OT-Chicago

JohnEggGio

ksmyrl said:

Oh yeah. The lobby of The Palmer House hotel was happening. Huge bar with really cool old school decor. 

Love The Palmer House - stayed there 2 years ago when my wife ran the marathon.  Beautiful, classic hotel.

Bill_Swerski

so much to do, it's really hard to pick.  the restaurant scene here is really off the charts.  Lou Malnati's is definitely the tops for deep dish, and you can't go wrong with Bavette's.   assuming you have that on your calendar, I would recommend a couple spots for lunch / brunch.  

Au Cheval.  Unfortunately they don't take reservations, so if you want to do brunch there, you'll need to get there early and wait outside.  totally worth it though.

Summer House.  Great brunch / lunch spot, especially on a sunny day.

For things to do, Millennium park is also pretty cool.  The Second City suggestion is a good one.  The museums around here are pretty awesome too, if you're up for that (in order of most to least convenient, it would be the Art Institute, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry - my personal favorite).

I haven't done the architecture tour in probably 10 years.  I would just say that it's pretty late in the year for that.  sitting still on a boat moving down the river is going to make things feel way colder than the weather forecast would advertise.  If you insist on doing it, I would advise you to dress for weather 20 degrees colder than you expect.  Much better to take off gloves or shed a layer than to sit there shivering and miserable.

wbthomas

Former college roommate lives in old town and the wife and I go visit a couple times a year.  I've always been partial to Pequod's for chicago deep dish, but all of them in TT are great.  
I have to 2nd @20stone on swinging by the Spice House.  I at least walk by every time I'm there to just get a smell. 
I haven't had Kuma's, but Au Cheval has a great burger and marrow app, but be there before the doors open or you won't get a seat.
Last time we were there, he took us to Cafe Ba-BA-Reeba for Tapas and they were excellent. 
Drinks at the top of the J.Parker and Cindy's I recommend as well. 

 

stonewh

My buddy came through and got us a reservation at Bavettes for one night, the plan is to get our name on the list at Lou Malnatis (and wait) another night, so still up in the air for the other. We land shortly after 8 so are thinking we may try our luck at Girl and the Goat, we are fine with the bar if that is all available. He also recommended us going to 3 Arts Club Cafe for brunch one day, if anyone is familiar with that. We aren't really the type that likes an itinerary so will probably be winging it during the days. We will be adding Kaiser Tiger to the list for a beer too, maybe some curling. 

erniemcclain

1.  Brown Bag Seafood Company.  2. Eataly.

RRP

ksmyrl said:

Oh yeah. The lobby of The Palmer House hotel was happening. Huge bar with really cool old school decor. 

For nearly 11 years I worked downstate Illinois for a bank with corp HQ down in the loop on Monroe. The first Monday of each month I had to attend a 9:00 meeting. I would drive up Sunday afternoon and stay at the Palmer House. Then that evening I would enjoy a nice steak dinner at that old school steak house on the company dime of course. 

gdenby

"Last time we were there, he took us to Cafe Ba-BA-Reeba for Tapas and they were excellent."

Indeed they are. Went with a dozen people, and by the end the small plates pt left us 3/4ths mobile.

saluki2007

stonewh said:

My buddy came through and got us a reservation at Bavettes for one night, the plan is to get our name on the list at Lou Malnatis (and wait) another night, so still up in the air for the other. We land shortly after 8 so are thinking we may try our luck at Girl and the Goat, we are fine with the bar if that is all available. He also recommended us going to 3 Arts Club Cafe for brunch one day, if anyone is familiar with that. We aren't really the type that likes an itinerary so will probably be winging it during the days. We will be adding Kaiser Tiger to the list for a beer too, maybe some curling. 

Kaiser Tiger is a good spot too.  The Bacon Grenades are killer.

xfire_ATX

+1 on Lou Malnattis- its my favorite.

Nice restaurants I have thoroughly enjoyed are-

Rosebud Steakhouse- i had the best meatloaf I have ever had here.
http://www.rosebudrestaurants.com/restaurant/rosebud-steakhouse/

Volare- very good fine dining
volarerestaurant.com

I am always there for work so I usually get to enjoy fine dining on someone elses dime.... but I never really have time to wander around.

A_Smalltown_Egg

Focker said:

Anyone dine at Alinea?

