Chicago help! What can the guys do while we're shopping?
Mar 13th, 2005, 01:23 PM
#22
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Yes, Wildfire is a LEYE restaurant. you should be able to make a reservation through www.opentable.com for Wildfire and many of the other popular restaurants. I use it all the time and it works really well.
I've heard the same thing about Carmine's but we didn't have a problem. It's a little off season right now so you may find it a little less crowded in Chicago than in the summer and reservations a little more likely to be honored on time. A note about the portions at both Carmine's and Rosebud, they are huge and I've never gone home without leftovers. And if they like calamari, this is the place that is my favorite for that and the portion size is huge.
We went to the Flower and Garden show yesterday and my husband, who loves to garden, was a bit disappointed. But we also popped into ESPN zone and it looked like a lot of fun, in addition to having a restaurant and lots of TVs playing sports, there are lots of video games and interactive games (basketball hoops, virtual boxing, air hockey) so that's an excellent place if the boys are into that sort of thing.
I've heard the same thing about Carmine's but we didn't have a problem. It's a little off season right now so you may find it a little less crowded in Chicago than in the summer and reservations a little more likely to be honored on time. A note about the portions at both Carmine's and Rosebud, they are huge and I've never gone home without leftovers. And if they like calamari, this is the place that is my favorite for that and the portion size is huge.
We went to the Flower and Garden show yesterday and my husband, who loves to garden, was a bit disappointed. But we also popped into ESPN zone and it looked like a lot of fun, in addition to having a restaurant and lots of TVs playing sports, there are lots of video games and interactive games (basketball hoops, virtual boxing, air hockey) so that's an excellent place if the boys are into that sort of thing.
Mar 13th, 2005, 02:08 PM
#23
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Cubs are not playing, opening day isn't until April. Wrigleyville would be a fun place for the guys to hang out anyway...lots of bars to watch basketball games and perhaps Cubs spring training games (don't know their schedule). There is also some cute shopping for you a couple blocks west of Wrigley Field, on Southport.
Mar 14th, 2005, 03:55 PM
#25
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That's OK! 
Thanks to everyone here, I've got enough ideas to keep 'em busy for awhile. My ds even said that he wouldn't mind a little shopping too -- just not a whole day of it. IF Dh doesn't like it, he can go sit in the hotel room and pout!
BTW -- what's going on in Chicago next week? Hotels are completely booked, and the rates are outrageous. Fortunately I reserved a room last month, but we certainly didn't get a bargain.
Thanks to everyone here, I've got enough ideas to keep 'em busy for awhile. My ds even said that he wouldn't mind a little shopping too -- just not a whole day of it. IF Dh doesn't like it, he can go sit in the hotel room and pout!
BTW -- what's going on in Chicago next week? Hotels are completely booked, and the rates are outrageous. Fortunately I reserved a room last month, but we certainly didn't get a bargain.
Mar 14th, 2005, 05:15 PM
#26
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There's a big convention at McCormick Place Mar 20-22, International Home and Housewares, 60,000 delegates.
Make sure you make dinner reservations if there's any place you have your heart set on, that's a lot of extra people wandering around.
Make sure you make dinner reservations if there's any place you have your heart set on, that's a lot of extra people wandering around.
Mar 14th, 2005, 05:21 PM
#27
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Followed you advice, Kristi --
Ressies for Wildfire on the 18th
Signature Room on the 19th (after-ballet desert!)
Carmines on the 20th (may change --I'm a little nervouse becuse we're going to a show at 8!)
thanks again for all of your help!
Ressies for Wildfire on the 18th
Signature Room on the 19th (after-ballet desert!)
Carmines on the 20th (may change --I'm a little nervouse becuse we're going to a show at 8!)
thanks again for all of your help!
Mar 14th, 2005, 05:54 PM
#28
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Hi there,
I'm a Chicago native and foodie...I do like Wildfire. Signature Room is nice for drinks and the view, but their food isn't all that great. Carmine's isn't bad, but you are coming to a city filled with great Italian restaurants.
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods...it's a shame for tourists not to check some of them out on their trip (Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, etc.). If you haven't already, I highly recommend checking out Metromix, which is a great resource for entertainment, restaurants, etc. (The url is http://www.metromix.com.)
amwosu - here's a list of great places to check out:
Adobo Grill
(location in Old Town on Wells St., just opened up another one on West Division St. area, best margaritas made from scratch you'll find anywhere and high-end/authentic Mexican cuisine, the chocolate tamal is amazing)
Le Coloniel
(awesome French-Vietnamese food and decor, the upstairs lounge is great place to have drinks and tasty apps after a day of shopping on the Mag Mile)
Osteria via Stato (recently opened reasonably priced prix-fixe Italian, we went the first week they were open, outstanding antipasto, pasta course, meat course, when they found out it was my bday...they brought the table 3 different desserts on the house - I can't wait to go back)
Avec
(Mediterranean tapas/wine bar - This tiny hot spot, which is a sister restaurant to the famous Blackbird next door, is in my neighborhood, West Loop, and is probably my favorite restaurant...it fills up fast and they don't take reservations, but the rustic, inventive food is phenomenal along with the wine list. You can seriously get a great bottle of wine here for $18. The truffle-tallegio cheese foccaccia is out of this world!)
