Activity: Benihana

Want to have a great time at a restaurant with your kids? Then, Benihana is the place for you!

The Japanese-inspired restaurant features table-side chefs who cook on a hibachi grill with flair, fire, and knives.

Most importantly, the food is really good! Everyone in our party enjoyed the meal....with the kids begging for "seconds."

No iPads, iPhones, or any technology needed!



Noteworthy:

• The tables seat 8-9 people each, so we went with another family and had a "semi-private" feel with our own table.
• Kids are given menus that turn into Benihana hats, and our kids wore them with pride.
• The restaurant is loud, so don't plan on conversing with anyone other than the person directly next to you.
• While the ambiance of the restaurant has little to offer, the entertainment more than makes up for it!

Age Recommendations:All Ages
We had kids a variety of ages and all of them had a great time and stayed entertained throughout the meal.

Cost Savings:
Their website has promotions you can view here.

Location/Transportation:
With their location at the base of the John Hancock Center (or whatever they are calling it now), the restaurant is easy to access via trains and buses (though we ended up using SpotHero).

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
The kids can't wait to go back and honestly, neither can we!!

Activity: SafeHouse "Spy" Restaurant

The SafeHouse is a unique restaurant downtown with a spy theme and we had so much fun.

We won't provide many details, as it is much better to experience in person (no spoilers below, don't worry).

The restaurant does a great job of playing up the spy theme, including: finding the store front*, providing a password to enter (or perform a series of tests if you don't know it), and an optional scavenger hunt option while you await your meal.

We decided to create our own clues for the kids to figure out how to the restaurant. It was easy and a lot of fun - we were immediately in "spy mode" and used the train and walk to get fully into character before arriving at the restaurant.

Noteworthy:

• The food is similar to bar food (and adult beverages are a-plenty) - burgers, fries.
• Kids meals come in fun containers with more "spy" work opportunities.
• There is a photo booth where you can send a photo / postcard from anywhere in the world.  We couldn't get our older son out of the booth, he loved it so much.
• In the women's restroom there is a surprise for people who pull down the hat covering the sexy door.
• A magician visits the table and he is great with the kids (and magic)!  Have a few dollars handy for a tip. 
• Leaving is fun -- you'll need a dollar or credit card handy.
• Reservations are recommended.

Age Recommendation: 5-14
My 5 and 7 year olds loved it - they have asked to go back.
Our friends have kids in grade 3, 5, and 8 - they all have asked to return to the restaurant too!

Location/Transportation:
SafeHouse is located in the River North neighborhood, making it easy to access from Red Line Grand stop.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
The boys had a blast and can not wait to go back.


*the name SafeHouse is nowhere to be seen on the exterior/from the street.