Our Lift driver to Revolution was a chef at Gibson's.  Was a fun ride picking his gray matter in the backseat.

We fit 6 in a prius cab barhopping.  Being the big guy, I was gifted shotgun, 4 in the back. Lol

I was at Alinea once with a visiting French winemaker, on his dime as a bonus. It was pretty spectacular.  The good is incredibly unique, interesting and delicious.  Service is spot on through out.  The wine pairings were fun and perfect.  They do not miss a beat from the time you pull up until you get into your car and I mean that literally...it was a vicious snow storm when we were there and without even having to mention my car by the time we left it was pulled up, warmed up and all of the windows cleaned.  All that being said, while I absolutely loved it and consider it one of the best dining experiences I have had I had no urge to go there again on any sort of a regular basis while places like Trotter's (when it was there), Naha, Tru I wanted to go to frequently.

Focker

A_Smalltown_Egg said:

Focker said:

Anyone dine at Alinea?

Our Lift driver to Revolution was a chef at Gibson's.  Was a fun ride picking his gray matter in the backseat.

We fit 6 in a prius cab barhopping.  Being the big guy, I was gifted shotgun, 4 in the back. Lol

I was at Alinea once with a visiting French winemaker, on his dime as a bonus. It was pretty spectacular.  The good is incredibly unique, interesting and delicious.  Service is spot on through out.  The wine pairings were fun and perfect.  They do not miss a beat from the time you pull up until you get into your car and I mean that literally...it was a vicious snow storm when we were there and without even having to mention my car by the time we left it was pulled up, warmed up and all of the windows cleaned.  All that being said, while I absolutely loved it and consider it one of the best dining experiences I have had I had no urge to go there again on any sort of a regular basis while places like Trotter's (when it was there), Naha, Tru I wanted to go to frequently.

Thank you.
That is kind of what I imagined, a one stop check off the "list" memorable spot.

APND02

If you’re willing to spend, Chicago Cut is my favorite steak restaurant on this planet. 

Focker

Two of the gals I work with are from Chicago, and moved here recently.  Ones Hispanic 80 year old grandmother adored Frontera, thought that was as solid as a review could get.

Found out frozen Home Run Inn pies are $5.99 at the Silvis, IL Wally World.  May have to toss one or two in the egg for fun.  Need to try the Little Village fresh stuff though.

RRP

Focker said:

Found out frozen Home Run Inn pies are $5.99 at the Silvis, IL Wally World.  May have to toss one or two in the egg for fun.

After I retired 12 years ago I got hooked on the personal size Home Run Inn pizzas for an occasional lunch. They are not bad for a frozen small pizza and quite reasonable in price. Give a couple a try - not sure why I got off of them actually LOL!

Focker

RRP said:

Focker said:

Found out frozen Home Run Inn pies are $5.99 at the Silvis, IL Wally World.  May have to toss one or two in the egg for fun.

After I retired 12 years ago I got hooked on the personal size Home Run Inn pizzas for an occasional lunch. They are not bad for a frozen small pizza and quite reasonable in price. Give a couple a try - not sure why I got off of them actually LOL!

Thanks buddy.  I do go slummin' for frozen pies on occasion, as they are quick and efficient at filling pieholes, with ice cream following. 

20stone

(sigh)

I can understand the appeal of a ready snack, but when Chicago restaurant and bar tips descend into personal frozen pizzas, I have to say "FFS, STOP!"

Instead of seeing th OP in my minds eye convivially sharing a Lou Malnatis pie and pitcher of beer with friends, as one should in a city as friendly and ripe for fun as Chicago, I now imagine him holed up in a Quality Inn in Naperville sitting on his bed alone in his underwear watching bad cable while slowly but steadily working his way through a case of personal pizzas Leaving Las Vegas style until coronary disease dims whatever light was left in his eyes. 

Chicago is a fun city. Go out instead. 

Focker

I descended to the lowly Southside for $5.88.
Brunch did not suck.  QC passed.

Foghorn

I’m in Chicago now. Hit Eatily 2 days ago.  Had dinner at 7 Lions (dined with locals who suggested it) and went to Hamilton last night.  Now at the airport to fly to New York.  Good times. 

Only problematic part was a working dinner 2 nights ago where a filet mignon was turned to pot roast.  Not good pot roast.  

Overall good trip.

And for those who are going, picking up some Garrett's popcorn is a worthwhile endeavor.