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Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

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Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Looks like we're heading to Chicago for my birthday (heh)...the actual city. We'll be there for about 3-4 nights in December and are trying to decide what to do. We're planning to eat at a Stephanie Izard place (or two), but I'm not sure what else to do. I'm not wild about heights, so the Sears Tower (or whatever it's called) doesn't hold much interest for me. I don't like to shop and I've done Navy Pier.
Food recs?
Beer/Brewery recs?
Things to do?

Blackhawks are there Sunday afternoon, which is a possibility.
 
Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

bostonewe said:
Looks like we're heading to Chicago for my birthday (heh)...the actual city. We'll be there for about 3-4 nights in December and are trying to decide what to do. We're planning to eat at a Stephanie Izard place (or two), but I'm not sure what else to do. I'm not wild about heights, so the Sears Tower (or whatever it's called) doesn't hold much interest for me. I don't like to shop and I've done Navy Pier.
Food recs?
Beer/Brewery recs?
Things to do?

Blackhawks are there Sunday afternoon, which is a possibility.
Click to expand...

I'm not a Chicago local, but the Art Institute is worth visiting. The Museum of Natural History is excellent, and it is right next door to the Shedd Aquarium close to downtown. The Museum of Science and Industry, on the site of the 1893 World Fair, is also easy to get to. If you like architecture, the city has a lot of Frank Loyd Wright homes and has a tour, I believe.

If you are close to Wrigley (near north side) for brunch, River Valley Farmer's Table is a treat. Not Stephanie Izard, but worth it if you are close.

A lot of people take the short drive north for a chance to see real Wisconsin people.

Who are the Hawks playing?
 
Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

bostonewe said:
Looks like we're heading to Chicago for my birthday (heh)...the actual city. We'll be there for about 3-4 nights in December and are trying to decide what to do. We're planning to eat at a Stephanie Izard place (or two), but I'm not sure what else to do. I'm not wild about heights, so the Sears Tower (or whatever it's called) doesn't hold much interest for me. I don't like to shop and I've done Navy Pier.
Food recs?
Beer/Brewery recs?
Things to do?

Blackhawks are there Sunday afternoon, which is a possibility.
Click to expand...

As mentioned, there are several cool museum options right in the downtown area. It just depends on what you want to see (Art, Natural History, Aquarium, etc.). For shows, Chicago is home to Second City. Their alumni list speaks for itself and is a really great chance to see some great comedians before the make it big.

Food-wise, I feel that Chicago is a very underrated culinary city. Everyone knows about the Pizza and Hot Dogs, but there is so much more out there. Again, it depends on what you're looking for. Chicago's food scene is definitely "Blue Collar" based. Most of better options are going to be on the near North side, a short El ride or Uber from Downtown. I like Kuma's Corner for Chicago's best burger option.

Beer wise, I am a big fan of Revolution Brewing. Their tap house is another option on the North Side.
 
Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Revolution Brewing is awesome. Their barleywine? *drool* (Someone brought a keg of it to last year's Surly Darkness Day tailgate).
 
Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

bostonewe said:
Looks like we're heading to Chicago for my birthday (heh)...the actual city. We'll be there for about 3-4 nights in December and are trying to decide what to do. We're planning to eat at a Stephanie Izard place (or two), but I'm not sure what else to do. I'm not wild about heights, so the Sears Tower (or whatever it's called) doesn't hold much interest for me. I don't like to shop and I've done Navy Pier.
Food recs?
Beer/Brewery recs?
Things to do?

Blackhawks are there Sunday afternoon, which is a possibility.
Click to expand...

Field Museum is awesome. I definitely recommend a visit there.
 
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Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

burd said:
I'm not a Chicago local, but the Art Institute is worth visiting. The Museum of Natural History is excellent, and it is right next door to the Shedd Aquarium close to downtown. The Museum of Science and Industry, on the site of the 1893 World Fair, is also easy to get to. If you like architecture, the city has a lot of Frank Loyd Wright homes and has a tour, I believe.
If you are close to Wrigley (near north side) for brunch, River Valley Farmer's Table is a treat. Not Stephanie Izard, but worth it if you are close.
A lot of people take the short drive north for a chance to see real Wisconsin people.
Who are the Hawks playing?
Click to expand...
I've been to Wisconsin a few times, I don't need more exposure to Wisconsin people. And we won't have a car.
They're playing Calgary.
Brenthoven said:
Revolution Brewing is awesome. Their barleywine? *drool* (Someone brought a keg of it to last year's Surly Darkness Day tailgate).
Click to expand...
Ooooh - I will add this to the itinerary
bigblue_dl said:
Field Museum is awesome. I definitely recommend a visit there.
Click to expand...
They have a new exhibit with a T-Rex, so I will definitely be interested. Will add it to the list.
 
Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Frontera Grill for a celeb chef flagship that won't do an obtuse amount of damage to your wallet, especially if you go for lunch.

Bohemian House for upscaled Central European classics. Cafecito for a Cuban lunch.

I'd tell you to go to Joe Boston's for an Italian beef sandwich, but sadly, it's gone.

Chicago is a tremendous food city. I'll be there in two weeks - can't wait.
 
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Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
Frontera Grill for a celeb chef flagship that won't do an obtuse amount of damage to your wallet, especially if you go for lunch.
Bohemian House for upscaled Central European classics. Cafecito for a Cuban lunch.
I'd tell you to go to Joe Boston's for an Italian beef sandwich, but sadly, it's gone.
Chicago is a tremendous food city. I'll be there in two weeks - can't wait.
Click to expand...
Rick Bayless, right? I've seen him on tv, but is his Mexican that elevated that it's a must do?

I keep hearing that about Chicago, I'm wicked excited about going. (I went in high school as part of a high school/college immersion program - I was a sophomore and we did 8 weeks of college classes at UW-Madison and toured college campuses on the weekend. The program turned a bunch of teenagers loose in the city without supervision for the weekend... :eek: ).
 
Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

bostonewe said:
Rick Bayless, right? I've seen him on tv, but is his Mexican that elevated that it's a must do?
Click to expand...

They do make excellent ceviche, and I enjoyed the pork shoulder mole special they were doing the night I managed to sneak in without a res. I wouldn't call it a "must-do" though. Just a thought.

There was an outstanding Japanese robatayaki joint on the North side, but I can't find it now - must be gone as well. I ate every part of chicken but the cluck at that place.
 
Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
They do make excellent ceviche, and I enjoyed the pork shoulder mole special they were doing the night I managed to sneak in without a res. I wouldn't call it a "must-do" though. Just a thought.

There was an outstanding Japanese robatayaki joint on the North side, but I can't find it now - must be gone as well. I ate every part of chicken but the cluck at that place.
Click to expand...
I'll add it to the list -- Good to know on the reservation. I hadn't thought of that for his place.

I would love to eat at a place like that, but I don't think the hubs is that adventurous.

We had originally talked about looking at Alinea for reservations (or other Grant Achatz places), but I'm just not feeling it. We went to Travail when we were in MN which was amazing, but I don't know if I want that kind of meal every time we travel. Plus, I feel like the guys at Travail were interested in feeding you actual food, Alinea looks like some of the stuff is just for tasting or show, which I'm not into.
 
Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

bostonewe said:
I'll add it to the list -- Good to know on the reservation. I hadn't thought of that for his place.

We had originally talked about looking at Alinea for reservations (or other Grant Achatz places), but I'm just not feeling it. We went to Travail when we were in MN which was amazing, but I don't know if I want that kind of meal every time we travel. Plus, I feel like the guys at Travail were interested in feeding you actual food, Alinea looks like some of the stuff is just for tasting or show, which I'm not into.
Click to expand...

If you go for dinner at Frontera, a res is really a must. By dumb luck, I happened to sneak into the last seat at the counter next to the pass on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening, and it was jammed. Did enjoy a partial (though not direct) kitchen view. Not sure a res would be needed (or even accepted) for lunch, especially on a weekend.

Alinea is on my list, but it's not high up, and I have to save money for Boston and San Francisco in October. Plus I totally agree with you - every time I see what Achatz does in the kitchen at Alinea, I can't help but think 70% of his food is flashy presentation stuff. The foams, the flaming leaf bouquets, the liquid nitrogen nonsense, etc. He's our Ferran Adrià, and I struggle with the so-called "molecular gastronomy" school of cooking.
 
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Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
If you go for dinner at Frontera, a res is really a must. By dumb luck, I happened to sneak into the last seat at the counter next to the pass on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening, and it was jammed. Did enjoy a partial (though not direct) kitchen view. Not sure a res would be needed (or even accepted) for lunch, especially on a weekend.

