All Over Town ---
"Restaurants Chicago is known for its Pizza. - For Deep Dish, you want to go to o Edwardo’s (521 S Dearborn) o Giordano’s (730 N Rush, 310 E Randolph) o Lou Malnatti’s (430 N Wells) - For palatable Pizza -- thin crust o Pat’s Pizza - 3114 N. Sheffield Ave – just south of Belmont (you can take the El there– Red Line – runs along State St downtown and then along Sheffield/Sheridan) Across the street is the Vic Theater, which may have a Brew n View going (it’s a rock club – but when no one’s playing, they have “Brew n View” – 2nd/3rd run movies and Beer and Pizza. I used to live ~6 blocks north of this corner (Sheffield and Belmont) and it’s a lot of fun there, lots of great people watching. 6 blocks north is Wrigley Field (Clark and Addison, Sheffield is at the back of the ballpark – this is my old neighborhood. • If you go to the stadium office and ask nicely, they’ll let you in to see the field as long as you promise not to go on the field. It’s actually a great experience – walking into this silent old ballpark, filled with so much history, so many broken hearts – you’ll see that there is not a bad seat in the house. • In the spring/summer, come to Chicago for a game at the park – spend too much for tickets, sit back, drink watery Old Style (ick, I go for the Mai Tai’s), and enjoy the day – baseball is not the primary reason you’re there. People are the spectator sport here – that and listening to Cubs fans. Italian Beef - Italian Beef is a Chicago specialty – thinly sliced roast beef that’s been simmered in Italian spices and broth for hours, topped with lots of mozzarella (and sometimes Giardinera or with green peppers) and served on garlic bread – then the sandwich is dipped in the broth - Some will tell you that Portillo’s (100 W Ontario and various other locations) has the best Italian Beef in Chicago –. I prefer Al’s – they’re at 1079 W. Taylor St (I’ll get to Taylor St in a sec) or the one downtown is on Ontario at Wells St. Know what you want immediately, the guys that work there can be quite rude. Taylor Street – Chicago’s Little Italy. Taylor Street is filled with Restaurants. - There are the Chicago regulars o Rosebud o Tuscany, o Francesca’s (my favorite of the regulars). o But you might want to stay away from the tried and true and go for La Vita (1359 W. Taylor St), which is very good if you like Northern Italian, RoSal’s (1154 W. Taylor St.) if you like Southern Itallian/Sicilian. “Greektown” Chicago also has a “Greektown” – however, once you’ve gone to one of the Greek restaurants, you’ve been to all of them in Chicago EXCEPT Santorini (800 W. Adams St). Santorini has lots of seafood on the menu – and I’ve never had a bad meal there. Some of the others, Pegasus, Parthenon – I think they have the same menu. All restaurants are on/around Halsted south of Madison and north of Adams. Steakhouses Chicago Steakhouses, yum! (you don’t want to read the book The Jungle from 1906) - There are the usual; o Smith and Wollensky (318 N State – at the river – Marina Towers are also there – two huge corncob type condo buildings. The idea behind them is that the buildings are the suburbs being brought into the city – every apartment is all terrace. I looked at them when I was moving downtown – each apt is very dark because the terrace is probably 10 feet.), o Ruths Chris (431 N Dearborn), - but there’s also o Morton’s (you’ve probably heard of in other markets – this is the original though – 1150 N State St). - Some others that are good; o Chicago Chop House (60 W. Ontario St), o Fogo de Chao (661 N LaSalle) – yes part of a chain o Gene and Georgetti is one of the old ones (500 N Franklin). o Gibson’s (1028 N Rush St) is, I think, one of the old ones as well – my mom (who was brought up here) only talks about Gene & Georgetti (and Diamond Jim’s but that isn’t around any longer). o Harry Caray’s (33 W Kinzie) is also considered a Steakhouse – it’s filled with memorabilia – even if you don’t have dinner there you want to have a drink in the bar. Homemade potato chips are wonderful. o I’m partial to Keefer’s (20 W Kinzie) mainly because of the service not the food (though it’s good). o Lawry’s The Prime Rib (100 E Ontario) is also a Chicago classic. o Mike Ditka’s – (100 E Chestnut) a real “guy” restaurant – huge pork chops, huge steaks, you can smoke a cigar in the lounge upstairs. You may even run into Iron Mike himself. o And finally Rosebud Steakhouse is at 192 E Walton – I guess it’s an Italian Steakhouse – I’ve never been interested enough to go OldTown Restaurants Previously I told you about Topolobompo (521 N Clark). There’s also Salpicon (1252 N Wells) – a great little Gourmet Mexican restaurant in Old Town. They have a HUGE selection of tequila – tell them you like bourbon and they will bring you a glass of tequila (straight up) that you’ll really enjoy. Also in Old Town is Twin Anchors – a rickety old bar/tavern – but great barbeque (1655 N Sedgwick) – lots of celebrities that come to town end up there. Lincoln Park Restaurants Lincoln Park is one of THE neighborhoods in Chicago – it’s not like Streeterville or the Gold Coast but is close. - For restaurants it’s great – o Café Ba-ba-reeba! is Spanish Tapas (2024 N Halsted) – it’s close to Armitage which is another good shopping area of