Can Chicago lovers help? Anniversary trip at the Whitehall hotel!

[jodifla]

Ok, so we used our must-use-by-March points for an anniversary trip to the Whitehall Hotel in Chicago. It's our 20th anniversary, so it's a big one.

We'll have about 48 child-free hours.

Where should we eat? What kinds of things should we try to see?

TIA!

[mamaprincess]

Wow, congratulations! There are to many great restaraunts to list but if you are looking for a Victoria and Alberts experience, you should try Charlie Trotters. It is outstanding. You could google it. For an amazing view and fine dining, you could try the signature room on top of the John Hancock Building. You should stroll down the magnificent mile (Michigan avenue) and stop in the shops. There is a really fabulous tea that I will have to get back to you about with dates and location. You could visit the amazing Shedd-Aquarium. You could also take in a play at one of the many great venues. I'll get back to you and let you know whats playing and where.

[mamaprincess]

Here are some links to the places I've mentioned!:wizard:

http://www.theatreinchicago.com/
http://www.signatureroom.com/
http://www.charlietrotters.com/restaurant/
http://collaboratory.nunet.net/museums/pages.cfm

This is the link for the tea that I mentioned, click on the Ritz-Carlton.
http://chicago.citysearch.com/roundup/39272

[Horace Horsecollar]

Chicago is one of the world's great cities, with great dining, culture, architecture, museums, and shopping. You could spend a week and only scratch the surface, so it's a good idea to do some research before spending your 48 hours.

The links from mamaprincess are very good. Also add "Choose Chicago" at http://www.choosechicago.com/ to the list. It's the official Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau website.

Unless you're very lucky, Chicago will be quite cold between now and the end of March.

In addition to excellent (and expensive) gourmet food, Chicago is also known for terrific "blue collar" food, such as Chicago-style pizza (my favorite is Gino's East), Chicago hot dogs (Vienna beef with all sorts of toppings), and Italian beef sandwiches.

The Chicago Art Institute is one of the world's great art museums.

As a live theater town, Chicago is only behind New York and Los Angeles in the United States. If you plan ahead, you can get tickets to everything from big Broadway musicals in magnificent theaters to cutting edge dramas and comedies by theater companies such Steppenwolf and Goodman. If you prefer the flexibility of waiting until the last minute, you can buy half-price (plus a service charge) tickets through Hot Tix at http://www.hottix.org/, but your selection will be limited to shows that aren't selling out at full price.

[mamaprincess]

Chicago is also known for terrific "blue collar" food, such as Chicago-style pizza (my favorite is Gino's East

YUM!!! When I was a teen, I used to work at the one on Superior!!! I used to live off of that pizza, I love the cornmeal crust!:goodvibes It's a fun and busy place.


To the OP:

If you like Piano bars with a Rat Pack style atmosphere try Jilly's Piano Bar for a really fun night.

http://centerstage.net/music/clubs/jillys-piano-bar.html

[El&Asmom]

Wicked tickets are half price many nights for Tuesday-Friday shows. I believe this is through Feb/March. If you go to ticketmaster.com the promotion is WINTER. It is a must see show.

The other links are also great.

Have fun. We're celebrating our 10 year anniversary downtown next week with a stay at the old House of Blues hotel and seeing Wicked.

[mamaprincess]

Oprah's chef (Art) has a restaraunt called Table Fifty-Two, that is listed as one of Chicago's top 10 restaraunts. He apparently really does chef there and does come out into the restaraunt area to greet guests!

Read about it here:

http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/45648986/chicago_il/table_fifty_two.html

Table Fifty-Two's Website:

http://www.tablefifty-two.com/

[eva]

The Midwest Headquarters for the company I work for is located Downtown on Wacker Drive. I usually stay at the Omni on Michigan Avenue. So the majority of my favorites are either on or right off of Michigan. For a bistro type atmosphere I love the Grand Lux Cafe (http://www.grandluxcafe.com/). I love their martinis there. And they are right in the middle of the action on Michigan Avenue. Be sure to look up when trying to locate the restaurant. They are located on the top floor of the building. For Italian I would choose Rosebud's (http://www.rosebudrestaurants.com/). With the right table it can be very romantic. And for great seafood try McCormick & Schmick's(http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/). YUM! For a chain restaurant, this restaurant can be pretty romantic and you can request a private dining room too. To see a llisting of most any restaurant in Chicago try http://www.chicagorestaurants.com/ .

[White_Sox_Fan]

I guess it depends on what you like to do. You are about a mile from the loop, which is where most of the theater is. You will be at the north end of the "Mag Mile" if you like shopping. Navy Pier has food and entertainment, although in April the outdoor portion can be dicey. Millennium Park is nice, go see "The Bean" sculpture. A lot of good museums and the the Art Institute.

Do a little research and find things that fit your interest. There is definitely plenty to see and do.

[Figment2]

Check out Chicago Tours. There are a lot of different ones including an architecture tour (although I think you spend a lot of time outside in this one which could be a mistake if it's cold).

For mexican, I love LALOS which is on North LaSalle (500 I believe)and I would choose Maggianos over Rosebud for Italian. Grand Luxe Cafe has wonderful food but it gets very busy and does not take reservations.

BroadwayinChicago.com will give you the shows in town during your stay. Jersey Boys just extended so I know it will be here.

Cyn

[jodifla]

wow, thanks for the great suggestions!

Anyone have a favorite Irish bar? I went to one in downtown Chicago the one time I was there. It was within walking distance of the Chicago Tribune building. It was big, lots of wood, old, a couple of stories. They served food, too.