Japonais
Lots of hype over this destination restaurant, but it's worth it. This should be on one of your "going out" nights. Very theatrical space and elegant creative Japanese menu. The lounge downstairs is usually hopping. Great specialty drinks.
Bongo Room
This is easily the top spot for brunch in Chicago. Locations in Wicker Park and South Loop.
That should keep you pretty busy!
I'm a Chicago native and foodie...I do like Wildfire. Signature Room is nice for drinks and the view, but their food isn't all that great. Carmine's isn't bad, but you are coming to a city filled with great Italian restaurants.
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods...it's a shame for tourists not to check some of them out on their trip (Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, etc.). If you haven't already, I highly recommend checking out Metromix, which is a great resource for entertainment, restaurants, etc. (The url is http://www.metromix.com.)
amwosu - here's a list of great places to check out:
Adobo Grill
(location in Old Town on Wells St., just opened up another one on West Division St. area, best margaritas made from scratch you'll find anywhere and high-end/authentic Mexican cuisine, the chocolate tamal is amazing)
Le Coloniel
(awesome French-Vietnamese food and decor, the upstairs lounge is great place to have drinks and tasty apps after a day of shopping on the Mag Mile)
Osteria via Stato (recently opened reasonably priced prix-fixe Italian, we went the first week they were open, outstanding antipasto, pasta course, meat course, when they found out it was my bday...they brought the table 3 different desserts on the house - I can't wait to go back)
Avec
(Mediterranean tapas/wine bar - This tiny hot spot, which is a sister restaurant to the famous Blackbird next door, is in my neighborhood, West Loop, and is probably my favorite restaurant...it fills up fast and they don't take reservations, but the rustic, inventive food is phenomenal along with the wine list. You can seriously get a great bottle of wine here for $18. The truffle-tallegio cheese foccaccia is out of this world!)
Japonais
Lots of hype over this destination restaurant, but it's worth it. This should be on one of your "going out" nights. Very theatrical space and elegant creative Japanese menu. The lounge downstairs is usually hopping. Great specialty drinks.
Bongo Room
This is easily the top spot for brunch in Chicago. Locations in Wicker Park and South Loop.
That should keep you pretty busy!
Mar 14th, 2005, 07:31 PM
#31
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Great restaurant recommendations. I live a few blocks south of the Adobo on Division and know first hand about those margaritas, they'll make the coldest winter day feel like a day at the beach ... and Bongo room has the best pancakes, not too sweet and wonderful.
Mar 14th, 2005, 07:54 PM
#32
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Brookside, if you like filet mignon, the horseradish crusted filet at Wildfire is excellent.
I've been trying a lot of Italian restaurants lately (Tuscany, Bacchanalia, La Fontanella, Cafe Luciano, Cocco Pazzo) and the Rosebud restaurants including Carmine's are still my favorite. They aren't trendy places (Osteria Via Stato is the hot Italian place of the moment) but they serve up good traditional Italian classics if that is what you are looking for. If you have definite plans afterward, give yourself at least 2 1/2 hours to get out of Carmine's and to whatever you are going to see and make sure they know when you have to leave(5:30 res. for an 8 pm show).
I've been trying a lot of Italian restaurants lately (Tuscany, Bacchanalia, La Fontanella, Cafe Luciano, Cocco Pazzo) and the Rosebud restaurants including Carmine's are still my favorite. They aren't trendy places (Osteria Via Stato is the hot Italian place of the moment) but they serve up good traditional Italian classics if that is what you are looking for. If you have definite plans afterward, give yourself at least 2 1/2 hours to get out of Carmine's and to whatever you are going to see and make sure they know when you have to leave(5:30 res. for an 8 pm show).
Mar 15th, 2005, 04:29 AM
#33
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Hi Kristi --
Again, good advice! Classic Italian is what we're after.
TD --I've read the reports re the Signature Room -- it's just something my dd wants to do to "cap off" our night at the ballet. We're going for dessert and atmosphere - nothing more!
Leaving in two days -- can't wait!
Again, good advice! Classic Italian is what we're after.
TD --I've read the reports re the Signature Room -- it's just something my dd wants to do to "cap off" our night at the ballet. We're going for dessert and atmosphere - nothing more!
Leaving in two days -- can't wait!
Mar 15th, 2005, 07:56 AM
#34
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In addition to Nike Town on Mich. Ave. are Brookstone and Sharper Image, both fun stores for guys. And the more widespread clothing stores have nice stores there as well - Gap, Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer, etc.
