Chicago POAers - I will be visiting.

woodstock

woodstock

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Chicago POAers - I will be visiting (Primehouse Friday Nov 2?)

I'll be in town for a business trip in early November and I'm going to try to swing an extra day (vacation) out of it. It's a one day conference on a THURSDAY (why did they do that?).

So, if I can snare the day off, anyone for dinner on Friday November 2?
 
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downtown! I have not been there in almost ten years and it will be a short visit - I hope we stay along the Miracle Mile. (that's what it's called, right?)
 
woodstock said:
downtown! I have not been there in almost ten years and it will be a short visit - I hope we stay along the Miracle Mile. (that's what it's called, right?)
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Magnificent Mile. Coined by the developer, Arthur Rubloff.

Is full of touristas.
 
But it also is near the Art Institute, right?

My only visit to Chicago - I stayed at the Palmer House Hilton. I hope that is where we stay.

anyway, the conf is at the Gleacher Center.
 
woodstock said:
But it also is near the Art Institute, right?

My only visit to Chicago - I stayed at the Palmer House Hilton. I hope that is where we stay.

anyway, the conf is at the Gleacher Center.
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Ah. UC Law School. You'll have a great view down the river and will be at the south end of the mag mile. It's next door to where "Jerry Springer" and soon, "iVillage" tapes.
 
Grant, cool! Now to find Dr. Bruce.

It's looking pretty definite now (barring some emergency cropping up at work that will require my presence) so where is that list of downtown Chicago restaurants? :)

I think I'm going to fly home Saturday afternoon so if Friday night doesn't work, maybe Saturday lunch would work (or both). I think I'll go to the Art Institute one of those days - anything near there that is good?

What else might you recommend for sightseeing, assuming I will only have Friday and part of the day Saturday...?
 
woodstock said:
Grant, cool! Now to find Dr. Bruce.

It's looking pretty definite now (barring some emergency cropping up at work that will require my presence) so where is that list of downtown Chicago restaurants? :)

I think I'm going to fly home Saturday afternoon so if Friday night doesn't work, maybe Saturday lunch would work (or both). I think I'll go to the Art Institute one of those days - anything near there that is good?

What else might you recommend for sightseeing, assuming I will only have Friday and part of the day Saturday...?
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You'll walk a bit. You'll want to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art which is on the other, north end of the mile. The Art Institute is about 3/4 mile south.


I'll join up if this is after my currently busy weekend schedule. We should be able to think up a good lunch/hangout place.
 
I think I have a wedding to go to that weekend that I'm leaving that Friday afternoon for... But I'll check with my better half, since she's generally more on top of these social obligations that I am. :redface:

woodstock said:
Grant, cool! Now to find Dr. Bruce.

It's looking pretty definite now (barring some emergency cropping up at work that will require my presence) so where is that list of downtown Chicago restaurants? :)

I think I'm going to fly home Saturday afternoon so if Friday night doesn't work, maybe Saturday lunch would work (or both). I think I'll go to the Art Institute one of those days - anything near there that is good?

What else might you recommend for sightseeing, assuming I will only have Friday and part of the day Saturday...?
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I think the last time we had a POAer en route to Chicago, the restaurant list basically consisted of Everest, Alinea, and some others. I've always been surprised at the number of new places worth trying that I find on Yelp. Have a look and we might be able to make some other suggestions.

The Art Institute is, of course, a must, and the Museum of Contemporary Art is a worthwhile destination as well -- and not that far. Since you're going to be down towards the Art Institute, a walk through Millennium Park may be worth an hour or so of your time if the weather is cooperating... the Bean (I know, I know, it's really Cloud Gate), Crown Fountain, and the bridge by Frank Gehry are worth a look. Be warned, though: it's a bit of a tourist trap -- even in November -- so Friday morning or afternoon would likely be best to avoid the crowds. If you're into architecture, perhaps consider one of the Chicago Architecture Foundation's tours. Nightlife-wise, I'd consider heading up to the Green Mill (it's a pricey cab ride from/to the Michigan Ave area, but worth it IMHO) for some live jazz in a classic spot, or maybe the Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel... a "chocolate bar", some drinks, dancing... sounds pretty good to me! :D

That's what I've got off the top of my head, and obviously there's tons more that I can't think of right now, but I'd be happy to come up with some more.

Anyway, if I'm in town I'd be up for lunch or drinks or something. Let me know!

Edit: And I forgot... You'll be around on the first Friday of November, so you could do the First Friday event at the MCA... It's pretty popular monthly event that features a blooming Chicago artist, and at only $15 bucks you really can't go wrong (though the scene-sters can be a tad annoying).
 
