Three nights in Chicago -- a report

Old Oct 30th, 2014, 05:08 AM
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Three nights in Chicago -- a report

We flew (free tickets with Frontier) from Trenton Airport (NJ) to Chicago Midway. These tickets were because of a canceled flight back in January to Florida. It was a "use them or lose them" by October 31 deal). Flight was fine and slightly early. Took the Orange line to Lake and Clark, then walked the few blocks to Hyatt Place at Clark and Illiniois. Nice hotel room. Love the location.

After arrival we did go "catty-cornered" from Hyatt Place for our reservation at Roca Akor. We could see the hostess's mouth moving but couldn't hear her. The roar inside that place was amazing. I leaned forward and yelled my last name. She leaned forward and yelled something about "table" and "checK" and disappeared. We decided she was checking to see if our table was ready. But we turned and saw an empty table in the bar -- sort of by itself and obviously infinitely less noisy than the packed dining room. When she returned, we pointed to it, she nodded yes, and sat us there. Great. This was perhaps the best food we had all weekend. Wonderful meaty and lean ribs that had amazing flavor and were pefectly cooked. A couple pieces of perfect tuna sashimi that was marinated and topped with heaven. Some absolutely delicious carmelized brussels sprouts. And the best of all, a melt-in-your mouth miso glazed black cod. Every bite we had here was amazing. And the drinks were great too. Had a very pleasant and efficient server who could give us great advice and list and describe every ingredient in every dish.

We spent almost all day Thursday at the Art Institute. It's unbelievable in something like 10 trips to Chicago I had never been there. And Peter, who once worked for Moma --developing their software -- also loved it. We ate lunch there at Terzo Piano -- what a great suggestion that was -- and we wouldn't have known about it as it isn't listed at the entrance with the cafe(s). Delicious flatbread and salads in a pleasant (all white) atmosphere.

Thursday evening we headed up to see Million Dollar Quartet (7:30) and had the classic deep dish butter crust with sausage at the Lou Malnati's just across the street. There was about an hour wait and we didn't have that much time, but there were able to seat us at the bar which was fine. Loved the show -- my fourth time (once on Broadway, the "original" at Goodman in Chicago, and now twice at the Apollo in Chicago). The Johnny Cash didn't look even vaguely like the real one and was a very stiff actor, but sounded absolutely perfect. The rest of the cast was as good as any of the others I've seen. It's nice when a long running show remains top quality and I really thought this was.

When we came out of the theatre it started raining. We had taken the Red Line up (along with about a ten block walk) and were going to return the same way, but instead we grabbed a taxi right outside the theatre just as the rains started pouring. We hadn't seen any prediction for rain in the forecast -- well, that's Chicago for you.

Friday we spent mainly just relaxing, walking, and shopping along Michigan Avenue. At Nordstrom Rack I followed a man around for half an hour. He was carrying a wonderful looking blue shirt he got off a rack and I couldn't decide if he was talking it or not. Finally I gave up and we left.

For lunch we headed back near our hotel and ate at Sunda, which is Asian, but features Filipino (Peter is Filipino). Again, a very trendy and very noisy place with excellent food. Shared several dishes (although I have to say I still like Peter's chicken and pork adobo traditional version more than this one).

Friday evening we went up to the Drake Hotel for cocktails in the Palm Court. It was OK, but kind of tired and sad looking. My vision of "old world elegance" didn't quite pan out. But the drinks were excellent. Then we walked to Le Colonial for dinner. That was good and we LOVE the atmosphere, where even though full, we could still actually converse without yelling! The food was good, but not as great as we had remembered. Both of our dishes seemed more noodles than featured seafood and meat. Took a nice long walk back to our hotel. Thought we'd go to Three Dots and a Dash, and we went by it in the alley, but both decided we really didn't want any more to drink.

Saturday we met my long time friend, Kathy, who has a high powered grand writing position for Northwestern. She drove in and actually suggested a favorite of hers -- Slurping Turtle which was just a block from our hotel. Again it was lots of Asian tapas. Wonderful chicken pieces fried in duck fat, hamachi tacos, mixed seafood ceviche, pork belly bao, and a big bowl of pork ramen to share. It was all delicious as were the wasabi bloody marys. LOVED this place with the most delightful server ever -- we ended up just sort of letting her make the decisions.

