If you get hungry while shopping on the Magnficent Mile and the last thing you want is a fast-food meal, turn to King Cafe at the 900 Shops. Restaurant master Joe King of Le Colonial has taken the former Corner Bakery stand and turned it into a slick kiosk with plenty of gourmet fare. The spot is placed between the escalators at the Michigan Avenue entrance, giving a warm welcome to shoppers and passersby looking to quench their thirsts and fill their bellies.

Open two hours before the stores in the mall open, King Cafe serves breakfast items such as the ham and egg sandwich ($6) with nueske ham and roasted red peppers. The smoked salmon sandwich ($8) will also wake up taste buds, served on an onion bagel with sliced tomatoes and caper cream cheese. Around lunchtime, cups or bowls of soup are also on offer, like the vegan-friendly roasted tomato and fennel or the butternut squash. And if you're tired of the same old salads, the berry and blue ($6) will add some color to your greens with strawberries, maytag blue cheese, candied pecans and sherry vinaigrette. But the main attraction is the Maine lobster roll ($15), featuring chunks of fresh lobster mixed in King's secret recipe on a grilled roll.

King Cafe also offers a kids' menu that includes PB & J ($3) and a grilled American cheese panini ($3). Seating is available, but if you're really in a hurry, grab something quick like a jumbo cookie, muffin, plantain or some Lant Scandinavian chips.

Centerstage Reviewer: Janis Mabalay