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wonderful, thanks! I'll look into all of that. I assume I'll be in town Wednesday night - dinner with coworkers - Thursday night may actually be on my own come to think of it, if they all go home (one day conference) and then most likely I'll head home Saturday sometime (I'm sure there are tons o' nonstops to IAD - so perhaps an evening versus afternoon flight home).

How far away are the Frank Lloyd Wright homes?
 
woodstock said:
wonderful, thanks! I'll look into all of that. I assume I'll be in town Wednesday night - dinner with coworkers - Thursday night may actually be on my own come to think of it, if they all go home (one day conference) and then most likely I'll head home Saturday sometime (I'm sure there are tons o' nonstops to IAD - so perhaps an evening versus afternoon flight home).

How far away are the Frank Lloyd Wright homes?
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Not far Midwest-wise. Far east coast-wise. Oak Park is on the western edge of Chicago, about 15 miles. There is public transportation but you'd need a ride. Right now the CTA is planning doomsday to begin Sunday.

You'd like the Farnsworth house which is way out west. Brad Pitt just filmed a PSA there.
 
woodstock said:
wonderful, thanks! I'll look into all of that. I assume I'll be in town Wednesday night - dinner with coworkers - Thursday night may actually be on my own come to think of it, if they all go home (one day conference) and then most likely I'll head home Saturday sometime (I'm sure there are tons o' nonstops to IAD - so perhaps an evening versus afternoon flight home).

How far away are the Frank Lloyd Wright homes?
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They're out in Oak Park, which is, ehhh, maybe a 25-30 minute drive from downtown in good traffic. Assuming you won't have a rental car, you can take the CTA for a couple-three-four bucks round trip (assuming it's still running come November). Here's the website, details the walking tours, directions, etc.: http://www.oprf.com/flw/index.html

Edit: This site is slightly better for the FLW stuff: http://www.wrightplus.org/tours/tours.php
 
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ReverendSlappy said:
I think I have a wedding to go to that weekend that I'm leaving that Friday afternoon for... But I'll check with my better half, since she's generally more on top of these social obligations that I am. :redface:



I think the last time we had a POAer en route to Chicago, the restaurant list basically consisted of Everest, Alinea, and some others. I've always been surprised at the number of new places worth trying that I find on Yelp. Have a look and we might be able to make some other suggestions.

The Art Institute is, of course, a must, and the Museum of Contemporary Art is a worthwhile destination as well -- and not that far. Since you're going to be down towards the Art Institute, a walk through Millennium Park may be worth an hour or so of your time if the weather is cooperating... the Bean (I know, I know, it's really Cloud Gate), Crown Fountain, and the bridge by Frank Gehry are worth a look. Be warned, though: it's a bit of a tourist trap -- even in November -- so Friday morning or afternoon would likely be best to avoid the crowds. If you're into architecture, perhaps consider one of the Chicago Architecture Foundation's tours. Nightlife-wise, I'd consider heading up to the Green Mill (it's a pricey cab ride from/to the Michigan Ave area, but worth it IMHO) for some live jazz in a classic spot, or maybe the Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel... a "chocolate bar", some drinks, dancing... sounds pretty good to me! :D

That's what I've got off the top of my head, and obviously there's tons more that I can't think of right now, but I'd be happy to come up with some more.

Anyway, if I'm in town I'd be up for lunch or drinks or something. Let me know!

Edit: And I forgot... You'll be around on the first Friday of November, so you could do the First Friday event at the MCA... It's pretty popular monthly event that features a blooming Chicago artist, and at only $15 bucks you really can't go wrong (though the scene-sters can be a tad annoying).
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Y'all might want to nail down the restaurant now....Some of the top tier ones will be booked for a Friday night this far out (the Everests, Trus, Topos, etc.).
 
smigaldi said:
I still think Heaven on Seven would be good. For dinner the original on Wabash is out but there is 600N Michigan Ave still!
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Oh yeah... Ho7 rocks! The Wabash location isn't far from the Art Institute, too, so that'd be a good lunch stop when that's on the itinerary.
 
smigaldi said:
I still think Heaven on Seven would be good. For dinner the original on Wabash is out but there is 600N Michigan Ave still!
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ReverendSlappy said:
Oh yeah... Ho7 rocks! The Wabash location isn't far from the Art Institute, too, so that'd be a good lunch stop when that's on the itinerary.
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Ditto! "Jimmy, feed me!"
 
I checked out http://www.lthforum.com in addition to consulting with some folks here and my critic friend.

