Wednesday, September 30, 2009

WHAT TO DO WHEN VISITING CHICAGO

My best bud Adolfo works for a TV news station in Austin and his night news anchor is headed to Chicago this weekend. Adolfo asked me to make him a list of best restaurants, attractions, nightlife, etc. What to do when visiting Chicago by KSLATZ:


FOOD
  • Best Chicago Style Pizza = Gino's East or Lou Malnati's
  • Best Steak = Gibson's is a Chicago institution in the River North area, The Gage across from Millennium Park, Chicago Chop House, Rib Eye at Peterino's on State Street
  • Best Brunch = Jane's is located off the beaten path in the Bucktown neighborhood - Courtland and Ashland.
  • Wishbone is good for southern style breakfast and is located near Oprah's Studio in the West Loop - you can also head to the Oprah Gift Store which very popular with the "little lady."
  • South loop hosts two great breakfast joints - Yolk and 11-City Diner.
  • In the River North you should should try Rockit, order city's best Kobe burger with brie cheese and truffle fries
  • Italian = Little Italy is home to many great restaurants: Tuscany, Rosebud, RoSals - Pompeii for inexpensive greatness - Taylor Street between Halsted and Ashland
  • Osteria Via Stato in River North...really good thin crust pizza, veal meatballs are out of this world!
  • Southern Dinner = Oprah's chef Art Smith Table 52 (make reservation early) in the Gold Coast - expensive but worth every penny...one block from my old studio!
  • High end Mexican = Frontera Grill and Topolobampo - Rick Bayless...just won Top Chef Masters with this River North staple.
  • Sheeshy/High End - Sepia in the West Loop and Spiaggia off Michigan Ave. (great views of the city) - are two of Obama's favorite places to eat on Chicago!
  • Chinese = Joy-Yees in Chinatown is awesome! Pepper Steak and bubble tea - yum yum! For dim sum - The Phoenix.
  • Greek Town is awesome...I like Greek Islands for inexpensive and Athena for high end...Athena offers a great outdoor patio. Order your own saganaki to start - flaming cheese...Op-aaaah!
  • Hot Dogs = Chicago is known for its tasty dogs...and they don"t do the whole street cart thing! Hot Dougs - way off the beaten path - in West Lakeview has been written up in MANY luxury magazines throughout the country for it diverse menu of unique hot dog selections/creations. Portillos is my favorite local dog/beef place - in the River North
  • Italian Beef - Al's Italian Beef in River North or Little Italy.
  • French Bistro - Bistro Zinc in River North, an adorable restaurant and GREAT food!
  • Best fast, quick bites, chain = Corner Bakery...I heart their chicken salad with apples and walnuts - yummy!

ATTRACTIONS
  • Go to Millennium Park - it's amazing, one of a kind park with so much to offer
  • Art Institute is a world-class institution that recently opened a new wing that is connected to Millennium Park
  • For the Adventurous = Bobby's Bike Hike Tours - featuring a new Obama tour through Hyde Park
  • Walk along Lake Michigan, walk through all of Grant Park and take pictures at the Buckingham Fountain - easy and beautiful recreation.
  • Chicago Architecture Foundation offers the best tours..boat, walking, trolley, bus - main location is at Jackson and Michigan Ave - The Loop.
  • Go see Wrigley Field - the oldest national league baseball park, located at Clark and Addison, Wrigleyville...tours on weekends throughout the summer, check website
  • Pilsen - Latin neighborhood has an emerging Art Gallery scene and awesome authentic Mexican restaurants
  • Two stunningly beautiful glass domes in the Chicago Cultural Center which has a visitor information center, free exhibits - Randolph and Michigan Ave
  • Take a tour of the Chicago Theatre! The have them on Saturday mornings on State Street and the Chicago River...really cool is you like legendary theatre/music people
  • Check out the Water Tower free photo exhibit - it takes 2 minutes to walk through - very unique setting for a photo exhibit - Chicago and Michigan Ave
  • Take a ride around the Loop and watch all of the architectural greatness on the Brown Line of the Chicago's famed 'L'
  • Chicago enthusiasts should head over to Lincoln Park and check out the Chicago History Museum to educate yourself on how Chicago got to be the amazing city it is today!

SHOPPING
  • Michigan Ave is known for the big box department stores and major chain stores
  • Oak Street has Barneys New York and a selection of boutiques and spas.
  • State Street, between Congress and the River, hosts the best department store in the city: Marshall Fields - now housing Macy's - look for the Tiffany Dome mosaic ceiling over the make-up section
  • Lincoln Park boutiques = Armitage Ave. - Armitage and Halsted..
  • The newest hot spot for boutique shops is Bucktown/Wicker Park = Daman, Division, North Ave, Milwaukee Ave
  • Lakeview/Wrigleyville = Rock alternative, t-shirts, leather, unique stores - The Alley is the hub/main store - Belmont and Clark
  • Oldtown = Wells street between North Ave and Division - for men's clothes go to Haberdash!

NIGHTLIFE
  • Jazz - Andy's Jazz in River North, Green Dolphin in Bucktown
  • Rock - Double Door in Bucktown, Metro in Wrigelyville.
  • Most tourists head to Rush and Division Street for a plethora of nightlife options
  • River North and West Loop offers an ever changing scene of clubs and sports bars
  • Oldtown hosts Second City Comedy...buy tickets in advance - many of the famed Saturday Night Live! cast members started here: Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Dan Akroyd etc.
  • House of Blues and 10-Pin Bowling Alley are a cool option between, River North and the Loop
  • Have cocktails at the Trump Hotel, bar at the Peninsula Hotel

THEATRE
  • Goodman - State and Randolph, hit or miss dramas in the Loop
  • Steppenwolf - my favorite...award winning smaller theatre company - dramas/live theatrical greatness in Lincoln Park...Pulitzer prize winning August of Osage County started here...
  • Broadway in Chicago...if you like the big musical touring from Broadway- Jersey Boys is open run still - I think - State Street.
  • Lookingglass Theatre - North Michigan Ave for hit or miss dramas by you favorite "Friend" David Schwimmer.

Website: www.metromix.com, choosechicago.com, explorechicago.com

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