Chicago in a day ?
 

I'm planning a February day in Chicago for 3 women around 50 who have limited time and want to have fun. So...

I'm thinking the Food Planet historic Tour from 11-2. Followed by tea and harp music at the Drake around 3:30. Followed by shopping until show-time (would like to see the American Girl doll store). As yet to be determined show from 8-10:30-ish. (Xanadu? Funny Girl?)

And finally a light dinner out. But where? I have a few on my short list: Avec, Vermillion, Cafe Baba Reeba, Graham Elliot, Vermillion, or Harry Carey's Italian Steakhouse. Anybody have experience with these?

Followed by exhausted sleep, and hopefully a trip to a spa next day. Maybe outside the city: Blue Mercury or Your Natural Element.

Any comments? Suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help!
:)

The food planet tour sounds great, but does it run in Feb. it shows April- November on the website. Tea at the Drake is nice and you can easily get to the new American Girl store at Water Tower from there. Xanadu would be fun. For a restaurant, it really depends on where you're going to the theater and what cuisine you're in the mood for. For the spa, it depends which way you are going home...

Baba Reeba is merely OK; I think it's past its prime. I went to Graham Elliot when it first opened; it was very good but still had some kinks to work out. I haven't been back since -- not because I wouldn't go back, but just because. Harry Caray's is pretty good sports/steakhouse. I would also consider Topolobampo or Frontera Grill. The Gage is also worth a look. Not sure any of these could be considered "light dinners" though.

Hi Dreamer2,

The tour and tea sound wonderful. The Drake is perfectly located for shopping on north Michigan Ave - and American Girl would be 2 blocks away.

Have you considered seeing "The Seafarer" at Steppenwolf and having dinner at either BOKA or Vinci? I saw "The Seafarer" on Broadway last year and this Chicago production last month, and I think the Steppenwolf production is far superior. (The Wall Street Journal gave the show a great review, too.)

It might be a nice option to get out of the loop and see a different side of Chicago. A taxi ride for 3 to Lincoln Park (for Steppenwolf/Royal George/Victory Gardens) would cost about $10-12 each way - and I think having dinner at Boka or VInci will afford you three a really nice atmosphere for great conversation. The food at both places is consistently good.

The shows and restaurants in the loop are fine - but there's just a less-genial air about them IMO. When I go with friends for pre-theater dinners, I always feel the service is really brusque and the food is over-priced. Also, those big, commercial shows like jersey boys, wicked, xanadu, chitty chitty bang bang, etc., don't really seem like good options.

If you do want to see a show in the loop/downtown, maybe check out The Goodman or Chicago Shakespeare. As for restaurants, I'd warn against HArry Carey's - loud and touristy and Cafe BaBaReeba - really bland tapas and horrible atmosphere. I don't have experience with the others. Maybe look into Bin 36 or Trattoria No. 10 (on N. Dearborn) - two really nice places I've been to several times and always have a good experience there.

I'm sure you'll have a great time in Chicago no matter what you choose! I hope you get some interesting suggestions here!

Harry Caray's is good, but it's not the place for a light dinner. It's a steakhouse, big portions, and it's noisy.

Thanks, everyone! Really good suggestions.

Gregeva was right about the tour season. Bummer! They had all this stuff on the website about rain or shine, snow or hail, dress appropriately, etc. I thought they were like the post office! But I missed the part that said April-Nov. Oh well - more time to shop!

I think we are gong to leave the city for the spa, but now thinking either Eaglewood Resort or Alexa Day Spa.

Thank you Chicago Gal for your restaurant recs. I'll propose those to my frieds.