Chicago. o BOKA (1729 N Halsted) I love – and not just because it’s close to the theater I have a subscription to – it’s really a very good restaurant – it’s New American (?) – very fresh ingredients. o Charlie Trotter’s is in Lincoln Park as well – I’ve never been but word is it’s phenomenal (816 W Armitage). o North Pond is another gem – it’s hidden in Lincoln Park (2610 N Cannon Dr) and is just wonderful – the chef only uses the freshest ingredients, the inside is all arts & crafts style, great wine list, great view of downtown Chicago. Michigan Ave/Magnificent Mile Restaurants around N Michigan Ave can be pretty touristy – however, there are a couple good ones. - Heaven on Seven is on the 2nd floor behind 600 N Michigan – at Ohio and Rush there is a Movie Theater entrance. Take the escalator up and there is Heaven on Seven – it’s a Cajun restaurant and is delicious. The Mojito’s are to die for and I don’t drink those! But there, I can down 3, 4 and not even know it (til I stand up). - For lunch, you want the Billy Goat Tavern – on Lower Michigan at Illinois Street (431 N Lower Michigan Ave). On Michigan Ave you will see stairways – they’re not to the subway, but to “Lower Chicago.” The Billy Goat is literally a hole in the wall – but the burgers there are so good. No fries. No coke, pepsi (yes, it’s that Billy Goat Tavern). Finally, some “others” … - Crofton’s on Wells – I first went to this restaurant years ago and fell in love with it. It was the first time I’d ever had venison and, I’ve since determined, the only place around that can prepare it well. It’s New American – and just great. I can’t say I’ve ever had a meal there I haven’t loved. 535 N Wells. - Green Door Tavern – is an old Speakeasy – 678 N Orleans St. - Ann Sather (929 W Belmont or 5207 N Clark) is a Swedish café – wonderful cinnamon rolls, and delicious noodles/meatballs – actually everything there is delicious. - Reza’s (432 W Ontario, 5255 N Clark) has great Middle Eastern food – if you are vegetarian you will love it. I’m not vegetarian but I still love it (they have meat – lamb, beef, poultry, fish – on the menu). - Atwood Café (1 W Washington St – across the street from Macy’s) is a great lunch stop – but you want to make sure you have reservations as it is a very popular business lunch locale. It’s a little like entering Alice in Wonderland – but very comfortable. The daytime manager is hysterical. Chicago Happenings/Things to Do The Green Mill is an old SpeakEasy and is still going strong as a Jazz Club. They also have Poetry Slam evenings. http://www.greenmilljazz.com/ Frank Lloyd Wright Walking Tour – 951 Chicago Ave, Oak Park – or the Frederick E Robie House Tour – 5757 S Woodlawn, Chicago The Untouchables Tour – 600 N Clark – a bus tour that takes you around to all the old gangster sites – where they lived, died (Valentine’s Day Massacre), etc. This is by bus and will be easier than walking in the cold for 2 hours – but if you’re up for it – go on the … Historic Skyscraper Tour – Starts at 224 S Michigan Ave Millennium Park – 55 N Michigan Ave – I call it Daley’s Fiasco. It was originally supposed to cost pennies in comparison, by the time it was done, it was $300MM. There’s a huge silver jelly bean, an amphitheater with a huge steel bow… it’s actually a beautiful spot in the center of the city. I walk through sometimes on my way to work. The Lurie Garden is a garden of natural grasses, wildflowers, there are the Crown Fountains (I think they’re called) – with pictures of people in Chicago, various sculptures and artwork and promenades, the ice rink in the winter, the restaurant there is really good – I’ve never seen it overly crowded so you might want to check it out. www.millenniumpark.org Museum Campus ~1400 S Lake Shore Drive – The Field Museum (home of Sue, the dinosaur), Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium. Behind the 3 museums is the lakefront and a gorgeous view of downtown Chicago. Walk south of Shedd Aquarium (south of 12th St Beach) and you get into Northerly Island – the old Meigs Field (the old airport that Daley didn’t like). Northerly is now all wild flowers, etc. You can walk through and see the 3 angels as well – years ago, when it was still Meigs Field, there was a plane crash and 3, I think Kellogg’s execs, were killed. Kellogg (either the company or the B-School) had 3 large cast iron angels sculpted in remembrance. You’ll also see the giant commode which is part of Museum Campus – Soldier’s Field. Art Institute – 111 S Michigan – anything and everything to do with art that you can think of, I think is at Art Institute –a huge Art museum that they’re busy building a new wing on. I like it especially during the summer – they have a courtyard restaurant that’s a great lunch place. Museum of Science and Industry – 5700 S Lake Shore Drive Water Tower – not Water Tower Mall – 806 N Michigan Ave. This was one of the only buildings left standing in downtown Chicago after the great fire. While you’re around Michigan Ave you can check out the bridge at ~Michigan and Wacker, the Wrigley Building which is just a breathtaking building – white, stately, so elegant, and the Tribune Tower across the street (rather gothic) 2nd City Comedy Club – currently they’re doing “Between Barack and a Hard Place” – but