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Purseonable · Nov 3rd, 2009, 01:30 AM

I'm going to be visiting Chicago soon and was wondering if anyone recommends a particular hotel, restaurant or sightseeing activity? I am looking to stay downtown and at a reasonably priced hotel. I'm particularly interested in knowing where to go for great sushi or Italian food but would also be interested in recommendations for where to have brunch and if there are any can't-miss shopping destinations. TIA!

bedhead · Nov 3rd, 2009, 01:56 AM

Restaurants - Sushi Wabi is pretty good, though I haven't been there in a couple of years. It tends to get a little crowded, but there's good people-watching. If you can, try to go to any of Rick Bayless's restaurants - Topolobampo (fancier, need reservation), Frontera Grill (more casual, don't take reservations), and Xoco (brunch, no reservations, but there will be a line. I seriously had one of the best meals of my life at Topolobampo a couple of months ago. All three are right next to each other, on Clark & Illinois, a couple of blocks from the river.

Hotels - if you have AAA, most of the chain hotels downtown have decent rates depending on the season. My favorite hotel is the Drake, but it can be pricey unless you find a special on hotels.com or have a corporate discount. I'd check around and see if you can find a good rate and then check the hotel reviews on TripAdvisor to make sure it's a decent place.

Sightseeing - I highly recommend the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise, but it will be very cold in the winter! (Though they do have indoor seats.)

Have fun!

carousel eyes · Nov 3rd, 2009, 02:15 AM

Definitely visit the SkyDeck at the Sears Tower [recently renamed Willis Tower]. The new glass ledges are thrilling! My Dad's palms were sweaty just looking at them, haha.

As for sushi - I haven't tried many different places, but I really like Oysy on S. Michigan, RA on N. State and Kamehachi on E. Ontario.

queenvictoria2 · Nov 3rd, 2009, 08:49 AM

One place I always recommend is Chicago Pizza and Ovengrinders -YUM!
It is at 2121 N. Clark. Not really traditional pizza, it is a pizza pot pie and is TDF! Highly recommend that and the medeterrainian (sp?) bread mmmmmmm!!!!

Oh and it is cash only, weird.

jwhitlock · Nov 3rd, 2009, 10:48 PM

We loved Topo Gigio for italian. We go to Chicago every year or so... we went to this place about seven years ago, before it got kind of popular, and it was wonderful.

Very homey, with big plates of yummy food.

Have fun!

redney · Nov 4th, 2009, 01:46 AM

Hotel - I loved the James. Near Michigan Ave.

Have you done a search in this Travel subforum? There are many existing threads with great advice on Chicago hotels, restaurants and shopping. Here are a few to get you started:

Chicago Hotels?

Places to eat in Chicago?

Shopping in Chicago

chicago 12/26-01/01

Purseonable · Nov 4th, 2009, 09:49 AM

Thanks bedhead, carousel eyes, queenvictoria1, jwhitlock, and redney for all the recommendations and links to other threads. This has been really helpful and it's getting me very excited for my upcoming visit!

Nov 3rd, 2009, 01:30 AM	#1
Purseonable OP Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 225	Chicago recommendations-hotels and restaurants I'm going to be visiting Chicago soon and was wondering if anyone recommends a particular hotel, restaurant or sightseeing activity? I am looking to stay downtown and at a reasonably priced hotel. I'm particularly interested in knowing where to go for great sushi or Italian food but would also be interested in recommendations for where to have brunch and if there are any can't-miss shopping destinations. TIA!
Purseonable OP Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 225

Nov 3rd, 2009, 02:15 AM	#3
carousel eyes Member Joined: Dec 2008 Location: NC/IL/MA Posts: 1,653	Definitely visit the SkyDeck at the Sears Tower [recently renamed Willis Tower]. The new glass ledges are thrilling! My Dad's palms were sweaty just looking at them, haha. As for sushi - I haven't tried many different places, but I really like Oysy on S. Michigan, RA on N. State and Kamehachi on E. Ontario.
	__________________ "Fashion is a mass phenomenon, but it feeds on the individual." - Cecil Beaton

Nov 3rd, 2009, 08:49 AM	#4
queenvictoria2 psalm 25:4 Joined: Sep 2006 Location: In a Shoe .... Posts: 4,294	One place I always recommend is Chicago Pizza and Ovengrinders -YUM! It is at 2121 N. Clark. Not really traditional pizza, it is a pizza pot pie and is TDF! Highly recommend that and the medeterrainian (sp?) bread mmmmmmm!!!! Oh and it is cash only, weird.
	__________________ Wishlist: A Cure for Cancer

Nov 3rd, 2009, 10:48 PM	#5
jwhitlock Delicious Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Southeast of Disorder, MD Posts: 506	We loved Topo Gigio for italian. We go to Chicago every year or so... we went to this place about seven years ago, before it got kind of popular, and it was wonderful. Very homey, with big plates of yummy food. Have fun!
	__________________ Nobody puts GINGEY in a corner.

Nov 4th, 2009, 01:46 AM	#6
redney Lovin' Life! Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,751	Hotel - I loved the James. Near Michigan Ave. Have you done a search in this Travel subforum? There are many existing threads with great advice on Chicago hotels, restaurants and shopping. Here are a few to get you started: Chicago Hotels? Places to eat in Chicago? Shopping in Chicago chicago 12/26-01/01
redney Lovin' Life! Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,751

Nov 3rd, 2009, 01:56 AM	#2
bedhead Member Joined: May 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 565	Restaurants - Sushi Wabi is pretty good, though I haven't been there in a couple of years. It tends to get a little crowded, but there's good people-watching. If you can, try to go to any of Rick Bayless's restaurants - Topolobampo (fancier, need reservation), Frontera Grill (more casual, don't take reservations), and Xoco (brunch, no reservations, but there will be a line. I seriously had one of the best meals of my life at Topolobampo a couple of months ago. All three are right next to each other, on Clark & Illinois, a couple of blocks from the river. Hotels - if you have AAA, most of the chain hotels downtown have decent rates depending on the season. My favorite hotel is the Drake, but it can be pricey unless you find a special on hotels.com or have a corporate discount. I'd check around and see if you can find a good rate and then check the hotel reviews on TripAdvisor to make sure it's a decent place. Sightseeing - I highly recommend the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise, but it will be very cold in the winter! (Though they do have indoor seats.) Have fun!

Nov 4th, 2009, 09:49 AM	#7
Purseonable OP Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 225	Thanks bedhead, carousel eyes, queenvictoria1, jwhitlock, and redney for all the recommendations and links to other threads. This has been really helpful and it's getting me very excited for my upcoming visit!
Purseonable OP Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 225

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