Put aside the Macy's vs. Field's drama. Let's just take a second to acknowledge that whoever put a sports bar in the basement of whatever you want to call the store is a god-blessed genius.

Oh, yes. Buried deep in the housewares and sportswear departments is one of the most comfortable, relaxed joints in the Loop. Located steps from the much-ignored Chicago Pedway, InField's is a great place to bypass the crowds, have a drink while waiting for the other half or just avoid winter weather as you wander the subterranean maze on your way to the Metra or L.

It gets better: Drinks aren't terrifically overpriced and there are food deals to be had. Beer specials change from day to day, but you can usually find good brews like Sierra Nevada, Blue Moon and Warsteiner, in addition more standard selections like Miller Lite and Heineken. Flavored Bacardi drinks cost $2 daily (minus Limon); check out the Cali Lemonade, much like a Long Island Iced Tea but in a nice electric blue.

Load up on the all-you-can-eat pizza buffet ($7.95, includes a side salad) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. From 5-7 p.m. InField's knocks a couple bucks off appetizers on its special happy hour menu, and French fries with wasabi cream mayo costs just two bucks in the afternoon. Cheapy specials aside, try the grilled smoked turkey sandwich with bacon, jack cheese, cranberry mayo on grilled cinnamon cobblestone bread.

And if you're curious, no, it's not changing the name any time soon. InField's was a hell of a lot more clever when it was actually in Fields, but management says they're keeping the name for the sports connection: Eight flat-panel TVs ensure that your eyes don't wander far from the sporting action of the day.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Karl Klockars