Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
May 20th 2009, 2:54 pm
#16
Illinois Rapscallion
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: In a one bar town
Posts: 1,728
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
Stayed at the Essex Inn(3 and a bit stars..cheap as chips too) on S Michigan Ave in January...the hotel was fine and the rooms recently updated....the rooms on the front have a stunning view across Grant Park to the lake....even in January the view was awesome....The Hilton is right next door if you have cash to burn...or do as we did ...stay at the Essex and use the bar at the Hilton 
Buddy Guys own blues club is a minutes walk from the hotel and a 4 minute walk will get you to Dearborn Street and 2 fantastic pubs ...The Hackney and Kaseys...both have a great selection of US micro brews and imported beers and wines...The Hackney serving very good pub/finger food ...
Buddy Guys own blues club is a minutes walk from the hotel and a 4 minute walk will get you to Dearborn Street and 2 fantastic pubs ...The Hackney and Kaseys...both have a great selection of US micro brews and imported beers and wines...The Hackney serving very good pub/finger food ...
May 20th 2009, 6:20 pm
#17
Sleepless In Chicago
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Chicago.
Posts: 3,601
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
The hackney is more of a Pub atmosphere not really a romantic restaurant atmosphere
Anywhere on Michigan avenue is nice stroll away from the lake and through grant park.
Anywhere on Michigan avenue is nice stroll away from the lake and through grant park.
May 20th 2009, 10:30 pm
#18
Banned
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Santa Monica,CA from Birmingham, UK
Posts: 18,402
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
Hi!
Flying into O'Hare in June and before go to my fiances house in West.IL were thinking about spending a night in Chicago so we can have some alone time before we are bombarded by his family
Fiancé has said he will also take me out on a date and I can choose the restaurant
I've been to Chicago quite a few times before but have normally stayed with friends or at hotels around O'Hare. This time would like to stay downtown and within walking distance of stuff (have already been to all major tourist attractions so wouldn't want to visit that stuff but maybe within walking distance of the lake would be nice). Would like to spend under $200 but nice and romantic as possible!
Also when have eaten there before have mostly visited all the tourist places so this time want to avoid mediocre and overpriced food. Somewhere with good food and a nice atmosphere and a meal for 2 (inc wine) for below $100 would be nice
So do any Chicagoans/visitors of the city have any recommendations? Have been looking at trip adviser but there top rated hotels all seem to be within the $350 range
Any advice would be great!
Sophie
Don't know if it makes any difference but we will be there on a monday night (was hoping to pick up a swanky hotel for a low price
)
Flying into O'Hare in June and before go to my fiances house in West.IL were thinking about spending a night in Chicago so we can have some alone time before we are bombarded by his family
Fiancé has said he will also take me out on a date and I can choose the restaurant
I've been to Chicago quite a few times before but have normally stayed with friends or at hotels around O'Hare. This time would like to stay downtown and within walking distance of stuff (have already been to all major tourist attractions so wouldn't want to visit that stuff but maybe within walking distance of the lake would be nice). Would like to spend under $200 but nice and romantic as possible!
Also when have eaten there before have mostly visited all the tourist places so this time want to avoid mediocre and overpriced food. Somewhere with good food and a nice atmosphere and a meal for 2 (inc wine) for below $100 would be nice
So do any Chicagoans/visitors of the city have any recommendations? Have been looking at trip adviser but there top rated hotels all seem to be within the $350 range
Any advice would be great!
Sophie
Don't know if it makes any difference but we will be there on a monday night (was hoping to pick up a swanky hotel for a low price
)$100 including wine is probably a bit low though.
Uptown old town style swanky restaurant with a great atmosphere, but somewhat formal. Almost takes you back to the 1930's Prohibition era
http://www.hugosfrogbar.com/
Downtown near the loop, great place to mingle with locals after work for a beer for Happy Hour around 5 - 7PM, not sure I'd want to eat here
http://www.elephantcastle.com/conten...icago_adams_st
If you like tapas and Spanish food I'd recommend this place. It was excellent.
http://www.emiliostapas.com/lincolnpark.htm
May 20th 2009, 10:44 pm
#19
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
If you like Middle Eastern food, "Reza's Restaurant" is THE place to go in Chicago!
http://www.rezasrestaurant.com/
Rene
http://www.rezasrestaurant.com/
Rene
May 20th 2009, 10:58 pm
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 33
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
I think Blackbird is the best restaurant mentioned thus far.
If you are here June 12-14 I highly recommend going to the free blues festival in Grant Park. It's one of the best concert experiences I've ever had. Totally free, great crowd, great sound setup, excellent lineups.
If you are here June 12-14 I highly recommend going to the free blues festival in Grant Park. It's one of the best concert experiences I've ever had. Totally free, great crowd, great sound setup, excellent lineups.
