Recommendations on 3-4 day trip to Chicago!

[2ltdjorn]

Wife and I are looking to go away, without kids.

Both first time visitors.

Recommendations on hotel? Want to stay in heart of it!

She wants to be pampered, I want to see some of the sights.

We both enjoy good steak, and drinks.

[GB-man]

Lucky man Chicago is beautiful. I've only been twice so I will let Alex and the other chicagoans tell you where and what. Enjoy yourself.

[BLACKHORSE 6]

Years ago the wife and I stayed at The Drake. The room was just ok (a little small and needed renovation) but it's a historic hotel that's right in the middle of downtown with all the attractions nearby. The fact that the hotel was featured in My Best Friend's Wedding meant that my wife insisted we stay there.

[kilyung]

Ritz, off the Miracle Mile

[superdog]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Ritz, off the Miracle Mile

Staying there now.

A few days on business.

Lovely.

[Danny83]

For Steakhouses recommend Bavettes and or Gibsons. Hotel the Peninsula.

[Knappo 1307]

Talbott Hotel, near everything. All steakhouses are a block away, as well as the Mag Mile.

http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/illi...medium=organic

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by 2ltdjorn

Wife and I are looking to go away, without kids.

Both first time visitors.

Recommendations on hotel? Want to stay in heart of it!

She wants to be pampered, I want to see some of the sights.

We both enjoy good steak, and drinks.

gibsons steakhouse, it is fantastic:

[chicagonoob]

Sooo many great options, here's my take (I live in the middle of the madness right off Michigan ave fwiw):

Hotels:
Waldorf - Great location a few blocks from the craziness of Michigan Ave. Still close enough to walk everything, but set in a great little pocket of high-end shops (Oak Street and Walton). Not sure about the spa there, but rooms are great and service impeccable.

Peninsula & Park Hyatt - Both are steps from Michigan Avenue and great spots. Park Hyatt has an awesome outdoor restaurant for drinks (NoMi) while the Peninsula has one of the best Spas in town.

Ritz - In the shadow of the Hancock building, another great spot.

Four Seasons - Another great spot in the heart of everything.

For steakhouse you can't go wrong w/any of the following:
Bavettes - My top choice, but make reservations now. Off the beaten path a bit by the Merchandise Mart, but one of the best meals I've had in Chicago.
David Burke's Primehouse - Lively (loud) environment, but dry-aged cuts are amazing.
Chicago Cut - Great setting on river w/outdoor seating available in summer time
RPM Steak - Trendy but excellent
Mastros - In River North not far from everything, fantastic
Shaw's - Old Chicago institution (sea food and steaks) that never disappoints
Joe's - High-end seafood and steaks. Stone crabs are excellent.
Gibson's - On Rush street in the heart of the action in Viagra Triangle. Good meal, nothing extraordinary. But service / ambiance is quintessential Chicago.

Avoid: Michael Jordan's, Ditka's, Smith & Wollensky, McCormick & Schmicks, any other chains that you could hit anywhere (Capital Grille, Ruth's Chris, Mortons)

Chicago is such a great food city, so don't be afraid to venture out a bit and try something non-steak centric. If you're up for it, here are a few of my favorites:
Momotaro - Great Japanese restaurant in West Loop. Drinks at the Betty around the corner after dinner make for special night

GIANT - In Logan Square and a bit of hike, but WELL WORTH the trip. If you can't get a reservation online talk to the concierge at your hotel and have them call. A little birdie told me they hold a table or two for such instances on the weekends....

Girl and The Goat - Another West Loop hotspot and a crowd pleaser

Bad Hunter - May not be your cup of tea given the veggie-centric menu, but excellent

Good luck w/planning and enjoy Chicago! Also, it's NEVER too early to start making dinner reservations - in the summer time the good spots fill up fast!

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by chicagonoob

Sooo many great options, here's my take (I live in the middle of the madness right off Michigan ave fwiw):

Hotels:
Waldorf - Great location a few blocks from the craziness of Michigan Ave. Still close enough to walk everything, but set in a great little pocket of high-end shops (Oak Street and Walton). Not sure about the spa there, but rooms are great and service impeccable.

Peninsula & Park Hyatt - Both are steps from Michigan Avenue and great spots. Park Hyatt has an awesome outdoor restaurant for drinks (NoMi) while the Peninsula has one of the best Spas in town.

Ritz - In the shadow of the Hancock building, another great spot.

Four Seasons - Another great spot in the heart of everything.

For steakhouse you can't go wrong w/any of the following:
Bavettes - My top choice, but make reservations now. Off the beaten path a bit by the Merchandise Mart, but one of the best meals I've had in Chicago.
David Burke's Primehouse - Lively (loud) environment, but dry-aged cuts are amazing.
Chicago Cut - Great setting on river w/outdoor seating available in summer time
RPM Steak - Trendy but excellent
Mastros - In River North not far from everything, fantastic
Shaw's - Old Chicago institution (sea food and steaks) that never disappoints
Joe's - High-end seafood and steaks. Stone crabs are excellent.
Gibson's - On Rush street in the heart of the action in Viagra Triangle. Good meal, nothing extraordinary. But service / ambiance is quintessential Chicago.