Although we spent over two hours doing lunch, we still had time to take yet another long walk and do coffees in the Michigan Avenue area. On a whim we returned to Nordstrom Rack to see if maybe that man hadn't taken that blue shirt. There it was back on the rack. I tried it on, it was perfect, and I loved it -- Toscano in a bright French blue of very fine and soft linen that's almost like silk. When I pulled the $47 label back I saw the original price -- $287.50. Nice buy! Oh, and Peter bought a new pair of trainers at Niketown.

By the way, all our breakfasts were included at Hyatt Place. It was a nice little buffet. Lots of fresh fruit, hot oatmeal, pastries, etc., and each day there were two hot entrees -- mostly croissant or English muffin breakfast sandwiches. Guacamole, chicken, and cheese, mushroom and smoked gouda, ham and cheese. All these were really declicious. A nice touch.

Left for Midway a little early, walking to Lake and Clark and taking the Orange Line. Our flight was scheduled for 8:10 PM, but was delayed coming in from Denver for an hour and a half. Then when it arrived, the pilot came inside to announce a further delay because they hit an owl on landing and they had to get maintenance to check it out. The big problem is that Midway essentially shuts down at 8:40 PM after the last flight out -- so they had to call a maintenance man to return to the airport. Another hour delay. Meanwhile we ate some dinner at the only "full service" restaurant at the airport -- Harry Carey's Seventh Inning Stretch. Not much good to report here, starting with my request for Dewar's Dry Robroy (that's really just a scotch martini) and having the waiter come back to say they couldn't make my drink because the didn't have Cointreu. WTF. I told them how to make my drink, but it was weak and bad. Both had rather limp and tired Caesar salads with tasteless salmom. We got home to Trenton airport and then the 20 minute drive home -- just after 2 AM. Peter was glad we had decided to return on Saturday rather than Sunday when he'd have to work the next day.

Thanks to posters on my Chicago questions thread, particularly to exiledprincess. Too many suggestions to take advantage of, and many are noted for the future.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 05:56 AM
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Nice report. We were in Chicago about a month ago, though our paths didn't cross except at the Art Institute.

I'm intrigued by your mention of the Million Dollar Quartet. After we left Chicago we drove to Memphis. At Graceland I saw cds, or dvds with that title but didn't investigate. Later we visited Sun Studios and learned of the incident and Sam Phillips' clandestine recording. The recording was poor quality -- there was no one in the booth -- and I wondered how they could be selling copies of it. However, no one mentioned the musical and I had never heard of it until your post. So thanks for solving that mystery. Perhaps I'll go see a production.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 06:51 AM
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Enjoyed your report Patrick. Glad you had a good time.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 07:15 AM
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Happy that your visit turned out so well. We always stop at Terzo Piano for lunch whether or not we're visiting tne Art Institute's collections. When it first opened the chef was from Spoaggia's on Michigan Ave. across from The Drake.
We still miss living in downtown Chicago and return often. Thanks for the new restaurant recommendations which we'll add to our list..
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 07:46 AM
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Used to live in Chicago years ago. Sad to hear The Drake is not holding up. Used to love having weekend lunch at the Cape Cod Room, was very elegant and classy. Went to lots of weddings there in the 80's and 90's too.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 10:01 AM
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That shirt was meant to be and will probably become your favorite!
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 10:44 AM
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I love the Art Institute. So many iconic paintings.
But the part I like best is The Thorne Miniature collection.
I put on my glasses and get totally absorbed into those little rooms.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 11:18 AM
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logandog, as we were leaving, I saw a stand featuring a poster of those miniatures. I knew about them in advance, but somehow we missed them completely. As a scenic designer I was really anxious to see them, but just forgot. Oh, well, there WILL BE a next time.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 02:43 PM
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Glad you had a great trip, despite the few kinks.

Thorne Miniature Rooms are on the lower level of the AI.

If you have any interest, there is a board game from the 1970's called "Masterpiece" (by Parker Brothers, at the time) - which features many of the priceless pieces from the Art Institute.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 06:11 PM
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Thanks for the update on the Windy City NeoP. I was there Ten years ago and need to get back. My parents honeymooned at the Drake in the 50s. Loved the Art Institute. ��
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Old Oct 31st, 2014, 06:32 AM
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Thank Patrick. I'll need to think about the N-Rack next time. I'm not much of a shopper but I like a deal.
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Old Nov 1st, 2014, 01:41 PM
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Neopatrick, did you see this? http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/cars-...ection=4765066
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Old Nov 1st, 2014, 04:08 PM
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No, but we weren't even near Lakeshore. And I assume that was after we returned home.
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