Please help with good Italian restaurant in downtown for next weekend. Rooms reserved at the Radisson - any comments? Any suggestions for family Christmas things to do - how about Navy Pier? Will it be too cold for "southerners" to get out and about? Thank you

It won't be too cold for you as long as you bundle up! Not too sure what the weather will be like then, today it's a blizzard and tomorrow very cold. I would suggest you go to the Christkringlemart (not sure if that's spelled correctly) at Daly Plaza for a German style outdoor Christmas market with lots of crafts, ornaments, food and music. About 80% of the vendors are actually from Germany. Would also suggest going to Lincoln Park Zoo at night to see the lights. Since I don't get into the city as often as I would like to eat, I'll leave the Italian restaurants to others - although I've heard good things about Mia Francesca. Have fun!

There are several good Italian places near downtown-Italian Village at 71 W. Monroe (312-332-7005), La Rosetta at 70 W. Madison (312-332-9500) and Scoozi at 410 W. Huron (312-943-5900). I would recommend reservations for all three on the weekend. You can see descriptions of all 3 at www.metromix.com. Mia Francesca also has a good reputation but it's a good distance from downtown.

Navy Pier usually has family activities around the holidays. Go to www.navypier.com for more info.

The Musuem of Science and Industry has Christmas Around the World, a display of Christmas trees from different countries.

The Christkindlmarket is at Daley Plaza, 55 W. Randolph St. and is very close to the Marshall Field's store on State St. where they always decorate the windows for Christmas. This year the theme is Harry Potter.

Lincoln Park Zoo has the zoo lights festival, I think it might be after the regular zoo hours are over.

The Field Musuem currently has a lot of exhibits that would appeal to kids although none are Christmas related. There's a Star Wars exhibit, Sue, an exhibit on the Endurance (first ship that tried to cross Antarctica), Kremlin Gold.

To: Southerners...we'll be in Chicago (but) over Christmas, and also staying at the Radisson.

Friends highly recommended Maggiano's Little Italy, 516 N. Clark. It's not your typical chain, and most people say to order two entrees for every three people! I'm told, portions are BIG!

THANKS to Kim and Kris for their excellent posting replies -- I finally figured out how to copy from this site! So I'll bring along your suggestions.

Ahhhhh. Maggiano's. I've heard some complaints about it being too commercial but I've never heard about anybody going away hungry!

The in-laws are Italian and the 4 of them that have had a meal there still go back when they are in town.
Good location, too.

And the bakery next door...I can't wait to go back!

For a really fun time - if you're willing to take the El - the Music Box Theatre has a Christmas sing-a-long Dec. 21-24 - they have Santa and an organist directing carols - and everyone sings along before they start the movie White Christmas - it is a tradition with us - the theatre is near Wrigley Field area - on Southport - and there are three really great italian restaurants near there - Tuscany's on Clark, Red Tomato on Southport and Strega Nona on Southport (right by the threatre) - musicboxtheatre.com

Rosebud Cafe in Little Italy is good "homestyle" Italian--nothing fancy, huge portions, yummy. The Italian Village is an institution in Chicago as is Gene and Georgetti's. Lots of snow right now, O'Hare has been closed for a while and another storm due in tomorrow. Good luck!

Rosebud...

You won't be disappointed

If you want chic and upscale I'd suggest Bice. It's near the Hancock Tower. The street is eluding me at the moment. Reservations were essential the last time we went there.