We're going to stay in Chicago tomorrow night so we can go to a show at the Merchandise Mart on Saturday. Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Allegro? Opinions? Restaurants in the area? We like most ethnic foods, prefer casual and moderately priced to pretentious and expensive. Thanks!

We've stayed at Hotel Allegro for a local getaway weekend and liked it. It is large for a boutique hotel and has a stylized retro feel that is quite pleasant. The restaurant in the building 312 Chicago is one I would recommend highly -- it is sophisticated Italian with some twists. It's not cheap -- and it is popular so you will need a reservation, but we didn't find it pretentious. Breakfast is also served in the restaurant.

Yes, we're going to the One-Of-A-Kind Sale--thought we could do the rest of our December shopping. We saw an ad for it when we were in Chicago last weekend for an art exhibit.

My husband grew up in Chicago, and living only 100 miles away, we've been there lots of times and done most of the tourist things, but we don't usually spend the night.

This is a very short trip, less than 24 hours, as we have theater tickets back at home Saturday night, so we don't have time for anything other than dinner, sleeping and the show.

Thanks for all your help.

Cafe Spaggia is one of my favorite places to dine on this earth. Spaggia, next door is pretentious and more expensive, known as a place that the upper tier of celebs frequent...think Madonna. Cafe Spaggia is small, intimate and while not inexpensive, well worth the price. Great food, professional service. Best crab cakes ON EARTH!!!!!!

Oops... Cafe Spiaggia... 980 N. Michigan. You can find them at www.opentable.com for a reservation.