Hi,

I'm looking for a nifty Christmas gift idea for my sister. She has lived in Chicago (near Deerfield) for about a year, and I would love to get her a gift certificate to some neat attraction, restaurant, spa, or other Chicago can't-miss-spot, that she probably wouldn't go and spend the money on herself. Something that would be relaxing for a hard-working single woman would be the best. Thanks for any suggestions!

Deefield is pretty tootin' far from Chicago. Does she go into the city a lot? If its no problem for her to go there for a day, I would recommend a gift certificate to Mario Triccoci salon (in the 500 Michigan Avenue building on the Magnificent Mile). Get the number online perhaps, and see if you have to apply it to a specific thing (aka, haircut, massage, manicure), etc. or if she can choose what she wants done. The salon/day spa is one of the best in Chicago, and it feels like a treat to visit because it is very upscale and posh. (Also, if she appreciates a good, upscale hair cut or color, they are soooo good here). Good luck!

There is also a Mario Triccoci in Libertyville (I think it's a fairly new location) which is a lot closer to Deerfield.

There is also a Mario Triccoci (the first thing I thought about when I read your post) at Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, not too far from Deerfield. I'm sure you can get a general gift certificate and she could go to whichever location suits her.

I have been to Mario Tricoci a number of times for various services (manicure, pedicure, haircut, facial & massage) and have never been happy with the service, since they treat the customers like cattle and it is very unpersonal. The only reason that I returned is that I had received gift certificates. All of my friends and co workers share this opinion and would not return to the spa due to the unprofessional staff. The Estee Lauder Spa in Marshall Fields in Old Orchard is fanstastic. Deerfield is not that far from downtown, on a weekend you could make the trip in about 40 minutes. I used to live near Deerfield. Zinfandel is an excellent restaurant and they have a website to view the monthly menu "zinfandelrestaurant.com". I am not familiar with spas downtown.

Mario Tricoci is a great idea, they have locations all over the Chicagoland area, both in the city and suburbs. I get a gift certificate every year which can be applied to anything they do there (hair, manicure, pedicure, facial, etc.) and they also have day of beauty packages which are probably pretty pricey. Go to www.tricoci.com for more info.

Another idea might be Lettuce Entertain You gift certificates (www.leye.com). They have restaurants ranging from upscale (Ambria, Everest) to mid range (Shaw's Crab House, Maggiano's) to casual (Ed Debevic's)

I second the not-so-great review of Mario Triccoci... I've heard that the suburban ones are better, but the one at 900 N. Michigan has terrible service and I've never had a good experience there.

If you want to do the downtown spa thing, Kiva is the spa-of-the-moment. Very lush and relaxing (its where Oprah goes!) and right behind Watertower Place.

Other great spas include Channings on Oak Street, for old-fashioned Victorian charm. And for massages, Urban Oasis on Elm Street is widely regarded as the best.

I'm a spa expert! Hope this helps!

Gina

My husband and I were treated to dinner at Le Francais with a $200 gift certificate - it is a 5 diamond excellent restaurant! You will not get a better meal ANYWHERE. It's near Deerfield in Wheeling, IL - 269 S. Milwaukee Avenue 847-541-7470

To all who responded--

Thanks for the AWESOME suggestions! I'm looking into them now.

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