The newest venture from Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group (HCRG), Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch and the Chicago Sports Museum, opens April 2. The 23,000-square-foot venue anchors Level 7 of Chicago's Water Tower Place.
Developed as a sports restaurant for discriminating diners, Harry Caray’s newest spot combines food & beverage with entertainment, private event spaces, and retail. This is the restaurant group’s seventh restaurant, all located in the Windy City.
The menu, developed by HCRG Corporate executive chef Joe Rosetti, features American comfort food delivered with a modern spin. Burgers, a mainstay, include the signature Holy Cow, topped with candied Applewood smoked bacon, aged gouda, lettuce, tomato, and Harry’s Steak Sauce, served on a Brioche bun; the Blue, prepared with Vermont blue cheese, heirloom tomato, baby arugula, fresh basil, and bacon onion jam, layered on a pretzel roll; and the Heater, heightened with pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, and chipotle aioli, served on a Brioche bun.
Fresh salads include Brussels Sprouts, combined with shredded cabbage, dates, almonds, bacon lardons, goat cheese fritters, and topped with a mustard vinaigrette; and a Chopped BLT, layering iceberg lettuce, vine ripened tomatoes, Applewood smoked bacon, crispy onion strings, and chives, topped with Black River blue cheese dressing.
Oven-fired pizzas, first-course offerings, hand-cut fries and onion rings, sandwiches, and hand-dipped milkshakes round out the menu. The bar will serve a wide selection of local craft beers, Chicago-inspired cocktails—Harry’s Bloody Mary blends Absolute Peppar Vodka, Zing-Zang Bloody Mary mix, pickle juice, and a lemon wedge–and a curated wine list.
Designed by Barker/Nestor Architecture + Design, the 250-seat restaurant and 60-seat bar are an anthem to all things sports. The walls are decorated with photographs from Harry Caray’s private collection as well as authentic sports memorabilia, while HDTVs throughout the dining room and bar will be tuned in to major sporting events.
For the not-so avid sport fans, floor-to-ceiling windows offer impressive city views. The interior is designed as homage to Chicago’s historic Water Tower, and features decorative metal work detailing, Edison bulbs, steel piping, and concrete.
The 8,000-square-foot Chicago Sports Museum, adjacent to the restaurant and also owned by HCRG, is promoted as an event space for up to 700, as well as a place to explore the legends and lore of Chicago sports, fusing hi-tech interactive experiences with sports memorabilia.
By Joann Whitcher