the shows are always changing. This is where Jim Belushi, Dan Akroyd, Bill Murray, et all came from – 1616 N Wells Navy Pier – Navy Pier is Chicago’s SouthStreet Seaport but much better – there’s a huge ferris wheel, mini-golf, a beer garden, a winter garden, a children’s museum, a Shakespeare Theater in the round, an Imax Theater – They may have fireworks depending on the time of year - on Saturday night. They also have some good restaurants there – Riva has very good seafood and is a great site to see the Fireworks from. I used to take International Clients there – the comment was always the same “this place is like my picture of America – a huge party” as well as first dates to see how they reacted to the ferris wheel when I made them go on. Later I also liked the reactions to the garden upstairs from the Kids Museum – water shoots across the path-ways – this one guy that I’d pretty much decided no more of completely surprised me by explaining to me – in English (not engineerese as usual) – how the whole thing was put together. If you like theater, I would go to the Goodman or to Steppenwolf – Goodman is 151 N Dearborn, Steppenwolf is 1560 N Halsted (www.steppenwolf.org, http://www.goodman-theatre.org/) Both are a little experimental – Steppenwolf is much more known to the world. John Malkovich, Kathryn Erbe (Law & Order CI), John Mahoney, Laurie Metcalf – are all Steppenwolf ensemble players. Alright I’ll be honest – the Goodman is much more out there than is Steppenwolf. Two friends of mine separately have subscriptions – when I hear their descriptions of the plays, I’m always amazed that the theater gets away with it. My friends are surprised that they still have subscriptions – but the conversation aspect is worth it. Macy’s as written about previously – The Walnut Room is on the 7th floor – call soon to make reservations for brunch on Sat or Sun morning (111 N State – 312-781-1000). For generations, Grandmas and Moms have taken their daughters to Marshall Field’s (Macy’s) to eat in the Walnut Room – and families have come during Christmas time and eaten around the magnificent Christmas Tree. My mom wants to go every year when she comes out – her grandmother and her mother used to take her. If they don’t have reservations (my recollection is they don’t) then send someone over at 8 or 8:15 am to wait in line – you can get there up to ½ hour later and be seated. If you like Chocolate, you’ll want to pick up some Frangos – another Chicago specialty. Go down to the basement of the store to the Frangos shop so you can choose which kind you want – from original (chocolate and mint) to dark chocolate to chocolate caramel flavored, etc. Hotels Wyndham Chicago – my brother stayed there when he came out one time with his girlfriend. Took me completely by surprise – if you like the big chains than this is worth it and inexpensive ($129/night). It’s close to NW Hospital so the rooms are large (wheel chair access), it’s quiet, and close by everything in the center of the city. 633 N St Clair. Chicago Hyatt – the Pritzker’s live in Chicago so this is one of their biggest. 151 E Wacker Dr, You’ll get better rates by going to www.chicagohyatt.com than by calling their 800 number. Also, if you can, get a room facing North and higher up – that will give you a beautiful view of the city. (The New East Side buildings are probably the best views Chicago offers in the downtown areas) Swissotel – is another hotel that can offer great views if you get a north facing room. Can be pricey though – 323 E Wacker. Tremont Hotel – a small, quiet hotel at 100 E Chestnut (Mike Ditka’s is the restaurant). Palmer House Hilton – 17 E Monroe – this hotel has been there since 1876 or thereabouts – it was built after the Chicago Fire. Rooms are a little small but what a grand interior to this place – even if you don’t stay there you want to go inside and wander around. Seneca Hotel – my uncle and his family stayed there once – he really liked it but has never been able to get a “deal” there again – 200 E Chestnut – Hotel Monaco – 225 N Wabash (at Wacker) – one of the Kimpton Hotels – a boutique hotel. They seem to take good care of you there (I’ve been for business meetings, but that’s it). Rooms facing north … Hotel Burnham – 1 W Washington – another Kimpton Hotel – this one has, from what I hear, small rooms, but is very comfortable. Drake Hotel – 140 E Walton – this is one of the grand old hotels of Chicago. It’s been there forever. Rooms facing south and/or east I think will give you a view. Westin – 909 N Michigan Ave – just North of the John Hancock Building. Marriott – 540 N Michigan Ave – it’s a huge hotel, not like the usual Marriotts meaning, this one seems like a nice hotel. Courtyard Chicago – 165 E Ontario – right AT Michigan Ave I believe Inn of Chicago – used to be part of the Best Western line I think (I stayed there once on business years ago before I lived here – it’s pretty nice) 162 E Ohio – right at Michigan Ave. Omni Chicago – I keep recommending that people stay here because it looks like such a nice place! 676 N Michigan (at Huron) Conrad Chicago – 521 N Rush St – right behind Michigan Ave AND part of one of the Malls on Michigan Ave (Nordstrom is the anchor).
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