hello all,

just returned from 3 days in chicago ( 10/7-10/10 ). frequent flyer miles to use before more restrictions set in.

travelzoo reservations at Hyatt Regency for a decent price. Asked for a room with a view, but received a corner room without a view, with the explanation that it would be more quiet. We noticed a large kids group staying there at the same time, so opted for quiet since we don't spend all that much time in the room.

ate at the Gage ( liked it a lot )
ate at Fox and Obel for breakfast ( much better than Corner Bakery, i think )
ate at Frontera Grill (loved it)
ate at Bistro 110 ( fine )
did the Architectural Foundation River tour (sunny, perfect day with an articulate, generous docent)
visited the new Freedom Museum...what a good job they did with this.
walked everywhere.....Millenium Park, Navy Pier, etc.
visited the Chicago Cultural Center and also the Chicago Public Library
(for the free internet and just to see it)
had a drink in the Signature Lounge on our last night.

we had a terrific time, and i want to thank this forum again for helping to identify great eats and fun sights. it was a last minute trip, so unfortunately no theatre....will have to return!! It's a city that is easy to navigate and has so much to offer.

I think you hit some of the very best of Chicago..glad that you enjoyed it. How was the weather during your visit? Now, I have never heard of Gage. Where is it and what kind of food?

Lucci

Glad you liked the Gage. I had a great dinner and a good lunch there.

Frontera Grill / Topolobampo are great. You ate well.

Frontera Grill and Topolobomba are not only good, when partner Lee had his "passing out" episode at the Frontera Grill at the end of lunch last week, and the manager called EMS -- they took him out on a stretcher-- they refused to take any money for our lunch. Not the way I'd recommend getting a free meal by the way!

Mimda, you arrived the day we left!

Neo, I'm sorry to hear of your ordeal. Is Lee recovered?

neopatrick, so glad to hear that you were in the "right" place to get quick help for Lee, it's always unnerving to be away from home and in need of medical assistance.

you're right, we arrived to the end of your rainy, cloudy weather and were fortunate to have sunny, warm ( 70 ) days on the other side. The nice part is that it allowed us to walk, walk, walk.

lucci, the Gage is directly across from Milennium Park, and is described in press as a "gastro pub". I am not sure what that means, but I would say that it is an upscale, gourmet Irish pub.

again, i relied heavily on the postings here at fodors to choose our dining....thank you all who are generous in sharing your experiences, it really helps.

GastroPub...sounds scary to me. But now I know exactly where you were. I have had drinks there but never paid attention to the name. It's about a block away from my dentist.

Thanks for keeping me in the Loop (sorry, I couldn't resist)

Lucci

"Thanks for keeping me in the Loop."

Groan. Good one, lucci.

Adding to NeoPatrick's for leisure reading.