food and drink, parks
Transport yourself and a few friends to this relatively unknown little haven, an intimate cafe in a vintage and no longer used U.S. Coast Guard building on the edge of Jackson Park. The Marina Cafe overlooks lovely Jackson Harbor in Lake Michigan. It's quiet and oh-so-pleasant to be there. Eating outdoors is the key and the seating has been increased to make this more feasible.
The cafe itself is a work in progress. The food is simple but perfectly good. I've only been there for lunch and when we recently 
tried to order 
crab cakes
or pecan and brazil nut crusted shrimp as appetizers we found that they, having just arrived on the premises, would be ready for dinner. It's very casual here and you should be in the same frame of mind to enjoy this special experience.
The menu offers quite a few choices of sandwiches and salads. A friend of ours from the South proclaimed the po-boy the best ever. Entrees include grilled salmon with fruit salsa, red snapper with pico de gallo and catfish with chicken and sausage jambalya. There are vegetarian offerings and a kids menu. Beer and wine and some cocktails are available. Singrid Jackson, the chef and general manager says the martinis are terrific. She hopes live music will be possible in July.
Directions, etc: Take Lake Shore Drive to Hayes Drive at 6400 South. The turnoff is to your left and traffic lights mark the intersection. Proceed ahead to the parking lot. You'll see a large fieldhouse to the left. Ignore that and park as far south as possible, taking the path south as well, and keeping alert for speeding cyclists who won't be expecting you. You're aiming for the white clapboard building a short distance ahead where you'll see signs.
It's a must to bring a jacket or wrap since lake breezes can be much cooler here. It could be a fine refuge on a hot summer day.
Also, you can bike. That's how we found it in the first place. Hours are Tues.-Sat. 11-10 and Sun. 11-7.
Marina Cafe, 6401 S. Coast Guard Dr. 773.947.0400. Open in the summer only
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