Some restaurants go to great lengths for a scenic view, such as the coffee shop onboard the International Space Station and the diner balancing atop the Washington Monument. Dine with a splendid view and no threat of tipping with today's Groupon: for $30, you get $60 worth of steaks, scallops, salads, and more at Cité, located downtown on the 70th floor of Lake Point Tower. This Groupon is valid toward the chef's tasting menu but not toward Sunday brunch.
Cité offers an unbeatable one-two punch: a panoramic 360-degree view of the Chicago skyline and lakefront and finely crafted steak and seafood dishes. Chef Oscar Ornelas has worked with some of the world's most renowned chefs, including France's Claude Bernard. Start with a delectable appetizer, such as crab-stuffed gnocchi ($13) or escargot François ($14). Entrees include filet mignon ($40), prime New York strip au poivre ($45), and butter-poached Maine lobster (market price). Herbivores can have the tasting of vegetables, a medley of goat-cheese-stuffed portabella, grape tomatoes, and seasonal selections ($26).
Several signature cocktails, such as the hybrid sangria margarita and the ginger-infused cosmopolitan, can enhance Cité's breathtaking views of Navy Pier, Lake Shore Drive, and Michigan's 875-foot-tall statue of Bruce Lee. With its stunning views, crisp white tablecloths, and plushy seating, Cité is a superb spot for a romantic or gigantic dinner. Reservations are required.
Cité
Guests at Cité bask in a 360-degree view of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, and Chicago—along with an eye-level view of summer fireworks—from the 70th floor of Lake Point Tower. But that shouldn't distract from what's on the tables there. Chef Oscar Ornelas creates dishes worthy of the adventurous space. Cured salmon pulls in an unexpected splash of yuzu vinaigrette, and tempura-battered apples and dried cherries add some hint of the forest to Berkshire pork. And the wine menu, which spans the New and Old World, provides another reason to linger over the skyline vista.