Chicago
Out in Chicago with family in this trip. The logistics involved in moving a large group of people for an event is a little mind blowing. People having different needs and timing can certainly lead to confusion. I flew on United Airlines but I also booked flights on American Airlines directly and indirectly with British Airways via points.
Full planes throughout the trip but was able to get upgraded last minute to first on United Airlines to Chicago. Luckily, my companion did as well when someone declined the upgrade and it was given to the next person. Only one of my family members had issues with their flight itinerary which required a complete rebooking. That experience gave me an introduction to the policies of award travel redemption on British Airways and American Airlines. British Airways does not allow redeposit of miles on no show tickets and flights must be booked at least 4 hours in advance when using the travel on a partner airline. I assume partner since I have never used points for BA flights.
Checked into the Four Points Sheraton Chicago O'hare Airport hotel. The hotel is a little dated but appears to be in a renovation phase. The lobby area looks refreshed but the rooms have not received updating yet. I assume the rooms haven't been renovated by the amount of cracked leather on the desk chairs of the two rooms I booked. The hotel did have signs in the lobby about renovations so I hope the whole hotel gets updated soon.
Rented a car through the bid your own price on Priceline for a full size SUV and ended with Alamo and a GMC Yukon. For some reason, there was a great demand of rental cars the week I was in Chicago as the lots were almost empty. The agent tried to convince me to get a Surburban but I didn't want to pay the extra $25 per day.
On the first day, I went downtown to run an errand and met up with some friends for dinner. While waiting for them, stopped in at Haymarket Pub & Brewery for a drink and snack. Wandered over to Green Street Smoked Meats for some BBQ. The meats were good, I especially liked the pork ribs, elote corn, and vanilla soft serve. The bar had an extensive list of cocktails and beer. Even though I had dessert, my friends persuaded me to visit Mario's Italian Lemonade at 1068 W Taylor St (at S Carpenter St), Chicago, IL 60607. The ice has a lemon base so any flavor you get will have a lemony tinge. I know Italians love lemons but I'm not a fan of citrus desserts so I was not as enamored as my friends. Maybe I'm too much of a fan of Hawaiian shaved ice to like Italian ice. On the bright side, my ice was mistakenly knocked over in front of the owner who promptly replaced it for me. I did not realize the person chatting up people on the sidewalk was the owner and it was nice gesture with the free replacement.
The next day, went to have brunch at Walker Brothers The Original Pancake House. I enjoyed my Georgia Pecan Pancakes. There was a crispness to the pancake. My parents breakfast came with a side of regular pancakes and the texture was different. Not sure how the pecans changed the way the pancake was cooked but it did. The Santa Fe Omelette was tasty and surprising spicy for the area I was in. Most of the Midwesterners I know can't handle any spiciness.
Afterwards, spent the afternoon at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. The garden is beautiful and very accessible for all ages. There are a variety of gardens within the Garden. One of the exhibits (for an extra fee) is the butterfly exhibit. One of the largest butterflies I have seen and they are fairly friendly.
For dinner, went to Pequod's to try another landmark deep dish Chicago pizza. Known for the cheese bubbling over the pan creating a crispy cheese crust, I can appreciate the pizza but I don't know if this would be a pizza place I would return for Chicago deep dish.
The next day, grabbed some doughnuts from Doughnut Vault at 401 1/2 N Franklin St
Chicago, IL 60654 when I switched to the Westin Chicago River North hotel. The doughnuts were featured on travel shows and a friend mentioned to me that these were popular hipster doughnuts. I was told that many doughnut places have become hipster in Chicago and wanted to see what the fuss was about. The doughnuts were good but definitely not something I would wait in line or want to pay $3 per doughnut. This particular doughnut place is also owned by the same chef of Green Street Smoked Meats. The doughnuts tasted like my local doughnut place at home but pricier.
I am reminded how crazy parking rates are in Chicago with the $69 valet parking at the hotel. Overall, it is a great location, well maintained, and great service. The hotel even sent me a bottle of wine and chocolate covered strawberries when the front desk person asked why I was in town. Now that is great service and thoughtfulness. They definitely made an impression on me.