Any idea which one that was, or do you have a favorite of your own?

[mamaprincess]

Try these out downtown Irish pubs out:

D-4 is upscale and more subdued.
http://www.centerstagechicago.com/bars/d4.html
http://www.d4pub.com/

This is Fado which is my reccomendation. You can take a 3-D, 360 degree tour of it on their website (second link):
http://www.centerstagechicago.com/music/clubs/fado.html
http://www.fadoirishpub.com/chicago/

Kerryman (the crowds a little young)
http://www.centerstagechicago.com/bars/kerryman.html
http://www.thekerrymanchicago.com/

[jodifla]

Try these out downtown Irish pubs out:

D-4 is upscale and more subdued.
http://www.centerstagechicago.com/bars/d4.html
http://www.d4pub.com/

This is Fado which is my reccomendation. You can take a 3-D, 360 degree tour of it on their website (second link):
http://www.centerstagechicago.com/music/clubs/fado.html
http://www.fadoirishpub.com/chicago/

Kerryman (the crowds a little young)
http://www.centerstagechicago.com/bars/kerryman.html
http://www.thekerrymanchicago.com/

I think we went to Fado's. The pictures look familiar.

Thanks!

[dkostel]

If you're on Michigan Ave, don't eat at the Signature Room in the Hancock, it is expensive and just alright, but do go for cocktails on the 96th floor. You'll save money (althought the cocktails are pricey) and get the great view. Then you can eat someplace better for less. My favorite in the area is Carmines - great homestyle Italian.

And El&Asmom thanks for the wicked tip. I didn't know about it & have been wanting to go!

[mamaprincess]

If you're on Michigan Ave, don't eat at the Signature Room in the Hancock, it is expensive and just alright, but do go for cocktails on the 96th floor. You'll save money (althought the cocktails are pricey) and get the great view.

And El&Asmom thanks for the wicked tip. I didn't know about it & have been wanting to go!

I agree completely. The view is the thing not neccesarily the food.

Wicked would be a great choice also. Awesome show!

[princessvacg]

I work at the Tribune. I think you are talking about Houlihans right over the river. It is in Illinois Center. Check out metromix.com (chicago) and it will give you details of everything that is going on in Chicago, plays, concerts, restuarants, bars, etc. It is and awesome site and you can plan for everything!!

[living la vida mickey]

If you can get tickets to Jersey Boys at the LaSalle Bank Theater - don't miss it.

The absolute best food, great ambience and view and wonderful waitstaff is found at Everest. It's at One Financial Plaza. You'll need to cab it since it's right off LaSalle Street in the loop but it's definitely worth it. We were just there on the 29th and had a superb meal. It's the place we go for very, very special occasions.

[carrieb]

I would definitely second checking out metromix as a source for what's going on when you're here.

Since your hotel is at the North end of Michigan I'd like to suggest Spiaggia - I'm not sure what your budget is - the restaurant is pretty expensive but the Cafe may be a good option. Here's the link:
http://www.levyrestaurants.com/Levy/DiningExperiences/Restaurants/Group2/Spiaggia.htm

If you feel like cabbing it down to the South end of the Loop - I can whole-heartedly recommend Custom House.
I am a vegetarian, my partner eats meat and we always leave there very happy. (Plus - if you let them know you're celebrating a special event they usually provide a little edible gift with your meal). Here's the link:
http://www.customhouse.cc/

Enjoy your time!

[goldilocks_63]

subscibing to Chicago thread.

Giving me ideas....

Goldi

[jodifla]

:wave: I work at the Tribune. I think you are talking about Houlihans right over the river. It is in Illinois Center. Check out metromix.com (chicago) and it will give you details of everything that is going on in Chicago, plays, concerts, restuarants, bars, etc. It is and awesome site and you can plan for everything!!

:wave: :wave: I worked for the Trib company for many years....Hope you are surviving the Zell takeover.

Thanks for the metromix link!

[jodifla]

I work at the Tribune. I think you are talking about Houlihans right over the river. It is in Illinois Center. Check out metromix.com (chicago) and it will give you details of everything that is going on in Chicago, plays, concerts, restuarants, bars, etc. It is and awesome site and you can plan for everything!!

double post

[jrbarnes]

Alot depends upon what you are looking for. Romantic?? Full Chicago Feel etc...

However, one of our favs is Shaw's crab house. I know there are probably lots of better seafood places out there, but we just really enjoy this one. We have never had a bad meal there.

[jodifla]

I would definitely second checking out metromix as a source for what's going on when you're here.

Since your hotel is at the North end of Michigan I'd like to suggest Spiaggia - I'm not sure what your budget is - the restaurant is pretty expensive but the Cafe may be a good option. Here's the link:
http://www.levyrestaurants.com/Levy/DiningExperiences/Restaurants/Group2/Spiaggia.htm

If you feel like cabbing it down to the South end of the Loop - I can whole-heartedly recommend Custom House.
I am a vegetarian, my partner eats meat and we always leave there very happy. (Plus - if you let them know you're celebrating a special event they usually provide a little edible gift with your meal). Here's the link:
http://www.customhouse.cc/

Enjoy your time!

Wow, the Custome House looks neat! First one does too, but probably out of our price range!

[princessvacg]

:wave:

:wave: :wave: I worked for the Trib company for many years....Hope you are surviving the Zell takeover.

Thanks for the metromix link!

Only time will tell!! I think it will be fine. He is pretty wild!! Not sure if you heard the press conference or not, but he called the sale, "The transaction from hell." Where did you work??