Flanked by tourist-attracting heavyweights like the John Hancock and the Drake, Mrs. Park's Tavern manages to stand tall in its own way. It's a slice of American pie amidst the swirl of Magnificent Mile shoppers and out-of-town guests staying at the glut of local hotels. More restaurant than tavern, Mrs. Park's offers a traditional bistro menu of casual, American fare with just enough flare to appeal to diners with sophisticated taste buds.

While the menu changes frequently, it retains favorites like the 10-ounce burger and the chicken Thai salad. The versatile menu includes a spectrum of choices, yet the one-page list is short enough to make decisions easy for any sized appetite. For just the right amount of wine with dinner, order it by the half bottle.

The bistro's colonial vibe is played out in red, white and blue, but the crisp white tablecloths and well-trained staff make it sleek enough to meet this swanky part of town's high standards. Attached to the Doubletree, Mrs. Park’s Tavern gets its fair share of hotel patrons and Gold Coast locals, which usually means an older and more refined crowd. Just a step away from Michigan Avenue, the outdoor patio ensures you'll be doing some of the best people-watching in the city.

The bar, open until midnight on weeknights and 1 a.m. on the weekends, is almost always occupied with a handful of regulars or lonely guests. For a more intimate after-dinner martini, cross the hotel lobby to the dimmer, candlelit Down Bar, which has the same menu and a quieter setting.

Centerstage Reviewer: Lauren Ziel