The Story
Tucked behind Foodlife in Water Tower Place, Mity Nice Bar & Grill was Lettuce Entertain You's take on a 1940s-style American grill. While tourists crowded the more visible food hall, savvy Chicagoans slipped into Mity Nice for proper sit-down service, signature martinis with hand-stuffed olives, and a menu of comfort classics.
For 27 years, Mity Nice served shoppers, business lunchers, and Michigan Avenue wanderers seeking refuge from the Magnificent Mile chaos. The grilled steaks, fresh pastas, and what many called 'Chicago's best burgers' kept the place humming.
In June 2020, both Mity Nice and Foodlife announced permanent closures. The pandemic had devastated foot traffic on the Magnificent Mile, and Water Tower Place would never fully recover. The mall lost Macy's, lost the restaurants, and struggled to find its identity in a post-COVID world.
🍽 Signature Dishes
Considered by regulars to be among the best in the city
Hand-stuffed olives and classic technique in a throwback setting
Comfort food elevated with quality ingredients
💡 Did You Know?
- Mity Nice was hidden behind Foodlife - many mall visitors never knew it existed
- Foodlife, which closed simultaneously, was Chicago's first food hall
- Water Tower Place lost its anchor Macy's tenant around the same time
👤 Notable People
🏙 What's There Now
Water Tower Place still searching for new tenants; the space may be repurposed
Original Address: 835 N. Michigan Ave. (Water Tower Place), Chicago, IL 60611