Perfect Pairing: Italian Cuisine & Broadway Bliss in Chicago

The main event of our quick trip to the Windy City was seeing Les Misérables, our favorite musical. This was our first time experiencing Chicago’s Theater District, and we were impressed. The area was clean, well-maintained, and easy to navigate, making for a stress-free evening.

For convenience, we stayed at the Cambria Hotel, located right in the Theater District (I’ll link my post about our stay). Staying close made everything so much easier, as we could walk everywhere with no hassle.

Dinner at Petterino’s

To make the night even more seamless, we chose a restaurant nearby that accepted reservations: Petterino’s, a classic Italian spot just a four-minute walk from the Cadillac Palace Theater. Our dinner reservation was at 4:45 PM, giving us plenty of time before the 7:00 PM show. I wasn’t sure how much time we’d need, so I built in a cushion just in case. Turns out, service at Petterino’s was fast—which is always a plus when dining before a show.

Petterino’s makes their sauces and pasta fresh daily, and the quality definitely showed. We ordered:

Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken – Creamy, rich, and perfectly cooked.

Fettuccine with Mushrooms – This dish featured a porcini cream sauce, spinach, wild mushrooms, and parmesan. It was deliciously earthy and satisfying.

With our meal wrapped up efficiently, we arrived at the theater around 6:15 PM, which gave us plenty of time to browse the merchandise and take in the stunning interior of Cadillac Palace Theater.

Cadillac Palace Theater: A Gorgeous Venue

Originally constructed in 1926, the Cadillac Palace Theater is a breathtaking space with intricate architecture and elegant decor. Arriving early gave us the chance to explore and truly appreciate its beauty before settling into our seats in the Dress Circle section.

One small word of caution—while these seats offered an excellent view, the women’s restroom on this level was quite small. If you’re planning to enjoy a beverage during the show, be strategic! We barely made it back before the second act began due to the long intermission line.

A Perfect Pairing

With an amazing meal at Petterino’s and an unforgettable performance of Les Misérables at Cadillac Palace Theater, our evening in Chicago’s Theater District was truly magical. The combination of a great restaurant, a short and easy walk, and a stunning theater made for a smooth and enjoyable experience. If you’re planning a theater night in Chicago, this pairing is a perfect choice!