Trip to Chicago
 

Hi gang , the wife and I are going to Chicago for the weekend, as she is running the Chicago Marathon on Sunday. We are going to be there for 5 days ( our first time there)and would love some input on dinning and party places. Also wouldn't mind hooking up with OSO'ers from the area see some of Chicago area marine hardware. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Rick G.

HANDS DOWN; best Chicago Pizza, any of the Connie's Pizza restaurants. Do not miss. There are several.

(I took my soon to be boss there when I was interviewing, and that sealed the deal.)

Connies Pizza is good, so is Pizzaria UNO, and theres Ginos East....infact there are a TON of great places to eat in Chicago.
Party place are too many to mention! All depends on what kind of place you want to go to. Good place to start is Division street (area of Division and State)......theres probably 30+bars and clubs in a 5min walk.
As for Marine Hardware....well its getting cold here so i dont knwo how many will be out at this time but ya never know with the weather we get around here! Supposed to climb back into the 80's this week!!! :eek: Still may just get that last trip in this year! :D

Excaliber is a really over-cheezed club downtown, if it is still there. Dave & Busters downtown is also a nice place to have fun.

Uno's is good. Havn't been to Connies. I recall there being alot of shops by the Navy Pier. A big mall? You also have to make some time to walk around the loop. Some pretty amazing things. Sears tower, John Hancock, State of Illinois are all neat buildings. I can't recall the names of some of the more "architecturally" significant buildings, but there are several of those too. The shed (?) aquarium is supposed to be neat, but I've never been to it. I was to some botanical gardens that were really cool. Of course there is the museum of Science and industry too. Gotta see that.

Uno's is a little better in the actual city of Chicago, compared to the rest of the US-wide chain, but save going to Uno's for your local mall.

http://www.conniespizza.com/

Best location/decor:

http://www.conniespizza.com/locs_archer.htm

Excalibur is where they send all the out-of towners to......i dont know if the owners have some deal worked out with the local hotels or what but yea its a bit "over-cheezed" like you said......probably since its soo close to rock-n-roll McDonalds and the Hard Rock.....on the Plus side theres a Hooters about a block from there! :D
We also have the House of Blues right there along the river.....which is also nice to walk along. Navy pier is cool to check out as well.....its alot better in the summer when the beer garden is in full swing with the live bands and all but its still fun what ever the season is.

WE are staying right down town. We both like to dance R&B type bars, good live music , maybe a little jazz. Got to go out and celebrate the race . a nicer dinning place would be nice , Any thoughts. Thanks Rick G. P.S.great suggestions so far.

If you want a little bit of everything i would go to the State and Rush st area.....nice mix of everything in a close walking distance. They have Gillys retro and piano bar. A jazz club i forget the name of and a bunch of other small places. Couple of good restaurants right there too.......then right up the street (about 2 blocks up) at State and Division is where more of the dance bars are at....like Alumni Club, Mothers 1 & 2, etc...

WIFE HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.:p :D :D

What kind of **** are you sending these poor people to? Le Colonial for Drinks, TRY Tavern on Rush for Dinner, Nacional 27 for after dinner and Dancing. Any of the museums, Shedd Aq, etc, look out at Sears tower. Walk along Navy Pier or Mag Mile. ENOUGH SAID. If they want Pizza they can stay home.

Looney tune I have to agree, not that I don't like pizza, but as it is my first time to Chicago I would like dine at some of your finer Establishments. As I said earlier dinner and dancing is definitly on the agenda, not that I'm opposed to a little clubbing. Cashbrain I will certainly call you for more info I'll let you where we are staying any info will be greatly appreciated. Love to see what ever project you are working on. I think you have a boat for sale if I'm not mistaken. Keep the ideas coming . Thanks Again Rick G.

Cashbrain we are staying at the Swiss Hotel on Michigan avenue. Not a big fan of French cooking, Love Italian as I am Italian but also love all other types of food, Asian, Middle eastern etc. Wife asked me to ask you if you have any idea of the long range forecast for Sunday, she can be a pain that way. I will call you later in the week to chat. Thanks Rick G.

Currently my favorite restaurant in Chicago. SPRING Great food, great space.

Another great one.MK

Check out the dinning guide in Metromix

Betty and I Love to eat at Grand Lux Cafe, 600 North Michigan Ave. You go in on Ontario street. Very large servings and selection of food and a great price. The restaurant itself is beautiful. About 4 blocks north across the street is Water Tower Mall, 7 floor of shopping. Have fun, Doug