ordeal, but they aren't Macy's yet.

Sometimes, it's just better to go for a look-see and enjoy a nice meal someplace that's not so popular and mobbed all the time.

We really enjoyed the Atwood Cafe, right across the street, enormously.