Alinea is on my list, but it's not high up, and I have to save money for Boston and San Francisco in October. Plus I totally agree with you - every time I see what Achatz does in the kitchen at Alinea, I can't help but think 70% of his food is flashy presentation stuff. The foams, the flaming leaf bouquets, the liquid nitrogen nonsense, etc. He's our Ferran Adrià, and I struggle with the so-called "molecular gastronomy" school of cooking.
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem with it if it serves a purpose (ice cream frozen with liquid nitrogen, etc.) or even for some presentation, but not as the core idea of a dish.
 
Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

bostonewe said:
I don't have a problem with it if it serves a purpose (ice cream frozen with liquid nitrogen, etc.) or even for some presentation, but not as the core idea of a dish.
Click to expand...

I get what you're saying.

So help me out - here's where I've been in Boston:

Eastie: Mario's (A classic, and the veal limon was solid :)), New Saigon (pretty decent pho :))
Downtown: Sail Loft (:(), State Street Provisions (:)), some place at the corner of Broad and Milk (appears to be gone, but buttery lobstah roll was wicked.:D).
Shawmut:: Oishii (very good sushi :D)
North End: Fiore (FFS, the swordfish steak was the size of a porterhouse :D), Mike's Pastry (I got one cannoli for dessert and one for breakfast :D - both were very good, but my frame of reference is admittedly limited on that front, despite the cannoli shop a half-mile away that I've never visited)
Chelsea: Buccieri's Pizza (:D)

Of course I've been to Legal Sea Foods, which is perfectly cromulent.

Those are basically my Boston experiences so far.
 
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Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

burd said:
I'm not a Chicago local, but the Art Institute is worth visiting. The Museum of Natural History is excellent, and it is right next door to the Shedd Aquarium close to downtown. The Museum of Science and Industry, on the site of the 1893 World Fair, is also easy to get to. If you like architecture, the city has a lot of Frank Loyd Wright homes and has a tour, I believe.

If you are close to Wrigley (near north side) for brunch, River Valley Farmer's Table is a treat. Not Stephanie Izard, but worth it if you are close.

A lot of people take the short drive north for a chance to see real Wisconsin people.

Who are the Hawks playing?
Click to expand...

Brenthoven said:
Revolution Brewing is awesome. Their barleywine? *drool* (Someone brought a keg of it to last year's Surly Darkness Day tailgate).
Click to expand...

bigblue_dl said:
Field Museum is awesome. I definitely recommend a visit there.
Click to expand...

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
I get what you're saying.

So help me out - here's where I've been in Boston:

Eastie: Mario's (A classic, and the veal limon was solid :)), New Saigon (pretty decent pho :))
Downtown: Sail Loft (:(), State Street Provisions (:)), some place at the corner of Broad and Milk (appears to be gone, but buttery lobstah roll was wicked.:D).
Shawmut:: Oishii (very good sushi :D)
North End: Fiore (FFS, the swordfish steak was the size of a porterhouse :D), Mike's Pastry (I got one cannoli for dessert and one for breakfast :D - both were very good, but my frame of reference is admittedly limited on that front, despite the cannoli shop a half-mile away that I've never visited)
Chelsea: Buccieri's Pizza (:D)

Of course I've been to Legal Sea Foods, which is perfectly cromulent.

Those are basically my Boston experiences so far.
Click to expand...

Depends on what you want to eat.
North End (Italian) -- I like Modern and Bova's better than Mike's (though Bova's cream filled pastries have A LOT of sugar in their frostings). Limoncello is a good place to go for food. I also like L'Osteria.
Spanish food - I hate a great dinner at Barcelona. Food was awesome and authentic (lots of small plates). We went with a big group and tried most of the menu.
Favorite place to eat - Sweet Cheeks Q near Fenway. Great BBQ (have had all the menu - apps, sides, and meats).
Thai - I love Brown Sugar Cafe. Nicer/higher-end Thai.
Indian -- India Quality (Kenmore)/Punjab Palace (Allston). They're owned by the same family and the food is awesome (I can't speak to authenticity -- I haven't been to India).
Brunch - Back Bay Social Club (Copley Square); Friendly Toast (Cambridge) if you can get in. Zaftigs (Brookline).
Pizza - Otto (I think there's a few).

My goal restaurant: O-ya (expensive, so we haven't gone); Tiger Mama (same chef as Sweet Cheeks, but only open for dinner).
 
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