We are visitng Chicago for Thanksgiving and looking for a pre-theatre brunch suggestion for Sun. Nov. 27. The play is at 2 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre, which is at 24 W. Randolph (State St.). We had hoped to have brunch at the Berghoff, but they are closed on Sundays. We will have our 2 teenagers with us, so we need some pretty conventional food. They are well behaved and we wouldn't mind a buffet brunch at one of the big hotels, or a nice plated brunch. As my DH says, hey, we have to dress up for the play, we might as well go some place nice. We want to stay no more than 15-20 min. walk from the theatre. Is there reasonable parking somewhere closer than Grant St.? Thanks Fodorites!

Take a look at the Atwood Cafe. It is one block from the theater, and because it is in a hotel (Burnham) it is open on Sunday. Reservations recommended.

http://www.atwoodcafe.com/

Thanks Ms. Go, Is the food good at the Atwood? We don't want to go somewhere just because it is close. Any thoughts on public parking other than Grant St.?

Although downtown is bustling during the week, Sunday mornings are desolate. One place to look into is 312 Chicago, which is near LaSalle Street and Randolph. You can sometimes find street parking on Sundays by cruising south on LaSalle.

Atwood Cafe has very good food. The problem is that it is quite small.

Since your schedule is tight, be sure you have reservations wherever you go.

I love the food and the atmosphere at Atwood Cafe, that's where we ate when we saw Wicked and it is a very convenient option. You might check the menu though if you have fussy teenagers, it changes from time to time but you can get a basic idea. They typically have some sandwiches or burgers on the lunch menu. Reservations are absolutely essential and I would make them now, you can book at www.opentable.com for free

http://www.atwoodcafe.com/

The House of Blues about 3-4 blocks away has a Gospel Brunch on Sunday at either 10 or 12:30, you be pushing it to do the 12:30 seating though.

http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues...spelbrunch.asp

I had breakfast at 312 Chicago last month and the food was excellent. I think your teenagers could find something to order, the menu was varied. Very close to the theatre.

Check out the hotels, pricey but if you want brunch they won't let you down

We have brunch reservation at both 312 and Atwood Cafe. Which would you choose?

I did these exact questions last May with my female kids/grandkids.

And I had 5 on my list by the end.

It came down to 312, Atwood and Trattoria #10.

Since then I've been at all three. They are all much better than Berghoff.

I didn't get buffets at either, but I have a feeling that the younger generation may like Atwood better. It's not large, and the place is much noisier. But it's good food, especially the salads.

For ladies I like Trattoria #10 the best as it is quieter, elegant and not as dense.

I have a feeling that 312 can be very different and is more up/down with service. But on a Sunday and with a buffet- I don't know for sure.