Avoid: Michael Jordan's, Ditka's, Smith & Wollensky, McCormick & Schmicks, any other chains that you could hit anywhere (Capital Grille, Ruth's Chris, Mortons)

Chicago is such a great food city, so don't be afraid to venture out a bit and try something non-steak centric. If you're up for it, here are a few of my favorites:
Momotaro - Great Japanese restaurant in West Loop. Drinks at the Betty around the corner after dinner make for special night

GIANT - In Logan Square and a bit of hike, but WELL WORTH the trip. If you can't get a reservation online talk to the concierge at your hotel and have them call. A little birdie told me they hold a table or two for such instances on the weekends....

Girl and The Goat - Another West Loop hotspot and a crowd pleaser

Bad Hunter - May not be your cup of tea given the veggie-centric menu, but excellent

Good luck w/planning and enjoy Chicago! Also, it's NEVER too early to start making dinner reservations - in the summer time the good spots fill up fast!

Excellent post! Been to most locations you mention except David Burke and Mastro's, my wife and I need to hit them up sometime.

We recently went to RPM Steak and they now have a great Japanese beef selection, not sure for how long. Had Hokkaido snow beef for the first time and it has ruined "regular" prime steak for me.

[jnelson3097]

A fun place to go for drinks would be the Aviary.

https://theaviary.tocktix.com/

We just tried RPM steak for the first time and really enjoyed it. Another one of our favorite steak places was Benny's.

[sebaztianl]

In for this as well, going next week and looking forward to a bowl pizza at Chicago oven and grill I believe.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by sebaztianl

In for this as well, going next week and looking forward to a bowl pizza at Chicago oven and grill I believe.

It will change your life..

http://chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/

[sebaztianl]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

It will change your life..

http://chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/

Thanks!

[GerardoG]

A great city!!! Enjoy and please share pics!!!!

[Chewbacca]

buy a goat.

walk into Wrigley Field with it.

pix or it didn't happen.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

buy a goat.

walk into Wrigley Field with it.

pix or it didn't happen.

That ship has sailed....

[.brian.]

Don't forget to stop at Portillo's for a beef and cheddar croissant (hey, you can't eat every meal at a steakhouse).

[FSUGeoff]

Ive never been but my friend swears by the purple pig(food)

[sco]

Great advice so far.. Make sure you have some Deep Dish Pizza while you're here.. Enjoy!

[doubleroll]

It's been a while since I was in Chicago...Gibson's for steak and Kingston Mines for blues were both memorable. Enjoy!


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[Beauregard]

Lagunitas Brewery is mandatory.

[Brenngun]

Lots of good suggestions above. Depending on your interests there are 2 places I never miss when in Chicago.

First is Iwan Ries & Co on S. Wabash. Great selection of cigars and pipes. Enjoy a smoke in one of their comfortable smoking lounges ($15 single day pass but they'll wave it if you're a buyer especially a box or two).

The second is Optimo Hats on W. Jackson. They make fedoras (beaver, felt and straw). I own a half dozen from well known Italian makers and have purchased a couple from Optimo. I have to say they are fantastic.

Enjoy the trip

[Dyim]

I always stay at the Ritz also.
In addition to what's already mentioned:
Lawry's Prime Rib
Fogo de Chao if you like all you can eat.
If you can't get reservation at Gibson's, just go next door Hugo's frog bar. Same kitchen afaik.

[Springfield]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

The second is Optimo Hats on W. Jackson. They make fedoras (beaver, felt and straw). I own a half dozen from well known Italian makers and have purchased a couple from Optimo. I have to say they are fantastic.

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[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by Springfield

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mmmmmmm ......... Hat Porn. And the straws are to the left of this.

[jhilly8982]

Lou Mitchell's or 3rd Coast for breakfast

Chicago Cut for steak

[2ltdjorn]

got a deal on orbitz, with flight/hotel.

will be staying in the hyatt centric in the magnificent mile.

looking at the restaurants now.

[Springfield]

Pizano's Pizza. Amazing pizza (however, I can only vouch for the North State Street location). I personally greatly prefer it to the pizza places people usually name for Chicago. But everybody has their own tastes.

If you go to Gibsons, be sure to order the shrimp cocktail. Huge prawns.

Tempo Café has great breakfast food and a fantastic Monte Cristo.

Great wings at Jake Melnicks.

[Speed]

One other steak place: Gene & Georgettis. A real wise guy hang out. Not as refined as others mentioned...but cool old school vibe.

Clearly the Chicago Art Institute if you love impressionist art - Seurat et al.