Later, brunched at Elly's Pancake House. I ordered the Potato Pancake Benedict which was not my fave. I actually like the Lox and Onion omelette more. I also ordered a beetalicious smoothie and it was tasty.
In the afternoon, I took an architectural river tour. I had a family emergency at that point and was mostly on the phone during the tour. It sounded as if everyone else had fun. Chicago architecture is pretty cool and the river viewpoint is certainly interesting.
For dinner, went to Gibson's Steak and Bar. The meat was not as tasty as I remembered last and maybe because it was the airport location? It certainly was as busy as the downtown location! The turtle pie was still super good. The restaurant folks were really nice and even packed the ice cream pie for us in foil and ice. The apple turnover was pretty tasty too.
The next day, grabbed some doughnuts from Glazed and Infused. This is the first doughnut place where the red velvet doughnut tasted like a red velvet cake. By far the best doughnut I had in Chicago. I would not recommend the maple bacon bar, I felt like it was a regular maple doughnut with a strip of bacon on top. Not particularly inventive. Also grabbed some light breakfast with the family at Ember Grille inside the Westin. Not cheap but I liked the mini sweet potato pancakes.
After my event, had dinner at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse. I ordered the tuna which I found overly seasoned but still a great cut of fish. The garlic mashed potatoes were good. The tiramisu dessert is free if you show the foursquare check in and is a great dessert. The flourless chocolate cake was rich and a chocolate lover's delight.
After driving around Chicago all week from the suburbs and in downtown, I don't understand why people don't complain about Chicago traffic. I add that I drove to the airport, either O'Hare or Midway International Airports, because of family coming into town and I became very familiar navigating the freeways. If I was a resident in Chicago, I would prefer picking up folks from O'Hare rather than Midway. Midway is smaller and I had expected it being easier to navigate but it was the opposite. Almost as if the traffic coming in overwhelms the airport's infrastructure. It is insane how long everything takes. How people think other places like Los Angeles has worse traffic than this town is beyond me. The high price of parking in the downtown area does not seem to deter people from driving in the city which makes it more absurd in my mind.
Full planes throughout the trip but was able to get upgraded last minute to first on United Airlines to Chicago. Luckily, my companion did as well when someone declined the upgrade and it was given to the next person. Only one of my family members had issues with their flight itinerary which required a complete rebooking. That experience gave me an introduction to the policies of award travel redemption on British Airways and American Airlines. British Airways does not allow redeposit of miles on no show tickets and flights must be booked at least 4 hours in advance when using the travel on a partner airline. I assume partner since I have never used points for BA flights.
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| Double Room at Four Points |
Checked into the Four Points Sheraton Chicago O'hare Airport hotel. The hotel is a little dated but appears to be in a renovation phase. The lobby area looks refreshed but the rooms have not received updating yet. I assume the rooms haven't been renovated by the amount of cracked leather on the desk chairs of the two rooms I booked. The hotel did have signs in the lobby about renovations so I hope the whole hotel gets updated soon.
Rented a car through the bid your own price on Priceline for a full size SUV and ended with Alamo and a GMC Yukon. For some reason, there was a great demand of rental cars the week I was in Chicago as the lots were almost empty. The agent tried to convince me to get a Surburban but I didn't want to pay the extra $25 per day.
On the first day, I went downtown to run an errand and met up with some friends for dinner. While waiting for them, stopped in at Haymarket Pub & Brewery for a drink and snack. Wandered over to Green Street Smoked Meats for some BBQ. The meats were good, I especially liked the pork ribs, elote corn, and vanilla soft serve. The bar had an extensive list of cocktails and beer. Even though I had dessert, my friends persuaded me to visit Mario's Italian Lemonade at 1068 W Taylor St (at S Carpenter St), Chicago, IL 60607. The ice has a lemon base so any flavor you get will have a lemony tinge. I know Italians love lemons but I'm not a fan of citrus desserts so I was not as enamored as my friends. Maybe I'm too much of a fan of Hawaiian shaved ice to like Italian ice. On the bright side, my ice was mistakenly knocked over in front of the owner who promptly replaced it for me. I did not realize the person chatting up people on the sidewalk was the owner and it was nice gesture with the free replacement.
