Hi! 4 fun gals going to see Oprah in 2 weeks. Can anyone tell us a great place to stay? DJN

I've lived in or near Chicago my entire life...I know the city like the back of my hand. A fantastic hotel when staying downtown is Sutton Place Hotel, at the corner of Rush Street and
Bellevue. I believe there is no better location in the city, and here's why: It's right smack in the center of the Gold Coast neighborhood. You're right next to some of the greatest clubs and restaurants in Chicago. Gibson's Steakhouse is literally right across the street and may be the best steakhouse anywhere in the U.S. If it's not, it's probably Morton's, which is only half a block away. Gibson's also has a spectacular bar great for meeting new people...it's hot and always packed. Tavern on Rush...another hot club is right across the street. Jilly's Retro Club is a half block away...always jammed. The Back Room Jazz Club is right next to Jilly's and has some of the finest musicians in Chicago. The Underground Wonderbar is a funkier jazz club...2 blocks away. One of the best sports bars in Chicago...the Hunt Club...only one block away. Dublin's Irish Bar is one block away and open til 6:00am...I've closed it a couple times. Great blues clubs are just a 5-minute cab ride away. For breakfast, there's a Starbucks a block and a half away. Einsteins bagels 2 blocks away. But best of all, when you get up at 11:00am and have that blobby hangover, an awesome pancake house is right across the street from the hotel. Excellent pancakes. Plus, when it's time to shop, Water Tower Place and Bloomingdales are only 2-3 bloks...not to mention all the great stores along Oak Street...one block away. Trust me....go for it.

Tim

Sutton Place IS in a great neighborhood. The brand-new Sofitel is also nearby. If you don't plan on spending much time in your rooms, there are dozens of hotels in that area for fairly reasonable prices.

If you go for steak, go to Morton's not Gibson's. Much better but a little more pricey.

Hi, Just wanted to add my two cents worth on Mortons. I really feel Gibsons is far better. Mortons over the last year has really changed. Quality and Service have really slipped. I had been a fan for years, and been to many around the country. Mortons in Oakbrook area was a weekly trip if not more. But, sadly not now. Kris

I prefer a Gibson's steak to any I've had anywhere in my entire life. That includes Morton's (still a 10 I believe) and Peter Luger in Brooklyn. Mortons DOES have that fabulous creamed spinach though. But Gibson's has a double-baked potato SO MONOLITHICALLY LARGE, Walter Payton would have been proud to dive into the end zone with it!

Tim

A great hotel which happens to be only a cab ride from Oprah's studio is Allegro Hotel. This hotel is great in price, has unique decor, and very nice and not snooty employees. Hotel Burnham is also a great hotel just down Randolph Street which happens to be across the street from Marshall Field's department store. If you like to shop, you should definitely stop in there. After Oprah's, I would also stop at Marche restaurant. It is a french bistro with great food and very fun, trendy decor. Go for the seafood and leave room for dessert.

I'm going to go out on a limb ang guess that Tim has always lived "in and around" Schaumburg (distant Chicago suburb a.k.a. Land of the Big Mall and the Big, Feathered Hair) rather than Chicago proper. There probably hasn't been such a rave review of the Rush Street bars in 20 years - for a long time, it's been an unhip haven for over the hill suburbanite men (many married) to attempt to pick up horribly cheesy women. Go to metromix.com to see what the locals (who know better) really think of the bars Tim has listed - some of them are harsh but laugh-out-loud funny, especially re: Tavern on Rush. Gibson has great steak, but beware of the mobsters/poseurs/geriatric hookers (no lie) in the bar area. Have fun!

To OhNoDon'tGo:

If you have better ideas then name them. Where would you send a 41 year old female that has a good atmosphere bar-wise (not total pick up joint)?

Hi,
Go to the Pump Room or The Drake Hotel.
Very pretty Places for a drink!

If you're staying near Oprah's studio, there's a great wine bar on Randolph Street called The Tasting Room at the Randolph Wine Cellar. The name sounds a bit stuffy, but the place isn't. It has a loungey atmosphere & great views of the city from the second floor room.