Nordstrom   

55 E Grand Ave # 1
Chicago, IL 60611
312-464-1515
www.shop.nordstrom.com

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For some people, shopping isn't just a leisurely activity, it's an athletic event. And like all physical activities, you can really work up an appetite comparing prices and trying on shirt after shirt. Luckily, the folks at Nordstrom have anticipated your needs. Nestled in the corner of the fourth floor of the Nordstrom department store at the shops at North Bridge, Caf Nordstrom provides shopping fuel in a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere. The mellow earth tones of brown, beige and green provide a backdrop for the hidden treasures of the restaurant, which include a variety of glass oil lamps filled with fruits and flowers for sale.Signature dishes such as the Tuscan roast salmon with roasted vegetables and the daily Chef's Marketplace (called "specials" at most places) are complemented with salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven, and the popular paninis. The dining room, with its muted southern view, is spacious but seating is limited. Lunchtime lines snake out the door and into the clothing racks, but the line moves quickly, and the host usually serves pieces of bread or muffins while you wait. So whether you're just browsing or really power shopping, put down your bags and eat something. -- Josh Berner