Last edited by Johnny Blood; May 20th 2009 at 11:02 pm.
May 21st 2009, 12:05 pm
#21
Sleepless In Chicago
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Chicago.
Posts: 3,601
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
If you like Middle Eastern food, "Reza's Restaurant" is THE place to go in Chicago!
http://www.rezasrestaurant.com/
Rene
http://www.rezasrestaurant.com/
Rene
May 22nd 2009, 2:12 am
#22
Thinking about it
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Mid-West
Posts: 9,435
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
metromix(.com) is probably better for Chicago.
If you want to go on the tear just head up to Wrigleyville - loads of bars up there and should be something to keep you amused.
If you want to go on the tear just head up to Wrigleyville - loads of bars up there and should be something to keep you amused.
May 22nd 2009, 5:41 am
#23
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 49
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/
Also try the Chicago Fire House.
http://www.mainstayhospitality.com/index.php?section=3
This restaurant was used as a set in the movie "Backdraft"
Wrigleyville is ok, I drive past it most days, It’s full of piss heads in the summer
, even more so when its game day.
May 22nd 2009, 3:07 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 33
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
Wrigleyville is going to be swarming with Trixies and Chads.
Bars with incredible selections of beer: The Local Option, Hop Leaf. Maybe Beer Bistro, but I haven't been there.
Another restaurant option is Avec. It's a small-plates wine bar. Also, Frontera Grill for haute mexican.
Great hamburgers: Kuma's Corner (also a bar)
I also recommend the architecture boat tour and the walking tours.
Bars with incredible selections of beer: The Local Option, Hop Leaf. Maybe Beer Bistro, but I haven't been there.
Another restaurant option is Avec. It's a small-plates wine bar. Also, Frontera Grill for haute mexican.
Great hamburgers: Kuma's Corner (also a bar)
I also recommend the architecture boat tour and the walking tours.
Last edited by Johnny Blood; May 22nd 2009 at 3:19 pm.
May 22nd 2009, 3:27 pm
#25
Junior Showtime
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 3,759
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
Hotel 71 or Avenue south are both great hotels and have offered free upgrades to suites from a king.
Some really great restaurants have already been mentioned I would throw in Osteria Via Stato - the food is good, service is friendly and the prices are very reasonable and great wine pours.
Have fun its a great place to visit.
Some really great restaurants have already been mentioned I would throw in Osteria Via Stato - the food is good, service is friendly and the prices are very reasonable and great wine pours.
Have fun its a great place to visit.
May 22nd 2009, 3:52 pm
#26
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 49
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
Wrigleyville is going to be swarming with Trixies and Chads.
Bars with incredible selections of beer: The Local Option, Hop Leaf. Maybe Beer Bistro, but I haven't been there.
Another restaurant option is Avec. It's a small-plates wine bar. Also, Frontera Grill for haute mexican.
Great hamburgers: Kuma's Corner (also a bar)
I also recommend the architecture boat tour and the walking tours.
Bars with incredible selections of beer: The Local Option, Hop Leaf. Maybe Beer Bistro, but I haven't been there.
Another restaurant option is Avec. It's a small-plates wine bar. Also, Frontera Grill for haute mexican.
Great hamburgers: Kuma's Corner (also a bar)
I also recommend the architecture boat tour and the walking tours.
May 23rd 2009, 3:04 pm
#27
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: San Diego, Ca
Posts: 48
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
we stayed at the james hotel and got a great deal through a travelzoo email. the james was a nice place to stay at, very hip!
food wise gibsons steak house for good grub. turn up early for a drink in the bar.
food wise gibsons steak house for good grub. turn up early for a drink in the bar.
May 24th 2009, 2:52 pm
#28
Thinking about it
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Mid-West
Posts: 9,435
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
Try Gibsons Steakhouse. Its a icon in Chicago.
http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/
Also try the Chicago Fire House.
http://www.mainstayhospitality.com/index.php?section=3
This restaurant was used as a set in the movie "Backdraft"
Wrigleyville is ok, I drive past it most days, It’s full of piss heads in the summer, even more so when its game day.
http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/
Also try the Chicago Fire House.
http://www.mainstayhospitality.com/index.php?section=3
This restaurant was used as a set in the movie "Backdraft"
Wrigleyville is ok, I drive past it most days, It’s full of piss heads in the summer
, even more so when its game day. The steakhouses are a bit pricey, and huge slabs of meat may not quite be what they are looking for. Sushi samba or blackbird (for lunch) have already been mentioned and are good suggestions.
Stay clear of chi-town pizza as it is to everyone's taste - check out piece instead perhaps - nice bar with great pizza, and a good place to start your night out.
May 25th 2009, 1:51 am
#29
Banned
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?
May 25th 2009, 3:00 pm
#30
Arrogant ****
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
Re: Chicago hotel/restaurant recommendations?