Marshall Field's Walnut Room is back — and it's as magical as ever
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The Walnut Room. Photo: Moyo Adeolu/Axios
One of Chicago's most enduring holiday traditions is leaning into history with a new name — and this beloved dining experience does just that.
The big picture: This year, Macy's honored its predecessor by renaming its seventh-floor restaurant The Marshall Field's Walnut Room.
- Perhaps this will assuage the many die-hard Chicagoans who still call the State Street store Marshall Field's rather than by its New York owner's name.
Flashback: Marshall Field's opened in 1907 with the Walnut Room (then called the South Grill Room), becoming the first department store to include a restaurant.
- Macy's bought the store in 2005 and renamed it the following year.
The vibe: The room feels magical and certainly gets you into the holiday spirit.
- A 45-foot-tall Christmas tree is decorated with green, blue and clock ornaments.
- Fairies prance around, granting wishes to those in need of some holiday cheer.
- Frango chocolates are available for purchase about everywhere you look.
Best bites: The menu features cocktails, shareables and desserts like chocolate fudge cake.
Here's what I tried from the Field's Favorites menu:
- Gruvi Bubbly Rosé non-alcoholic holiday drink ($8) and a hot chocolate ($10).
- Mrs. Hering's 1890 Original Chicken Pot Pie ($16) and asiago-crusted chicken ($20).
- Frango mint chocolate ice cream pie ($10).
💭 My thought bubble: As a lifelong Chicagoan who had never experienced this tradition, I was relieved to snag a table on opening day. If you need a break from shopping or you're looking for something uniquely Chicago, Walnut Room is actually worth the hype.
If you go: This holiday dining experience is open now through Jan. 11. Reserve a table — it books up fast.
- In addition the the regular menu, a breakfast buffet is also available depending on the time of day.
Go deeper: Step inside The Marshall Field's Walnut Room