Recess Chicago open its massive West Loop patio – Eater Chicago

Recesss outdoor patio in the West Loop looks like it was made to serve customers during a pandemic. The 14,500-square-foot space debuted Wednesday as patios across the city opened, allowing restaurants to serve customers on premises for the first time since mid-March. Surrounded like a childrens fortress with 30 shipping containers, the restaurant and bar has plenty of space to place tables within six feet of each other.

Management is touting the patio as the largest in Chicago. That fact isnt readily verified, but its massive space with a center structure and covering that should keep customers dry from rain. Go up either of two flights of stairs on opposite sides of the venue to additional seating on the perimeter. Theres a unique view of the city that especially looks good during sunset.

The city and state are allowing some indoor dining, provided a window or wall can open up a wall by at least 50 percent. There are a few indoor tables at Recess which are kept eight feet away from garage door windows. This is a space that has the resources to actually adhere to the citys and states novel coronavirus safety guidelines.

Staff from Atomic Hospitality (Morgan Street Manufacturing, Untitled) carefully thought out ways to reduce customer and staff anxieties. Staff wear masks, there are stations full of hand sanitizer, and the venues name is stenciled on the sidewalk marking where customers could queue. Under the current social distance-friendly configuration with tables wide apart they can fit a little under 300 customers. The spaces standing capacity normally would be around 600.

Its no longer about spreading the disease, its about liability, says Toula Georgakopoulos, Recesss event sales manager.

Large-format cocktails are available in water coolers.

Recess is booked with reservations for the weekend. For now, itll serve a bar menu. It will eventually add entrees, says Atomics COO Joe Manna. An outdoor bar will be in operation over the weekend.

Recess is keeping the government theme; the space was originally named City Hall (the event space is still using the moniker). There was a cut-out of Mayor Lori Lightfoot that greets customers at the host stand. Theres also a large-format drink that comes in a menu water cooler. Servers leave the cooler on the table allowing customers to dispense their own beverages.

It leans on the idea of government workers hanging out around a water cooler and conversing. Drinks like Rum Emanuel, Liquor License, and the Crony are available in these mini-coolers. Manna says he was surprised how popular they are, given that customers at a table may all touch the dispenser. On the other hand, fewer visits from servers could cancel out those health concerns. Recess is also employing QR Codes so customers can use their phones to view menus.

Recesss crews started work on the outdoor portion last year, as the space which is also used for private events debuted in 2019. The 2021 private event slate looks robust as the pandemic wiped out this years pushing events. While thats sad for many wedding parties, at least they wont have to wait for weekend brunch. Recess will start service this weekend.

Recess, 838 W. Kinzie Street, open at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 11 am. on weekends; closing times dependent on city curfew. Reservations available online.

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Recess Chicago open its massive West Loop patio - Eater Chicago