Had a blast this weekend in Chicago and just wanted to let you all know what Daddy Wonderful and I did.

Nothing but eat, drink, and be merry.

Rented a fat apartment which is owned by a friend of a friend. Apartment is gorgeous on Ontario a block and a half off North Michigan with views of Michigan Avenue (so pretty lit up at night), Lake Michigan, and all the fabulous architecture of Chicago! Huge master bath with sunken jacuzzi with views! Great views of the Wrigley Building.

Dining: First stop Saturday afternoon, Quartinos for Italian tapas. Excellent pizzas. Dinner later Saturday night at Grande Lux Cafe. OMG it was so good!

Bar hopped a little (okay, well a lot) and of course one toddy at the top of the John Hancock Building.

Sunday: Brunch at The Grille in The Westin right down N. Michigan. Excellent and we both got Bloody Marys (some of the best I've ever had) and the meatloaf special.

Walked over to Rush Street to watch the Bears game. Hit a couple of dives, no trip to the Frog place, and then Bandara on Michigan for dinner. Really cool place and we had fabulous steak sandwiches to soak up all the beer.

Monday: We have time for lunch and then have to leave! Big Bowl for Thai Food and it is great as usual!

Hop back on the El to O'Hare after calling the airline to make sure our flight is on time and happening and make the hour plus train ride (red from State/Grand then Blue at Jackson to ORD). Get to the airport and flight has been cancelled. Rebooked for morning! Yipee! Another night in Chicago!

Boston Blackies for dinner! Along with a bunch of beer and we hit the bed early!

4AM alarm clock goes off and we are back out the door to the El.

Shopped quite a bit as there were mad sales going on! Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, H&M, and a few other stores.

Had a fabulous time and can't wait to head back!

Forgot to add that the snow Sunday and Monday was just magical!

I'm jealous. What a great weekend. We went 2 years ago this time of year and enjoyed it equally as well. I'd take Chicago over NYC.

I hope you saw big fluffy snowflakes and stuck your tongue out to catch them.

"Daddy Wonderful", lol. You do have a way with words, GoT! Glad you enjoyed a great weekend in Chicago! The apartment sounds fab.

Was that a "fat" apartment, or "phat" apartment

I'm glad you enjoyed Quartino! My friend's family owns that restaurant, and it's a frequent stop when I go home to visit.

GO BEARS!!!!

Great! Glad you had a nice time. Now you can start working on those sofas.

Aren't those Daddy Wonderfuls wonderful.

I thought you got stuck there! Glad you got home safely - and had a wonderful time with Daddy Wonderful.

lizziea - lucky you. I love Quartino. I've eaten there probably 5 times.

I thought of you twice Sunday and Monday, GT. I knew that you might very well be "stuck".

Was the overtime in the bars, anything like my house? LOL!

Snow is still pretty and white and ice crystals look like jewels. Another batch coming tonight. Glad you had a good time. Next year I'm going to do a Winter Delights this time of year, just to shop and see some shows. Can't this year as I'm saving up for D.C. next month.

GT, glad you and Daddy Wonderful had a good time in Chicago.

And, with all due respect to GT (and DW), there are restaurants which get the business because of their location and there are restaurants which get the business because of their cuisine. My suggestion to others who just read these posts during their research for travel planning: See what restaurants native Chicagoans recommend (read this as where the locals actually eat) and I think your choices for the meals will be happier ones.

I'd take that over sofas any day! Glad to hear you had a great time - nice recap.

Enjoy-la!

Great trip report -- much better than red sofas!

exiledprincess, no disrespect taken!

We knew we were eating in tourist central because of where we were located!

We decided the weather was just too bad to try and search out restaurants or walk any further than 10-12 blocks. I guess the thoughts of hailing cabs was just too much work.

The snow was fabulous and the snowflakes were so big they kept flying in my eye!

I'm so glad I had good boots (fleece lined with three inch wedge heels), my long wool coat, my pashmina, my lined hat, and good gloves. We stayed warm and dry even when it poured rain on Sunday night.

The crowds were tons of fun Sunday after the game.

Also, we stopped one other restaurant that had a French/Vietnamese feel on Rush Street. Can't think of the name

We were just fat and lazy this past weekend and it was fabulous!

Also, let me add even though we were in tourist central, all of our meals were outstanding to say the least. None were even mediocre.

Lizzie, definitely phat!

I believe GT means Le Colonial, just north of Walton on Rush. BTW, there is also Le Lan on N. Clark, which also has French Vietnamese cuisine.

Glad no offense taken, GT. I would really hate to have a visitor traveling to Chicago and only go to the most prominently located restaurants - when there are other ones in close proximity - or even a quick cab, El or bus ride away, which IMHO so offer much more...

That's it! Le Colonial!