We celebrated my daughter's 10 th birthday this week.  It was her first trip to Chicago and  the American Girl Place.  She got her first bitty baby when she was 3 and purchased her most recent American Girl after saving up a year ago.  The cafe is a must with the beautiful ambiance for little girls.  The staff at the cafe were wonderful providing high chairs for the dolls, hair ties for the girls and lovely Christmas decorations for the season.  The cafe reminded me of stepping into a little girls dollhouse.  I would recommend lunch or tea since it is more affordable.  Take some time to go through the book/library area.  We enjoyed sitting and reading for about 30 minutes..  Have some fun and get the dolls ears pierced or hair done!  After five hours of girl fun, we give the AG Place  5 stars!
Review Source:OMG.... Is this place for real. It is a whole freakin' doll underworld. WOWZA.
We went here as a group because the visiting guests had to buy doll things. This place is two stories. It has a beauty salon where the girl and her doll can get matching hair-dos. They are extremely overpriced. And it is way more than just a doll, this doll can have the same hair and eye color and then matching outfits can be purchased. I am just in awe at how popular this phenomenon is! I did not see many employees. Weird. Busy place.
My daughter screamed uncontrollably when I surprised her to a visit at the cafe.  We made the reservations over the phone and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful.  We booked a birthday dinner for my daughter ($34) where she received a very pretty cake, a tiara for  her and her doll and of course the staff singing Happy Birthday.  There were two dinner seatings to choose from 530 or 730.  When we walked into the restaurant we were amazed.  It really looks like a dream - gorgeous pink, white and black decorations.  It feels just right for a young girl to experience a fine dining atmosphere!  Sophisticated for a little girl.  The servers were amazing.  The napkin ring holders served as a pony tail holder that we could take home with us, and they put some table topic conversation starters on the table which my son and daughter both loved.  (Of course, you could purchase the game and any of the other goodies right outside the store when your meal was over).  The dolls sit in little chairs right at the table, and they have dolls that you can borrow if you don't have one!  So cute!  There is even a place to put your doll in the bathroom so she can go with you!  Aweee.....  Now, here's where it gets rough - the food is gross.  You start off with hot Cinnamon buns (yeah, we have a winner), then a plate of crudites (carrots, celery and some horrible dip).  The main course you can order a salad (choose the salad), pizza, fish, or a chicken dinner.  I opted for chicken.  It looked like it had Italian dressing poured all over it.  Will I go back! Yes, but not to eat!  My kids didn't even like the pizza (veggie, cheese or pep).  But, I would go back for tea time or a less expensive meal.  Nothing can beat the ambiance, decor and staff.  Just don't go on an empty stomach like we did!
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