520 N. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
… more pix on Google & Yelp
The major retailers is Nordstrom.
It offers charging stations, which is convenient.
4th floor food court has lao sez chuan restaurant.
520 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
… more pix Google, Yelp, TA, Insta
Dated, but the two dishes are authentic.
We’ve
• Sole fish fillet with mapo tofu
• Lamb with pure cumin
• Tiger beer
This 4th floor Sichuan restaurant is in the Shops at North Bridge mall, oppsotie from the Intercontinental hotel.
The decor is dated. On the back of the Manu is the list of their 17 locations in the US, and they’re still inviting more city to join.
They somehow, forgot about our lamb, which we waited for 30 minutes.
613 N Wells Street
Chicago, IL, 60654,
… more pix on Google, Yelp, TA
Staying here was a mistake. Even as I stood in the lobby, it didn’t dawn on me that I’d accidentally booked a hostel instead of a hotel. The words “historic” and “boutique” must have captured my imagination. We almost took an Uber straight to the voco Chicago Riverwalk from the airport, which had been my original reservation.
Rating
Location: 3/5
Room: 2
Cleanliness: 4
Shower pressure: 3
Towels: 4
Service: 1
I didn’t realize until later that I had double-booked two nights in Chicago.
Opened in 2018, the property repurposes a 1920s building that once served as a Shriners athletic club and later as single-room occupancy (SRO) apartments. The history is genuinely interesting and gives the building character.
Unfortunately, the service was among the worst I’ve encountered, largely due to an interaction with one front-desk employee.
On our first morning, we received a text message stating that complimentary coffee and tea were available. When we went downstairs, the front-desk agent informed us that they had run out of coffee.
I asked where the coffee would normally be served, noting that there was a bar on site.
“We just ran out of coffee today,” she replied.
I repeated the question, hoping to find tea instead. She repeated that they had run out of coffee. After a third attempt, I interrupted and raised my voice slightly. She immediately responded, “You raised your voice at me. I’m not dealing with you,” and walked away, leaving the front desk unattended.
Looking around, I eventually found the self-service beverage station in the back and helped myself to tea.
Before leaving for the day, my husband asked if two extra blankets could be sent to our room.
“I’m not talking to you,” she replied.
When we returned around 7 p.m., we asked again. The evening front-desk agent brought the blankets up almost immediately.
The building’s history is charming. The service, unfortunately, was not.
17 E Monroe St,
Chicago, IL 60603
… more pix n videos on Google, Yelp. TA, FB, Insta,
On the second floor of the Palmer House/Hilton.
The space is touristy and noisy, but the ceiling makes the visit worthwhile.
This lobby bar is pretty grand, featuring an ornate high ceiling and live music from 5pm, which contributes to the lively yet majestic ambiance.
We have California’s Daou Cabernet Sauvignon and Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Eliot Ness Amber Lager (6.1% ABV)—both are excellent choices. Served in chef sommelier-style stemware.
Additionally, many tables and seats have electrical outlets behind them, making the space practical for longer stays.
17 E Monroe St,
Chicago, IL 60603.
… more pix on Google, Yelp, TA, Insta
Palmer House is a historic hotel in Chicago‘s Loop area. Opened in 1870, rebuilt in 1925, which is the current structure.
The longest continuously operating hotel in North America, it was city’s first hotel with elevators, and the first hotel with electric light bulbs and telephones in the guest rooms. It’s a Hilton now.
Lockwood is a bar and restaurant on the second floor.
Seeing a few Asians partcipants in the Midwest Political Science Association MPSA annual conference.
.
River North is a lively neighborhood in Chicago the Near North Side. It boasts luxe shops and eateries, plus posh nightclubs and cocktail bars. Opened in 1930 in a former industrial area, the sprawling Merchandise Mart attracts throngs of shoppers to its home and office design showrooms. Surrounding the Mart, artist’s studios in converted warehouses and lofts form a hub that sustains the area’s foremost art galleries
… more pix n videos on Google, Yelp, TA
A wonderful 1.25-mile pedestrian path along the Chicago River, from Lake Michigan to Lake Street. Vibrant multi-use public open space, filled with bars, and cafes. There are also boat tours, kayak rentals and the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. Many waterfront restaurants on the north side of the river.
110 W Illinois St,
Chicago, IL 60654
… more pix on Google, Yelp, TA, FB, Insta
Probably won’t return.
A chichi Asian fusion restaurant.
We’ve
• crunch hamachi – sticky rice?
• pork belly
• crispy pata – pork shank
Food is 3/5: the yellowtail is average, and the rice is so-so (do they use sticky rice?); the best part is the chili garlic crisp. Pork belly is wonderful, and the shank is tasteless – good that I kept the soy sauce from the sushi.
The decor is 4/5: I really like the big door (?)- framed mirror on the exposed brick wall.
Continuing with the setting, I noticed Rona stem, Churchill tableware, and fake flowers outside. At this price range, please use the real thing. Especially since this time of year, the tulips are blooming everywhere in the city—so real flowers do survive in the Windy City.
A little side story – they pushed their buns three times when we didn’t order. The first time was from the couple sitting next to us at the bar. I understand. The second time, they left it for us. We told her it isn’t for us. The third time, a young lady came to announce that our buns are coming – the only problem was that we ordered crisp pata.
Although LGA is unbelievably shabby but once airborne, the sunshine made me feel a day on the beach. In December no less. This isn’t the first time I sit by the window.
