Chicago Restaurants Get Ready For NATO, G-8 Summits

Chicago restaurants are gearing up to welcome the illustrious world leaders attending the 38th G-8 Summit in May. The Illinois Restaurant Association is spearheading the program, called Chicago Culinary Crossroads, and they already have 50 restaurants on board.

Details about the participating restaurants are yet to be announced, however Grant DePorter, chief executive of Harry Caray's Restaurants, told the Chicago Sun-Times yesterday that he's planning to translate his menus into the national languages of the representative G-8 countries. Other restaurants will add a number of internationally inspired dishes to their menus, to be offered from May 1-25. 

The summit, which will take place May 19-21, is expected to draw up to 15,000 people, from delegates to visitors alike. The Illinois Restaurant Association hopes that Chicago Culinary Crossroads will give Chicagoans a chance to celebrate and showcase international cuisines.