You don't have to book a weekend in Wisconsin, Colorado or Switzerland to enjoy a cozy evening of ski resort-inspired dining. At River North restaurant Chalet, executive chef Louie Yu (formerly of Sunda) oversees a menu of comfort food that's meant to warm diners up after a long day on the slopes—or a walk through Chicago on a chilly winter day. What better excuse to eat a smash burger made with a wagyu-bison blend, a hearty charcuterie board or duck confit poutine?
Guests can sit down at tables in the brick- and wood-lined space, where skis hang on the wall and a custom icicle chandelier is suspended from the ceiling. Cocktails like a smoked Old Fashioned or an Aprés-tini may seem like good options for staying toasty, but there's also a pair of boozy slushies on the menu if you need to cool down. And yes, of course there's a ski lift chair where you can sit down and snap a photo, but please leave your skis at home.