Mom and little me would ride the El from the suburbs to the Windy City during the Christmas holidays. We'd gawk at the world-famous Field's window displays, each window artistically and luxuriously designed with animated holiday scenes......like winter wonderlands. I was so thrilled.
Then we'd have lunch in Field's tea room where most of the lady diners indeed wore hats. I always ordered the equally-famous Field's Salad which was essentially today's Chef's Salad, but with their own special dressing. The rolls, desserts and everything else was so delicious.....but of course, everything tasted better when you were a kid.
Even Milk Duds.
Leni
The Marshall Field in Chicago is still a great place to spend the day. I make a point of having brunch with my wife in the Walnut Room when we go to Chicago on business. You know it's a good place when you ask if they have Veuve Cliquot and the waitress answers "Of course!"
My wife and I take our mothers to the Zodiac Room at Neiman's on Mothers' Day. That little demitasse of chicken broth and opovers with strawberry butter...