Oak Tree Restaurant

312-985-0176

900 N Michigan Ave 6th Fl Chicago, IL 60611

chicago.citysearch.com

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Revamped Mag Mile delivers exquisite atmosphere and fresh breads daily

Categories:

Bakeries, Restaurants, Diners, Traditional American Restaurants, Soup Restaurants

Details:

Breakfast, Lunch Spot, $, Breakfast, Business Breakfast, Carry Out, Family-Friendly Dining, Local Favorite, View Dining, Open 7 Days

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Daily 7:30am-5pm

Message from Oak Tree Restaurant

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Oak Tree Restaurant is a Mag Mile mainstay in Chicago that just had a facelift in 2008, so it no longer works country kitchen kitsch quite the way it used to. These days, you can expect a more modern, cosmopolitan design and a fresh color scheme of apricots, blues and pale greens. The menu includes longtime bestsellers such as the popular Chin Chin and warm duck breast salads, plus newer additions like grilled cheese sandwiches stuffed with artisan cheeses. The all-day breakfast menu at Oak Tree Restaurant offers fancier new fare, including brioche French toast with warm bananas, alongside standbys such as pancakes, omelets and waffles. There's also a retail bakery where you can grab scones, muffins, breads and other baked goods. Visit Chicago's Oak Tree Restaurant today for American cuisine at its best.

Editorial by Citysearch

In Short
Diehard fans of the old Oak Tree might lament the dispatching of the twiggy chandeliers, the tromp l'oeil branches, the painted murals-everyone else will rejoice in the contemporary, airy atmosphere, perfect for mid-shopping fuel. The menu follows accordingly, featuring new salads, like a bracing Tuna Nicoise, in addition to favorites from the old restaurant: The Chinn Chinn, a seemingly dated composition of lettuces, rice noodles, mandarin slices, almond slivers and chopped chicken. Breakfast items, like waffles and chocolate-studded pancakes, are also big sellers.

Key Points

  • Fresh breads & soups every day
  • Enjoy Tea at the Tree
  • To-go Sandwiches

The Inside Scoop

  1. Where to Sit - The counter service is excellent, but the absolute best seat in the house is the four-top on the south side, closest to Michigan Avenue.
  2. When to Go - Avoid prime lunch time right after noon. Retail workers, shoppers and just about everybody else dashes for a table. Late afternoon is ideal.
  3. Know Before You Go - Harried shoppers might be disappointed to discover there is no alcohol on the premise.
  4. The Extras - The "bakery" in the title refers to a take-out counter hawking oven fresh scones, breads, cookies and tarts--all available at your table, too.
  5. Parking - Your options are limited to expensive garages. It's the Gold Coast, and they didn't pick the name up for being thrifty.
  6. Parking - It ain't cheap, but you can get validated parking in the 900 North Michigan lot at the rate of $11 for three hours.
  7. Where to Sit - Shoot for a table near the Michigan Avenue windows--it's bright, cheery and perfect for lunch.

Editorial and merchant content by Citysearch

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Latest reviews from Citysearch.

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After shopping, YOU MUST EAT HERE!

by irelandgirl

I had an wonderful dining experience at Oak Tree! A few girlfriends and I needed a bite to eat after an intense day of shopping. We were so impressed with the amazing design of the Oak Tree we decided to stop there after finishing up at the 900 Shops location. The view of the water was breathtaking. Our food was amazing; I had an excellent salad and a fresh piece of bread to compliment it. The girls and I are already talking about going back!

Pros: Excellent food "with a view"

Posted 09/21/09

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Beautiful place for lunch

by EllieB

I was really impressed when my friend took me to Oak Tree after shopping. The view was AMAZING. I tried the Endive & Roquefort salad. It had candied pecans, pears, and a balsamic vinaigrette. The portion was nice and large - I like big salads. The bread was fantastic and baked fresh. I will definitely be back to try some of the brunch things, too.

Pros: delicious food

Posted 09/21/09

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Fresh! Delicious!

by amyjreviews

I always have a great experience when I go to Oak Tree. The fresh bakes bread varieties are amazing, and the assortment of salads have something tasty for everyone. I can't wait to go back for brunch. A few of my friends went last week and said it was delicious. Oak tree is a definite stop if you're near the 900 Shops and you're the slightest bit hungry.

Pros: amazing assortment of breads, salads and tasty decor

Cons: parking can be troublesome, but it is after all chicago.

Posted 09/21/09

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Worst customer service experience ever

by Fashionjem

I have come to this place for brunch numerous times and things have always been alright. I came in on a Saturday early afternoon, and the place is not at all crowded. Our server, Jamie, abruptly took our order. I got the spinach omelette's and substituted the cottage cheese for the potatotes (the waitress said no problem). Then when our food came out, I was given a small side of fruit instead of the cheese, so I asked the bus boy who brought the food out for my cottage cheese. 5 minutes our waitress finally comes over to ask how things are when she notices I have a fruit and cottage cheese side. She tells me she is sorry about the mix up, that I could keep the fruit for an extra charge of $1.75 or I could give it back. I have never heard of a restaurant screwing up the order and then asking for the small side back or for a charge. I ask to speak to the manager, and the waitress said she would take care of that. So no word from the waitress on her discussion with the manager (which she rudely did a few booths down from us). We finally get handed the bill to have an extra charge of $1.75 tagged on. I am not cheap, but to be charged for the kitchen or wait staff's mistake is ridiculous. We then ask to see the manager who completely ignores my request to have the charge removed. She rolled her eyes at me, and told me she didn't care that I would never return again. I am a frequent restaurant goer, and this was the most upsetting customer service experience I have ever encountered.

Cons: worst service, rude waittress, mediocre food

Posted 09/07/09

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Refused to seat us

by nickpr

The two of us arrived for lunch and told it would be a few minutes. Then we proceeded to watch as they sat everyone who arrived after us and completely ignore us. After waiting for a bit - we just left as it became clear that we did not have their "priority" as a mixed race duo that day. Shocking to be honest!

Posted 02/27/09

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Great brunch

by leleynka

Great place to go for brunch. Great decor, fast service, view can't be beat and the food is awesome!

Pros: Food, service, view

Posted 07/28/07

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Oak Treat

by rudyyantz

This is one of the best values in the city. Everything I've ordered from the extensive and ecclectic menu has been excellent and the service is always friendly and quick. There is no where else in the city that I caan think of where you can command such a great view and eat so well while not spending much more than ten dollars.

Pros: Good value, Great service, Extensive menu

Posted 03/25/04

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Service w/an attitude

by eknewt

When we complained about waiting for our food for 40 minutes since the order was taken, the hostess became hostile and argumentative. It was apparent to us that the waitress didn't put our order in until about 20 minutes after we placed it. Instead of apologizing, the hostess preferred to insist that we had not, in fact, been waiting that long. I won't be going back.

Pros: FOOD

Posted 03/14/04

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What a Find!

by abfliege

The Oak Tree is really a great treasure. They serve a fairly traditional breakfast/brunch/lunch menu, but everything on the menu has a little bit of a twist or a little more flair than most restaurants. The decor is adorable too, and it's usually not as crowded as some of the trendier spots around town. Overall, I would say the Oak Room is great little known secret!

Pros: Good food, great ambiance, something different

Posted 08/20/02

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