I'm doing lunch at Xni-Pec (out in Cicero), dinner at Primehouse, and lunch again on Sunday is up in the air.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
Looks like I'm coming alone now. Thursday/Friday nights and Saturday lunch are open for possible GTGs.
 
OK, here is an update:

I have dinner plans on Thursday with our local outside counsel.

I am staying at the Intercontinental near the Gleacher Center.

Friday night and Saturday lunch are open. I'm planning on heading back late Saturday afternoon which gives plenty of time for lunch.

Is there any consensus on what dates work better for everyone?

I could actually meet for Friday dinner and Saturday lunch both.

I'm planning on doing a lot of sightseeing and shopping. I hope the weather is decent.
 
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GO TO PRIMEHOUSE.

Sorry for the caps. I could drown you in superlatives, but just go. Simply the best rib eye I have had in my life. Exceptional wine list. Good cocktails. Great digestifs. Excellent service. Table side, classic, raw egg and GOOD anchovies Caesar. (One of the True Tests of cooking, IMO)

I had the 65 day rib eye and it was out of sight. Bottle of 2000 Cote Rotie and a glass of 1977 Warre's Port to round out the meal. Oh, and a Manhattan - which was a nice way to get warmed up. The place has good flavor without being a testosterone-soaked fete-the-corporate-titan sort of joint (seriously, it's getting old), and I was blown away. So too are most of the critics and reviewers who have been.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
ok everyone, what do you think about meeting at the Primehouse? sounds good to me. Andrew, will you be joining us?
 
woodstock said:
ok everyone, what do you think about meeting at the Primehouse? sounds good to me. Andrew, will you be joining us?
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The potential exists. I'm on the road for pretty much the entire month of October, so that weekend may be a good time to get out of town. I'll talk with her tonight on our way to Chicago.

I guess it depends on how much I spend in Tokyo next week :D

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
PrimeHouse sounds good to me! Friday night, no earlier than 6:30. Everest might be nice, but I don't do dressy anymore.
 
hey everyone

this is next Friday (the 2d.)

who is in?

Primehouse - I made reservations for 8 people, 730 PM.

Scott, Grant, Dr. B, Mike, "Rev Slappy", who else may be in town? Andrew?
 
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shall we ping each other off line with our cell phone numbers? I can text you all once I'm in town. Friday I plan to see the Art Institute and who knows what else. I would love to see the Frank Lloyd Wright stuff but that's out of town.
 
woodstock said:
shall we ping each other off line with our cell phone numbers? I can text you all once I'm in town. Friday I plan to see the Art Institute and who knows what else. I would love to see the Frank Lloyd Wright stuff but that's out of town.
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One of us can get to the Frank Lloyd Wright stuff in Oak Park and the Farnsworth house.

I'll research when they have tours. I fear they may only have tours on weekends.

Worse case you can do a drive by tour in Oak Park if we can find a list of addresses.
 
woodstock said:
hey everyone

this is next Friday (the 2d.)

who is in?

Primehouse sounds great to me but if there is a different consensus, that's fine too.

Scott, Grant, Dr. B, Mike, "Rev Slappy", who else may be in town? Andrew?
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Leslie and I are still in at this point!
 
I am leaving Saturday afternoon! I think the hotel concierge can at least point me in the wright direction (ha, ha. ok).

OK, reservations at the Primehouse, for eight people (a guess) at 730 PM on Friday November 2. If you are reading this, please let me know if you are a for sure yes or no. I can let them know if the number changes.
 
woodstock said:
I am leaving Saturday afternoon! I think the hotel concierge can at least point me in the wright direction (ha, ha. ok).

OK, reservations at the Primehouse, for eight people (a guess) at 730 PM on Friday November 2. If you are reading this, please let me know if you are a for sure yes or no. I can let them know if the number changes.
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We're a "yes".
 
Gah! I'm out of town that Weds. through the following Tues. Bogus!

But Andrew's right... Primehouse is spectacular. You'll enjoy it!
 
woodstock said:
I am leaving Saturday afternoon! I think the hotel concierge can at least point me in the wright direction (ha, ha. ok).

OK, reservations at the Primehouse, for eight people (a guess) at 730 PM on Friday November 2. If you are reading this, please let me know if you are a for sure yes or no. I can let them know if the number changes.
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Make that 9 (Karen can come too)

is the Primehouse the Chicago Prime House at 616 Rush?
 
If it is steak I would recommend that the Chicago Chop house be the choice. That is by far one of the best steak houses in the city. Gene and Georgetti is good but not as 'Rat Pack' cool as the chop house.
 
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