As temperatures plummet, the prospect of outdoor dining in Chicago starts to feel less and less appealing. But soon, Chicago diners will be able to shelter from the cold all winter long when a village of yurts—a.k.a. heated, covered tents—pops up at Swift & Sons in Fulton Market this month.
Part of a nationwide outdoor dining experience hosted by Resy and American Express, the Yurt Village will set up shop outside of the Fulton Market steakhouse and a host of other restaurants in cities across the country. Unlike similar outdoor dining enclosures (like the translucent igloos, domes and greenhouses that have cropped up around town), the yurts take a more wintery approach to the dining experience, with pine garlands, fuzzy blankets and other cozy touches decorating the tents. An Alpine-inspired prix-fixe menu, including a smoked trout tartlet, spinach and ricotta gnocchi and chocolate soufflé, completes the après-ski experience. Up to six diners can fit in the largest yurts, though a variety of sizes will be available for smaller parties.
Before you rush to book a spot, know there's a small catch: The $85 reservations are only available for folks with American Express cards. Reservations are available from December 18 through February 28, so you've got plenty of time to mull over the decision if yurt dining has you thinking about opening a new credit card account.
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