Weekend Jaunt: A Chi-town Birthday
For my birthday, I wanted to
go exploring again. I had my first trip
to Chicago last summer. I did a road trip with my father, brother and two
friends to go the ball parks. When
focused on the Cubs and White Sox, back-to-back games on a Saturday and Sunday,
we were able to fit in a few things but not much. I wanted to see more of Chicago. I was so impressed by this city. It has such a great reputation.
A friend worked at the
infamous Alinea for a while and I saw it was written up again in Bon Appetite
as the fourth most important restaurant in the United States. We looked into reservations and we were able to
get them on my birthday. Once we had
that confirmation, we were sold on the weekend and booked our flights. Chicago did not disappoint.
Eats
Alinea
This was by far one of the
most fun and interactive dinners I have ever had. It was beautiful. The food was delicious. The service was impeccable. The ambience was simple, not overstated but
was a perfect balance of warm and extravagant.
Eighteen courses timed perfectly to offer you a new way to eat that
appeals to your taste, sight, touch, and smell.
It was probably the most indulgent meal I have ever had. Each dish was a masterpiece that belonged in
the Art Institute.
D4 Irish Pub & Café
After looking for a brunch
spot, we ended up wandering into this Irish pub for lunch which provided us the
omelets and coffee we needed. This place
may have also made me the best Bloody Mary with Jalapeno vodka, and the best
trimmings you could have ever imagined.
I don’t know about you but a drink that has a block of cheese, bacon,
pickle, olive and celery is a winner in my book.
The Bar at the Penninsula Hotel
Located in the Penninsula
Hotel, this bar was lovely. Despite us
being the only people in jeans in a crowd of navy and pinstripe suits, the bar
is a great place for appetizers and cocktails to start your night. Try their dumpling sampler. Delicious.
Drink
Goose Island Brewery
I will say I’m struggling to
recommend this brewery. It was by far
one of the worst I have ever been to.
I’m not a huge fan of Goose Island beer in general – however Chicago natives
seem to LOVE this place and its beer offering.
We did 2 tasting flights of four beers each and nothing really stood out
at us but beers are different to each person.
DrumBar
This speakeasy-type bar offers solace on a freezing cold Chicago evening. Leather booths, dim lighting, fireplaces and a heavy poured glass of Champagne made this bar one of my favorites. They have whiskey and bourbon tasting flights and an extensive specialty cocktail menu. Just know that with their deep pours, there is no food/snack menu so heavy drinkers beware.
Do
FlyWheel Chicago
I have become a FlyWheel
junkie since living in Seattle. I try to
do upwards of 4 classes a week. This
weekend was no exception. Sunday
morning, I found the FlyWheel Gold Coast.
FlyWheel is not as popular in Chicago (maybe it was the class I was in)
so the class was half-full but as always, an amazing workout for a guilt-free
birthday.
The Art Institute of Chicago
I have wanted to go to this
museum since I was a little girl. The
impressionist wing, Edward Hopper’s ‘Nighthawks,’ the temporary installment of
‘Picasso and Chicago’ – I could lose myself in this museum for days, weeks
even. Somewhat easy to navigate and a
killer gift shop – the Art Institute had me at ‘hello.’
The Original Untouchable Tour
Super cheesy but I love
cheese. This tour was kitschy but
informative and fun nonetheless. We
randomly saw a bus go by when walking around and decided to sign up for
it. We saw and heard all about mob wars. The tour runs 90 minutes; more so, it is a
great way to get your bearings on the city as they do the loop around all of
the neighborhoods.
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