It's mainly for work - theater district. user15000 was nice enough to send over some recs already - but I haven't been since Covid so looking forward to catching up with the city.
Grant Achatz (Alinea) just did a pop up at Dave Beran's (former Alinea exec chef) new place out here (Seline) that I went to and it was incredible. I'm not trying to hit Alinea on this trip but thought some Chicago people would find that cool he did a Santa Monica pop-up for Dave.
If you like popups Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City) has a pop-up in Chicago. It's one of the most popular bars in the world apparently I'm going to the original tomorrow so I skipped the popup
I'm down to check out anything interesting. But also I am probably misusing the pop-up terminology regarding Grant, whatever the term is for your former Michelin 3-star boss of over a decade coming to your new restaurant and collaborating (so probably bossing Dave around his own kitchen).
I'm apparently barely making it for it: Four month pop up that started on Nov. 14th. https://press.fourseasons.com/chica...ake-speakeasy-mile-high-cocktail-club-collab/
It was extended earlier this month thru March 31st. How long is your stay? I can move some things around.
I don't even want to think about how many random animals and/or gfs will be in my place if I leave the girls unattended for more than a week.
Trip recap: I love this city - I'll be back throughout the next few months. Thank you again to user15000 for the recs: Armitage Alehouse was awesome - got an early bar seat and enjoyed the chaos. Was able to go to Smyth which is probably the best dining experience I've had this year. Bavette's was slammed and better food than expected for a supposed "trend" restaurant. Asked around to see where the top bars were for service industry people for their post-shift drink spot and these were the main recs: 222 Elephant and Castle Emerald Loop
I'm not overly familiar with restaurant groups but is Hogsalt considered one of the best in the country? I've eaten at Bavettes, Au Chaval, and Ciccio Mio in Chicago. All 3 of those were absolutely incredible, one of the best burgers I've ever had at Au Chaval and one of the better Italian meals ever at Ciccio Mio. In New York over Christmas I did Au Cheval and Monkey Bar, again, both incredible. They have a bunch more and I'll be in Chicago in two weeks, might have to try Armitage out after Ethan's recommendation.
It's one of the best in the world. They've opened popular spots in Paris now that is well thought of.
Feel like green street meats doesn’t get the same love as their more formal options but it’s also incredible.
I think I've eaten at like 80% of highly regarded bbq spots in the chicagoland area, and Green Street is in my top 2. It's my #1 for traditional BBQ. If you're gonna get brisket, or a sausage link....that's your best bet. My favorite overall is Chicago Culinary Kitchen in Palatine. I order the daily specials every time I'm there and I'm rarely disappointed.
It must have been an off day, and it's probably been about 10 years, but I was not impressed with Green Street Meats the one time I've been. Could have also just ordered wrong - I think I went with pulled pork.
Feels like Green St. was very trendy 6-8ish years ago, but now is just a solid mainstay. Didnt really realize it until it was mentioned, but you dont really hear about it much anymore.
Don't they own the ramen place below Green St? I never went but in that same time period I know it was a hard place to get into on a weekend.
I accidentally got irreparably high before going there once and stared at the ramen for 45 minutes because I couldn’t possibly comprehend how to eat it. But the ambiance was cool
we had great meals at Ciccio Mio and Bavettes. I’m also partial to tiki and love 3 Dots and a Dash in the same area.
Coming into the city Thursday midday until Friday midday. Never been in the city proper, just a few suburb areas. Dumb question - how should I navigate the downtown (?) area? Park somewhere and hop an Lyft? Trains? Am I able to park at some train stations? Probably going to hit a tiki bar and a museum or two. Hoping the St Patty's stuff isn't going too crazy by then but idk. TIA
I'm consulting for some properties there currently so I've been pretty balls deep in market research for the last two weeks if you want to reach out. But St. Patty's is an absolute shitshow and it's this Saturday - the hotel ADRs are already through the roof.
To your initial question - I uber everywhere but depending on where you're going the train is fine at least in my experience. It probably never took me more than about 2 minutes to get an uber once in town. I was at the Wit and The Pendry but I did a stadium tour and took the red line - thought it was fine
I like your optimism buddy. I fear it is misplaced based on hotel occupancies, but I like it. A low of 55* should be music to your ears though even with the wind. Chicago is more fun when it's slammed and everyone is getting hammered imo but I sell booze for a living so I may be pretty biased there.
SPD wont be much of an issue. As far as car v ride share or public transportation- depends where you're staying and where you want to go. But most likely I'd prob just keep the car parked and uber
Yea it's not my city, I'm going entirely based on check-in volume and rates. There's a shitload of people coming in town Thursday/Friday.
Download the app CityMapper and use the "Get Me Somewhere" feature. It'll tell you every possible way to get to where you're going. If it's faster to Uber/Lyft and you're ok with the price, do that. Otherwise public transportation is perfectly fine.
I thankfully didn't have to pay for my rooms this last trip but I know what the rate was - same exact room that was $325 last week is $726 this weekend. Chicago is back baby!
gross the ventra app has passes and train times. it's quite easy to get around, especially on a weekday
Eh, agree to disagree - they're not landlords raising rents, it's hotels raising rates during a huge marketing event and increased demand.
Back to the initial question Tiffin - is it just you and the wife or kids in tow? The museums are incredible but for a one day trip you're basically going to spend the entire day there.