Chicago Help
 

I need to book a hotel.I can't decide between The Park Hyatt or The Penninsula ? If anybody has any reports on these hotels or other hotels it would help me decide.Also need restaurant recommendations for Fri,Sat and Sun nights?Nothing stuffy.

Thanks!

Purljuice, sorry can't help you with the hotel since I live here in Chi-town, but recommend these:

Le Colonial on N. Rush. (French Colonial)

Cafe Spiaggia (more casual, less expensive sibling of Spiaggia [shared kitchen], our only 4-star Italian. The chef, Tony Mantuano, was just presented with the James Beard award for the Midwest for 2005.)

Bistro 110 (French) just to the west of Borders.

Hope this helps.

You can't go wrong with either hotel and they both have great restaurants. If the prices are same , go with the Penninsula.

Exileprincess has good reccomendationn but also add Tru and China Grill (Hard Rock Hotel) to your list. Go to Metromix.com for Chicago dining advice.

Either hotel will be wonderful - both are just about the same age. As for restaurants, if you are into wine I recommend Bin 36 - great food and wine pairings and not stuffy at all.

How about mk or Blackbird? Is Cafe Spiagga open for lunch? I'm visiting Chicago in early June and also need suggestions for lunch and dinner reservations.

Skypilotsam, Cafe Spiaggia is open for lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Blackbird is only open for dinner. I recommend it. One note: it does get noisy as the evening progresses.

Haven't been to mk in a while, so no comment.

Of course, if you are a foodie, money is no object and want to be with the "in" people, Alinea on N. Halsted has just opened to great buzz and is supposedly living up to it. I've not gone yet but planning on doing so within the next couple of months, just as soon as my piggy bank gets a little heftier. You can choose from 8, 12 or 28-course tasting menus.

Speaking of Restaurant Row on West Randolph, too bad you are visiting in early June because the Taste of Randolph is happening in mid-June. Very nice.

By the way, as wine bars go, I really enjoy the Tasting Room on West Randolph myself - has a great view of the skyline! If you are over that way, you might consider this.

Have fun.

Skypilotsam, I'm mistaken about Blackbird. It IS open for lunch. I apologize for that bit of misinformation.

atwood cafe is a fun to place to go, they have some al fresco dining and you will see the hotel burnham which has alot of history is chicago. corner of washington and state.