Alfresco eating and drinking | Waterfront

Estate Ultra Bar

Photo: Clayton Hauck

Estate Ultra Bar
There’s a chef making lobster mac and cheese topped with crumbled Goldfish crackers and a bartender mixing up Wild Turkey, Cardamaro amaro, egg white, maple syrup and lemon, and calling it Whiskey for Breakfast. But the reason to go to Estate—the reason this space has lived on in public memory since its days as Life’s Too Short—is its practically on-top-of-the-river location. Until the roof deck opens later this summer, the best bet is the riverside terrace, illuminated with rope lighting and lanterns. 1177 N Elston Ave (312-582-4777). Terrace open now.—Julia Kramer

Caffé Oliva
The people who brought you the Dock on Montrose Beach are opening another summer-only lakeside eatery, this time on Ohio Street Beach and with an Italian bent. Expect grilled calamari, flatbread pizzas, salads and seafood specials, and a focus on wine from Italy, France, Spain, Chile and Argentina. The patio seats 130, including cabanas. Ohio Street Beach. Opens Friday 25, pending city inspections.—Laura Baginski