The next day, went to have brunch at Walker Brothers The Original Pancake House. I enjoyed my Georgia Pecan Pancakes. There was a crispness to the pancake. My parents breakfast came with a side of regular pancakes and the texture was different. Not sure how the pecans changed the way the pancake was cooked but it did. The Santa Fe Omelette was tasty and surprising spicy for the area I was in. Most of the Midwesterners I know can't handle any spiciness.
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| Butterfly Exhibit at the Chicago Botanical Gardens |
For dinner, went to Pequod's to try another landmark deep dish Chicago pizza. Known for the cheese bubbling over the pan creating a crispy cheese crust, I can appreciate the pizza but I don't know if this would be a pizza place I would return for Chicago deep dish.
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| King Room at Westin Chicago |
Chicago, IL 60654 when I switched to the Westin Chicago River North hotel. The doughnuts were featured on travel shows and a friend mentioned to me that these were popular hipster doughnuts. I was told that many doughnut places have become hipster in Chicago and wanted to see what the fuss was about. The doughnuts were good but definitely not something I would wait in line or want to pay $3 per doughnut. This particular doughnut place is also owned by the same chef of Green Street Smoked Meats. The doughnuts tasted like my local doughnut place at home but pricier.
I am reminded how crazy parking rates are in Chicago with the $69 valet parking at the hotel. Overall, it is a great location, well maintained, and great service. The hotel even sent me a bottle of wine and chocolate covered strawberries when the front desk person asked why I was in town. Now that is great service and thoughtfulness. They definitely made an impression on me.
Later, brunched at Elly's Pancake House. I ordered the Potato Pancake Benedict which was not my fave. I actually like the Lox and Onion omelette more. I also ordered a beetalicious smoothie and it was tasty.
 |
| River tour |
In the afternoon, I took an architectural river tour. I had a family emergency at that point and was mostly on the phone during the tour. It sounded as if everyone else had fun. Chicago architecture is pretty cool and the river viewpoint is certainly interesting.
For dinner, went to Gibson's Steak and Bar. The meat was not as tasty as I remembered last and maybe because it was the airport location? It certainly was as busy as the downtown location! The turtle pie was still super good. The restaurant folks were really nice and even packed the ice cream pie for us in foil and ice. The apple turnover was pretty tasty too.
The next day, grabbed some doughnuts from Glazed and Infused. This is the first doughnut place where the red velvet doughnut tasted like a red velvet cake. By far the best doughnut I had in Chicago. I would not recommend the maple bacon bar, I felt like it was a regular maple doughnut with a strip of bacon on top. Not particularly inventive. Also grabbed some light breakfast with the family at Ember Grille inside the Westin. Not cheap but I liked the mini sweet potato pancakes.
After my event, had dinner at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse. I ordered the tuna which I found overly seasoned but still a great cut of fish. The garlic mashed potatoes were good. The tiramisu dessert is free if you show the foursquare check in and is a great dessert. The flourless chocolate cake was rich and a chocolate lover's delight.
After driving around Chicago all week from the suburbs and in downtown, I don't understand why people don't complain about Chicago traffic. I add that I drove to the airport, either O'Hare or Midway International Airports, because of family coming into town and I became very familiar navigating the freeways. If I was a resident in Chicago, I would prefer picking up folks from O'Hare rather than Midway. Midway is smaller and I had expected it being easier to navigate but it was the opposite. Almost as if the traffic coming in overwhelms the airport's infrastructure. It is insane how long everything takes. How people think other places like Los Angeles has worse traffic than this town is beyond me. The high price of parking in the downtown area does not seem to deter people from driving in the city which makes it more absurd in my mind.
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